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Future student teachers and residents* should become familiar with the information in this section. Browse by using the buttons below or the menu to the left. It is important to understand and be prepared for the application process for your final semester(s) in the School of Education teacher licensure programs.
Please be advised, student teaching/residency candidates are expected to meet all application deadlines and have their placement confirmed by the end of the semester prior to beginning student teaching or residency.
The Student Teaching Handbook provides more explanation regarding responsibilities and expectations for student teaching. Residents should consult the Residency Handbook provided in seminar.
*Residency is the year-long classroom experience completed by Elementary Education majors in place of student teaching. Residency is not currently available for any other program. All other licensure candidates complete student teaching at the end of their program.
Student Teaching & Residency Application Process
Teacher candidates who are nearing the end of their coursework will need to begin preparation for their Student Teaching or Residency. Please review the information below to familiarize yourself with the process.
Please be advised, student teaching/residency candidates are expected to meet all application deadlines and have their placement confirmed by the end of the semester prior to beginning student teaching or residency.
The Student Teaching Handbook provides more explanation regarding responsibilities and expectations for student teaching. Residents should consult the Residency Handbook provided in seminar.
Teacher candidates preparing to apply for student teaching and residency will need the following items and information prepared.
Program Progress and Eligibility Requirements
Student teaching will occur in the final semester of your program. All required coursework, including general studies, major, minor, and/or licensure coursework should be completed before the beginning of the student teaching semester. Students completing a residency program will need to confirm the appropriate time to begin the residency with their School of Education faculty advisor. Please review the additional application eligibility requirements for your program level below.
Undergraduate Candidate Eligibility Requirements:
Prior to student teaching, all undergraduate degree-seeking candidates must:
- Be formally admitted to the teacher licensure program
- Successfully complete all other college/university program and degree requirements
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in all licensure coursework (see the GPA Calculation for Student Teaching page for details)
- Provide evidence of a passing score on the appropriate Licensure Exam (Music Education candidates only)
In addition, secondary and K-12 Art, Music, and P.E. candidates must:
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 for all content area courses required for licensure (see the GPA Calculation for Student Teaching page for details)
- Complete all required content area courses in the candidate’s endorsement area
Please note: All required teacher licensure and content area coursework must be completed with a grade of C- or better before student teaching.
Post-baccalaureate Candidate Eligibility Requirements:
Post-baccalaureate teacher licensure candidates must have a minimum of nine (9) credit hours of MSU Denver School of Education coursework to become eligible to student teach.
Prior to student teaching, all post-baccalaureate students must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree
- Be formally admitted to the teacher licensure program
- Successfully complete all other required teacher licensure program coursework and any other university program requirements
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in all licensure coursework (see GPA Calculation for Student Teaching page for details)
- Provide evidence of a passing score on the appropriate Licensure Exam (Music Education candidates only)
Please note: All required teacher licensure and content area coursework must be completed with a grade of C- or better before student teaching.
Graduate Candidate Eligibility Requirements:
Prior to student teaching, graduate candidates must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree
- Be admitted to the Master of Arts in Teaching program
- Successfully complete all other required Master of Arts in Teaching program coursework
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all licensure coursework
Please note: All required Master of Arts in Teaching coursework must be completed with a grade of C or better before student teaching. A grade of C- does not meet this requirement.
State-Required Licensure Exam
Teacher Candidates will need to pass the Licensure Exam(s) required for their program. Candidates should work with their School of Education faculty advisor(s) to plan and prepare for this exam. In addition to all other licensure program requirements, candidates must pass all required exams before receiving a recommendation for licensure. Music Education candidates must pass their required Licensure Exam prior to applying for Student Teaching.
We recommend that you save your score report electronically, as you will need it to apply for your teaching license. Please check the Praxis website early in order to give yourself enough time to prepare for and pass the exam prior to completing your licensure program (or, in some cases, before you can apply to student teach).
Visit the School of Education Licensure Exam page for details regarding your specific exam requirements, as well as study resource suggestions.
