Calculus 1
First half of the two-course calculus sequence the worksheet asks for.
Self-paced online Calculus 1 course (Math 165). NCCRS recommends 4 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →ColoradoTeachers
24 semester hours toward a Colorado endorsement
Checked 15 Nov 2026 by the team. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
The short answer
You can earn 24 semester hours toward a Colorado endorsement if you already hold a Colorado teacher license: 24 hours in set categories, each at B- or better, from a regionally accredited college, under 1 CCR 301-101. For Mathematics 6-12 a math degree or Praxis 5161 or 5165 also works. Confirm with CDE in writing first.
The rule
Under 1 CCR 301-101 and CDE's Mathematics (Grades 6-12) worksheet, a Colorado licensed teacher can add the endorsement with 24 semester hours in six categories, each at B- or better, or a math degree, or Praxis 5161 (152) or 5165 (159).
The rule asks for 24 semester hours, B- or better in each category. The legal source is 1 CCR 301-101.
| Requirement | What the rule says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who can use it | Teachers who already hold a valid Colorado teacher license | [2] |
| Coursework route | 24 semester hours at a regionally accredited college, by category | [1] |
| Grade | B- or higher in each category; no pass/fail | [1] |
| Professional development | Documented PD or work experience may meet up to 6 hours | [1] |
| Degree route | A bachelor's or higher degree in mathematics | [1] |
| Exam route | Praxis 5161 at 152, or Praxis 5165 at 159 | [1] |
Who decides
Colorado Department of Education (CDE), Educator Talent Division, Educator Licensing decides how this rule applies to you. We read its published rule and the pages below; each was checked on 15 Nov 2026.
Which credits count
What counts
- College-level coursework from a regionally accredited college or university
- Courses that fit the worksheet categories: number, algebra and modeling (6), calculus (6), geometry (3), statistics and probability (3), history or philosophy of math (3), teaching methods or 3 more content hours (3)
- A letter grade of B- or higher in each category
- Up to 6 semester hours of documented professional development or work experience in the categories
What does not count
- Pass/fail courses
- Professional development courses on the coursework route beyond the 6-hour allowance
- Coursework that cannot be read against a category on the worksheet
Courses that fit
Each course below is ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended for college credit. Whether it counts here is the decision of the college and of Colorado Department of Education (CDE), Educator Talent Division, Educator Licensing.
Calculus 2
Second half of the calculus sequence.
Self-paced online Calculus 2 course (Math 265). NCCRS recommends 4 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Calculus 3
A calculus-based course the worksheet names; can fill the extra 3 hours.
Self-paced online Calculus 3 course (Math 365). NCCRS recommends 4 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Discrete Mathematics
Named as an example under number, algebra and modeling.
Self-paced online Discrete Mathematics course (Maths 230). NCCRS recommends 4 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Principles of Statistics
Fits the data analysis, statistics and probability category.
Self-paced online Principles of Statistics course (Statistics 101). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →The path via a college transcript
- Check your transcripts against the worksheetFill in CDE's Mathematics (Grades 6-12) worksheet with what you already have and mark each empty category.
- Ask CDE about letter grades on transfer creditThe worksheet asks for B- or higher in each category. Ask CDE in writing how it reads credit that a college posts through transfer, since some colleges post transfer credit without a letter grade.
- Pick a college to post the creditTESU and UoPeople are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit; ask how the course and grade would appear on their transcript.
- Fill the gaps UPI Study can coverCalculus 1 and 2, Calculus 3, Discrete Mathematics and Principles of Statistics map to four of the six categories.
- Fill geometry and history of math elsewhereUPI Study has no geometry or history of mathematics course, so plan those 6 hours at a college.
- Apply with the official transcriptSend the worksheet and official transcripts with your added endorsement application; CDE makes the final reading.
TESU and UoPeople are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit; check their own transfer pages and ask how grades from transferred courses are shown.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
What it costs
| Option | Price | For this rule | Price checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPI Study PRO | $99 a month, every course | $99 for each month you are subscribed; take as many courses as you finish in that time | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Colorado community college (Pueblo Community College, in-state with COF stipend) | $183.75 per credit hour | About $4,410 for 24 hours, before fees | 15 Nov 2026 |
| StraighterLine | $99 a month plus a course fee | Membership plus a fee per course, then a college transcript step | 15 Nov 2026 |
If you are strong in math, the Praxis route can be the cheapest and fastest. The coursework route suits teachers who need the learning, not only the proof. Any fee the college charges to post the credit is extra.
What UPI Study cannot do here
- UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited; our courses carry ACE or NCCRS recommendations, and a college decides whether to put them on its transcript.
- We cannot cover the geometry or the history and philosophy of mathematics categories: we have no course in either.
- We cannot tell you that a transferred course will show the letter grade CDE needs; ask the college and CDE.
- We cannot say CDE will place any course in a given category; CDE decides when it reviews your application.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
Confirm in writing first
Ask CDE Educator Licensing in writing whether credit posted by a regionally accredited college through transfer of ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses meets the B- rule and fits the categories you plan to use, before you enrol.
