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 Initial Colorado Teacher License in Early Childhood Education (birth through 3rd grade), Early Childhood Special Education (birth through 3rd grade), 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.

Students will learn to be a teacher for all children with a BA in Inclusive Elementary Education. This degree prepares teachers to utilize universal design for learning, innovative methods, instructional best-practice, and technology to support the success of all students. The program leads to:

• An Initial Colorado Teaching License in Elementary Education (K-6)
• A Special Education Generalist (ages 5-21) Endorsement
• A Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education (K-12) Endorsement

• A minimum of 122 credit hours must be completed with a cumulative CU grade point average of 2.75
• All IELM courses must be completed with a grade of B- or better.
• To remain in good standing within the College of Education, students must maintain a cumulative CU GPA of 2.0 or better in all semesters.
  • Students whose cumulative CU GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation for the next semester in which they are enrolled.
  • While on probation, students must raise their cumulative GPA to 2.0 within one semester. If the required semester GPA is not met, the student will be suspended from the College of Education for a full academic year.

Program Coursework

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).  

IELM teacher candidates are required to take the following Praxis exam or submit for the corresponding MMCC by May 1 prior to their Professional Year.

• 5903: Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle - Mathematics

Candidates who have not passed this Praxis exam 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.

Elementary education 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.

A passing score on the Praxis #5354 Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications exam is required to qualify for the Special Education Generalist (ages 5-12) endorsement. It is recommended that students take this exam after completing IELM 4005 taken in the Summer just prior to the Professional Year.

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

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