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Credentialing Definitions


Postsecondary

Credentialing Officer 
The individual who issues credentials for their postsecondary institution.
   

Initial Credential
This credential is available to applicants who have not completed all of the content required for Colorado’s approved professional program (Professional Credential). This credential will only be issued one (1) time per applicant’s lifetime. The requirements to be completed for a professional credential include, but are not limited to:
  • Principles of Career and Technical Educational including student organization and cooperative career and Technical Education
  • Methods of teaching including evaluation and instructional aids
  • Career and Technical Education administration or administration of cooperative programs or educational administration
  • Integration of academic and Career and Technical education and technical prep methods
   

Non-Transcripted Courses for Part-Time Instructors
that are Allowable for Renewal
Initial, part-time credential holders are required to complete EDU250, 222, or 266 (or a comparable transcripted course experience) in order to renew their credential. The Board Designated Oversight Committee (BDOC) may also approve a comparable educational experience where no credit is awarded. Non-transcripted courses that are allowed are program specific, the approved courses are as follows:
  • EMS Instructor Development Course (certificate of completion must be provided)
The following approved courses only fulfill the EDU 222 requirement; if a person wants to move from a part-time to a full-time credential they will still need to complete EDU 250 and 260:
  • Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence Clinical Scholar Course
  • Police Officer Standardized Training (POST) courses
  • Southern Colorado Clinical Scholar Coalition Curriculum
   

Occupational Experience
The hours of related verified, paid experience in the area that the credential is being applied. Specific requirement hours are dependant on Pathway selected.
   

Part-time
Applicants having less that 450 student contact hours annually (July 1 to June 30) within Colorado.
   

Pathway
Broad groupings of careers that share similar characteristics and whose employment requirements call for many competencies. Currently in Colorado, there are 81 different pathway credentials identified at both secondary and postsecondary levels.
   

Postsecondary Continuing Education Courses
  • Arapahoe Community College will offer EDU 260 in hybrid format for FALL 2009
  • Front Range Community College Credentialing Courses Online:
Fall 2009    
EDU 222 (1st 5 weeks) 8/22-9/28    
EDU 250 (2nd 5 weeks) 9/29-11/2    
EDU 260 (10 week) 9/29-12/14    
  • Northeastern Junior College will offer EDU 222 (M, 6:15-8:30 p) for FALL 2009.
  • Pueblo Community College offers 250 online and 260 as a hybrid course (online and in class)
  • Red Rocks Community College will offer EDU 250 online starting November 2009 and EDU 260 will be available online Spring 2010
Please check specific college course schedules for course time and format.
   

Professional Credential
This credential is available to applicants that have completed, specific to the Pathway, the required content in Colorado’s approved professional program.
   

Reinstatement of a Credential

If the credential is less than two years expired, the requirements printed on the credential apply. If the credential is greater than two years expired, the requirements printed on the credential apply and also include an additional 1,000 hours of related occupational experience.

If an instructor has been teaching full-time in their credential area for the past seven (7) years, then three (3) school years of full-time instructional experience in the credential area can replace the 1,000 hours.
   

Renewal Requirements of Professional Credential
Specific, individual requirements are listed on the Professional Credential (i.e. six (6) semester hours credit, occupational hours, specialized training or licensing, etc.)
   

Requirements for Transfer from an Initial to a Professional Credential
Specific, individual requirements are listed on the Initial Credential (i.e. classes for content in Colorado’s approved professional program, occupational hours, specialized training or licensing, etc.).
   

Semester Hour
Used only for renewing a credential. As a substitution for successfully completing coursework, fifteen (15) participation hours in a seminar or workshop will be considered equivalent to one (1) semester credit hour. Additionally, 15 hours of occupational experience will be considered equivalent to one (1) semester credit hour.

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Secondary

Authorization
An option for instructors in specialty areas who do not meet CDE licensure requirements. An authorization requires sapplicants to meet credentialing/endorsement criteria that does not include content area exam or an approved educator preparation program.
   

CTE Endorsement/Credential
CDE offers endorsements on a license or authorization in several areas. A CTE endorsement/credential is what used to be called your credential at CCCS. Your credential will now show up on your license as a CTE endorsement/credential.
   

CTE Specialist Pathway
This pathway is only for secondary applicants, replacing Supplemental Service Specialist, Career and Guidance Specialist and Transition Specialist.
   

Initial Credential
This credential is available to applicants who have not completed all of the content required for Colorado’s approved professional program (Professional Credential). This credential will only be issued one (1) time per applicant’s lifetime. The requirements to be completed for a professional credential include, but are not limited to:
  • Principles of Career and Technical Educational including student organization and cooperative career and Technical Education
  • Methods of teaching including evaluation and instructional aids
  • Career and Technical Education administration or administration of cooperative programs or educational administration
  • Integration of academic and Career and Technical education and technical prep methods
   

Occupational Experience
The hours of related verified, paid experience in the area that the credential is being applied. Specific requirement hours are dependant on Pathway selected.
   

Pathway
Broad groupings of careers that share similar characteristics and whose employment requirements call for many competencies. Currently in Colorado, there are 81 different pathway credentials identified at both secondary and postsecondary levels.
   

Professional Credential
This credential is available to applicants that have completed, specific to the Pathway, the required content in Colorado’s approved professional program.
   

Reinstatement of a Credential

If the credential is less than two years expired, the requirements printed on the credential apply. If the credential is greater than two years expired, the requirements printed on the credential apply and also include an additional 1,000 hours of related occupational experience.

If an instructor has been teaching full-time in their credential area for the past seven (7) years, then three (3) school years of full-time instructional experience in the credential area can replace the 1,000 hours.
   

Renewal Requirements of Professional Credential
Specific, individual requirements are listed on the Professional Credential (i.e. six (6) semester hours credit, occupational hours, specialized training or licensing, etc.)
   

Requirements for Transfer from an Initial to a Professional Credential
Specific, individual requirements are listed on the Initial Credential (i.e. classes for content in Colorado’s approved professional program, occupational hours, specialized training or licensing, etc.).
   

Semester Hour
Used only for renewing a credential. As a substitution for successfully completing coursework, fifteen (15) participation hours in a seminar or workshop will be considered equivalent to one (1) semester credit hour. Additionally, 15 hours of occupational experience will be considered equivalent to one (1) semester credit hour.
   
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