Explore CU Denver Programs
Use the search tool below to discover degree and certificate programs offered by CU Denver. If you are unable to find a program that is right for you, please contact Admissions or a school or college for more information.
Program Overview
Prepares individuals to instruct students of varying abilities in diverse elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, using an assets-based approach. Graduates are equipped to identify and champion the strengths and assets of children with differing abilities.
University of Colorado Denver’s MA in Teaching (MAT) with Special Education Generalist (5 - 21) teaching license prepares graduates to instruct students of differing abilities in diverse elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. This program may be completed in as little as two years. Students of this program feel passionate about identifying and championing the strengths and assets of children with differing abilities. CU Denver has the program to help students meet this critical need. Students prepare individuals to instruct students of varying abilities in diverse elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, using an assets-based approach. Graduates are equipped to identify and champion the strengths and assets of children with differing abilities.
Students learn from dedicated school-based teachers and award-winning faculty in a residency program perfected and proven across almost 30 years. This program’s focus on inclusive classrooms and an assets-based approach will prepare gradates to support student’s success.
The program’s goal is to help students have a transformative impact on learning, creativity, and achievement, while also supporting graduates as innovators in school and professional networks. The program recognizes the urgent need for outstanding special education teachers in districts across the country. In addition, this program all about preparing the finest!
Students in this concentration will:
- Learn to be the special education professional that schools seek and children deserve.
- Feel equipped with the most impactful and effective skills for leading inclusive classrooms and collaborating with professionals in the field and the community.
- Prepare to become effective advocates for children and families who are seeking quality education for students.
- Learn with a strengths-based approach to teaching that will prepare them to understand the strengths of every child in every family.
- Promote educational excellence and equity for all children from diverse racial, ethnic, language, socio-economic and ability backgrounds.
Choose CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development
As one of the top education schools in the country, the program is proud to help students become teachers. At CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development, students are surrounded by other committed, talented students who are determined to make a positive impact in the classroom. They are drawn to the program because they want a deeper level of preparedness –one that will support their development as culturally competent individuals and teachers, light a fire for social justice, and allow them to give their best to every student, every day. The School of Education & Human Development is consistently ranked as a top graduate school and “best online” experience by U.S. News & World Report. The program matches students’ passion for teaching with an education that is rooted in diversity, technology, proven approaches, and real-world practice. That’s why the program’s graduates are prepared to make immediate and life-long impacts on people, communities, and the world.
Why the Master of Arts in Teaching, Special Education Generalist (License) program at CU Denver?
Proven and Perfected Residency Program
The program’s graduates tout a level of preparedness equivalent to that of a more experienced and confident teacher. At CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development, students don't just learn from anyone, they learn from the best. Because of the emphasis on teaching in diverse contexts, graduates are ready to lead – and make a difference – in any classroom with any population of students
Join One of the Top Education Schools in the Country
Students are be surrounded by other committed, talented students who are determined to make a positive impact in the classroom. They are drawn to the program because they want a deeper level of preparedness –one that will allow them to give their best to every student, every day with a focus on social justice for all.
Launch Your New Teaching Career Quickly
The program offers different start times and program lengths to accommodate students’ obligations. It's possible to complete the program in as little as one year.
Earn up to $40,000 in Stipends and Grants
School of Education & Human Development staff will work with students to qualify and access existing state and federal dollars to help pay for the three-semester MAT program. The program’s advisors help students determine if full funding is possible. Learn from dedicated school-based teachers and award-winning faculty in a residency program perfected and proven across almost 30 years. This program’s focus on inclusive classrooms and an assets-based approach will prepare graduates to support student’s success.
Program Description
University of Colorado Denver’s MA in Teaching (MAT) with Special Education Generalist (5 - 21) teaching license prepares graduates to instruct students of differing abilities in diverse elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. This program may be completed in as little as two years. Students of this program feel passionate about identifying and championing the strengths and assets of children with differing abilities. CU Denver has the program to help students meet this critical need. Students prepare individuals to instruct students of varying abilities in diverse elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, using an assets-based approach. Graduates are equipped to identify and champion the strengths and assets of children with differing abilities.
Students learn from dedicated school-based teachers and award-winning faculty in a residency program perfected and proven across almost 30 years. This program’s focus on inclusive classrooms and an assets-based approach will prepare gradates to support student’s success.
The program’s goal is to help students have a transformative impact on learning, creativity, and achievement, while also supporting graduates as innovators in school and professional networks. The program recognizes the urgent need for outstanding special education teachers in districts across the country. In addition, this program all about preparing the finest!
Students in this concentration will:
- Learn to be the special education professional that schools seek and children deserve.
- Feel equipped with the most impactful and effective skills for leading inclusive classrooms and collaborating with professionals in the field and the community.
- Prepare to become effective advocates for children and families who are seeking quality education for students.
- Learn with a strengths-based approach to teaching that will prepare them to understand the strengths of every child in every family.
- Promote educational excellence and equity for all children from diverse racial, ethnic, language, socio-economic and ability backgrounds.
Choose CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development
As one of the top education schools in the country, the program is proud to help students become teachers. At CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development, students are surrounded by other committed, talented students who are determined to make a positive impact in the classroom. They are drawn to the program because they want a deeper level of preparedness –one that will support their development as culturally competent individuals and teachers, light a fire for social justice, and allow them to give their best to every student, every day. The School of Education & Human Development is consistently ranked as a top graduate school and “best online” experience by U.S. News & World Report. The program matches students’ passion for teaching with an education that is rooted in diversity, technology, proven approaches, and real-world practice. That’s why the program’s graduates are prepared to make immediate and life-long impacts on people, communities, and the world.
Why the Master of Arts in Teaching, Special Education Generalist (License) program at CU Denver?
Proven and Perfected Residency Program
The program’s graduates tout a level of preparedness equivalent to that of a more experienced and confident teacher. At CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development, students don't just learn from anyone, they learn from the best. Because of the emphasis on teaching in diverse contexts, graduates are ready to lead – and make a difference – in any classroom with any population of students
Join One of the Top Education Schools in the Country
Students are be surrounded by other committed, talented students who are determined to make a positive impact in the classroom. They are drawn to the program because they want a deeper level of preparedness –one that will allow them to give their best to every student, every day with a focus on social justice for all.
Launch Your New Teaching Career Quickly
The program offers different start times and program lengths to accommodate students’ obligations. It's possible to complete the program in as little as one year.
Earn up to $40,000 in Stipends and Grants
School of Education & Human Development staff will work with students to qualify and access existing state and federal dollars to help pay for the three-semester MAT program. The program’s advisors help students determine if full funding is possible. Learn from dedicated school-based teachers and award-winning faculty in a residency program perfected and proven across almost 30 years. This program’s focus on inclusive classrooms and an assets-based approach will prepare graduates to support student’s success.
Program Features
Summer: February 15, Fall: June 30
Application deadlines
Summer or Fall
Starting semesters
24 months
Time to complete
51
Credit hours
Useful Links
Student Testimonials
I am grateful for the opportunity that this program has given me to change my career to something that I really love- Special Education. My Professional Year Internship experience has allowed me to begin making connections with current teachers and implement the culturally responsive techniques that I have read about in my classes, so that I can be the most effective teacher possible for all my future students.
Mary Filchak
Master or Arts in Teaching, Special Education Generalist (2023)CU Denver graduates earn more, build community, and make connections. Take the first step toward your future and join an inclusive community of learners while gaining the skills of tomorrow, today.