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Many professions—such as teaching, nursing, counseling, and social work—require a license to practice. Licensure requirements are set by each state, professional board, or regulatory agency, and may include completing a specific educational program, passing examinations, and meeting experience or background requirements.

Because requirements vary by jurisdiction, Metropolitan State University of Denver cannot guarantee that completion of one of our programs will automatically lead to licensure in every state or territory. Our responsibility is to provide clear, accurate information to help you make informed decisions about your education and career goals.

Professional licensure regulations matter because they:

• Protect the public by ensuring that licensed professionals meet established standards of competence and ethics.
• Support your career mobility by helping you understand and meet the requirements where you plan to work.
• Keep institutions compliant with federal and state regulations, including disclosure requirements under U.S. Department of Education regulations and SARA policy.

Below, you will find program-specific licensure disclosures for each º£½ÇÉçÇø program that is designed to, or may, lead to professional licensure or certification. These disclosures indicate whether the program meets, does not meet the educational requirements in a given state or territory.

This information is based on the most current data available and will be updated as requirements change. Because licensure regulations vary and can change without notice, students should always confirm requirements with the appropriate licensing agency in the state or territory where they plan to seek licensure. º£½ÇÉçÇø makes no claim about the applicability of its academic programs to any state-established requirements outside the domain of the educational criteria of academic programs designed to prepare students for state-level licensure.

Programs in the School of Education and those leading to Teacher Licensure

The teacher preparation programs and endorsements offered by Metropolitan State University of Denver are designed to meet Colorado’s requirements for teacher licensure only, and do not prepare candidates for initial licensure exams in other states. If you plan to pursue licensure, certification, or an endorsement outside of Colorado, we strongly recommend contacting the licensing agency in the state where you currently reside—or intend to work—to learn about its requirements and how a Colorado license or endorsement may transfer. Doing this before you complete your program will help you understand whether you may need to take additional coursework, complete other requirements, or pass a different exam to obtain licensure in that state. Early communication with the correct agency can help you prepare and avoid unexpected obstacles.

Metropolitan State University of Denver has determined that the education provided in the Teacher Licensure programs and the endorsement programs, meets educational requirements for licensure or endorsement in the following states:

Metropolitan State University Denver has determined that education provided in all programs designed to lead to teacher licensureÌýdoes not meet educational requirements for licensure in the following states:

The Master of Science in Clinical Behavioral Health with an emphasis in Addictions Counseling prepares graduates for professional practice in a range of clinical and community settings, including mental health centers, substance use treatment programs, private practice, hospitals, correctional facilities, and other behavioral health agencies.

The program is designed to meet the educational requirements for the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential in the State of Colorado. Additionally, the program meets the educational requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in the State of Colorado. Graduates are eligible to apply for Colorado’s provisional professional counseling license (LPCC) — the first step toward full licensure as an LPC in Colorado.

Because counseling and addictions credentials vary widely across states and territories—including differences in license titles, levels, required supervised experience, and the use of external certification bodies such as NAADAC or other state-specific boards (including private third-parties) for the review and oversight of the professions —º£½ÇÉçÇø has not determined whether this program meets the educational or clinical requirements for licensure or certification in any other jurisdiction.

Students interested in practicing outside Colorado should be aware that the scope of practice, credentialing process, and educational requirements for counseling and addictions professionals differ by state and may change at any time. Prospective and current students are strongly encouraged to contact the applicable licensing or certification board in the state or territory where they intend to seek employment or licensure to determine specific requirements before enrolling. Some states may offer reciprocity for individuals licensed in Colorado. Students must first obtain their Colorado license before applying for reciprocity in another state and should check with the licensing agency in that state for specific requirements.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Metropolitan State University of Denver (º£½ÇÉçÇø), accredited by the , provides the educational curriculum required to prepare graduates to take the NCLEX-RN for Registered Nurse licensure. Completing the BSN does not by itself guarantee licensure; graduates must apply to the Board of Nursing in the state/territory where they plan to practice, satisfy any specific state requirements (such as background checks, documentation of clinical hours), and pass the NCLEX-RN.