The six categories on the Colorado math endorsement worksheet
CDE's Mathematics (Grades 6-12) worksheet, dated 11.30.2024, splits the 24 hours into six boxes. You need the minimum in each box, not only the total.
Number, algebra and modeling needs 6 hours; calculus needs 6 hours as a two-course sequence; geometry, statistics and probability, and the history or philosophy of math need 3 hours each; the last 3 hours are teaching methods or 3 more hours in any of the other areas.
- Number, algebra and modeling: 6 hours (examples: discrete math, linear algebra, number theory)
- Calculus: 6 hours (Calculus I and II, or calculus-based courses)
- Geometry: 3 hours
- Data analysis, statistics and probability: 3 hours
- Perspectives, philosophy and history of mathematics: 3 hours
- Math teaching methods, or 3 more content hours: 3 hours
The B- rule and why it matters for transfer credit
CDE wants a B- or higher in each category and does not use pass/fail courses. That is the point to settle before you spend anything.
When a college takes in outside credit, it often posts the course with a transfer mark rather than a letter grade. If your college does that, ask CDE in writing whether it can read the grade from another record, or whether it needs a letter grade on the transcript itself. Their answer decides whether online coursework is a real route for you.
Coursework, degree or Praxis: which route fits
Most teachers who are confident in math take the content exam. The worksheet lists Praxis 5161 with a passing score of 152, or Praxis 5165 with 159. One test day can replace months of coursework.
Coursework suits teachers who want the knowledge before they teach the subject, or who have tried the exam. A mix also works: courses you already have count, and documented professional development or work experience can cover up to 6 hours.
Questions people ask
How many credits do I need to add a math endorsement in Colorado?
CDE asks for 24 semester hours of college-level math across six categories, with B- or higher in each, from a regionally accredited college. You can instead show a bachelor's degree in mathematics or pass Praxis 5161 at 152 or Praxis 5165 at 159. You must already hold a valid Colorado teacher license.
Can I add a Colorado endorsement with a Praxis test instead of courses?
Yes. For Mathematics 6-12 the CDE worksheet lists Praxis 5161 with a score of 152 or higher, or Praxis 5165 with 159 or higher, as a full alternative to the 24 semester hours. Many teachers take the test first and use coursework only if they need it.
Does professional development count toward the 24 hours in Colorado?
Partly. The CDE worksheet allows documented professional development or work experience in the specific categories to meet up to 6 of the 24 semester hours. The rest must be college-level coursework from a regionally accredited college with B- or higher in each category.
Do online courses count for a Colorado endorsement?
They can count only once they sit on a regionally accredited college transcript with a grade CDE can read as B- or higher. UPI Study courses are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended and reach a transcript through a college. Ask CDE in writing how it treats transfer credit before you enrol.
Which UPI Study courses fit the Colorado math worksheet?
Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 fit the calculus box, Discrete Mathematics is named under number, algebra and modeling, Principles of Statistics fits statistics, and Calculus 3 can fill the extra 3 hours. UPI Study has no geometry or history of mathematics course, so those 6 hours come from elsewhere.
Can I get a Colorado endorsement without a teaching license?
No. CDE treats these as added endorsements, which go onto an existing valid Colorado teacher license in another content area. If you do not hold a license yet, look at the initial license routes on the CDE site instead, and plan your coursework once you know which license you will hold.
Read next
- 24 hours or the Praxis: adding an endorsement in ColoradoFor a Colorado Mathematics 6-12 endorsement, CDE takes any one of three proofs: Praxis 5161 at 152 or 5165 at 159, a math degree, or 24 semester...
- Which math courses fit the Colorado worksheetCDE's Mathematics 6-12 worksheet needs 24 hours: 6 in number, algebra and modeling, 6 in calculus, 3 each in geometry, statistics, and history or...
The same topic in nearby states
Ready when you have it in writing
Settle the B- question with CDE first, then use PRO for calculus, discrete math and statistics.
Sources
- CDE: Endorsement Worksheet - Mathematics (Grades 6-12), 11.30.2024 (official)24 semester hours at a regionally accredited college in six categories, B- or higher in each; up to 6 hours from documented PD or work experience; or a math degree; or Praxis 5161/152 or 5165/159. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- CDE: Endorsement requirements (content knowledge) (official)24 semester hours as identified on each worksheet; B- or better in each course; professional development courses and pass/fail not used for the coursework route; added endorsements need an existing valid Colorado teacher license. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- 1 CCR 301-101, Rules for the Administration of Educator License EndorsementsThe State Board rule set that holds the teaching endorsements, including the 24-semester-hour standard and the 6-hour professional development limit. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- Pueblo Community College: Tuition and feesPrice for Colorado community college (Pueblo Community College, in-state with COF stipend), checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- StraighterLine: PricingPrice for StraighterLine, checked on 15 Nov 2026.