Inclusive Early Childhood Education

Graduate Certificate
Program Delivery
On Campus, Online, Hybrid
Total Credits
27 Credits

About the Program

Inclusive Early Childhood Education Graduate Certificate

This graduate program in Early Childhood Special Education qualifies students to earn a Colorado Department of Education teaching license/endorsement in Early Childhood Education (birth-8) and Early Childhood Special Education (birth-8 Special Education).

The coursework in this certificate may be applied towards a Master's degree in Special Education. Students who complete the Master's degree in addition to the certificate will qualify for the Early Childhood Special Education Specialist endorsement from the Colorado Department of Education. 

UCCS clock tower

Focus of Study

The Inclusive Early Childhood Education graduate certificate 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 curriculum 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. 

Program Requirements

The Inclusive Early Childhood Education Graduate Certificate Program requires 27 credit hours (8 courses).

Graduate-level IECE teacher candidates are required to take the following Praxis exams or submit for the corresponding MMCC by May 1 prior to their student teaching semester.

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

Graduate-level IECE teacher candidates are also required to take the following Praxis exam prior to their student teaching semester. Note: MMCC are not accepted for reading.

  • 5205: Teaching Reading: Elementary

Candidates who have not passed these exams or secured approval for MMCC before their student teaching semester will have a formal conference with their Faculty Director and document a plan to meet content competency requirements.

Program Coursework

Term

Courses

Fall 1 
6 Credit Hours

  • IECE 5010: Inclusive Child Development (Birth-8)
  • IECE 5600: Inclusive Early Childhood Curriculum and Instructional Strategies

Spring 1 
9 Credit Hours

  • SPED 5020: Teaching Students with Significant Support Needs
  • SPED 5303: Designing Trauma-Informed Supports in the Classroom
  • IECE 5500: Collaborative ECSE Assessment and Planning with Families

Summer 1 
6 Credit Hours

  • SPED 5001: Introduction to Special Education
  • SPED 5010: Multisensory Structured Language (Substitute for TED 5570)

Fall 2 
6 Credit Hours

  • IECE 6950: Inclusive Early Childhood Student Teaching

Connect with Dr. Follari for individual program planning, email lfollari@uccs.edu.

For details on program coursework, please visit the Academic Catalog.

Admission Details

For additional details on the admission process, please visit the Admission Details page.

If you have questions about the program before or during the Admissions process or would like more information, call (719) 255-4996 or email education@uccs.edu. 

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