Special Education Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure

Are you interested in becoming a k-12 special education teacher? Have you already earned a bachelor’s degree? If your answer to both questions is YES, this is the program for you!

At MSU Denver, pre-service teacher candidates in the Special Education post-baccalaureate program will engage in courses and field experience work that will prepare them to teach individuals with disabilities in a variety of K-12 settings. We maintain small class sizes so students can engage in effective collaboration with their peers and receive personalized instruction. Each of the faculty in our program bring experiences from the field via research and K-12 Special Education teaching experience.

Our goal is to help our candidates become ethical educators and leaders in the field to make a difference in our profession, schools, and students’ lives. Therefore, the coursework is only the beginning. Because MSU Denver stresses career readiness, our Special Education program provides candidates experiences in the field that span K-12 classrooms in a variety of settings with students who have different types of disabilities. Engaging in these field experiences assists our teacher candidates in developing the critical skills necessary for implementation in their future classrooms.

Successful completion of this program earns candidates a recommendation for initial teacher licensure with an endorsement in Special Education Generalist (K-12) in Colorado.

MSU Denver is a leading university in the area of teaching across the state of Colorado. We take advantage of every opportunity to engage, instruct, and inspire teacher candidates to become successful special education teachers. Our faculty incorporates modern teaching concepts and technology into everyday practices to help prepare you for an enriching career in education.

Other reasons why teacher candidates choose MSU Denver include:

• School of Education programs are approved by the Colorado Department of Education
• Extensive field experiences tied to course work
• Exam preparation and supportive student teaching opportunities
• Knowledgeable and experienced faculty members and advisors
• Small class sizes in online, hybrid, and in-person programs

A teaching license in K-12 Special Education Generalist will allow you to further your experience as a K-12 special education teacher, or in positions such as:

• Transition Coordinator
• Adult Agency Service Provider
• Community Center Board Case Manager
• Job Coach
• Service Provider in a Residential Treatment Facility

Dr. Kara Halley

Dr. Kara Halley is an Associate Professor of Special Education. She received her Doctorate of Education and Master of Arts in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado and her Bachelor of Arts from Adams State College in Elementary Education Dr. Halley’s experience in the school setting primarily consists of developing inclusive educational programs for students with significant disabilities and providing transition services to students with a wide variety of disabilities. Her research interests consist of inclusive education, transition and post-secondary services, educational programs for students with significant disabilities, culturally diverse students with disabilities, and teacher preparation. Dr. Halley currently serves as a consultant for the Colorado Department of Education on the Colorado Significant Support Needs Network which focuses on creating model education and transition programs for these students.

Dr. Michele Trujillo

Dr. Michele Terese Trujillo has worked as a professional educator for 20 years. She is a co-founder and volunteer co-director of The Justice & Heritage Academy under the non profit organization Conejos Clean Water, which she also co- founded and serves as the CEO. Dr. Trujillo is concerned with educational, social, environmental and food justice issues of the rural and urban communities in Colorado and how these inequities impact the educational achievement and growth of students; this is her primary research focus. Dr. Trujillo earned a doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction (emphasis in multicultural and bilingual special education) in 2011 from Northern Arizona University, a school principal license in 2017 from the Principal Institute, an MA degree in special education in 1999 from the University of Northern Colorado and a BA in music in 1994 from Colorado State University.

Alumni from the Special Education Post-Baccalaureate program are making a difference in school districts all across the Denver metro area and beyond!  For example, many of our graduates have become teachers and leaders in the following districts: Boulder Valley, Cherry Creek, St. Vrain Valley, Littleton Public Schools, Douglas County, Denver Public Schools, School District 27J, and many more!