Frequently Asked Questions

General Metro Questions:

I have not been to the campus before. How do I get there? Where do I park? Is there a light rail or bus stop near the campus? Where do I obtain a map of the campus?

Please see the Auraria Parking & Transportation Services website for information on parking lots and prices, parking permits, directions to campus, information on RTD Light Rail and bus service to campus, and maps of the campus.

Where is the Admissions Office?

Admissions, along with most of the other Metro student services (Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid, Transfer Services, Student Accounts, etc.), is located in the Central Classroom Building. See the campus map to locate the Central Classroom Building.

Where is the Health Center?

The Auraria Health Center is located in the Plaza Building in room 150. See the campus map to locate the Plaza Building.

What is MetroConnect?

MetroConnect is Metropolitan State College of Denver’s portal, designed to give students, faculty and staff personalized access to many campus resources. Students will access their email, course registration, course schedule, online courses, student account, and many other resources through MetroConnect. If you are new to the college, you can gain access to your MetroConnect account by visiting the MetroConnect New User page.

Where is the Lost and Found?

There are various designated offices around the campus for lost and found items: Auraria Campus Police Department (Admin. Bldg., 1st floor), Tivoli Student Union (Room 269), Auraria Library Circulation Desk, Auraria Events Center (PE Bldg., Room 107), and Central Classroom Building Room 105 (MSCD Registrar’s Office). See the campus map for help locating these buildings.

Do I need insurance to use the Health Center?

Please contact the Auraria Health Center, located in the Plaza Building in room 150, with any questions related to the Health Center. See the campus map to locate the Plaza Building.

How much is tuition?

Visit the Tuition and Fees page on the Bursar's website for the current tuition and fee schedule.

When should I declare my major and how is it done?

Undergraduate students who are admitted to the college and need to declare their major may do so by obtaining a Major/Minor Declaration form from the Academic Advising Center in Central Classroom Bldg., Room 104. This form must be taken your chosen major department, and they will sign the form for you. If you wish to declare a minor, you must also bring the form to your chosen minor department, and they will also sign the form for you. Once you have all of the required signatures, you bring the form back to the Academic Advising office in Central 104. Post-baccalaureate students do not need to declare a major unless they are planning to earn a second bachelor’s degree.

Applying to Metro State:

When is the application deadline?

Please visit the Admissions website for information on college admission deadlines.

How do I obtain my 900 number?

Once you have been accepted to the college, you should receive a letter in the mail confirming your acceptance. This letter should include your Student Identification Number. If you have not received your letter or you did not find your Student ID number, you can contact the Office of Admissions.

I have attended Metro in the past. Am I still considered a student?

If you were an active student at Metro but you have not completed any classes at the college for three consecutive semesters, your student account has become inactive. If you have taken a course within the last three semesters, your account should still be active. Contact the Office of Admissions to confirm your enrollment status with the college.

How do I obtain my Metro State email address?

Your Metro State email address is the same as your log in name for MetroConnect, with @mscd.edu added to the end. To obtain your log in information for MetroConnect, check your college acceptance packet or visit the MetroConnect New User page.

I already have a bachelor’s degree and am completing my Metro State application, should I select “Non-Degree” or “Teacher Licensure”?

Post-baccalaureate students should always indicate “Teacher Licensure” on the application to the college. You will select "Licensure - General Teacher Licensure" from the drop down menu on the application, and later, you will be asked if you are seeking Teacher Licensure, and you should indicate "yes".

Which transcripts should be sent to Metro and to which department should they be mailed?

Undergraduate students transferring to Metro to complete their bachelor’s degree and teacher licensure must have official copies of transcripts sent to the Metro Office of Admissions from all accredited colleges and universities previously attended.

Post-baccalaureate students applying to Metro to complete a teacher licensure program should have an official transcript sent to the Metro Office of Admissions from the accredited college or university from which they earned their bachelor’s degree. Please keep in mind that the Teacher Application Center will require copies of all other college transcripts if you attended multiple institutions prior to earning or after completion of your bachelor’s degree. Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for this purpose. If you want all of your transcripts sent officially to the Metro Office of Admissions, you may do so, but only the transcript proving your bachelor’s degree is required by the college.

How do I complete my New Student Orientation?

Please visit the New Student Orientation website for information on scheduling and completing your New Student Orientation. All new students to the college are required to complete this orientation. Applicants 20 years of age or older may request to complete their orientation online. Be sure to check their site for orientation cut-off dates.

Do I need to provide immunization records to Metro State?

Metro State requires that all students satisfy the Immunization Requirements one way or another. To find out more about these requirements and your options for satisfying them, please visit the Auraria Health Center website.

Financial Aid

What financial aid options are available to me?

It is always best to meet with a Financial Aid Counselor in the Office of Financial Aid in Central Classroom 118. Financial Aid options can sometimes be more complicated for Teacher Licensure students than they are for the average undergraduate student at Metro. Sitting down with a Financial Aid Counselor will help ensure you are receiving accurate information about your financial aid options.

The Financial Aid Office says I need to be admitted to the Teacher Education Department to receive financial aid, but I have already been to an Application Meeting, what do I do?

Post-baccalaureate students must be formally admitted to the Teacher Licensure Program in order to qualify to receive financial aid awards. If you are sure you’ve attended the Teacher Application Meeting, you should contact or visit the Teacher Application Center to find out what requirements you have left to meet before being formally admitted.