Metropolitan State University Denver has determined that the education provided in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, meets educational requirements for licensure or endorsement in the following states:

Metropolitan State University Denver has determined that the education provided in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program does not meet educational requirements for licensure in the following territories:

The Master of Science in Nutrition at º£½ÇÉçÇø is designed to prepare graduates for professional practice as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and is accredited by the (ACEND). While the program provides the required didactic coursework and can include the supervised practice hours needed for the credential, completion of the degree alone does not confer licensure or certification. To become an RDN, graduates must complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program, complete a graduate degree in Nutrition,Ìý pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) national examination, and meet any additional state-specific licensure or certification requirements, which may include background checks or other processes.

Before seeking licensure, students and graduates are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate state licensing or certification board where they intend to practice to confirm all current requirements. For further program or application information, please contact the Department of Nutrition.

• American Samoa+
• Arizona*
• California*
• Colorado*
• Federated States of Micronesia***
• Guam*
• Marshall Islands***
• Northern Mariana Islands*
• Palau***
• U.S. Virgin Islands*
• Virginia*

+The law suggests that licensure is required, but a board has not been created to establish a licensure process. American Samoa appears to currently allow Registered Dietitians to practice nutrition and dietetics without obtaining licensure

*This state or territory does not regulate and/or require licensure for dieticians/nutritionists.

**Public Act 39 of 2024 amended the Michigan Public Health Code, 1978 PA 368, to establish licensing of dietitian nutritionists in Michigan. However, licensing of the profession cannot begin until after administrative rules are promulgated by the Board. Licensure is not required at this time but will be in the future.

*** It is unclear at this time whether these territories require licensure or certification.

Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Master of Social Work (MSW) Program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and field experience needed to serve individuals, families, and communities in a multicultural and global society. Accredited by the , the program prepares graduates for professional licensure in Colorado as well as many other states and territories. If you plan to pursue licensure in another state, please consult the list below and contact that state’s licensing agency to learn about any additional requirements beyond completion of your MSW degree.

Please note: The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at º£½ÇÉçÇø is accredited by the CSWE and provides a strong professional foundation.Ìý While some states may accept a CSWE-accredited BSW as part of their licensure pathway, the program was not designed with the primary purpose of meeting state licensure requirements, and in most states and territories a BSW alone does not academically qualify a graduate to sit for social work licensure.Ìý Students enrolled in the BSW who plan to later pursue licensure are strongly encouraged to review the specific education and practice requirements of the state where they intend to practice—many require a Master of Social Work (MSW) or additional supervised experience.

Metropolitan State University Denver has determined that the education provided in the Master of Social Work program meets educational requirements for licensure or endorsement in the following states:

Metropolitan State University Denver has determined that the education provided in the Master of Social Work program does not meet educational requirements for licensure in the following states:

• American Samoa
• Federated States of Micronesia

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) was designed to provide a theoretically and clinically rich learning experience for students planning to work as audiologists or speech-language pathologists in medical, educational, and private practice settings.Ìý States have varied requirements for practitioners of speech-language pathology and audiology (e.g. additional externship hours, earning the , etc.) and students are reminded to contact the applicable licensing board in the state where they are planning on looking for employment.

Currently, successful completion of the MS-SLP will allow a student to sit for the Certificate of Clinical Compliance and the national PRAXIS examination and thus meets educational requirements for Speech-Language Pathology licensure in the following states & territories:

ÌýMetropolitan State University Denver has determined that the education provided in the MS-SLP program does not meet educational requirements for licensure in the following territories:

• American Samoa
• Federated States of Micronesia
• Marshall Islands
• Palau

Programs in the Department of Aviation and Aerospace

Programs that include education or training intended to prepare students for a pilot’s license lead to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification, which is a federal credential recognized in all U.S. states and territories. Because FAA requirements are established at the federal level—not state by state—students should directly consult the FAA for the most current information about eligibility, testing, medical certification, and any additional requirements. Students with questions about FAA pilot certification requirements are encouraged to visit the .

Colorado does not require a state license to practice as a lactation consultant and º£½ÇÉçÇø’s Lactation Consultant Training Certificate Program, accredited by the on the recommendation of the , was not designed to meet professional licensure or certification requirements in other states.

Many employers expect lactation consultants to hold the credential, which requires specific education, clinical experience, and a qualifying exam. This certificate program provides the academic and clinical preparation needed for the IBCLC exam, but students seeking employment outside Colorado should confirm requirements with the appropriate employer and state licensing or certifying body.