Para-to-Teacher Pathway

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 tuition assistance is available after applying and acceptance into the MSU School of Education

FAFSA

Must apply every year. You do not need to accept any offers, but you can see what you qualify for. Used by U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible noncitizes to access federal grants, loans, and work-study.

CASFA

Used by Colorado students who do not qualify for federal aid, specifically aimed at undocumented, DACA, or ASSET-qualified students.

CDE Educator Recruitment & Retention Program

Applications have specific dates, 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.

There are four requirements to meet to become a licensed educator in Colorado:

1. Obtain a Bachelor's Degree or higher
2. Demonstrate content knowledge and mastery in desired endorsement area
3. Complete an approved educator preparation program
4. Pass background. check and fingerprinting

For more specific information, visit https://ed.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/aspiringeducators

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

Visit our Praxis Information Page

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

Visit Becoming a Paraprofessional