What is the Federal TEACH Grant and how do I apply?

The TEACH Grant is a federal aid program that provides up to $4,000 per year, up to an aggregate of $16,000, to first-time undergraduate students only (sorry, post-baccalaureate students do not qualify). In exchange, the recipient must provide four years of service, with pay, in a high-demand area in a low-income school (or schools). The eligible licensure areas at Metro State are Secondary Math, Secondary Science, Special Education, K-12 Modern Languages (Spanish only), or Elementary Education (with 24 credit Linguistically Diverse Endorsement only). In addition, the recipient must: have an established Metro State GPA of 3.25 or above OR have scored in the 75th percentile in any battery of the ACT or SAT; be currently registered for classes at Metro State; and hold at least sophomore standing (30 credits). If you are interested, please stop by the Teacher Application Center in West Classroom Room 136 to complete a Pre-Application.

TEACH Grant Fact Sheet

List of Low-Income Schools

Choosing Your Licensure Area(s)

What licensure areas are available?

Please refer to the Getting Started tab of this site for information on the Licensure programs we offer.

What grade levels/areas of licensure will my previous degree qualify me to teach?

Please refer to the Post-Baccalaureate section of this site under the “Secondary and K-12 Education Licensure Candidates” heading for information on previous degrees and how they correlate with each of our different licensure programs.

Can I be qualified to teach in more than one content/licensure area?

Yes. In fact, we strongly encourage students to consider completing the necessary requirements for an Added Endorsement so they may be qualified to teach in more than one area, thus increasing their marketability as a potential teacher. Previous college coursework can be applied toward Added Endorsement requirements.

Based on my previous degree, which licensure area would be best for me?

It is best to choose the area for which you have the most passion to teach. Choosing your licensure endorsement area based on what is fastest or easiest may not always be the best choice in the long run. Feel free to make an appointment with an advisor in each of the licensure areas you are interested in to get a better perspective on each one. See the Advising section for more information on setting up an advising appointment.

I have a degree in a Social Studies subject (History, Behavioral Science, Chicano Studies, African American Studies, Political Science, or Economics) and would like to teach Social Studies. What steps should I follow?

Please visit the Post-Baccalaureate section of this site and scroll down to the section for Social Studies students beneath the “Secondary and K-12 Education Licensure Candidates” section.

I do NOT have a degree in a Social Studies subject (History, Behavioral Science, Chicano Studies, African American Studies, Political Science, or Economics), and would like to teach Secondary Social Studies. What steps should I follow?

Please visit the Post-Baccalaureate section of this site and scroll down to the section for Social Studies students beneath the “Secondary and K-12 Education Licensure Candidates” section.

What is Linguistically Diverse?

Linguistically Diverse Education is a K-12 added endorsement program to qualify teachers to teach in ESL (English as a Second Language) classrooms. Linguistically Diverse candidates may also choose to complete the Bilingual Endorsement program to be qualified to teach in bilingual classrooms.

Alternative Licensure (formerly Teacher in Residence)/CASEL

Where do I get information about the Alternative Licensure program?

Alternative Licensure (formerly known as Teacher in Residence) and CASEL are both programs that operate out of the Metro South Campus. You can visit the Alternative Licensure Programs website, or call their office at (303) 721-1313 for more information.

Teacher Education Department

I need to contact my professor, but they don’t have an office. What can I do?

E-mailing your professor is always the best way to contact them if they do not have an office on campus. Check your course syllabus for other information about contacting your professor.

What is an Information Meeting?

Information Meetings are optional meetings for prospective Teacher Licensure students to learn the basic information about the programs we offer for Teacher Licensure at Metro. They are a good starting point for somebody who has an interest in teaching but isn’t sure what they want to teach or how to get started doing it.

What is an Application Meeting and when should I attend?

In order to gain admission to the Teacher Licensure program and access to many of the Teacher Education courses, you must attend this required Application Meeting. You should attend the meeting the semester before you begin taking Education courses, which is typically at the beginning of your senior year or when you have completed roughly 70% of the required courses for your major and all of your General Studies courses. Post-baccalaureate students should attend the Application Meeting as soon as they are accepted to the college, in most cases.

Where can I find the schedule for the Information and Application Meetings?

Check the Calendars tab on this website.

What do I need to bring to the Application Meeting?

You must have at least your Metro student identification number as well as your Metro e-mail address. We prefer that you also bring the completed fingerprinting materials to the meeting, if possible. If there are any college transcripts that Metro does not already have on file, you should bring copies of those as well, if possible. Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for this purpose.

Why is it so important that I be on time to the Application Meeting?

We squeeze a lot of information into an hour and a half, and missing the beginning of the meeting will cause you to miss important information about the program requirements. Letting people in late can also disrupt the meeting and cause everybody to have to stay late. Please be at least a couple of minutes early to this meeting.

Why do I need to use my Metro State e-mail address?

E-mail is our main mode of communication with our students. We send important information to you via e-mail regarding special course registration, student teaching meetings, paid and volunteer job opportunities, and other information that may benefit you as a teacher candidate in your specific licensure area. If you do not check your e-mail regularly, you may miss something important that could keep you from progressing through your program. It’s always best to stay on top of your inbox!