Résumé
Teacher Candidates must submit an updated résumé as part of their intent to apply for student teaching or residency. Below you will find sample résumés and frequently asked questions to help you prepare your résumé.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Résumé:
- What are some suggestions regarding the résumé?
- Please review the sample résumé; undergrads/Master’s students should include the anticipated date of graduation and licensure; post-bac students should include the anticipated date of licensure.
- Include practicum/field experiences.
- If you have not passed the required Licensure Exam, do not list your score as pending; the content exam score does not need to be listed since all student teachers must have a passing score.
- Please remember the audience who will be reading your résumé; focus on educational experiences. It is OK to include past work experience emphasizing transferable skills and highlighting work and educational experiences with children; however, it is not necessary to list all work experience.
- Career Services can provide help with preparing your résumé. Call 303-615-1133 or stop by Tivoli 215 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
- How long can my résumé be?
- The résumé can be a maximum of two pages. Principals and mentor teachers consider these reasonable lengths for review.
- BE SURE TO HAVE SOMEONE PROOFREAD YOUR DOCUMENTS
- Remember that administrators reading these documents will be deciding if they want you as a student teacher in their school. Content is important; however, spelling and punctuation are also critical. If you feel you need assistance in the content of your writing, please contact the Writing Center at 303-615-1888.
During the first week of Fall and Spring semesters, all teacher candidates admitted to School of Education licensure programs (undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate) will receive an email with an invitation to attend a Student Teaching & Residency Information Meeting if they are planning to student teach or begin residency in the following spring/fall semester. All students planning to student teach or begin residency must attend one of these meetings to gain access to the online Intent Form for Student Teaching/Residency.
Completion of the Intent Form will require:
- Your Student ID Number (900#)
- Your program information (major and/or licensure program name)
- An updated GPA Calculation Worksheet in original digital spreadsheet format (if applicable, not used for K-12 Art, K-12 Music, or Master of Arts in Teaching programs, candidates in these programs will need to provide their current MSU Denver GPA from their Degree Progress Report)
- Your Licensure Exam scores in PDF format, if completed (multiple pages/reports must be combined into one PDF document)
- Your updated résumé (in document format) (see the “Preparing to Apply” slide down content above for more information on preparing your résumé)
- Having met with your faculty advisor(s) within the past semester
Once the candidate has successfully completed the Intent Form, they will be added to a list to receive the Application for Student Teaching and Residency. The application will be distributed to each candidate’s MSU Denver email address at the beginning of week 4 of the semester. Candidates will schedule an advising appointment with their School of Education faculty advisor* to complete the application. Applications must be submitted by the end of week 6 of the semester.
The process to successfully complete the application is as follows:
- After completing the Intent Form, candidates (other than residents) should begin researching information on placement school options. Candidates are expected to have as much information on placement options as possible before meeting with their School of Education faculty advisor* to complete their application. You will need to know district names, school names, principal names, the names of potential teachers, grade level/range in which you would like to teach, and any other pertinent details. For candidates pursuing CLD endorsements and/or concentrations, please take this into account when researching possible placements.
- Secondary Education candidates, K-12 Modern Languages/World Languages candidates, and undergraduate degree-seeking ECE and Elementary candidates who are not majoring in Education will all need to see their major/content area advisors to complete a Major/Content Area Student Teaching Verification Form (Secondary & K-12 Lang.) or a Student Teaching Major Completion Verification Form (ECE & Elementary) prior to completing the application with their School of Education faculty advisor.
- Students will need to schedule an advising appointment with their School of Education faculty advisor*. During the appointment, the faculty advisor will open the personalized student teaching application link (and, if remote, share their screen with the student). Students will need to share their personal application link with the faculty advisor. Students should not attempt to complete the application prior to meeting with the advisor or on their own.
- The application will include information submitted via the Intent Form, and the candidate and advisor will review this information together to ensure accuracy. Next, the candidate and advisor will discuss the placement request choices and enter the information on these placement requests accordingly. Finally, the application can be submitted.
- The final step in the application process is for the School of Education faculty advisor* to verify the application. You will select the advisor’s name at the beginning of the application, and an email will be sent to that advisor as soon as the application is submitted. That email will contain a link to a verification form that the advisor will need to complete and submit online before your application will be accepted.
