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.

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

The Praxis exams measure the academic skills and subject-specific knowledge needed as an educator. Students must pass the state-approved elementary education licensure exams to be recommended for licensure.

Students are required to take the following Praxis exams no later than May 1 prior to their Professional Year.

• #5024 Education of Young Children
• #5692 Special Education: Preschool/Early Childhood
• #5205 Teaching Reading: Elementary

Students that have not passed either 5024 or 5692 before August 1 of their Professional Year must submit an application for multiple measures of content competency to CDE by that date. Students are required to have passed 5205 by August 1 of their Professional Year. 

If these requirements are not met by the deadlines, the student must withdraw or defer their Professional Year until the requirements are met.

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

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