• Invest time and resources in developing a teacher workforce who is more reflective of our students.

• Break down the barriers that prevent diverse candidates invested in our communities from enrolling in teacher preparation programs. 

• Ensure new teachers are prepared to design and deliver rigorous, culturally responsive content.

Denver Public Schools is excited to offer tuition assistance in the amount of $2,200/semester during the academic school year to paraprofessionals who wish to pursue licensure. 

Tuition assistance is contingent upon availability of funds and is only for Fall & Spring Semesters. 

Review the DPS Paraprofessional to Teacher Tuition Assistance Terms & Agreements.

*MSU and WGU offer Master’s Programs, but DPS does not currently offer tuition support for those programs.

*DPS only contributes to the first year of Graduate Level courses

FAFSA

Must apply every year. You do not need to accept any offers, but you can see what you qualify for.

CAFSA

For undocumented individuals.

CDE Educator Recruitment & Retention Program

Applications are currently closed, but you can sign up for notifications for the future.

Teach Colorado

Sign up for a free account to get information about scholarships and other education opportunities.

1. To qualify for the Para-to-Teacher Pathway you need to meet the criteria:

Be a paraprofessional in a Title I school.

• If you are not in a Title I school, exceptions can be made. These exceptions include if you are:

  • SPED content area

  • Secondary Math content area

  • ELA-S content area

  • Historically Marginalized individual (i.e. first generation and/or person of color)
    
    

2. Apply to the program that will best fit your needs.
   
   

3. Email teacherpathways@dpsk12.org when you are ready to start classes if you have not already heard from our team.
   
   

4. Enjoy your learning experiences!!

1. Remain enrolled in a teacher licensure program.

2. Meet the grades, enrollment status, and financial obligations of your university

3. If you are having difficulty, please reach out so we can support your learning.

We understand life can happen, if you have to switch roles, schools or pause school this can impact whether or not you are funded. A Learning & Development Specialist will be able to support you if changes happen.

Alternative Licensure can be an option if you already have a degree. DPS does not offer financial support for this option, but it can be a positive cost and time alternative.

Alternative Licensure Information

Metropolitan University of Denver (MSU)*

Western Governor's University (WGU)

University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver)

University of Northern Colorado Center for Urban Education (UNC CUE)

For more information Bachelor's + Licensure Programs 

*MSU is contingent on School of Education admission and acceptance. 

University of Denver Teacher Education Program (DU)

Relay Graduate School of Education

*MSU and WGU offer Master’s Programs, but DPS does not currently offer tuition support for those programs.

*DPS only contributes to the first year of Graduate Level courses

For more information Master's + Licensure Programs 

No. At this time, the Para-to-Teacher Pathway is designed specifically for paraprofessionals in the classroom setting to be part of education preparation programs and get their teaching license. There are more pathways in the works for other roles.

Transferology is the source the district recommends. However, some universities use any foreign credential providers approved by NACES or AICES and do not accept others. It is important that you check with the university or universities that you are interested in prior to starting this process to ensure you are using the correct program.

This is dependent on the university that you choose. Most institutions require a certain grade for completed courses.

Additional CDE information can be found in the Colorado Transfer Webpage

teacherpathways@dpsk12.org