Programs

The School of Education at Colorado State University offers numerous options for teacher professional development. CSU/SOE is the designated institution to offer Career and Technical Education Credentialing coursework. Teacher professional development coursework is offered through face-to-face/online/independent study courses, Colorado Credentialing Learning System (CCLS), Career and Technical Educator Authorization Program (TAP) and Annenberg courses.

Face-to-face/Online/Independent Study Career and Technical Credentialing courses

Career and Technical credentialing courses are offered face-to-face, on-line, and/or independent study throughout the fall, spring, and summer sessions.

Face-to-face delivery

Each of the following career and technical credentialing courses are offered face-to-face at least once during the school year. Face-to-face courses are offered on two-three weekends in a classroom with an instructor. In order for a face-to-face course to “make” a minimum of 10 students must enroll.

Courses offered through face-to-face delivery

Online delivery

Each of the following career and technical credentialing courses are offered online at various times during the school year. On-line courses require an orientation day and utilize the webCT course delivery system. Students can complete the coursework anywhere, at anytime of the day. To be successful taking coursework through this methodology the student needs to be motivated, a good time manager, and comfortable working and communicating via a computer.

Courses offered through on-line delivery

Independent Study delivery

These academic credit courses allow you to work at your own pace through study materials, textbooks, and observations.

Courses offered through independent study delivery

Colorado Credentialing Learning System (CCLS)

The Colorado Credentialing Learning System is a module-based online learning system catering to teachers wishing to obtain a CTE credential or to further their professional development.  Each module explores and educates about one specific aspect of CTE or teaching.  The primary reason for the CCLS system is flexibility for the learner in choosing needed coursework for a credential or for professional development.  Since online coursework is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a learner has control over their learning time.  Visit www.cteonline.colostate.edu for more general and enrollment information.

Courses offered through the CCLS system

Visit the following link for course availability -  Link  - choose the Career and Technical Credentialing Courses link.

Career and Technical Educators’ Authorization Program (TAP)

TAP provides competency-based teacher preparation for those individuals new to teaching at the secondary and post-secondary levels, primarily in the trade and industry fields.  Before starting TAP, a teacher/participant must 1) contact the Career and Technical Credentialing Office, (303) 595-1650, for a background evaluation, and 2) have a signed contract with a school.  For more information on the TAP program and current course schedule, contact Linda Lyons, Program Coordinator, 970-491-6867, lmlyons@colostate.edu, or visit the website:  www.colostate.edu/programs/VATLP.

Courses offered through TAP

Visit the following link for course availability - link

Choose the Career and Technical Educator Authorization Program link.

NOTE – Career and Technical Credentialing coursework requirements are determined by the Colorado Credentialing Office.  Contact Sherry Marston, Credentialing Coordinator, by phone at (303) 595-1650, e-mail at credential@cccs.edu , or visit www.coloradocredentialing.org to determine your specific coursework needs.

Annenberg/CPB Professional Development Courses for Teachers

The School of Education provides continuing education graduate level credits for 46 Annenberg/CPB broadcast workshops/courses.   Professional development workshops/courses are offered in Science, Math, Educational Theory and Issues, and Humanities.  Visit the Annenberg website to read more about each workshop or course - www.learner.org.  If interested in enrolling in one or more of these courses call Sheila Kramer at 1-866-491-7517.

Annenberg courses/workshops offered



Contract Courses

This page has been designed to answer question regarding designing and teaching off-campus courses through continuing education.  Please take time to review this site.  All requested materials are necessary to meet the guidelines for approval of a continuing education course through the School of Education at Colorado State University. 


What is a Contract Course?
A contract course is generally a course utilizing a contract between Colorado State University/SOE and a school district, BOCES, or non-profit agency.  With an approved contract course the payment of the instructor, advertising of the course, and other course fees are paid by the sponsoring organization not by CSU/SOE.  The contract rate tuition for 1 graduate continuing education credit is currently $53.  Contract courses are set up on a 15 contact hours per credit hour basis, can only be awarded in full credits (½ credits are not available), and are generally pass/fail course.           


Procedures for Establishing Contract Courses:

  • Approval of Instructors 
    • Every instructor must be approved by Continuing Education.  All instructors must have appropriate academic credentials for the course being taught.  Instructors for these courses must comply with the School of Education’s standards and would need either a Master's Degree (preferred) that accurately reflects their area of expertise related to this topic or a Bachelor's Degree plus additional training/certification specifically related to the course type.
    •  A current instructor vita/resume is required which includes any specific training. 
    • The instructor will be responsible for organizing the course, developing the syllabus, coordinating the instructional activities, being present at each class session, evaluating student performance in the course, and assigning student grades for the course.
    • CSU/SOE is not responsible for payment to the instructor or for any expenses incurred during the course.
  • Course Information
    • The application for approval of a continuing education course requests that the applicant provide a detailed contract course outline which includes
      • Title of the course
      • Date, days, time
      • Site of the class
      • Lead Instructor, Co-instructor, Site Coordinator
      • Purpose of the Course
      • Specific Course Objectives
      • Course Outline
      • Bibliographic/Support Materials/Textbook Listing
      • Student Evaluation Criteria
      • A letter of Request/Support
      • Current Instructor Vita/Resume
  • Important Course Considerations                          
    • Course title should clearly reflect the course content and the focus on professional development for teachers.  When titling the course remember the students’ need for future licensure, etc.
    • All contract courses are set up as ED591 or VE590 – Workshops.  This is the title that will be recorded on a transcript.  The enrollment receipt sent to the student after registration will list the full title of the course.
    • The course description should describe the course and how it aligns with teacher professional development.
    • The course outline should document the content that will be covered in the course/workshop as well as how the 15 contact hours per credit hour (7 ½ hr. per day) will be accounted for.
    •  A detailed description of student activities and methods used for grading students’ assessment of performance is required.  Class attendance and participation combined can account for no more than 20% of the grade.  These are graduate credits therefore graduate level work is expected.
    • A letter of Request/Support from a staff development coordinator or other sponsoring agency on appropriate stationery is required.
    • Contract courses are generally pass/fail courses.  Incomplete grades are only assigned when an agreement has been reached between the student and instructor.
    • Requests for course approval should be turned in at least two weeks before the course begins.
  • Request for Approval of Continuing Education Course
  • Distribution of Registration Forms and Grades

Upon formal approval of the requested course, registration materials and student course evaluations forms will be sent to the instructor and or the sponsoring agency.  Students will complete the registration form and attach payment on the first day of the class.  The instructor is responsible for collecting registration/payment and forwarding forms to the continuing education office shortly after the first day of class.

At the end of the semester the instructor/sponsoring agency will receive a grade roll which will be completed and sent, faxed, or e-mail to the continuing education office by the semester grading deadline