*Please note: Art and Music Education candidates meet with their content licensure advisor to complete the application.
Additional Information About Student Teaching and Residency
Below you will find additional details and options regarding your culminating licensure program clinical experience.
Teacher candidates must register for the correct student teaching course using accurate course reference numbers (CRN). Errors in registration result in delays in obtaining licensure. Consult the online registration Class Schedule for listings and CRNs.
Check the guide below to verify that you have registered correctly; all students must register for a total of 12 credit hours.
If you have trouble registering, please contact the School of Education Student Services Office at [email protected] for assistance.
Registration for Student Teaching
The School of Education’s Office of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships does not register candidates for student teaching. Teacher candidates must register for the correct student teaching course using the accurate course reference number (CRN). If, after reading the options below, you still have questions about which courses are right for you, contact [email protected].
The School of Education’s Student Services Office also does not register candidates for student teaching; however, that office (rather than OCEP) is the correct contact for assistance with registration problems.
Please reference the correct section depending on your program and licensure plans:
- Courses for Master’s Degree (MAT) Student Teachers
- Courses for Undergraduate & Post Baccalaureate Student Teachers pursuing single licensure/endorsement
- Courses for Undergraduate & Post Baccalaureate Student Teachers pursuing dual licensure/endorsement
Courses for Master’s Degree (MAT) Student Teachers:
Note: TEDM 6800 (1 credit) Capstone course is to be taken concurrently with student teaching unless otherwise determined with MAT advisor.
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) student teaching courses**:
| Teaching License/Program | Dept. | Number | Credits | Title of Course |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | EDUM | 6190 | 12 | Master’s Elementary Ed. Student Teaching & Seminar K-6 |
| Special Education | SEDM | 6490 | 12 | Master’s Special Education Student Teaching & Seminar 0-21 |
**Note: MAT student teachers must register for the correct student teaching course and the capstone.
Courses for Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate: Single License/Endorsement. Check the guide below to register correctly; you must register for 12 credit hours.
Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate student teaching courses:
| Teaching/License Program | Dept. | Number | Credits | Title of Course |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education | ECE | 4390 | 12 | Early Childhood Student Teaching & Seminar PK-3 |
| Elementary Education (or 16-week elementary PETE placement only) | EDU | 4190 | 12 | Elementary Student Teaching & Seminar K-6 |
| Secondary Education (English, Social Studies, Science, Modern Language, and 16-week secondary PETE placement only) | EDS | 4290 | 12 | Secondary Student Teaching & Seminar 7-12 |
| Special Education (one 16-week placement) | SED | 4490 | 12 | Special Education Student Teaching & Seminar 0-21 |
| Art Education (two 8-week placements) | ARTE | 4701 | 12 | Student Teaching & Seminar Art Ed. K-12 |
| Elementary Student Teaching for Music K-6 (plus MUS 4972 for two 8-week placements; must register for both) | MUS | 4971 | 6 | Music Student Treaching & Seminar Elementary |
| Secondary Student Teaching for Music 7-12 (plus MUS 4971 for two 8-week placements; must register for both) | MUS | 4972 | 6 | Music Student Teaching & Seminar Secondary |
| Secondary Math | MTL | 4690 | 12 | Math STudent Teaching & Seminar: Secondary |
| K-12 P.E. (plus EDS 4290 for two 8-week placements) | EDU | 4190 | 6 | Elementary Student Teaching & Seminar K-6 |
| K-12 P.E. (plus EDU 4190 for two 8-week placements) | EDS | 4290 | 6 | Secondary Student Teaching & Seminar 7-12 |
*Students under the 2015-16 catalog and later may be required to complete residency in place of student teaching, depending on their program.