What is a Program Plan and how should it be used?

Program Plans are worksheets that list the required courses for Teacher Licensure. These worksheets are used to document your progress through your licensure program, to help you plan out your future semesters, and to prove that you’ve completed all of your Education courses so you can be accepted into Student Teaching at the end of the program. You should be filling this Program Plan out with your assigned Education advisor and your content area advisor(s) (where applicable). Download a Program Plan from the Programs section of our site, or visit the Teacher Application Center in WC 136.

What are the requirements for formal admission to the Teacher Education Program?

You will learn of the formal admission requirements at the Application Meeting. The formal admission requirements are also explained in the Admission Requirements section of our website under the Getting Started tab.

How will I know when I am formally admitted?

You should visit the Teacher Application Center in WC 136 at least one week after you attend an Application Meeting to check the status of your admission to the program.

Do I need to submit a TB test?

No. We no longer require Tuberculosis tests for any part of our programs.

How is my GPA calculated for TED admission?

We calculate your GPA from your last 30 credit hours of college coursework. We will also accept your most recent cumulative GPA if it is more than 30 credits and higher than a 2.5.

My GPA is lower than the required 2.50. What is the most efficient way to fix this problem?

If you have been attending Metro and your low GPA is a result of classes you’ve taken here, the best way to improve your GPA is to retake the classes for which you have the lowest grades. If you can pass these classes with better grades, you can have the original grades changed to “NC” or “No Credit” so that they no longer affect your GPA. To do so, visit the Registrar’s Office and fill out a Last Grade Stands form. Please be aware, if you graduate from Metro with a bachelor’s degree, you can no longer replace grades on your undergraduate transcripts. All grade replacements must be done prior to graduation.

Which transcripts should be sent directly to the Teacher Education Department, and in what format?

If you are a undergraduate student, you must have all previous college transcripts sent officially to the Metro Admissions Office. If you are a post-baccalaureate student, you should have official transcripts sent to the Metro Admissions Office from the college at which you earned your bachelor’s degree. If you have any additional college transcripts that have not been sent officially to the college, you can submit those transcripts directly to the Teacher Application Center once you have attended an Application Meeting. Transcripts submitted directly to the Teacher Application Center can be unofficial.

I am an Elementary Education student and understand that I need to register for the PLACE or Praxis II exam for formal admission. What if I am not ready to take the test?

Check out some study materials for the PLACE or Praxis II exam. We have resource listings on this site under the Resources tab on the Place/Praxis II page that will help you locate the most effective study guides for the test. Our Student Teaching Center also has some of these study guides available for you to check out for free.

I am a Special Education student and understand that I need to pass the Elementary PLACE or Praxis II exam for formal admission. What if I am not ready to take the test?

See the response to the previous question.

I was a Teacher Education student in the past and would like to return to finish my licensure. What steps do I need to take?

Contact the Teacher Application Center to see if we still have an active file on you. From there, we will determine what needs to be done to readmit you to the program. Also, if you have not taken a class in over a year, you are no longer active and you need to reapply for admission to the college.

Math Requirement

Where is the Math Department?

The Math department has been temporarily moved to the Administration Building in room 400. They are scheduled to return to the Science Building in Fall of 2010. Check the campus map to find the Administration Building.

Who needs to take MTH 1610?

Most students in a Teacher Licensure Program need at least MTH 1610 - Integrated Mathematics I. Math majors, Chemistry majors, Environmental Science majors, and Economics majors are exempt from taking MTH 1610. Most post-baccalaureate students in Secondary Science and Secondary Math do not need MTH 1610, depending on their previous coursework. Everybody else is required to take MTH 1610 or its equivalent, and some students take MTH 2620 and MTL 3600 as well.

How do I get into MTH 1610?

You must meet one of the Math Department’s pre-requisites for the class. See the Getting Started -> Admission Requirements page on our site for details about the MTH 1610 pre-requisites.

Can I test out of MTH 1610?

The Math Department does offer a test-out process for MTH 1610. Requirements to attempt a test-out include having previously taken College Algebra and College Statistics, and being able to pass a one-on-one written and oral math exam. This is not recommended for students who do not have a strong background in mathematics.

Please note: Undergraduate students who test out of MTH 1610 but still need credit for the course toward General Studies and/or graduation, you must follow the procedures to earn credit for the course outlined on the Credit by Examination Application on the Registrar's Student Forms page.

I was allowed to register for MTH 1610 for an upcoming semester, but I have not cleared the prerequisite with the Math Department. Will this be an issue for me?

It is possible that you will be dropped from the class prior to the beginning of the semester if your pre-requisite was not cleared by the Math Department. It is best to visit them and confirm that you are qualified to be in the class prior to the beginning of the semester if you did not previously do anything to be cleared for the class.

Are there any study resources for the Elementary Algebra Accuplacer exam?

See the Getting Started -> Admission Requirements page on our site for details about preparing for the Elementary Algebra Accuplacer exam (listed in the Math Competency section).

By when should I have taken MTH 1610?

If you are a undergraduate student, MTH 1610 is your Level I General Studies requirement and should be completed by the end of your freshman year. If you are beyond freshman status, MTH 1610 should be a top priority. Post-baccalaureate students should prepare to take MTH 1610 their first semester in the program, if possible. This is especially important for post-baccalaureate students in Elementary or Early Childhood Education since those students are required to take three of these math classes. MTH 2620 (the second class in this sequence) is a pre-requisite for the final semester of coursework for Elementary licensure candidates.

