Teach Now: Online Teacher Licensure Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Alternative and Internship Routes

Alternative Licensure Route Only

Internship Route Only

Teach Now Alternative Licensure and Internship Routes

Q. I want to pursue a teaching license in the fall through one of the Teach Now Program Routes, but I want to see if I can secure a job before I make my final decision. Which route do I complete admissions for?
A. Make sure to read the differences between the two routes on the overview page. The application process for the two routes is exactly the same. By applying for the alternative licensure route, you will meet all of the requirements for the internship route.

Q. Do I have to be teaching in the field that I am seeking endorsement?
A. Yes. The majority of your day (51%) must be in the area that you are seeking endorsement.

Q. Can I participate in the program if I have not completed my undergraduate degree?
A. No. You must have an undergraduate degree before entering the program.

Q. Do I have to pass the state content exam (PLACE or Praxis II) test before I begin the program?
A. Yes. All candidates must take and pass a content exam before entering the Teach Now Program. The PLACE test is offered in all content areas. The Praxis II is offered in Elementary (#0014), English (#0041), Mathematics (#0061), Science (#0435), and Social Studies (#0081). Candidates seeking either Special Education or LDE licensure must pass an elementary exam before entrance to the program.

Q. If I am pursuing an alternative license in Special Education or Linguistically Diverse Education, which content exam do I need to take?
A. You must take and pass either the elementary Praxis II test #(1)0014 or the elementary PLACE test before you can enter the program. You will take the Special Education Generalist PLACE test or the LDE PLACE test toward the end of your Teach Now Program.

Q. What will the Teach Now Program cost me?
A. Each candidate (either internship or alternative licensure) will be charged $5,250 per semester. The cost of the program will be spread across nine months (October - June). Fees remitted by the candidate cover the cost of delivering the training program, providing mentoring, professional development, and twenty-four to twenty-seven college credits.

Q. What is the average cost of textbooks for the school year?
A. Depending on the area of licensure, the cost rages from $500.00 to $900.00 per year for textbooks.

Q. What is the average cost of housing for the school year?
A. Approximately $120.00 per year for campus orientation housing.

Q. Can I apply for financial aid?
A. Yes, once your file is complete and you have secured a teaching position or internship, you will be considered a full-time WSC student. To begin the financial aid process you will need to fill out a FASFA form .

Once you have completed and sent the FASFA form, you will receive a letter indicating your award or asking for more information.

The Western State College Financial Aid Office will not begin processing the financial aid applications until after the August orientation, when you are officially admitted to the college as a Teach Now student.

Q. Why do I need two sets of official transcripts?
A. Both WSC and CDE require that official transcripts are on file.

Q. Do I need to have my transcripts evaluated by both WSC and CDE?
A. All course work must be completed before being eligible to enter the Teach Now Program. You can have CDE evaluate your transcripts for content knowledge or Teach Now staff. CDE makes the final decision regarding course work needed by a candidate. If you are already able to send a copy of your SOE to WSC, you will skip this step because your transcripts have already been evaluated by CDE. If you sent transcripts to CDE and are waiting for your SOE to be issued, you may want to talk to Dr. Anderson about the benefits of having your transcripts evaluated by WSC.

Once the Teach Now office has ALL of your transcripts and application fee ($40.00 check made out to WSC), it typically takes three to four weeks to complete an evaluation. The process will take longer if the evaluator needs to locate information about a particular course.

WSC contracts with a woman by the name of Amy Saks to do evaluations. She previously worked for CDE and is an expert in the field of content knowledge related to college transcripts.

Q. Do I need to have WSC complete a transcript evaluation if I already have a Statement of Eligibility?
A. No. Once you have an SOE, no other transcript evaluation is required. (WSC still requires that official transcripts be on file in the Teach Now office.)

Q. Do I need to have WSC complete a transcript evaluation if I already sent an alternative application to CDE but I am waiting to receive my Statement of Eligibility?
A. Yes. CDE takes up to 12 weeks to evaluate transcripts. In order to proceed with your Teach Now application, WSC needs to complete a transcript evaluation to see if you are missing any course work.

