Education

New Degree Requirements

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The Education Department at Colorado College explores education as both theory and practice. Through the applied liberal arts, we support students to develop critical consciousness, agency, and the capacity to create change across classrooms, communities, and organizations. To do this, we offer a flexible major and minor to cater to a variety of student interests including inclusive P-12 classroom teaching, non-traditional teaching and leadership positions (outdoor education, environmental education, etc.), educational policy/advocacy, and community based and social science research.    

The following degree requirements are new as of 2026 and will be incorporated into the course catalog during the next revision cycle. 

Education Major: 13 total units 

  • one educational study & the culture of schooling (ED 101 or ED FYP CC100 beginning fall 2026) 
  • one culture, political, community context unit (ED205, ED206, ED207, ED208, ED211, ED218, ED235, ED255, ED256, ED280, ED250) 
  • one pedagogy unit (ED131, ED200, ED110, ED203, ED225, ED220, ED240, ED290) 
  • two educational research methodology units (ED 261 or 262 & ED 361) [200 level prerequisites ED 101 & one 100-200 level course; 300 level ED 261 or ED 262] 
  • one educational theory unit (ED300, ED311, ED 380, ED 391, ED350) [prerequisites ED 101 & at least one 100-200 level courses) 
  • one policy, law & practice unit (ED430, ED435, ED451, ED420, ED440) [prerequisites ED 100 & 1-2 additional ED courses) 
  • one aadvanced teaching methods unit (D315, ED360, ED466 or ED477) [ prerequisites variable; one 100-200 and 300- 400 level course] 
  • one practicum or internship unit (ED408, ED409, ED479, or ED495) [ prerequisites variable, must complete advanced teaching methods)  
  • one senior research capstone or thesis project unit (ED479, ED490 or ED491) [prerequisites ED 261 or ED 262 and ED 361 & senior status] 
  • + 3 electives based on interests and goals; 2 units must be at ED 300-400 level 

Education Minor: 5 total units 

  • one educational study & the culture of schooling (ED 101 or ED FYP CC100 beginning fall 2026) 
  • one culture, political, community context unit (ED205, ED206, ED207, ED208, ED211, ED218, ED235, ED255, ED256, ED280, ED250) 
  • one pedagogy unit (ED131, ED200, ED110, ED203, ED225, ED220, ED240, ED290) 
  • one educational theory unit (ED300, ED311, ED 380, ED 391, ED350) [prerequisites ED 101 & at least one 100-200 level courses) 
  • + 1 elective at ED 300-400 level 

 

Students who aspire to earn teacher licensure can pursue the Education Major + Elementary licensure or Minor in Education + licensure coursework for K-12 and grades 6-12 disciplines (K-12 Music, Art, World Languages, Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies). Students can also Minor in Education and/or apply for our 9-month Master of Teaching (MAT) + licensure program.  

Education Major + Elementary Teaching License: 17 total units (13 for major, + 4 certification units) 

  • one educational study & the culture of schooling (ED 101 or ED FYP CC100 beginning fall 2026) 
  • one culture, political, community context unit (ED205, ED206, ED207, ED208, ED211, ED218, ED235, ED255, ED256, ED280, ED250) 
  • two pedagogy units (ED110 & ED220) 
  • two educational research methodology units (ED 261 or 262 & ED 361) [200 level prerequisites ED 101 & one 100-200 level course; 300 level ED 261 or ED 262] 
  • one educational theory unit (ED311) [prerequisites ED 101 & at least one 100-200 level courses) 
  • one policy, law & practice unit (ED430, ED435, ED451, ED420, ED440) [prerequisites ED 100 & 1-2 additional ED courses) 
  • five aadvanced teaching methods unit (ED360, ED466; ED477 & ED 478) [ prerequisites variable; one 100-200 and 300- 400 level course] 
  • four practicum units (ED408, ED409 and x 2 ED479) [ prerequisites variable, must complete advanced teaching methods)  
  • one senior research capstone (ED479 embedded with student teaching) [prerequisites ED 261 or ED 262 and ED 361; ED315, ED360, ED466; ED477 & ED 478 & senior status] 

Education Minor + K-12 & Secondary Licensure: 13 total units (5 for minor + 8 certification units) 

  • one educational study & the culture of schooling (ED 101 or ED FYP CC100 beginning fall 2026) 
  • one culture, political, community context unit (ED205, ED206, ED207, ED208, ED211, ED218, ED235, ED255, ED256, ED280, ED250) 
  • one pedagogy units (See Director of Teacher Education Programs) 
  • one educational theory unit (ED311) [prerequisites ED 101 & at least one 100-200 level courses) 
  • five aadvanced teaching methods unit (ED360, ED466; ED477 & ED 478) [ prerequisites variable; one 100-200 and 300- 400 level course] 
  • four practicum units (ED408, ED409 and ED479 x 2) [ prerequisites variable, must complete advanced teaching methods)  

MAT Licensure Program Pre-requisites

ED 101; one 100-200 level unit; ED 311 & ED 477 + See Director of Teacher Education Programs 

 

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