What level of math is the MTH 1610 class?

Don’t be afraid of this class! MTH 1610 is a course that was designed for teachers, not for Math majors. If you can meet the pre-requisite to get into the class, you’ll be fine. We have heard a lot of positive comments about this course, our students really tend to enjoy it!

Added Endorsements

What is an added endorsement?

Added endorsements are areas of licensure that you are qualified to teach in addition to the initial area of licensure you earned when you completed your first teacher licensure program. Please visit the Added Endorsements page for more information. Being endorsed in more than one area is very valuable!

I already have a teaching license. How do I add an endorsement?

Please visit the Added Endorsements page for more info on adding an additional endorsement to your existing Colorado Teaching License.

Will I receive a recommendation from Metro regarding the endorsement for which I apply?

Metro only offers institutional recommendation for added endorsements for which we have state-approved programs. This is explained on the Added Endorsements page.

What is a Linguistically Diverse endorsement?

Linguistically Diverse Education prepares teachers to work in ESL and/or Bilingual educational settings. The endorsement is in high demand and is a valuable addition to any Colorado teacher’s license.

Length of Teacher Licensure Programs and Course Options

How long does it take to complete the program?

Students who complete their entire bachelor’s degree and licensure program at Metro can finish in four years, or eight full-time semesters. For transfer students, it depends on how many credits transfer in and how many of those credits count toward requirements for the programs they enroll in at Metro. Post-baccalaureate students can expect to finish in as quickly as 18 months if attending full-time.

Is it possible to become licensed to teach in one year?

In some cases, it may be possible to complete a Secondary Licensure program as a post-baccalaureate student in 12 months, depending on how many content area requirements are required after the previous degree is evaluated.

Do I have to attend full-time?

No, we accommodate many part-time students. Certain classes must be taken concurrently, but for the most part, you can take six credit hours or less each semester.

Can I complete all or some of the program online?

While we offer a few courses online or as hybrid courses (meaning some of the work is online, but you still meet on campus some of the semester as well), the majority of the classes are face-to-face. Learning to teach requires face-to-face interaction and hands on experience.

Do you offer night and/or weekend classes?

We typically try to have night and/or weekend options for classes when possible. This is more common in the larger areas like Elementary and Secondary where we have enough students to fill up multiple sections of a course. Most of the night classes we offer are one night a week and start at 5:30 PM. Check the schedule for the upcoming semester for class days and times.

Does the program have a particular start date?

No, you can start our program Fall, Spring, or Summer. Most introductory courses for Teacher Licensure are offered all three semesters of the academic year. However, be sure to check availability of classes as we cannot guarantee class offerings until the schedule for the upcoming semester(s) is released, which is usually two weeks prior to registration for that semester.

Is there a particular start semester which would be more beneficial?

It depends on your licensure area. Students who already have a bachelor’s degree and are enrolling in Elementary Education may find it beneficial to start in the summer, as the first semester of courses for Elementary are offered in the summer, while most of the courses following that semester are not. Otherwise, it does not make much of a difference, so start whenever you are comfortable and ready!

I have a full time job. Will I be able to complete the program while I work?

As long as your job is somewhat flexible, you should be able to complete the majority of our program while you work. We offer many night classes and some online classes. You will need to be available for field experience during the day, but with only 45-60 hours required per semester, this can be as few as four hours per week. Depending on the program, some classes may occasionally be offered in the daytime hours only. We cannot guarantee course schedules until they are released two weeks prior to registration.

How many credits are required for the program?

Each program is different. A bachelor’s degree plus licensure will be 126 credit hours or less. A post-baccalaureate program will be anywhere from 35-55 credit hours, depending on the program and your previous college coursework.

What is “Minor Only”?

Minor Only means that you intend to complete enough Education courses to satisfy the requirements for a minor, but that you do not intend to earn Teacher Licensure. Minor Only students in Early Childhood, Secondary, and Special Education are still required to attend the Application Meeting and meet the fingerprinting requirements as these minors require field experience work. A minor in any area of education will not qualify you to be a teacher in the State of Colorado.

I need to take some time off of school. What do I need to do before I leave and what should I do when I return?

Speak with the staff in the Teacher Application Center in WC 136 so we can make the proper notes in your file. Depending on what your situation is and how long you will be gone, we can inform you of what you can expect when you come back and what you will need to do. If you leave for a full academic year or longer, you will have to reapply to the college upon your return, and you will have to satisfy any added requirements for the program(s) you were working toward if they should appear in the college catalog when you return. Also, if you leave for three consecutive academic years, your file in the Teacher Application Center will be destroyed and you will need to attend another Application Meeting in order to be readmitted to the Teacher Licensure Program. If you return before the end of that three year period, visit us in the Teacher Application Center and we can determine what needs to be done to reactivate your file.

Fingerprinting and Background Checks

Where do I get a finger print card?

You can pick up a finger print card in the Teacher Application Center, West Classroom Building, room 136.

Where do I go to have my fingerprints done?

Please refer to the Fingerprinting F.A.Q. document on the Fingerprinting page of our website for details.

