T-PREP: The Partnership for Rural Educator Preparation

About the Program

T-PREP is a unique and flexible program that provides tomorrow’s teachers who are living and/or working in rural communities with a way to earn a four-year degree and teaching license without leaving home.

Key Features

Start taking classes at Northeastern Junior College (NJC) to earn your associate’s
Complete the rest of your classes as a CU Denver student in face-to-face classes taught by CU Denver faculty on NJC’s campus in Sterling or online.
Save money by opting into BA to MA (BAMA). In BAMA, three classes you take during your senior year double count towards both your bachelor’s and your master’s degrees and are billed at the undergraduate tuition rate.
Expand your options as an elementary education teacher by taking two extra classes and adding a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse endorsement education teaching license

Why earn a bachelor’s degree?

By choosing a T-PREP pathway, your career opportunities will widen. In T-PREP, we prepare highly competent professionals who embrace the whole child in inclusive, culturally and linguistically diverse settings. Continuing your education can help to advance your knowledge and abilities to be an agent of social change and serve young children, youth and families more effectively. The School of Education & Human Development at CU Denver is rated a top school by U.S. News and World Report, and our graduates become some of the best-prepared teachers in the country. Requirements for the teaching workforce are evolving in Colorado and in the age of universal Pre-K. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree now will prepare you to work in a variety of educational settings and prepare you to serve in leadership positions in the future. Additional schooling, spent in a caring, networked learning community, will be an asset to you. A variety of scholarships and loan forgiveness programs for rural educators are in place to help you pay for your education.

Licensure Options

T-PREP Licensure Options at Northeastern Junior College

Early Childhood Education (ages 0 - 8)
Elementary Education (grades K - 6)
Special Education (ages 5-21)
Middle School Math Education
Secondary Science Education

More Information

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Leveraging low-cost tuition at the community college and competitive CU Denver tuition rates with reduced fees makes the T-PREP program affordable. Submit your Free Application for Student Aid and you will be eligible to receive additional grants and scholarships for rural teachers.

Tuition & Fees

It’s important to understand the amount you will be investing in your education up front. During the first half of your program, you will pay NJC’s tuition and fees ($153 per credit hour for the 2021-22 academic year), or approximately $10,000. The second half of your program, you will pay a reduced CU Denver tuition rate per credit hour ($354 for the 2021-22 academic year), or approximately $25,000. Costs are subject to change. In all, the costs of earning your BA from CU Denver are lower than earning the same degree from other institutions in the Sterling area.

Program Requirements / Classes

Early Childhood Teacher Education

Associate of Arts

60 Credits

Curriculum

T-Prep A.A. Early Childhood Education

Associate of Arts

60 Credits

Curriculum

Early Childhood Education

Associate of Applied Science

69 Credits

Curriculum

Early Childhood Director

Certificate

30 Credits

Curriculum

Early Childhood Teacher

Certificate

18 Credits

Curriculum

Nanny/Infant Toddler Teacher

Certificate

35 Credits

Curriculum

Early Childhood Assistant Teacher

Certificate

6 Credits

Curriculum

T-Prep Early Childhood Education

Certificate

16 Credits

Curriculum

Degree Descriptions

Associate of Arts Degree (A.A.) and Associate of Science Degree (A.S.)

The AA and the AS degrees are traditional 2-year degrees specifically designed to transfer to 4-year institutions for the purpose of completing a BA or a BS. They are often referred to as university parallel degrees. The general education requirements are what actually permit the degrees to be called Associates or Arts or Science. The difference between the AS and AA is minimal, with the AA permitting math courses and a science course that are not recognized under the AS degree. Read Colorado's Guaranteed Transfer Policy here.

Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.)

The AGS degree is, at times, articulated to transfer to certain 4-year institutions and programs. There is more room for flexibility in this degree. Generally, if a student decides to transfer to a 4-year school to pursue a BA or BS after earning the AGS, they may be short some of the general education requirements.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

The Associate of Applied Science degree is rarely pursued by a student who intends to transfer to a 4-year school. It is primarily a degree that prepares a student to go directly into the workforce. It is typically a specific technical career that the student who seeks the AAS is seeking. Again, the general education requirements are less rigid with the AAS degree.

Certificate Programs

Certificates are 1-year technical programs that require no general education courses. Auto Tech, Agri-business, and Cosmetology are Certificate programs. English, math, science, etc. are not required to complete a certificate, although some students choose to take preparatory classes that might help them succeed in the program.