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Admission to the Center for Teacher Education (CTE) is required before students may enroll in 300 or 400 level education courses. Follow the step by step process for admission below. For a printer-friendly version of the application materials, see:

Application Packet & Handouts

Admission Deadlines & Decisions:

  • Form A must be received by October 15th for spring and March 15th for fall admittance.
  • Students are considered for admission after ALL admission materials are received.
  • Communication regarding requirements is conducted via CMU email.
  • Notification of admission decisions are by mail.
  • Once admitted, students may enroll in upper level education courses.
  • Application items may be submitted via email to [email protected].

Student Responsibilities:
--Students are responsible for submitting a complete application.
--Students are responsible for verifying that all components of the application have been received, including checking the status of recommendation forms.
--Applications are kept on file for one year from the application deadline. Students must reapply if not accepted during the one year application period.
--Applicants and teacher candidates are expected to remain current on the CTE policies outlined in the Advising and Internship handbooks.

Step 1

Apply to CMU

If you are not a current CMU student (enrolled within the last year), complete the CMU application before submitting your program application. Please note, acceptance to CMU does not guarantee acceptance into the education program.
  1. CMU Application

    Create an account and submit the undergraduate student application.

Step 2

Complete the Program Application

Application deadlines:

  • October 15th for spring admittance
  • March 15th for fall admittance
Students usually apply to the Teacher Education program before or during their junior year.
  1. Center for Teacher Education Application-Form A

Step 3

Written Expression

Students are required to submit a one to two page essay describing their educational philosophy. This is normally developed in the EDUC 115 & 215 courses.
  1. Writing Resources

    See our tools and tips.

Step 4

Transcripts

Students must submit transcripts of course work from all higher education institutions attended.
  • Unofficial copies are accepted.
  • Overall GPA must be 2.8 or above for admittance and continuance in the program.
  • A grade of C is the minimally-accepted grade for essential learning and major course work, unless otherwise specified.
  • Students must have a B or better in all education courses.
  1. Transcript Information

Step 5

Academic Report from DegreeWorks

Students are required to submit an Academic Report from DegreeWorks to show proof of credit hour application requirements.

  • A minimum of 60 - 75 credit hours of general education and content area coursework must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.80 before a candidate may apply for admission to the Center for Teacher Education elementary licensure program.
  1. Log in to Degreeworks

    Use the What If feature in DegreeWorks to display how your coursework meets the requirements of your degree upon admission to the Teacher Education program.

  2. Using DegreeWorks & the What if feature

Step 6

Course Planning Sheet

Students must submit a completed Course Planning Sheet or DegreeWorks Plan
  1. Course Planning Sheet

    Must be signed by both the content and education faculty advisors.

Step 7

Printout of CDE Cleared Background Check

Students are required to provide a printout of their fingerprint status alert from their CDE eLicensing account, showing a cleared background. This process must be completed in order. Click the button below for detailed steps on completing the background check process.

CDE Fingerprinting Steps for Field Experience

Applicants who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor (other than minor traffic violations) must offer a written explanation and substantiate it with documents showing the final disposition of the conviction. These applicants should schedule a meeting with the Department Head of the CTE to discuss the situation and review options.

Misrepresentation or falsification of statements on the Application Form will result in immediate and final expulsion from the Teacher Education Program.

  1. CDE eLicensing system

    Students are required to create a lifetime account in the CDE eLicensing system. See Step 1 of CDE Fingerprinting Steps.

  2. Fingerprinting

    After creation of CDE eLicensing account, students must submit fingerprints to CDE through an approved fingerprinting vendor.

  3. Enter CTE in CDE COOL Account

    Students must enter their education preparation program information for CMU's Teacher Education program into their COOL account. See Step 3 of the detailed CDE Fingerprinting Instructions.

  4. Background Check Status

    Once the background check is processed, students must printout the PROFILE section from their CDE eLicsensing/COOL account, showing a cleared background check, and submit it to CTE.

Step 10

Recommendations

Students must submit 3 Recommendation Forms, completed by individuals who can recommend them on the following: commitment to children and education; academic promise; leadership potential; ability to work with others. No relatives or faculty in the Center for Teacher Education may give a reference.

Elementary, Secondary, K-12 Recommendations:

  • Two recommendations must be from instructors in your academic area.
  • One must be from someone with supervisory knowledge of your experience working with children in a structured setting.

Early Childhood Special Education Recommendations:

  • One recommendation from an Essential Learning course instructor.
  • One recommendation from an EDEC course instructor.
  • One recommendation from someone with supervisory knowledge of your experience working with children in a structured setting.
  1. Teacher Education Recommendation Form

Looking for Application Support? 

Our friends at TEACH Colorado have free tools and resources to make applying to our program - and becoming a classroom teacher - easier! Create an account today and immediately access:

  • An interactive application checklist to keep you on track.
  • $100 fee reimbursement towards application and testing expenses.
  • 1-on-1 expert advice for any question along the way.
  • How-to guides for eligibility, applications, testing and finances.
  • A chance to win a $1,000 scholarship toward tuition.

Get Started with TEACH Colorado & CMU Teacher Ed today!