TEACH Colorado | Frequently Asked Questions

You do not need a master’s degree to start teaching in Colorado, but if you already have a bachelor’s degree and are changing careers to start teaching, a master’s degree isn’t a bad idea. 

Benefits of getting a master’s degree to teach in Colorado:

• A master's degree program offers extra support to learn the teaching trade, from lesson planning to classroom management. 
• Master’s degree programs with licensure are eligible for financial aid, whereas alternative licensing programs are not.
• A master's degree will allow you to earn a higher salary.
• If you already have a teaching license, you can take classes to earn your master’s degree during nights and weekends. 

You can use our Program Explorer to find master's degree programs in Colorado.

You can use financial aid such as scholarships, grants and loan forgiveness opportunities to help make teaching programs more affordable. 

Financial aid options in Colorado

• Scholarships: financial assistance that does not need to be repaid, and is offered based on a student’s merit, need or athletics, such as the TEACH Colorado Scholarship. 
• Grants: a financial award that does not need to be repaid, such as the Rural Student Teaching Stipend.
• Loan forgiveness: a cancellation of some or all a student’s loans after meeting specified requirements such as on-time payments, service commitments and tenure. The Teacher Loan Forgiveness program is a good example. 

Financial aid opportunities can be federally, privately or institutionally funded. You can learn more about financial aid for future Colorado teachers in our financial aid guide.

Choosing the right teaching programs will depend on your experience and where you want to begin your teaching career. 

Consider these questions to help determine the program for you: 

• Do you want to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree along with your teaching license? Or do you want to jump right into teaching with an alternative licensing program? 
• Do you have a budget? Does the program need to be mostly online to fit your schedule? 
• How much hands-on experience do you want, and what kind of mentorship do you hope to receive? 

Questions like these will guide you to choosing the program that fits your goals. You can learn more about choosing a teaching program in our article. 

You can absolutely teach in a subject other than what your degree is in. In Colorado, you will typically need to have at least 24 credits in the subject you want to teach or pass content knowledge assessments and take a teacher preparation program pathway. 

How to get licensed in your new subject:

• Take post-bac courses: Enroll in post-baccalaureate classes to fulfill the 24 credits required by the state, or
• Pass a content knowledge assessment: You must pass a Praxis II test in your new content area to prove you can teach that subject or have at least 24 credits of coursework in that subject. Learn about what content exams are required on our Testing Guide.
• Choose a Pathway: master’s of art in teaching programs offer a master’s degree alongside your teaching license, or you can take alternative licensing programs or licensure-only programs. Learn more on our How to Earn Your CO Teaching License page.

If you’re a first-year teacher, the average starting salary for Colorado teachers is $42,421. If you have more experience or more education, Colorado's average teacher salary is $68,647. 

• In most cases, school districts set their own salary schedules for teachers, which are often based on years of experience and credentials.
• Some districts also look at performance or offer higher pay to teachers in shortage area subjects. 

You can learn more about Colorado teacher salaries and benefits on our Salary and Benefits page.

Only you can decide if teaching is right for you, and there is a combination of skills and values that many teachers have. 

Here are some signs that you will like teaching:

• You want a career with autonomy, mastery and purpose.
• You have drive and curiosity to challenge yourself and grow.
• You've worked with children before and enjoy it.
• You want a job that's both creative and analytical, and that makes a real difference in your community.

Here are a few places to start your research:

• Visit our Explore Teaching page.

Check out our articles, pages and videos to explore the ins and outs of teaching.

Teachers generally have a great deal of autonomy — more so than most jobs right out of college. From day one, you'll be entrusted with big responsibilities. 

Areas teachers will have the most autonomy

• Building classroom culture by way of room decoration, class room management techniques and classroom routines
• Instructional Strategy by choosing the activities, technology and teaching methods that best fit your students' needs
• Being creative with lesson implementation by adapting the required curriculum to be engaging for your students

That said, every school varies in terms of teacher autonomy, so it's smart to ask about this during job interviews.

In most cases, yes. With proper training, preparation and practice, you'll build the skills you need to manage students in your classroom.

Your teaching program should show you how to earn your students' trust, develop strong communication skills and use effective classroom management techniques.

Once you're in the classroom, you'll continue to learn on the job and learn from your colleagues. Teachers are a supportive bunch, and experienced educators at your school will help you to continue to build your craft. You've got this!

Yes! While there’s no single way to be a good teacher, there are a combination of skills and values that a good teacher has. Like any profession, it takes time and dedication to develop the skills to teach effectively. 

Therefore, good teachers need to have passion, drive, and curiosity to do their job well and better themselves. Each day, you'll improve your relationship-building, critical thinking, creativity and leadership skills, to support your students the best that you can.

The quickest way to become a teacher online is through alternative licensure programs or teacher apprenticeship programs. 