Q. What is the deadline for application to WSC?
A. You must have completed the following by July 30, 2008:

1. Teach Now Application
2. Official Transcripts
3. Statement of Eligibility
4. Teaching Position Secured

Q. How do I find a Mentor?
A. Read about mentor qualifications under the "Mentor" tab. Candidates will work with principals to find the best possible mentor. Once a mentor is chosen, he or she will receive a Mentor Handbook outlining responsibilities and timelines. Each Mentor receives a $1,000 stipend and 60 hours of CDE re-certification credit and the end of the school year.

Q. What if I can't find a mentor who meets the qualification requirements established by the Teach Now Program?
A. The Teach Now Program is interested in helping you find the best possible mentor for your individual situation. While waivers can be requested for many of the mentor requirements, the mentor must be teaching in the area that the candidate is seeking licensure.

Q. Will my Colorado license allow me to teach in another state?
A. Each state has its own requirements for licensure. You will want to check with a state's department of education to see what is required for licensure.

Q. Is the Teach Now Program a Master's Degree program?
A. No. The Teach Now Program is a licensure program only. The credits acquired are undergraduate credits.

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Teach Now Alternative Licensure Route Only

Q. Can I apply for the Teach Now program if I have a teaching license?
A. No. The alternative licensure route can only be pursued for your initial teaching license.

Q. Can I participate in the alternative program if I am working as a paraprofessional or substitute?
A. No. You must have a full-time teaching position in order to be in the alternative program. You may be able to participate as an Intern if you are a paraprofessional. Please review the Internship Route information for details.

Q. Do I have to have a signed contract before I can apply to the program or register for EDUC (the summer orientation course)?
A. No. You must have a verbal contract from the district to begin. We will need a signed contract by September 15th of the year you are in the program.

Q. Will you help me find a job?
A. No. Securing a job is your responsibility however, we do have job search resources on this website for you to use.

Q. Can I participate in the Teach Now Program if I plan to teach somewhere other than Colorado?
A. No, the Colorado Department of Education requires that you have a teaching position in the state of Colorado while you are enrolled in an alternative licensure program. You may be able to participate as an Intern if you are working out of the state. Contact Nella Bea Anderson for more information.

Q. What is a Statement of Eligibility?
A. The Colorado Department of Education issues an SOE to perspective alternative licensure candidates after the following has occurred:

1. Completed the CDE Alternative Licensure Application.
2. Completed the CDE fingerprint card process for background check.
3. Transcripts Reviewed. Candidates must have appropriate course work from an accredited college or university.
4. Successfully completed of one of the state content exams.

Candidates must have an SOE before they can begin any alternative licensure program in the state of Colorado.

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Teach Now Internship Route Only

Q. Can I participate in the Internship Program if I am working as a paraprofessional?
A. Yes, if school personnel in the school where you work approve are willing to allow you to work directly with students. Typically, para-educators are working with special education populations and are, therefore, working towards a license in special education.

Q. Can I participate in the Internship Program if I plan to teach somewhere other than Colorado?
A. Yes. However, you will be required to integrate Colorado K-12 content standards and performance based standards for teachers into your teaching in addition to your state standards. At the end of the program you will be recommended for a Colorado teaching license. It will be your responsibility to check with your state department of education to see what the requirements are for transferring the Colorado license to your state. You are also responsible for the Colorado State Content exam; either the PLACE or the Praxis II.

Q. Do I set up my own internship placement?
A. No. You will be asked to complete an informational packet which will be used by the Teach Now Staff to secure an internship placement for you. You will be asked to indicate your three top choices for placement. Internship packets are sent after WSC receives a copy of the candidate's SOE.

Q. Can I set up an Internship while I am looking for a teaching position?
A. No. WSC places Interns; however, we will not secure a placement if a candidate is still looking for a job. School districts do not want to set up an Internship and then lose the candidate to a paid teaching position at another site.

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