Elementary Education (Licensure), BA (CAGS)

Within the context of a Christian worldview, the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education Licensure degree provides a challenging, theory-based, and application-oriented approach to educating children from kindergarten to grade 6. Students acquire knowledge, develop skills and demonstrate the competencies necessary to teach effectively in public and private schools. Courses and field experiences develop educators who are dedicated to addressing diverse learner needs with excellence through servant-leadership in their field and in society.

The emphasis on becoming a licensed teacher enhances the student's instructional skills through the study of curriculum development, learning assessment, psychological foundations of teaching methods, classroom management, and critical thinking. These principles are then put into practical application through 160 clock hours of field-based experiences throughout the first two semesters, culminating in a semester-long, full-time (640 clock hours) student teaching practicum in a classroom in their community.

Students who satisfactorily complete all requirements of this program and the requirements for licensure are qualified to teach kindergarten through 6th grade in public and private schools in Colorado and also are eligible to reciprocate or directly apply for licensure in most states. Out-of-state students are responsible for researching their home state's licensure process. Click here to learn more about the program and licensure requirements for each state. Graduates also meet requirements for certification by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) to teach in schools around the world.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education Licensure program may apply to the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (MACI) program at CCU. Upon acceptance, six credits of graduate-level coursework included in the BA professional core can be applied to the MACI "Non-Emphasis" degree.

Time Limitations

All degree program requirements must be completed within four years beginning from the start date of the first education course within the professional core of the program. After the four-year period, a student who has not completed the program requirements will be withdrawn from the program unless an exception to policy request to extend this time limitation is submitted by the student and approved by the program director.  In this case, the student’s CCU transcript will be reviewed by the program director.  At the director’s discretion, if an extension is approved, a program course may have to be retaken if the content of the course has received substantive changes since it was last taken by the student. 

Students who step out of the program for more than 365 days or go beyond the four-year period without an approved extension and wish to complete the program will be required to apply for re-admission. If approved for readmission, the student’s CCU transcript will be reviewed by the program director.  At the director’s discretion, a program course may have to be retaken by the re-admitted student if the content of the course has received substantive changes since it was last taken by the student. Students will be required to adhere to current academic policies, program requirements, tuition, and fees.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (Licensure) requires completion of the following 120 hours:
General Education Core (45 credits)
Elementary Education Professional Core (50 credits)
Electives (25 credits)                  

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Colorado Christian University offers several academic programs which lead to professional licensure in the state of Colorado and, in some programs, prepare students for a national exam. All students should be aware that states vary in their educational and professional requirements depending on the profession. Some states require specific educational requirements, clinical requirements, accreditation requirements, or exam requirements. See professional licensure disclosures for details.