Key benefits to non-traditional online programs:

• Online coursework: asynchronous coursework can be completed at your own pace
• Fast-track training: shorter but enriched training courses on the fundamentals of teaching a classroom of students
• Earn while you learn: in many cases, once you finish training, you can start teaching in your classroom right away and apply what you learn as you teach. 

No matter what type of program you choose, you will have hands-on, in-person experiences during student teaching, so it can’t be done completely online. 

Learn about alternative licensure programs and teacher apprenticeships in our guides.

In most cases, it will take four years in a traditional teaching program. However, it ultimately depends on the type of teaching program you choose and where you are in your academic career. 

• Bachelor’s degree + licensure: About 4 years
• Master’s degree + licensure: 1– 3 years
• Alternative licensure: 1– 2 years
• Licensure-only: About 1 year

You can see different programs and their lengths in our Program Explorer.

The fastest pathways to become a licensed teacher is through alternative licensing programs and licensure-only programs. If you have educational or professional degrees in the subject area you want to teach, these programs allow you to learn how to teach and, in some cases, start teaching right away.

Learn more about Colorado alternative licensing programs.

You can become a teacher even if you have a unique background, and there are pathways to teaching tailored specifically for situations like this. 

Pathways to a teaching license:

• Alternative licensing programs are a good option for you if you want to change careers and have a bachelor’s degree in the subject you want to teach. 
• Career and Technical Education licensing programs are a good option if you have vocational experience in a specific trade or industry.

Learn more about Colorado teacher licensing.

No, you can absolutely become a teacher in Colorado at any point in your career. 

• If you have a bachelor’s degree, you can find many programs suited for career changers, such as master’s degree programs, alternative licensing programs and licensure-only programs. 
• If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, there are traditional teaching programs that offer a bachelor’s and license at the same time. 
• If you have work experience in an industry or technical field, you can become a Career and Technical Education teacher to teach grades 7-12. 

Each program offers a different range of coursework, hands-on experience and mentoring. Learn more about Colorado teacher licensing.

No, substitute teaching or paraprofessional roles do not qualify for the 1- 3 years of full-time teaching experience requirement towards a teacher license. 

Different teacher license pathways:

• Alternative licensing programs require you to secure a full-time teaching position at a Colorado school for the duration of the program to get your license, which ranges between one to two years.
• Out-of-State applicants need to have three years of valid, full-time teaching experience to be approved for a Colorado teaching license.

However, working in those roles provides valuable experience for applying to teacher preparation programs. 

Yes, you can use your non-education degree or prior experience to teach in Colorado. There are two options available: 

• Elementary and Secondary education (in any subject) teacher: You will need to have at least 24 credits in the subject you want to teach, or prove your expertise by passing a subject area assessment. Pathways available to you include master’s degree programs, and alternative licensing programs. Learn more in our teaching programs guide.
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher: This pathway is a non-traditional route to becoming a teacher. If you have work experience in industries like construction, hospitality, or health sciences, a CTE license lets you apply your skills to teach grades 7-12. Learn more about licensure areas, specifically CTE, on our licensure areas page and the requirements for CTE teacher licenses on the Colorado Department of Education’s site. 

olorado offers a variety of teacher licensure programs, ranging from programs for people who have never been to college to programs for people who want a master’s degree. You can expect to find these types of programs available at different colleges and universities:

• Bachelor’s degree + licensure
• Master’s degree + licensure
• Alternative licensure
• Licensure-only

Each program offers a different range of coursework, hands-on experience and mentoring. Learn more about Colorado teacher licensing. 

An alternative licensure is a teacher preparation pathway that lets you earn your initial teaching license while you teach in your own classroom. To apply, you will need to meet these requirements:

• Have at least 24 college credits in the subject you plan to teach, or pass a content area assessment in that subject.
• Most alternative licensing programs require a GPA of at least 2.5.

Applications are available on university or institution websites, and you can find Colorado alternative licensing programs in our Program Explorer.

Alternative licensure is a type of teacher licensing that prepares teachers for an accelerated entry into teaching and lets you earn your initial teaching license while you teach in your own classroom. 

This type of teaching license is good for people who:

• Have a bachelor’s degree, but haven’t started a teacher prep program.
• Have either studied or have experience in the subject you want to teach.
• Want to start teaching right away.

Alternative licensure in Colorado requires that you get a teaching job in a district that partners with alternative licensing programs. You can see an overview of the alternative licensing pathway in our guide.

If you are unsure of what subject to teach, or curious about what options are available for you, you can learn more about Colorado licensure areas and check out alternative licensing programs.

In Colorado, the primary difference is that a teaching degree is an academic qualification from a college, while a teaching license is the legal authorization from the state to teach in a classroom.