Courses for Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate: Dual License/Endorsement
Check the guide below to register for the correct combination of courses; you must register for 12 credit hours.
| Dual Teaching License/Endorsement Combinations | Dept. | Number | Credits | Title of Course(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECE with Elementary endorsement (two 8-week placements; total of 12 credit hours) | ECE & EDU | 4390 & 4190 | 6 & 6 | Early Childhoood Student Teaching & Seminar PK-3; AND Elementary Student Teaching & Seminar K-6 |
| ECE with CLD endorsement (one 16-week placement; total of 12 credit hours) | ECE & CLD | 4390 & 4590 | 6 & 6 | Early Childhood Student Teaching & Seminar PK-3; AND Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Student Teaching & Seminar K-12 |
| Elementary with CLD endorsement (one 16-week placement; total of 12 credit hours) | EDU & CLD | 4190 & 4590 | 6 & 6 | Elementary Student Teaching & Seminar K-6; AND Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Student Teaching & Seminar K-12 |
| Secondary candidates with CLD endorsement (one 16-week placement; total of 12 credit hours) | EDS & CLD | 4290 & 4590 | 6 & 6 | Secondary Student Teaching & Seminar 7-12; AND Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Student Teaching & Seminar K-12 |
| Special Education with Elementary endorsement (one 16-week placement in special education in an elementary school or 8-week special education placement and 8-week elementary general education placement; total of 12 credit hours) | SED & EDU | 4490 & 4190 | 6 & 6 | Special Education STudent Teaching & Seminar 0-21; AND Elementary Student Teaching & Seminar K-6 |
| Special Education with CLD endorsement (one 16-week placement; total of 12 credits) | SED & CLD | 4490 & 4590 | 6 & 6 | Special Education Student Teaching & Seminar 0-21; AND Culturally/Linguistically Diverse STudent Teaching & Seminar K-12 |
| Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLD) endorsement added to any license area not mentioned in the list above | CLD | 4590 | 6 (In addition to primary license) | Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Student Teaching & Seminar K-12 in addition to primary endorsement |
Please refer to the Student Teaching Handbook for more information on registration.
Each licensure candidate will be assigned a University Supervisor prior to the start of the student teaching semester. Our supervisor pool is a mix of full-time and affiliate faculty members.
These are the forms you and your University Supervisor will be using during your placement. Please review with your Supervisor which forms they require, as some are optional.
| Form | Description |
|---|---|
| Daily Class Schedule | To be filled out by the Student Teacher and submitted to the University Supervisor at the initial meeting. |
| Student Teacher Information Sheet | To be filled out by the Student Teacher and submitted to the University Supervisor at the initial meeting. |
| Initial Visit | To be completed by the University Supervisor during the initial visit with the Student Teacher. |
| Journal Entry | To be completed by the Student Teacher and due at each seminar, or as requested by the University Supervisor. |
| Student Teaching Observation Evaluation – Example | The University Supervisor will fill out one Observation Report for each visit made to the classroom. This is a downloadable example that shows the questions on the official online version of the Evaluation Form. |
| Student Teaching Midterm Evaluation – Example | The University Supervisor will fill out one Midterm Report half-way through the placement. This is a downloadable example that shows the questions on the official online version of the Evaluation Form. |
| Student Teaching Midterm Evaluation – Instructions | Definitions of the rating scale used for the Student Teaching Midterm Evaluation. |
| Student Teaching Final Evaluation – Example | The University Supervisor will fill out one Final Report at the end of the placement. This is a downloadable example that shows the questions on the official online version of the Evaluation Form. |
| Student Teaching Final Evaluation – Instructions | Definitions of the rating scale used for the Student Teaching Final Evaluation. |
| Special Education Checklist | Special Education Student Teachers have additional requirements. Please use this checklist to ensure you’ve fulfilled your requirements. |
Congratulations! Now that your student teaching placement is over, there are just a few more steps towards licensure.
Please review the End of Semester Letter we emailed you along with this Process for Licensure sheet (coming soon) which outlines all components that must be turned in to the Student Teaching Office.
At the end of each semester we ask that the Student Teacher completes online evaluations of their cooperating teacher(s) and University Supervisor(s), as well as a program exit survey. We appreciate your valuable input and feedback! Please note that the evaluation surveys are confidential. Links to these evaluations will be provided in the End of Semester Memo.
It is common for students to ask their University Supervisor for a letter of recommendation after their placement is complete. Please fill out the following FERPA Form if grades, GPA, or other information obtained from Banner will be included in this letter.
