MA + Math or Science

This program offers an efficient and experiential route to earning a Master's degree with your teaching licensure. To be eligible for admission to the MA+ Mathematics or Science program, applicants must meet all of the requirements below. Please note, satisfying the minimum criteria does not guarantee acceptance.

To be considered for admission, applicants must:

1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.

2. Have earned a minimum 3.00 GPA cumulatively among all institutions attended. Applicants must also have a 3.0 GPA in all content area coursework. Please note, GRE Scores are not required for the MA+ program.

3. Meet a Basic Skills Requirement by completing appropriate, college-level Math and Composition courses with a “B-“ or better. Acceptable scores on the ACT, SAT, GRE, or Praxis CORE exam will also satisfy the requirement.

4. For Mathematics applicants, hold a degree in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, or Computer Science. Other degrees will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

5. For Science applicants, hold a degree in a field of science (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Physics, etc.) Other degrees will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

6. Complete the appropriate Colorado approved Praxis exam for their content area prior to the beginning of the spring semester in the program. Any candidate that has not passed the Praxis exam by the spring semester will be dismissed from the program or may be given the option to defer program completion for one year.

   • Mathematics: Content Knowledge (Test code 5161)

   • General Science: Content Knowledge (Test code 5435)

7. Complete all content coursework for their teaching area by the end of the fall semester in the program. Any candidate who has not completed their content coursework by this time will be dismissed from the program or may be given the option to defer immersive student teaching one year.

For questions about the program format or courses, please contact Program Chairs Will Lindsay (science) or Ian Her Many Horses (math). + Scholarships.

Applicants to our Master’s programs will be considered automatically for a handful of scholarships at the time of admission. Applicants do not need to do anything to be considered apart from completing the application for admission by the posted application deadline. Automatic-consideration scholarships for MA students are only available for applicants to the Fall or Summer terms. All scholarships are one-time awards and will be applied across the Fall and Spring semesters. Applicants to the MA + Math or Science programs will be automatically considered for the Moody Funston Endowed Science Scholarship Fund ($1,000).

Please follow the instructions within the application and upload required documents. 

You will need to submit:

1. The online MA+ Teacher Licensure Application
    Application Tips: 

   • Choose first time user and create an account by following the directions.

   • Once logged in, choose start new application. 

   • Complete personal background section to move on to other parts of the application.

   • Under program details choose: Department/Program: Curriculum and Instruction; Degree: Curriculum and Instruction MA; Subplan/Track: Choose from English Language Arts or Social Studies.

2. Unofficial Transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution that you have ever attended. More information about how to upload transcripts. Only after you are recommended for admission, will you need to provide official transcripts. Electronic Transcripts (unofficial and official) may be sent directly to gradprocessing@colorado.edu.
3. Three letters of recommendation, preferably from a college-level instructor, professor, graduate student instructor, lab instructor, or a teaching assistant. As an alternative, a letter can be provided by an employer who can provide anecdotal evidence regarding your written and oral communication skills, analytical reasoning, and/or the ability to read complex material.
4. A Personal Statement of 1,000 words addressing each of the following:
   1. Why you want to become a (level/subject) teacher and why now.
   2. Description of a powerful learning experience in your life and how it might inform your own teaching in the future.
   3. Reflection on personal strengths (e.g. intellectual passion, academic abilities, disposition to work with youth and professional colleagues) and lived experiences that you will build upon to reach and teach all learners.
5. A current resume

For International Students 

International applicants must have a United States social security number before they are eligible to apply. The Colorado Department of Education requires a social security number in order to be licensed to teach in the state of Colorado.

For international transcripts, you must provide a printed course-by-course transcript equivalency report provided by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Questions can be directed to the School of Education at 303-492-6555 or edadvise@colorado.edu.

The MA+ Teacher Licensure Application and personal statement must be submitted electronically. Electronic submissions of recommendations is preferred. Remember, if you are having letters of recommendation submitted electronically, you need to submit your application earlier than the deadline. By providing your recommenders’ contact information within the application, your contacts will receive an automated email requesting their letter after you have submitted the online application.

Any materials not submitted electronically (i.e. transcripts or print recommendation letters) must be mailed to:

Graduate Admissions
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine St Suite A122
553 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0553

Questions can be directed to the School of Education at 303-492-6555 or edadvise@colorado.edu.

Applications to the MA+ program are only considered for summer admission. 

Summer Term Only:

 Deadline to apply for summer admission is January 15, international, or February 1, domestic

All application materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the deadline. 

Admissions Decisions

Admission decisions are typically distributed eight weeks after the application deadline. The School of Education will send your official admission decision via email. Please continue to check the email you provided on your application.

Science Course Overview

Semester One (Summer)

Semester Two (Fall)

Semester Three (Spring)

Math Course Overview

Semester One (Summer)

Semester Two (Fall)

Semester Three (Spring)

For questions about the program format or courses, please contact Program Chairs Dr. Will Lindsay (science) or Dr. Ian Her Many Horses (math).