To qualify for these credentials, you must meet different requirements:

• Teaching Degree: Obtained by completing a college-level teacher preparation program, including specialized coursework in a specific subject area.
• Teaching License: Issued by the Colorado Department of Education after you complete the degree, pass the required exams, and finish student teaching assessments.

Yes, you can earn your master’s degree and Colorado teaching license in one program in as little as one to three years. 

The benefits of a master’s degree program:

• Integrated licensing: Master’s of arts in teaching programs build in teacher license requirements into your coursework to get you licensed faster.
• Higher salary: You can start teaching with a higher salary with a master’s degree.

You can find a master’s degree program for you in our Program Explorer.

Yes, there are many earn while you learn (teacher apprenticeship) programs in Colorado for teachers to get licensed while teaching in a classroom. These programs are built for you to earn your teacher license in one to two years, all while applying what you learn in your coursework into the classroom. You can learn more in our guide about what to expect in a Colorado Teacher Apprenticeship.

A teaching residency program is a type of alternative licensing program that allows you to earn your teaching license in 2- 3 years while getting paid to teach in a classroom alongside a mentor teacher. In Colorado, these programs are called teacher apprenticeships.

Key benefits to a teaching apprenticeship program:

• Get paid to teach: you are paid a salary (with benefits!). Stipends vary by district, and in Cherry Creek School District, apprentice teachers had a salary of $47,500 in 2024-25.
• Earn a bachelor’s degree: depending on the program, you may receive both your teaching license and a bachelor’s degree. If you already have a degree, you aren’t eligible for this pathway.
• More experience: you will commit to teaching in your school for the full school year. You will also get support from your mentor teacher.
• Job opportunities: start a full-time teaching role, usually in the district where you trained. After you graduate, you’ll often commit to teaching in your district for a certain amount of time

Apprenticeship programs are designed specifically for early childhood education, elementary education, and special education. You can learn more about Colorado teacher apprenticeship programs. 

To become a substitute teacher in Colorado, you can apply for one of three substitute teaching authorizations: a 1-year, 3-year and 5-year authorization.

Key requirements for substitute teaching authorization: 

• 1-year authorization: You will need to have a high school diploma or GED, pass a background check and prove with experience that you are able to work with children.
• 3-year authorization: You will need a bachelor’s degree in any subject from a regionally approved college or university, as well as pass a background check.
• 5-year authorization: You must have or previously held a valid in-state or out-of-state teaching license, as well as pass a background check.

You can learn more about the application process on the Colorado Department of Education website. 

To start teaching immediately in Colorado, you can apply for an interim license or start an alternative licensing program. Both pathways allow you to start teaching while fulfilling initial teacher licensing requirements. You can learn more about alternative licenses in our guide, as well as on the Colorado Department of Education website for interim licenses.

Yes, in Colorado, you can renew your teaching license even if it has expired. You will need to submit an application to make sure you are meeting all the current content knowledge requirements for your subject area. For certain license types, like a professional license, you may need to retake teaching assessments if the lapse has been longer than seven years.

You can get your out-of-state teaching license evaluated by the Colorado Department of Education to determine if you meet all the requirements to teach in Colorado. 

Evaluation of your out-of-state teacher license:

• Comparable license: If you hold a valid, out-of-state license that is comparable to the Colorado teacher license and have a bachelor’s degree or higher, you can submit your credentials for review.
• Fulfill content knowledge requirements: Depending on your subject area, you may need to take exams or take extra courses to fulfill the content knowledge requirements, such as passing an exam or obtaining 24 credits of coursework in that subject.
• Receive a temporary license: If you meet all the requirements aside from coursework or exam requirements, you can get an interim license to teach in Colorado while you fulfill the content knowledge requirements.

Colorado has many programs and benefits for veterans to pursue a teaching career. 

Specialized programs for veterans and current active-duty members:

• ASPIRE Program with CU-Denver: The ASPIRE program is an alternative licensing program specifically for current Colorado service members.
• Alternative licensing programs: Other alternative licensing programs are fast-tracked pathways to teaching, and you can even start teaching while getting licensed.
• Traditional preparation programs: You will need at least a bachelor’s degree to teach in Colorado, so if you need to complete your undergraduate degree, consider pairing it with teacher licensing programs.

Financial Aid for veterans and current active-duty members:

• National Guard members can apply for up to 100% tuition assistance with the Colorado State Tuition Waiver.

Veterans can utilize several support programs, such as the G.I. Bill. Learn more about translating your skills as a veteran to a career in education.

To have your international teaching license or degree recognized by the U.S. and to begin teaching in Colorado, you will need to submit your transcripts to a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member organization.

How to start your teaching credential recognition:

1. Foreign Credential Evaluation: You must have your transcripts evaluated by a NACES member organization in a course-by-course evaluation.  
2. Create a COOL account: Make an account on the Colorado Online Licensing (COOL) website and submit fingerprints for a background check. 

