The Metropolitan State College of Denver Alternative Licensure Program (formerly known as Teacher in Residence, TiR) is a challenging and rigorous program that includes professional coursework, seminars, observation, and in-class coaching, designed specifically to help someone learn to be a quality teacher.

The Colorado General Assembly recognized that many school districts faced a shortage of teachers and often struggled to find qualified persons to teach their students. As a result, the General Assembly passed legislation that permits persons with experience in areas other than public school teaching to teach under the State regulations for Alternative Licensure. Metropolitan State College of Denver (MSCD) initiated its alternative licensure program in August 2000, which serves candidates hired by participating school districts to teach in one of their schools. The alternative licensure program is typically a two-year program. During both years, the alternative licensure candidate is a full-time teacher and a full-time student. The candidate attends classes at MSCD and learns how to be an effective teacher. Upon completion of program requirements, the candidate applies for an Initial Teaching License for teaching in Colorado, provided they have met all State regulations.

Quality Standard I: Teachers demonstrate mastery of and pedagogical expertise in the content they teach. The elementary teacher is an expert in literacy and mathematics and is knowledgeable in all other content that he or she teaches (e.g., science, social studies, arts, physical education, or world languages). The secondary teacher has knowledge of literacy and mathematics and is an expert in his or her content endorsement area(s).

Quality Standard II: Teachers establish a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment for a diverse population of students.

Quality Standard III: Teachers plan and deliver effective instruction and create an environment that facilitates learning for their students.

Quality Standard IV: Teachers reflect on their practice.

Quality Standard V: Teachers demonstrate leadership.

Quality Standard VI: Student Growth.  

Alternative Licensure Program Goals

• To help school districts provide students with quality instruction
• To focus on the art and pedagogy of effective teaching and student learning
• To provide a high quality, alternative pathway into teaching
• To improve teacher retention

Alternative Licensure Candidates Must

• Have a baccalaureate degree with a major or equivalent in the subject to be taught.
  Secondary teachers must have 30 semester hours of college credit in the primary subject they teach and 24 semester hours in any other subject they teach. Elementary teachers must have 30 semester hours of college credit that cover the major areas of Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
• Obtain a teaching contract with a member district 
  Adams County School District 50  (Westminster)
  Adams 12 Five Star Schools (Northglenn/Thornton)
  Aurora Public Schools
  Brighton 27J School District 
  Clear Creek School District (Idaho Springs)
  Denver Public Schools
  Douglas County Public Schools
  Jefferson County Public Schools 
  Littleton Public Schools

  Sheridan Public Schools

• Have passed the PLACE OR PRAXIS exam specific to the teaching assignment

• Schedule
• Alternative Licensure Program year 1
• MSCD  Classes/Curriculum
• Teacher Work Sample and Portfolio
• Demonstrate Proficiency on selected Performance-Based benchmarks from Colorado Standards for Teachers

District Induction Program Year 2

• Complete district induction Program
• Complete Portfolio/Teacher work sample
• Demonstrate Proficiency on remaining Performance-Based benchmarks from Colorado Standards for Teachers
• District recommendation to Colorado Department of Education for Initial License

Tuition and Grading

Complete tuition is $4,590. MSCD alternative licensure students are eligible to apply for financial aid. Through agreements with member districts, tuition costs will be payroll deducted monthly.

Thirty hours of course credit are awarded at the end of the second semester. Criteria for grades includes regular attendance, completion of all class assignments, participation, and demonstrated proficiency on selected performance-based benchmarks from Colorado Standards for Teachers through satisfactory completion of a Teacher Work Sample and selected portfolio artifacts. Full year participation is required for a credit to be awarded.

• Curriculum
• Classroom discipline
• Classroom management
• Short- and long-range planning
• Unit and lesson plans, implementation
• Comprehensive assessment
• Educational theory
• Current issues in education

Roles and Responsibilities

Building Principal

• Assign Candidate to building teaching assignment
• Assign building mentor
• Evaluate alternative licensure candidate according to district policy
• Work with MSCD cohort instructor to set common goals and expectations of the TiR candidate

Building Mentor

• Coach the candidate regarding course content, classroom discipline and management, short- and long-range planning, effective instruction, assessment
• Assist the candidate with Teacher Work Sample and portfolio

Cohort Instructor

• Teach MSCD Classes
• Work collaboratively with building principal and mentor
• Coach the candidate regarding classroom discipline/management, short/long range planning, unit lesson construction and delivery, assessment, pedagogy
• Coach the candidate through observation, conferences, and seminars
• Evaluate Teacher Work Sample and portfolio
• Assign grades for MSCD coursework

• Possess a bachelors degree from an accredited college/university and meet subject area requirements required by CDE
• Pass the appropriate PLACE or PRAXIS exam based on teaching assignment
• Meet all MSCD, district and building requirements
• Work cooperatively with building principal, mentor, cohort instructor, and cohort group

Interested candidates should contact Greg Reed at 720-323-2116 or at greed8[at]mscd[dot]edu