Upon successful completion of all student teaching requirements, the Director of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships signs the Approved Program Verification Form for initial licensure through the Colorado Department of Education. If you are moving out of state, you may provide our office with the appropriate form for that state’s Department of Education.
To be recommended for licensure, candidates must:
- Complete all requirements for a bachelor’s degree
- Complete all requirements for the professional licensure sequence
- Pass the appropriate content examination
- Successfully complete student teaching requirements
- Demonstrate proficiency in all licensure standards
Please access the Colorado Department of Education website for the application form for initial licensure.
For your CDE application you will need scanned copies of the following:
- Approved Program Verification Form
- Official Transcripts from all undergrad, post-bac, and Masters studies
- PLACE/Praxis II test scores
We offer scholarships for Student Teachers, so be sure to keep an eye on the School of Education Scholarship page. Scholarship applications typically open in March each year, but additional scholarships occasionally become available throughout the year.
Calendar of Events and Deadlines
The dates below outline important stages in the process for student teaching and residency. You are required to meet the deadlines outlined at Information Sessions. The events are in chronological order for the term listed. If information is incomplete, we will update the calendar as that information becomes available; TBD indicates information is “To Be Determined.” Please check this website for updates and other information regarding student teaching and residency. You are always welcome to contact us directly at 303-615-1555 or in West Classroom 162 if you have questions.
FALL 2025 STUDENT TEACHING/RESIDENCY I
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Late January/Early February, 2025 | Student Teaching/Residency Information Meetings (Please note: There is a difference between field experience placements and student teaching/residency If you are unclear about this – see an advisor) |
| Thursday, 1/30/25 4:30-6:15 p.m. |
|
| Tuesday, 2/4/25 4:30-6:15 p.m. |
|
| Beginning 1/30/25 | Intent Form Links Available
Intent to apply for student teaching/residency links will be emailed to all teacher licensure candidates during the live, in-person info session they attend on 1/30 or 2/4. |
| 1/30/25 through 2/28/25 | Submit Intent to Apply for Student Teaching/Residency
Successfully complete intent form to receive the application for student teaching/residency. Friday, February 28th, at 5:00 PM is the last day to submit your intent to apply for student teaching/residency. |
| 1/30/25 through 3/7/25 | Complete Student Teaching/Residency Application
Students who successfully completed the intent form will be emailed a link to the student teaching/residency application on the Monday following successful completion of the intent form from [email protected]. The last day application links will be sent is Monday, March 3rd, 2025 If you do not see the application link in your inbox, enter the following keywords into your email client’s search box: **ACTION REQUIRED – DO NOT DELETE** Fall 2025 Student Teaching/Residency Application |
| Friday, 3/7/25, 5:00 PM | Last day to submit student teaching/residency applications
Please note: submitted applications will not be processed until the advisor submits verification. |
| Monday, 8/18/25 | First day of student teaching
Please note that while districts may start earlier than this date, student teachers are not expected to officially begin until the start of MSU Denver’s semester. It is up to you as to whether you would like to, and are able to, begin the school year with preK-12 students earlier than the first day of the semester. It is not a requirement nor can earlier start weeks be ‘counted’ towards the 16 weeks of supervised student teaching. (Residency students will receive information about semester start dates from their Residency supervisor) |
| TBD | Pairs Collaboration Workshop: Student Teachers and Mentor Teachers Collaboratively Review Pairs Module (does not apply to Residency students) |
| TBD | |
| 12/5/25 | Last day of student teaching (Residency students will receive information about semester end dates from their Residency supervisor) |
SPRING 2025 STUDENT TEACHING/RESIDENCY I
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Late August/Early September, 2024 | Student Teaching/Residency Information Meetings (Please note: There is a difference between field experience placements and student teaching/residency If you are unclear about this – see an advisor) |
| Wednesday, 8/28/24 4:30-6:15 p.m. |
|
| Thursday, 9/5/24 4:30-6:15 p.m. |
|
| Beginning 8/28/24 | Intent Form Links Available