How do I complete the cashier’s check or money order?

Cashier’s checks and money orders should be made out to Colorado Bureau of Investigation or CBI. Make sure your cashier’s check or money order is for the correct amount! Visit the Fingerprinting page for more details.

How long is the cashier’s check or money order valid?

The cashier’s check or money order is good for 6 months after the date it was issued.

Where do I bring my fingerprints and cashier’s check/money order when they are complete?

Always bring your cashier’s check or money order along with your completed finger print card to the Teacher Application Center once you have attended one of our Application Meetings. If you still need to attend the meeting, bring the materials with you to the meeting and we will accept them when you submit your application to us at the end of the meeting.

Can I have my fingerprints done digitally?

You can have your fingerprints scanned and printed on the card digitally, but they should not be digitally submitted. They must be submitted on an actual finger print card through the Teacher Application Center. Digital fingerprinting is recommended if available in your area, as the quality of the fingerprints is usually better than ink and digital fingerprints are less likely to be returned due to poor quality. Visit the Fingerprinting page for more details.

What if my fingerprints are not of sufficient quality for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation?

If your fingerprints do not pass visual inspection at CBI, they will be returned. They usually return them to us, and we call you to let you know you must get the fingerprints done again. We have different options and suggestions depending on how bad the original prints came out. Visit the Fingerprinting page for more detail.

I have submitted fingerprints in the past. Will they count for the Teacher Education admission requirement?

On our Fingerprinting page, we have a link to the CDE database search so you can check to see if your fingerprints have already been cleared through the Colorado Department of Education. Fingerprints must be cleared through CDE to count for our program, no exceptions.

I am a new student and am planning on attending an Application Meeting and also applying for a Substitute Teaching license. Will the fingerprints I submitted for that application satisfy the Teacher Education requirement?

This is also addressed on the Fingerprinting page.

I am a new student and have applied for a substitute teaching license within the last four months. Will the fingerprints I submitted satisfy the Teacher Education requirement?

They will satisfy our requirement once they are cleared through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado Department of Education. Visit the CDE database search link on the Fingerprinting page to check your status. Please contact the Teacher Application Center if they have not cleared by the time you need to start field experience work, we will address each issue on an individual basis.

I have a police record. How might this affect me?

Depending on the severity of your record, you may not be able to get a license in the State of Colorado. In some cases, CDE and Metro may approve your background, but individual schools and districts may decide not to hire you based on your criminal background, even if you are licensed to teach in Colorado. There is no way to guarantee that your criminal record will not be an issue in the licensing process, but you can read through the following Colorado Revised Statutes document for information on how they come to decisions about criminal background history:

22-60.5-107. Grounds for denying, annulling, suspending, or revoking license, certificate, endorsement, or authorization.

Advising

How do I schedule an advising appointment?

Advising appointments for Teacher Education advisors should be scheduled through the Teacher Education front desk in West Classroom Building, room 136. We prefer that you stop by in person to schedule your appointment, but if you are not on campus and need to schedule an appointment, you can call the front desk at (303) 556-6228. Please be aware that advising scheduling through the front desk is for the following week and/or later. If you need an appointment for the current week, you must come to campus and go to your advisor’s office and sign up for available appointments on their door. You should not email or call your advisor directly for an appointment until you have tried scheduling an appointment one of these two ways.

I need to cancel/reschedule my advising appointment, what do I do?

Stop in WC 136 in person or call the front desk at (303) 556-6228 to cancel or reschedule appointments.

I am transferring to Metro with an associate’s degree, which credits will transfer?

Once you have transferred to Metro and received your Transfer Evaluation showing which courses were accepted at the college, your next step should be to see an advisor in your major, and an advisor in Teacher Education. Each advisor can look over your transcripts and your transfer evaluation to determine which transfer courses can count toward program requirements. See the Advising page on this site for details on advising.

If you earned your Associate of Arts Degree in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education at one of the Colorado Community Colleges by following the Statewide Articulation Agreement, please be sure to mention this to your Teacher Education Advisor. We guarantee that all of your credits will transfer to Metro if you have followed this agreement.

I am transferring to Metro from another education program, which credits will transfer?

Once you have received your Transfer Evaluation, schedule an appointment with a Teacher Education advisor and bring your transcripts and Transfer Evaluation to your appointment. The advisor will determine if any of your education credits can be applied to requirements for our program. It is best to have a course syllabus from each course you hope to transfer into the Education program. If you do not have the syllabi for the courses, you should at least print out the course descriptions so your advisor has something to evaluate. See the Advising page of this site for details on advising.

I have completed some Metro State Education courses in the past, will they still count?

It depends on the program, how long ago you took the classes, and what is currently required. Your best bet is to bring your transcripts to a Teacher Education advisor in the appropriate area to have your previous Metro Teacher Education courses evaluated. See the Advising page of this site for details on advising.

I graduated from another school with a teaching degree. Can I just do the Student Teaching and get my Colorado teaching license?

If you did not complete the program at your previous school (i. e. you did not complete a student teaching seminar or receive a recommendation for licensure from that program), you must take a minimum of nine credit hours in Education at Metro before you can student teach through our program.

If you did complete your entire licensure program at your previous school and you were recommended for licensure, you should contact the Colorado Department of Education first. They will let you know if your previous teacher licensure program would qualify you to apply for your Colorado teaching license.

