The Urban Community Teacher Education program at CU Denver uniquely prepares you to obtain your teaching license and a bachelor’s degree. We develop teacher leaders who have the ability, dispositions, and drive to create meaningful, dynamic and engaging learning environments that support the achievement of ALL students. Our collaboration with numerous academic departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) makes this possible.
Live the Life of a Teacher
The start of your teaching degree can begin from the moment you step on campus with early admissions processes, major courses related to the content you’ll teach, foundational education courses and early experiences in the community and local classrooms. As you approach your senior year, you will "live the life of a teacher" as you quickly become a vital member of the teaching staff at one of our metro area urban professional development schools as a teacher candidate intern while you simultaneously take university education classes. Teacher candidates work and learn alongside expert practicing clinical teachers as they put into practice what they learn from their award-winning university faculty. Urban schools need teachers who are not just caring, competent and committed but who understand the importance of engaging with the broader community to create a web of support for their students. CU Denver has the reputation that their graduates enter their first year of teaching with the knowledge, skills, and confidence of 2nd and 3rd year teachers!
Licensure Pathways
Students in the program apply for admission to one of eight specific licensure pathways. Undergraduate students have options:
Important Advising Information
It's essential to indicate your interest in the Urban Community Teacher Education program as early as possible in your undergraduate studies. Please contact the undergraduate teacher education advisor to start planning your academic path through the program. Because the Undergraduate Urban Community Teacher Education program is a joint effort between the School of Education & Human Development and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, you'll visit with the CLAS advisor for education in the North Classroom building.
Transforming Schools. Connecting Communities.
Ultimately, all teacher candidates - whether elementary teachers, secondary teachers, or special educators - will be able to have a significant positive impact in urban and diverse educational school settings. As teacher leaders, they will act with a sense of urgency to support equity in education for all children.