How To Become a Teacher in Colorado 2025

<p>A teaching career can be quite rewarding, but it's important to know how to navigate the professional development process. If you're in Colorado, you can <a href="https://learn.org/articles/how_to_become_a_teacher.html">become a teacher</a> by enrolling in an accredited education program, earning a teaching certificate, and fulfilling the other requirements set by the Colorado Department of Education. </p> <p>Once you've gotten all the teaching credentials and proven yourself with student teaching experience, you can qualify for solid jobs in various school districts. This guide will help you understand how to become a teacher in Colorado. </p> <h2 id="section---StepsToBecomeATeacherInColorado">Steps To Become a Teacher in Colorado</h2> <p>The first thing you should do is familiarize yourself with the basic requirements to become a teacher in your state. Every school district requires teachers to possess a valid bachelor's degree, but there is a lot more to the process. The <a href="https://learn.org/articles/fastest_program_to_become_a_teacher.html">fastest way to become a teacher</a> is to follow these six steps outlined below. </p> <h3 id="section---Step1DecideWhatSubjectAndGradeLevelYouWantToTeach">Step 1: Decide What Subject and Grade Level You Want To Teach</h3> <p>You should first decide which grade level you want to teach and learn what to expect during your undergraduate education and certification program. </p> <h4 id="section---BecomingAnElementarySchoolTeacher">Becoming an Elementary School Teacher</h4> <p>Elementary school teachers must have at least a bachelor's degree (in elementary education or a related field), complete teaching internships, and submit to a background check. You can get early teaching experience while you're in a teacher preparation program in college and earn valuable classroom experience with young children. </p> <h4 id="section---BecomingAMiddleSchoolTeacher">Becoming a Middle School Teacher</h4> <p>Colorado has similar <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Are_the_Requirements_to_be_a_Middle_School_Teacher.html">middle school teacher educational requirements</a> as it does for elementary school teachers. However, at this level, new teachers must demonstrate competency in specific content areas, like math or science. You can do this by earning a degree in a separate field with at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or by passing Praxis subject tests. </p> <h4 id="section---BecomingAHighSchoolTeacher">Becoming a High School Teacher</h4> <p>The <a href="https://learn.org/articles/High_School_Teacher_How_to_Become_a_High_School_Teacher_in_5_Steps.html">high school teacher educational requirements</a> in Colorado overlap with lower grade levels, but you may need to take additional Praxis exams, depending on your desired teaching specialization. Colorado also has detailed <a href="https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/teacherreqs#:~:text=Initial%20Teacher%20License-,bachelor's%20or%20higher%20degree%20from%20a%20regionally%20accredited%20college/university,demonstration%20of%20content%20knowledge">licensing requirements</a>, including the process for renewing a license, which require 90 hours of continuing education. </p> <h3 id="section---Step2ChooseYourMajor">Step 2: Choose Your Major</h3> <p>The major you select should correspond with the subject matter and grade level you wish to teach. If you want to <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Kindergarten_Teacher_How_to_Become_a_Kindergarten_Teacher_in_5_Steps.html">become a kindergarten teacher</a>, then consider majoring in early childhood education. There's also a growing need for special education teachers who often go to college to prepare for such roles. </p> <p>Many prospective teachers earn degrees in non-educational fields but still become teachers, provided their major matches the teaching needs of a school. If you major in history, for example, you can easily use your degree to teach high school history, civics, and other social studies courses. Even if you major in something other than education, you will eventually need to obtain licensure to qualify for full-time, permanent employment. </p> <h3 id="section---Step3EarnYourBachelorSDegree">Step 3: Earn Your Bachelor's Degree</h3> <p>Since all Colorado teachers are required to hold a bachelor's degree, it would be wise to select a four-year university that offers an affordable degree, especially if it's related to education. Many undergraduates not only take education courses but also get a head start on student teaching or working as teacher aides, while finishing coursework. </p> <p>College degrees normally take about four years to complete, but some colleges offer accelerated learning programs, allowing you to finish in three years or less. Once you've finished a bachelor's degree and educator preparation training, the next step is to pursue an advanced degree (optional) or apply for initial licensing. </p> <h3 id="section---Step4ConsiderAMasterSDegree">Step 4: Consider a Master's Degree</h3> <p>Although a master's degree is not required, it can help open doors to other career options sooner. You can either attend graduate school immediately after finishing your four-year degree or return to school later after gaining a few years of teaching experience. </p> <p>The most common master's degree for teachers is the Master of Education (MEd), which normally takes two years to complete. In