What is a Program Plan and how should it be used?

Program Plans are worksheets that list the required courses for Teacher Licensure. These worksheets are used to document your progress through your licensure program, to help you plan out your future semesters, and to prove that you’ve completed all of your Education courses so you can be accepted into Student Teaching at the end of the program. You should be filling this Program Plan out with your assigned Education advisor and your content area advisor(s) (where applicable). Download a Program Plan from the Programs section of our site, or visit the Teacher Application Center in WC 136.

I know I need to see an advisor in my major. Which one should I see?

Please refer to the Major and Content Area Advisors for Teacher Education Students list to find the appropriate advisor in your major or content area department.

Am I allowed to change my Education advisor?

Yes, please feel free to submit an Advisor Change Request by stopping by WC 136 and filling out the form (available at the front desk), or by emailing one of the staff in the Teacher Application Center.

My friend told me that I should take a particular class. How do I find out if this is true?

Always check with your Teacher Education advisor or with the Teacher Application Center regarding any and all requirements for your program. We appreciate that students try to help each other out, but with a complicated program, it is always best to stay in touch with the Teacher Education Department directly for the most current and accurate information.

Field Experience and Student Teaching

Is it possible to choose the school(s) where I will complete my Field Experience requirements and/or Student Teaching semester?

For field experience placements, it is up to the instructor of the course that requires the field experience. You should meet with your instructor and try to work something out if you have a preferred placement.

For student teaching placements, you will be given the opportunity to request your top three schools for student teaching. These requested schools must be approved by your Teacher Education advisor prior to submitting your completed application for student teaching.

I am currently working in a school, can I get credit for my experience?

You cannot earn credit for past working experience, and in most cases, you cannot earn credit for field experience in a classroom in which you are being paid to work. However, in some cases, you may request to complete one of your field experiences at the school where you work, just not in the same classroom. Speak with your field experience course instructors about this possibility.

How do I register for my Field Experience courses?

Field experience course registration procedures vary depending on the licensure area. In most cases, your field experience credit must be registered simultaneously with the course that it is attached to, and the field experience credit and the course must both have the same section number. This relates mostly to Elementary and Secondary/K-12 field experience courses. Keep in mind you must reach the appropriate level of admission to the Licensure Program (provisional or formal) that the courses require. 4000 level Elementary field experience courses are registered by hand through the Teacher Application Center. Elementary students will receive an email a few weeks before registration explaining the process of signing up for 4000 level Elementary courses.

How will I know what my schedule will be for my Field Experience course?

Most field experience courses allow you to meet with the cooperating teacher in the classroom where you are placed to work out your schedule for field experience hours. Start by attending the class that correspondes with your field experience credit. Your course instructor should explain the process of setting up your placement.

How many hours per week will my Field Experience course require of me?

It could be anywhere from 3 to 10 hours per week, depending on the course requirement and how long it takes to set up your placement.

If my class is meeting at a particular school (not on the Metro campus), is that where my Field Experience will be completed as well?

In most cases, yes. It is best to contact the course instructor for details as some of our Partnerships are set up differently from one another.

Can I work during my Student Teaching semester?
Can I take classes during my Student Teaching semester?
Is it possible to do an internship rather than Student Teaching?
Can I graduate prior to completing my Student Teaching semester?
How many credits is Student Teaching?
How do I register for Student Teaching?
When do I attend my Student Teaching meetings?
When do I apply for Student Teaching?
How is the Student Teaching GPA requirement calculated?

Please refer to the Student Teaching Center FAQ for answers to these questions.

Content Area Exams (PLACE and Praxis II)

Do I have to take the PLACE or Praxis II content area exam?

Yes. You must take and pass the appropriate PLACE or Praxis II exam for your licensure/content area prior to submitting an application for student teaching, and in some cases, prior to being formally admitted. This exam is required by our program and by the Colorado Department of Education in order for you to receive your teaching license.

What is the difference between the PLACE and Praxis II?

Please see the Content Test Comparison ( 8 KB) on the PLACE/Praxis II page on this site.

How many exams do I need to take?

Every area except for Special Education requires one test. Special Education licensure candidates take two; the Elementary Content Knowledge Exam (PLACE or Praxis II) and the Special Education Generalist exam (PLACE only). Visit the PLACE/Praxis II page on this site for details.

When should I take the PLACE or Praxis II?

If you are in Elementary Education, you must register for the test prior to being formally admitted, so, the sooner, the better. If you are in Special Education, you must pass the Elementary test prior to being formally admitted. In either case, once you have completed the General Studies sequence for Elementary, you should be ready to register for the test.

If you are in Early Childhood or Secondary/K-12 Education, you should take the appropriate test no later than a year before you plan to be student teaching. Consult with your advisor(s) to look into this in more detail.

I am registering for the PLACE or Praxis II exam(s), which test/code do I choose?

Please refer to the Content Knowledge Exam Info Sheet ( 61 KB) on the PLACE/Praxis II page on this site.

Should I keep my documentation of passing the exam?

Definitely! It will cost you money if you lose it and have to request another copy. Also, be sure that you entered the Metro school code when you registered for the test so that your scores are sent directly to the Metro. If we did not receive your scores directly from the test company, you may need to provide an official copy of your scores as proof of passing.