Once you have all your documents ready and fingerprints submitted, you can begin the TEACHER application on your COOL account. You can upload your translated, course-by-course evaluation in your application.

You can apply for a Colorado teaching license even with an international degree or license. To begin the process, you will need to gather some documents as well as have your degree and credentials evaluated:

International teaching license application requirements:

• You must have a bachelor’s degree.
• Meet the content knowledge requirements.
• Submit valid identification documentation, work experience, teaching licenses and self-disclosures.

You will also need to submit official transcripts to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) for a course-by-course evaluation. Once you submit the report, Colorado will determine if you need to fulfill content knowledge requirements or take an approved teacher preparation program. 

Programs in Colorado will have a variety of deadlines that vary depending on the program start, but generally, spring semester applications are due by late October, summer by March, and fall by June. 

Typical application deadlines:

• Alternative licensure programs have deadlines for cohorts that are usually early in the year, with applications opening in the winter for a summer start.
• Traditional teacher preparation programs through colleges and universities often have spring deadlines for the following fall semester.

Be sure to carefully review the programs you are interested in and account for deadlines when planning your application. You can view upcoming deadlines on our Application Deadline Explorer.

To balance working full-time while earning your teacher license, leverage programs that allow for you to complete coursework online or fast-track programs such as alternative licensing programs. 

Carefully review program overviews to fully understand the requirements throughout the program. Take note that all teacher preparation programs will require you to student teach, so being able to work in a classroom will be a requirement at some point. Learn more about alternative licensure programs in Colorado. 

In most cases, it will take four years in a traditional teaching program. However, it ultimately depends on the type of teaching program you choose and where you are in your academic career. 

• Bachelor’s degree + licensure: About four years
• Master’s degree + licensure: one to three years
• Alternative licensure: one to two years
• Licensure-only: About one year

You can see different programs and their lengths in our Program Explorer.

You can apply for financial aid such as scholarships and grant opportunities to help make teaching programs more affordable. 

Types of program-specific financial aid

• Institutional grants or scholarships: these are unique to your program’s institution, and help cover some or all of the cost of tuition.
• Teacher or education specific grants or scholarships: these are aid opportunities aimed to support future teachers
• Stipends or tuition assistance: residency programs will often offer a stipend to help pay for living expenses and may even offer tuition assistance to cover the costs of your teacher preparation program, too
• Federal financial aid: You can apply for free financial aid that gets directly sent to your institution, and may make you automatically eligible for other scholarships or grants 

You can learn more about financial aid for Colorado teachers in our financial aid guide. 

Teaching preparation programs vary in cost, but there are financial aid resources available, especially for teachers and educators. 

Financial aid options in Colorado

• Scholarships: financial assistance that does not need to be repaid, and is offered based on a student’s merit, need or athletics, such as the TEACH Colorado Scholarship. 
• Grants: a financial award that does not need to be repaid, such as the Rural Student Teaching Stipend.
• Loan forgiveness: a cancellation of some or all a student’s loans after meeting specified requirements such as on-time payments, service commitments and tenure. The Teacher Loan Forgiveness program is a good example. 

Financial aid opportunities can be federally, privately or institutionally funded. You can learn more about financial aid for future Colorado teachers in our financial aid guide.

To teach special education, you will need to go through a teacher preparation program that offers an endorsement in Special Education Generalist, as well as take a few exams.

The key requirements for a Special education license:

1. Teacher preparation program: Obtain your bachelor’s degree and teaching license through a teacher preparation program or alternative licensing program.
2. Exams: there are three exams you will need to take to be licensed as a SPED teacher
   1. Praxis 5355: Special Education: Foundational Knowledge
   2. Praxis 5903: Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle—Mathematics
   3. Praxis 5205: Teaching Reading: Elementary

You can also be licensed in Special Education Specialist or Early Elementary Special Education. These licenses have their own exam requirements and can be viewed on the Colorado Department of Education website.

In Colorado, there are three main requirements to become a licensed teacher. The requirements may become more specific with each teacher preparation program. 

The key requirements

• Bachelor’s degree: you must have a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field to the subject you want to teach. The standard GPA is 2.5 or higher.
• Teacher preparation program: you must take an approved teacher preparation program, either traditionally or in an alternative route, which leads to initial licensure.
• Content knowledge assessments: You must have either 24 college credits or pass a subject area exam in the subject you want to teach.

While GPA requirements may vary depending on the program and university, you can generally expect to see a cumulative GPA of 2.5 as a requirement for most teacher preparation programs in Colorado. You can view GPA requirements for programs in our Colorado Program Explorer. 

There are a variety of online resources available to help prepare you for the required exams to become a teacher. 

• TEACH.org free resources, like coaching and test guides
• The Praxis preparation page offers study companions and testing strategies
• Study.com offers study materials for Praxis exams

You can learn more about test preparation in our testing guide.