ALPS offers coursework that leads to eligibility to apply for the initial license for principal through the Colorado Department of Education. A passing score on the Principal PLACE #80 content exam (or Praxis #5411 Educational Leadership:  Administration and Supervision) is also required for principal licensure through the Colorado Department of Education.  PLACE exams will be available until their last administration date of May 6, 2017 and PLACE scores will be accepted by the Colorado Department of Education for 5 years until May 6, 2022. Having earned an initial license, those who go on to complete a district sponsored induction program may then apply for a professional license through the Colorado Department of Education.

ALPS’s 32 semester-hour principal licensure program is project-based, requiring students to present evidence of meeting both state and national standards through performance based assessments. A 400-hour clinical-practice experience is integrated throughout the four-semester program.

Students submit performance-based assessments (PBAs) during the principal licensure program to LiveText, an online assessment system.  PBAs not approved by the end of the fourth semester must be completed within the two subsequent semesters (not including summer.)

Note: Those already holding a master’s degree and 5 years of leadership in education should also see the Executive Leadership Program for pursuing administrator (superintendent) licensure.

Principal Licensure Cohort Options

Typically, cohorts are comprised of approximately 25 principal candidates who move through the four-semester principal licensure program together. We look for applicants to have a teaching or special services license plus a minimum of three years post-licensure experience. We welcome applicants from all districts into our principal licensure cohorts. However, we partner with metro-area districts to prepare leaders specifically for their schools.

Distance Learning Cohort

The Distance Learning cohort option has a long history of serving students who live far away from campus. Additionally, this cohort offers students a hybrid (online and face-to-face) course format. Students meet in the first summer for a three-day boot camp. In the fall, they experience two Friday/Saturday weekend sessions. And, they attend two more weekend sessions the following spring. During the second summer, they attend a culminating half-day session. The remainder of the work is completed online.

Denver Public Schools

The Denver Public Schools (DPS) cohort option is one of the DPS Pathways to Principalship. The work in this cohort is focused on leadership for multilingual learner student populations as well as cultural leadership. Instructors and students work closely with not only state and national standards, but also with the LEAD Framework to prepare principals. Students meet on one Saturday and two Tuesdays a month over four semesters. A new cohort starts each spring. Please review this information on the DPS website. 

Jefferson County Public Schools

The JeffCo cohort option is offered in partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools. Courses occur on twelve Tuesday evenings during each of the four semesters. This standards-based, performance-based assessed, cohort program is taught by university professors and experienced JeffCo administrators.

Northern Cohort

The Northern Cohort option is offered in partnership with the Boulder Valley School District for applicants from northern-metro districts.  This cohort meets on Wednesday evenings during each of the four semesters of the program.  This standards-based, performance-based assessed, cohort program is taught by university professors and experienced district administrators. 

CU South Denver Cohort

The CU South Denver cohort serves southern-metro districts (Douglas County, Cherry Creek, Littleton, Sheridan, Englewood, Lewis-Palmer and Colorado Springs School District 11.) This cohort meets on twelve Tuesdays during each of four semesters at the Liniger Building at CU South Denver. This standards-based, performance-based assessed, cohort program is taught by university professors and experienced district administrators.

Cohorts start at one or more locations each semester and involve a combination of regular in-person meetings (up to 15 times per semester) and online work.

EDUC 5751 - Principal/Administrator Licensing I.  Semester Hours: 3 to 9 
EDUC 5752 - Principal Administrator Licensing II.  Semester Hours: 3 to 9 
EDUC 5753 - Principal/Administrator Licensing III.  Semester Hours: 3 to 9 
EDUC 5754 - Principal or Administrator Licensing IV  . Semester Hours: 3 to 9

Total: 32 Hours