Inclusive Early Childhood Education, BA

Inclusive Early Childhood Education, BA

The Bachelor of Arts in Inclusive Early Childhood Education (IECE) program offered by UCCS is an excellent opportunity for aspiring educators who wish to specialize in inclusive early childhood education. Graduates qualify for Colorado teacher credentials in Early Childhood Education (ages 0-8), Early Childhood Special Education (ages 0-8), as well as the Colorado Child Care Center Director Qualification. The BA in Inclusive Early Childhood Education degree program is available on campus or 100% online.

Best Accredited Colleges named the Inclusive Early Childhood Education undergraduate program at UCCS one of the best online IECE programs in the nation.

The BA in Inclusive Early Childhood Education degree program educates the head, heart, and hands of future inclusive early childhood educators through a three-fold focus on essential foundational knowledge, relationship-driven dispositions, and evidence-based inclusive practices and tools.

The BA in IECE integrates content in:

• culturally responsive practice
• strategies for inclusion
• trauma-sensitive care
• learning through play and developmentally appropriate practices

Effective distance education and supervision methods, including intensive field residencies, deeply engage students in a rich, meaningful curriculum and interactive learning experiences. 

• A minimum of 120 credit hours must be completed with a cumulative CU grade point average of 2.5.
• At least 45 credits must be completed at the upper-division level (courses numbered 3000+).
• All upper-division (3000+) IECE courses must be completed with a minimum grade of B-.
• Students must complete all 3000- and 4000-level IECE courses and field placement courses as a student at UCCS.
• Courses numbered below 1000 do not count towards degree completion

Demonstration of content competency is required for candidates to be recommended for initial licensure. Per CDE policy, candidates for an Initial Teaching license may demonstrate depth of content knowledge through Multiple Measures of Content Competency (MMCC) as established by CDE (HB22-1220). If demonstrating content competency via Multiple Measures, the candidate must provide proof of CDE approval to the College of Education (COE).  

Undergraduate-level IECE teacher candidates are required to take the following Praxis exams or submit for the corresponding MMCC by May 1 prior to their Professional Year.

• 5024: Education of Young Children
• 5692: Special Education: Early Childhood/Early Intervention

Candidates who have not passed these Praxis exams or secured approval for MMCC by August 1 of their Professional Year will have a formal conference with their Faculty Director and document a plan to meet content competency requirements.

Undergraduate-level IECE teacher candidates are also required to take the following Praxis exam by August 1 of their Professional Year. Note: MMCC are not accepted for reading.

• 5205: Teaching Reading: Elementary

Candidates who have not passed Praxis 5205 by January 1 of their Professional Year will have a formal conference with their Faculty Director and document a plan to meet content competency requirements.

To learn more about admission requirements and the application process, please visit the UCCS Admissions page.

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