College of Education

The Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Program ensures that aspiring educators can earn both a university degree and a Colorado teaching license with significantly reduced financial barriers to entry into the profession.

With assistance from this program, teacher apprentices will be able to engage in school-based employment while completing job-embedded coursework that directly connects university learning to real PreK–12 classrooms. Unlike traditional teacher preparation pathways that delay entry into the workforce, the apprenticeship model places future educators in schools from day one, building practical skills, professional confidence, and strong ties to their communities.

By supporting this pathway, the program helps UCCS prepare well-trained teacher apprentices who strengthen teacher retention, reduce reliance on emergency hires, and establish a stable, sustainable pipeline of licensed educators, particularly in rural, underserved, and high-need districts where shortages are most acute.

When you give to this program, you invest directly in people who are already serving Colorado’s schools--paraprofessionals, classroom aides, career changers, and community members dedicated to supporting young people. Your gift provides scholarships and tuition support that remove financial barriers and accelerate degree and licensure completion for those who are already working closely with PreK–12 students but need formal credentials to be fully recognized and compensated as teachers.

Your support leads to more classrooms led by highly qualified, licensed educators and contributes to the long-term stability of rural and underserved districts. Ultimately, your generosity expands opportunities for both teacher apprentices and the students and communities they serve.