your state, several institutions offer this advanced education degree, including the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and Western Colorado University. </p> <h3 id="section---Step5PassColoradoTeachingExamsAndGainLicensure">Step 5: Pass Colorado Teaching Exams and Gain Licensure</h3> <p>Passing the Praxis exams is an important way for aspiring teachers to demonstrate content area competency. Colorado offers three licenses for certified teachers: </p> <ul><li>initial license </li><li>professional license </li><li>interim authorization (out-of-state applicants) </li></ul><p>The initial license applies to new teachers, serving as a provisional license for the first three years of your teaching career. You can renew this until you reach at least seven years of experience, where you can qualify to receive the professional license. </p> <p>Colorado does not require you to take Praxis exams for licensing but it's a common way to prove proficiency in subjects, such as English, health, math, physical education, or social studies. The state requires teachers to show proof of competency in any area they intend to teach prior to licensure. </p> <h3 id="section---Step6ApplyForTeachingJobs">Step 6: Apply for Teaching Jobs</h3> <p>You have a few options for places to find jobs when you have finished your secondary education, certification exams, and student teaching. You can find some positions on GovernmentJobs.com, but it's most effective to focus on the Colorado Department of Education's TEACH Colorado website. </p> <p>This site not only posts several job listings but also shows which subject areas are experiencing a teacher shortage throughout the state. Plus, if you familiarize yourself with the teacher job market while still in college, you can select a major and career track that will lead to a teaching position much sooner. If you still cannot find the job you want there, you can also explore other job boards tied to specific school districts or check for openings on the Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS). </p> <h2 id="section---HowToChooseTheRightTeachingDegreeProgram">How To Choose the Right Teaching Degree Program</h2> <p>You can also use the TEACH Colorado website to find suitable degree programs tailored to specific teaching fields and grade levels. This will direct you to three pathways: bachelor's degree programs, master's degree programs, and alternative licensure. </p> <p>The latter is a common option for those who wish to get a teaching license and make a career change. Colorado, like many other states, will permit non-education degree holders to hold teaching positions under probationary terms, provided they work on the alternative route to licensure while they're employed as teachers. </p> <h2 id="section---FAQsAboutBecomingATeacherInColorado">FAQs About Becoming a Teacher in Colorado</h2> <p>This section will address a few questions you might have about Colorado's teaching requirements. It also explains how long it takes to become a teacher, the difference between private and public schools, and the various teacher roles in Colorado. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatRequirementsAreNeededToBeATeacherInColorado">What Requirements Are Needed To Be a Teacher in Colorado?</h3> <p>Colorado teachers must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, demonstrate subject matter competency (usually by passing Praxis exams), complete a preparatory program, and pass a background check. This involves learning the basic skills of classroom management, gaining essential work experience, and proving you know enough to teach at the intended grade level. </p> <h3 id="section---HowFastCanYouBecomeATeacherInColorado">How Fast Can You Become a Teacher in Colorado?</h3> <p>The fastest way to become a Colorado teacher is to pursue the traditional route of going to college for an education degree and finishing within four school years or less. Otherwise, it may take an additional year or two to obtain a teaching license through the alternative route. </p> <h3 id="section---DoRequirementsDifferAtPrivateSchoolsAndPublicSchools">Do Requirements Differ at Private Schools and Public Schools?</h3> <p>The primary differences between public and private schools have more to do with what you're required to teach. Since private schools do not receive public funding, they tend to have less testing and curriculum requirements. </p> <p>Public schools must devote more attention to standardized testing because of state mandates. Some private schools may also include a different curriculum to fit any religious affiliations they might have. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheDifferentTypesOfTeacherRolesInColorado">What Are the Different Types of Teacher Roles in Colorado?</h3> <p>There are many teacher roles in private and public schools. Most undergraduate education majors graduate college and intend to work as full-time teachers, but there are plenty of part-time opportunities to teach smaller course loads. You can also explore substitute teacher jobs, which often pay between $100 to $200 per day, according to the Colorado Department of Education. </p> <h2 id="section---EarnYourTeacherCertification">Earn Your Teacher Certification</h2> <p>There's never been a better time to earn a teacher's certification and start a long and rewarding teaching career. Check out everything we offer at Learn.org, designed to help you find online degree programs, apply for financial aid, and more.</p>