Inclusive Elementary Education, BA

Inclusive Elementary Education, BA

The Bachelor of Arts in Inclusive Elementary Education offers undergraduate education majors the opportunity to engage in cross-disciplinary coursework required to secure an Initial Colorado Teacher License endorsed for K-6 elementary education, special education, and culturally and linguistically diverse education with 122 credit hours of coursework.  A student will be able to complete the curriculum with four years of full-time study.

• The program focus is on elements of student diversity and inclusive practices in classrooms
• Emphasis on strategies to teach students within an inclusive school community
• Preservice teachers spend over 1000 hours in the field in multiple inclusive instructional settings planning lessons, delivering instruction, and assessing student learning
• Inclusive mentor teachers provide coaching and feedback throughout the program
• Courses are designed to infuse special education and English as a Second Language methodology in the classroom

• 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.

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

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 exams or submit for the corresponding MMCC by May 1 prior to their Professional Year.

• 5903: Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle - Mathematics
• 5904: Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle - Social Studies
• 5905: Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle - Science

5903, 5904, and 5905 exams can be taken in a bundled single session by registering for Praxis 5901.

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.

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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