Where can I obtain study resources for the exam?

We have resource listings under the Resources tab on the PLACE/Praxis II page that will help you identify the most effective study guides for the test. Our Student Teaching Center also has some of these study guides available for you to check out for free.

Licensed, Previously Licensed, and Other Working Teachers

I already have a teaching license, how do I add an endorsement?

Please visit the Added Endorsements page for detailed information on adding an endorsement.

I have an expired teaching license from Colorado or another state. What do I do to reinstate my license?

Please visit the Recertification page for detailed information on renewing your license in Colorado.

Substitute Teaching

I am interested in being a substitute teacher. What are the requirements?

To obtain substitute authorization, you must apply for it through the Colorado Department of Education. Click the link and you will find the application materials and necessary information to apply for a substitute license.

I am/will be a new student and am planning on applying for a substitute teaching license. Anything I should know in advance?

If you believe you will be starting Education courses within the next six months, we suggest you attend an Application Meeting and submit your fingerprints through us. These same fingerprints will satisfy the requirement for your substitute license as well. If you submit the fingerprints directly to CBI, we will have to wait until they clear to sign off on this requirement for our program. This process can take as long as four months. Submitting the fingerprints directly through us speeds up your admission to our program. Visit the Fingerprinting page for more information.

Registration and Course Completion

How do I register for classes?

You register for classes through MetroConnect. Once you log in to MetroConnect, click the “My Services” tab (you will be asked to log in again), and then click the “Registration” tab and follow the links to the Registration menu. On this menu, be sure to click the “Pre-registration Holds” link at the top of the menu first (if you have not already done this once before). Once you’ve cleared your pre-registration hold, you may then proceed to exploring the different options for course registration on the Registration menu.

How do I find my MetroConnect log in name/password?

Visit the MetroConnect New User page to find your log-in information.

I am not able to log in to MetroConnect, what do I do?

If your password is not working or you are having other technical difficulties with MetroConnect, you must contact the Metro State IT Help Desk for assistance. You can call them at (303) 352-7548 or you may visit their walk-in Help Center in West Classroom Building, room 241.

Which classes should I take?

You should make an appointment with the appropriate advisor(s) before registering for any classes.

Freshmen students should start in Academic Advising, Central Classroom Building, room 104.

Undergraduate students who have not yet completed at least half of their major courses should see an advisor in their major. Visit the Undergraduate page under the Getting Started tab for details. Please refer to the Major and Content Area Advisors for Teacher Education Students list to find the appropriate advisor in your major department.

Undergraduate students who have completed at least half of their major courses and most if not all of their General Studies, and post-baccalaureate students should see an advisor in Teacher Education prior to registering for classes. Post-baccalaureate students in Secondary and K-12 Education should also have their previous degree evaluated by the appropriate content area advisors prior to meeting with a Teacher Education advisor. Visit the Post-Baccalaureate page under the Getting Started tab for details. Secondary/K-12 students, use the Major and Content Area Advisors for Teacher Education Students ( 25 KB) list to find the appropriate advisor(s) in your content area.

Are there any classes that I can test out of?

It would depend on the classes, but yes, CLEP testing and other test-out procedures may be available for content area/major classes in some cases. There are no test-out procedures for Education classes.

Which classes can I register for prior to attending an Application Meeting?

It depends on your licensure area. Elementary Education students can take the first sequence of Education classes prior to being provisionally admitted to the program, but they cannot take any more after that. Special Education students can take most of Sequence I and Sequence II prior to being provisionally admitted. Educational Technology classes (as required) and the required general Special Education class (SED 3600) can both be taken prior to attending the Application Meeting as well, but we prefer that you take Education classes in your licensure area concurrently with or before taking these classes.

When is the registration deadline?

Please check your MetroConnect account and the Registrar's Office website for information about registration start times and deadlines.

When is the last day that I can drop a class?

You can usually drop a class before the end of the first week of classes and receive a 100% refund. If you drop a class after the first week and before the end of the second week, you will receive a 50% refund. If you drop classes after that point, you will receive no refund. It is best to visit the Student Accounts website for updated drop/refund requirements and deadlines for each new semester.

The class I want to register for is not appearing on the schedule, what do I do?

Make sure you are looking in the right category and looking for the right course number. Sometimes things change and you may not be aware of a new course number or course name. If you’re still not finding what you need, contact the department that offers the course and inquire.

Can I view the class schedule without being logged in to MetroConnect?

Yes. Class Schedules and Catalogs are available through the www.mscd.edu front page under “Current Students”.

I am registered for an online class this upcoming semester. How does this work?

Visit the Extended Campus and Outreach page for information on getting started with online and extended campus courses.

What is a hybrid class?

A hybrid class combines online coursework with on-campus meetings. Some hybrid classes meet only once during the semester, some meet as much as every other week. Check the class notes on the schedule for hybrid courses to find these details. If you do not see the details, contact the department offering the course and inquire.

What is the College Opportunity Fund and how do I take advantage of it?

Visit the College in Colorado website for information about the College Opportunity Fund. If you are considered an in-state resident by Metro, and you have not earned the maximum amount of stipend money, you will be prompted to accept this money when you register for classes through MetroConnect the first time each semester. Contact the Student Accounts office or the College in Colorado website if you have questions about this stipend.

