Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education with Alternative Licensure

The Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education with Alternative Licensure Program (ALP SED MAT) is a two-year (five semester) program designed for those who want to obtain a teaching license and earn a master’s degree.

PRIOR TO ENROLLMENT

ALP SED MAT candidates must:

• Have been hired as a full-time teacher in any Colorado Front Range area public school district, public or private charter school, or accredited private school
• Pass the Praxis #5903 – Elementary Mathematics or apply for an Interim Authorization with the Colorado Department of Education to give you one year to pass this test
• Meet the Colorado Department of Education ALP requirements
• Attend a one-week summer seminar in July

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

• Students must indicate completion of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5
• Provide Supplemental Documents (uploaded as part of the ALP application):
  • Resume
  • Personal Statement – Please submit a personal statement addressing the points below. Submissions must be one page, double-spaced, in 12 point Times New Roman font, with one-inch margins.  Document must be in .PDF or .DOC/.DOCX format.
    • Your reason for pursuing this degree
    • Your experiences and/or qualities that will benefit you as you pursue this degree
    • Your reason for pursuing this degree at MSU Denver, specifically

ALP SED MAT REQUIREMENTS

Year 1

• Attend MSU Denver ALP SED MAT classes and complete Special Education coursework
• Complete a four-week summer practicum in June between Year 1 and Year 2
• Face-to-face coaching
• Face-to-face classes
• Pass the Praxis #5903 – Elementary Mathematics if student entered the program under an Interim Authorization

Year 2

• Attend MSU Denver ALP SED classes and complete Special Education coursework
• Demonstrate proficiency on all Colorado Teacher Quality Standards for Colorado Special Education Generalist
• Complete a Teacher Work Sample and Portfolio
• Pass the Praxis #5355 Special Education: Core Knowledge
• Pass the Praxis #5205 Teaching Reading: Elementary
• Face-to-face coaching
• Face-to-face classes

TUITION

• Tuition is $6,957.00 for each of the two years, for a total of $13,914.00 + Mandatory Student Fees
• A total of 49 graduate credits will be awarded
• The tuition and fees for these additional courses can be found by clicking this link
• Tuition and fee rates are subject to change.

CURRICULUM

MAT Curriculum (graduate level courses + licensure):

• Teacher Candidates enrolled in the MAT program complete 40 hours of graduate special education coursework during the program.

• There is a one-week Summer Seminar in July before the year begins, weekly classes for two years, and a four-week summer practicum between years one and two.

• Teacher Candidates will be eligible for the Initial Special Education Generalist License from the Colorado Department of Education when they have successfully completed the ALP SED MAT program and achieved a passing score on:
  • Elementary Mathematics PRAXIS #5903
  • Special Education PRAXIS #5355
  • Teaching Reading: Elementary PRAXIS #5205

• MAT students will be required to complete an additional 9 credits of graduate level coursework, before obtaining the MAT. Two of these courses will be completed in the summer between years 1 and 2 and one will be completed in the fall of year 2.

CLASS SCHEDULE

• All ALP SED MAT Teacher Candidates are required to attend a one-week Summer Seminar in July
• During the school year, candidates must attend face-to-face classes held every Wednesday from 5:15pm – 8:15pm

MSU Denver’s teacher licensure programs are approved by the Colorado State Board of Education and the Colorado Department of Higher Education.