Bachelor of Innovation in Inclusive Early Childhood Education

This innovative program is designed to prepare UCCS students to teach all children in early childhood settings, including childcare, preschool, elementary schools, and community programs. UCCS students in this program will become part of a newly emerging field of professionals in inclusive early childhood education who are called on to innovate in the area of curriculum development, individual learning supports, and technology.

Inclusive early childhood educators may have the opportunity to teach, run their own business, work with agencies serving children and families, or invent, design, and market curriculum, technology, and applications. Inclusive early childhood educators will also have preparation in the areas of innovation, business, and marketing and be able to take ideas developed while working with children and enhance them through business planning and implementation. A Bachelor of Innovation will prepare students to take advantage of the many opportunities that they will encounter throughout their careers.

The Bachelor of Innovation in Inclusive Early Childhood Education (BI:IECE) will combine both teacher preparation in Early Childhood Special Education and Early Childhood Education through a four-year, interdisciplinary professional degree. The term 'professional degree' applies to this program because it meets the professional teaching standards established by the Colorado Department of Education, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and the Council for Exceptional Children for programs in early childhood and special education. The undergraduate program is design to meet a growing need in Southern Colorado for qualified education of young children, including those with disabilities or are in need of early intervention.

Undergraduate students seeking their BI:IECE will first need to apply to UCCS.

How to apply to the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs: Students new to UCCS should submit the undergraduate application.

Students will need to declare their major by choosing: Inclusive Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Innovation

BI: IECE Planning Form

Application Timeline: April or November: students must meet with their COE faculty advisor for an individual program plan.

Financial Aid Priority filing date is March 1

Undergraduate Transition 1 Application Requirements Checklist

UNDERGRADUATES: Once admitted to the University, your next step is to attend an advising session with a member of the Student Success Center “College of Education Advisor” in Main Hall. In your advising session, you will complete a Preparation Plan listing course work still needed to complete the undergraduate degree content and prerequisite courses. Included in this plan is a timeline of dates and a list of the Teacher Education core courses that must be completed.

The current academic advisors are:

Nina Der-Heard (Students with last name A-G): nderhear@uccs.edu 

Brian Mann (Students with last name H-O): bmann@uccs.edu

Haley Pasquariello (Students with last name P-Z): hpasquar@uccs.edu

How to apply to the professional program: Students should complete the BI:IECE application during their sophomore or junior year, but must complete the application prior to starting the first upper division block.

Please submit the application as well as the materials below (except transcripts) to the College of Education - Student Resource Office, SRO@uccs.edu 

Undergraduate Supplemental Application Materials:

1. Career Goals Statement*:

• Needs to address: applicant’s motivation to complete studies successfully, and contain multiple examples, thoughtful consideration toward career planning and contain examples and must be well written, organized, and contain no errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling.
• *Undergraduates may use or build upon Philosophy Statement if part of  Introductory  Class

2. Proof of a "quick check" child abuse check for admission. (see detailed General Background Check information below)

3. Three professional letters of reference (evaluated for relevance and strength). Choose your references carefully. Persons who have been in positions to supervise and/or evaluate your skills are often effective references. Do not ask friends or family members who might be biased.

4. Have one official transcript of all academic work ever completed to date from schools outside UCCS, sent from the institution you attended directly (electronically or by postal services) to:

UCCS-Office of Admissions and Records

1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway Colorado Springs CO 80918

*if your only transcript is from UCCS, you do not need to request being sent

Once your application is complete, the UCCS College of Education - Student Resource Office staff will notify you of your admission status and contact you to schedule your formal interview with Dr. Lissanna Follari. If you have any questions please contact the Student Resource Office at in University Hall B234, phone: 719-255-4996, education@uccs.edu

All College of Education applicants must complete a general background check as part of the admissions requirements:

1) Go to website: https://www.cbirecordscheck.com/Index.aspx

2) Click on “Individuals”

3) Pay $6.85

4) Print a copy of the background check and return it to the College of Education Student Resource Office as part of admissions materials (current CO School or agency employees who have already completed a background check for employment may provide a copy of their CO license or background check results).

Colorado Department of Human Services Child Abuse Clearance

1. Inclusive Early Childhood students must complete the "Child Abuse and Neglect Records Check". Complete and sign the Individual Inquiry Form found on the Colorado Department of Human Services - Office of Early Childhood website.

2. Authorize CDHS to release the results to: University of Colorado, Colorado Springs Attention: College of Education SRO 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Complete the form as directed on the website.

Exam Requirements: Licensure students must successfully pass the exams prior to beginning Student Teaching. Both exams are required to garner licensure upon graduation from UCCS:

• Praxis (5024) Education of Young Children
• Praxis (5691) Special Education/Preschool-Early Childhood

Students must pass both exams prior to entering student teaching.