What does "Class Restriction" mean?

"Class Restriction" means that you are trying to register for a class that requires Sophomore, Junior, or Senior level status, but the Metro system does not show that you have reached that status. Post-baccalaureate students who have not yet submitted official transcripts showing their degree may run into these errors. Contact the department that offers the course if you need assistance.

What does "Major Restriction" mean?

For Teacher Education classes, "Major Restriction" means you are trying to register for a class that requires a certain level of admission to the Teacher Licensure program (provisional or formal admission), and you have not reached that level of admission yet. Visit the Teacher Application Center to review your status. If you have not yet attended an Application Meeting, you will need to do so before you can reach these levels of admission and register for classes that are giving this error.

What does "See Department" mean?

"See Department" is a hold placed on some classes that require departmental approval. Whenever you see this error, contact the department offering the class to inquire.

What does "Pre-requisite/Co-requisite and/or Test Score" mean?

This error means that:

you are trying to register for a course that has pre-requisites that you haven’t taken at Metro (if you transferred in a pre-requisite, you will need the department offering the course to override this hold manually for you each time you encounter it),
there are co-requisites that you haven’t registered for (or that you aren’t registering for simultaneously, as is the case with many EDS and EDU classes with attached field experiences),
that you have not taken the appropriate placement test for the course (not common, and never the case for Teacher Education courses).

How do I clear an Immunization hold?

Contact the Auraria Health Center Immunization Office.

How do I clear an "AR" or “Needs Remediation” hold?

If you are an undergraduate student, you must visit the Academic Advising Center in Central Classroom Building, room 104 and speak with an Academic Advisor about removing the hold. If you are a post-baccalaureate licensure student, visit the Teacher Application Center in WC 136 if you encounter this hold.

I am having problems registering for my Field Experience courses. How do I solve this?

Field experience course registration procedures vary depending on the licensure area. In most cases, your field experience credit must be registered simultaneously with the course that it is attached to, and the field experience credit and the course must both have the same section number. This relates mostly to Elementary and Secondary/K-12 field experience courses. Keep in mind you must reach the appropriate level of admission to the Licensure Program (provisional or formal) that the courses require. 4000 level Elementary field experience courses are registered by hand through the Teacher Application Center. Elementary students will receive an email a few weeks before registration explaining the process of signing up for 4000 level Elementary courses.

How do I determine what prerequisites are required for a particular class?

Check the college catalog, or check with the department offering the course.

My advisor has told me to take a particular class but the system will not let me register, what should I do?

Contact the department offering the course to see if you meet all of the requirements to take the course.

The class I need to register for is closed. Can I be added to a waitlist?

If a formal waitlist is available, you should be able to add yourself to that waitlist through the course registration process. If no formal waitlist is offered, you will have to watch for an opening in the class.

Can I receive an Incomplete grade for a class?

It is up to the course instructor to give you an Incomplete. Incomplete grades are usually only offered to students who have completed at least 75% of the course work, and a contract is put in writing so that the instructor and student both understand and agree on the terms of having the Incomplete changed to a letter grade. If the student does not satisfy the requirements of the contract, the Incomplete grade will change to an F after a full academic year has passed.

I need to complete a course in which I previously took an Incomplete, what should I do?

Contact the instructor who originally issued the Incomplete grade and work with them to have your grade changed. If the instructor is no longer working for the college, contact that department’s Chair.

How do I register for more credits than the system will allow?

You can request an overload by filling out the Petition for Overload Exception form. If your GPA is low, your request will likely be denied. Visit the Teacher Education front office in WC 136 for a copy of the form and to discuss the details and obtain the appropriate signatures on the form.

I am re-taking a course. How do I ensure that my previous grade will be replaced by my new grade?

As long as you have not graduated from Metro since you originally took the course, you can visit the Registrar's Office in CN 105 and request a Last Grade Stands form. Complete this form and submit it to their office and they will change your original grade to “NC” or “No Credit”.

CAPP Reports

What is a CAPP report and who should use it?

CAPP stands for Curriculum, Advising, and Program Planning. You should use your CAPP report to track your progress toward completion of your major, minor, general studies, and general college requirements. Post-baccalaureate students do not use the CAPP Report unless they are seeking a second bachelor’s degree.

How do I print my CAPP report? How do I get an official CAPP report?

Visit the CAPP page on the Registrar’s website for information on generating and printing a CAPP report. You may also contact your major department to see if they will run an official CAPP report for you.

Please note: When generating a CAPP report through MetroConnect, you may see two available CAPP reports. Please disregard the Licensure CAPP report. We do not use it and it does not affect your ability to graduate. The major/minor CAPP report is the only one that you need to follow.

My CAPP report shows a category as Unmet, but I believe that I have taken the required courses, what should I do?

See your advisor in the related category (major or education) to review the CAPP and look for substitutions. The advisor can fill out a CAPP Adjustment form to move courses around on your CAPP.

My CAPP report is not showing the correct requirements, what should I do?

Make sure that your major is properly declared. Visit the Teacher Application Center if you are stumped and we will try to help you figure out what the problem is.

In addition to the many questions answered above, you may also want to visit Metro’s Frequently Asked Questions page for more general questions related to being a student at the college.

Frequently Asked Questions