Intent to apply for student teaching/residency links will be emailed to all teacher licensure candidates during the live, in-person info session they attend on 8/28 or 9/5. |
| Wednesday, 8/28/24 through Thursday, 9/20/24 | Submit Intent to Apply for Student Teaching/Residency
Successfully complete intent form to receive the application for student teaching/residency. Thursday, September 20th at 5:00 PM is the absolute last day to submit your intent to apply for student teaching/residency. You should not wait this long. |
| Wednesday, 8/28/24 through Friday, 9/27/24 | Complete Student Teaching/Residency Application
Students who successfully completed the intent form will be emailed a link to the student teaching/residency application on the Monday following successful completion of the intent form from [email protected]. The last day application links will be sent is Monday, September 23rd, 2024 If you do not see the application link in your inbox, enter the following keywords into your email client’s search box: **ACTION REQUIRED – DO NOT DELETE** Spring 2025 Student Teaching/Residency Application |
| Friday, 9/27/24, 5:00 PM | Last day to submit student teaching/residency applications
Please note: submitted applications will not be processed until the advisor submits verification. |
| Tuesday, 1/21/25 | First day of student teaching
Please note that while districts may start earlier than this date, student teachers are not expected to officially begin until the start of MSU Denver’s semester. It is up to you as to whether you would like to, and are able to, begin the school year with preK-12 students earlier than the first day of the semester. It is not a requirement nor can earlier start weeks be ‘counted’ towards the 16 weeks of supervised student teaching. (Residency students will receive information about semester start dates from their Residency supervisor) |
| TBD | Pairs Collaboration Workshop: Student Teachers and Mentor Teachers Collaboratively Review Pairs Module (does not apply to Residency students) |
| TBD | |
| May 4th, 2024 | Last day of student teaching (Residency students will receive information about semester end dates from their Residency supervisor) |
FALL 2024 STUDENT TEACHING/RESIDENCY I
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Early February, 2024 | Student Teaching/Residency Information Meetings (Please note: There is a difference between field experience placements and student teaching. If you are unclear about this – see an advisor) |
| Thursday, 2/1/24 4:30-6:15 p.m. |
|
| Wednesday, 2/7/24 4:30-6:15 p.m. |
|
| Early February, 2024 | Intent Form Links Available
Intent to apply for student teaching/residency link will be emailed after attendance of the Student Teaching/Residency Information Meeting. |
| Early February to Friday, March 1, 2024 |
Submit Intent to Apply for Student Teaching/Residency
Successfully complete intent form to receive the application for student teaching/residency. Thursday, February 29 at 5:00 PM is the absolute last day to submit your intent to apply for student teaching. You should not wait this long. |
| Thursday, 2/1/24 through Friday, 3/8/24 | Complete Student Teaching/Residency Application
Students who successfully completed the intent form will be emailed a link to the student teaching/residency application on the Monday following successful completion of the intent form from [email protected]. The last day application links will be sent is Monday, February 26, 2024 If you do not see the application link in your inbox, enter the following keywords into your email client’s search box: **ACTION REQUIRED – DO NOT DELETE** Fall 2024 Student Teaching/Residency Application |
| Friday, 3/8/24, 5:00 PM | Last day to submit student teaching/residency applications
Please note: submitted applications will not be processed until the advisor submits verification. |
| Monday, 8/19/24 | First day of student teaching
Please note that while districts may start earlier than this date, student teachers are not expected to officially begin until the start of MSU Denver’s semester. It is up to you as to whether you would like to, and are able to, begin the school year with preK-12 students earlier than the first day of the semester. It is not a requirement nor can earlier start weeks be ‘counted’ towards the 16 weeks of supervised student teaching. (Residency students will receive information about semester start dates from their Residency supervisor) |
| August 2024 | Pairs Collaboration Workshop: Student Teachers and Mentor Teachers Collaboratively Review Pairs Module (does not apply to Residency students) |
| August 14, 2024, 4:45-6:45 PM August 20, 2024, 4:45-6:45 PM |
|
| Friday, 12/6/24 | Last day of student teaching (Residency students will receive information about semester end dates from their Residency supervisor) |