Program Overview
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Contact: School of Teacher Education, Main Campus Greeley
Location: McKee 216
Telephone: 970.351.2929
Fax: 970.351.3159
Website: www.unco.edu/cebs/teacher-education/undergraduate-programs/elementary-education/
Contact: Center for Urban Education, Lowry
Telephone: 303.637.4334
Website: extended.unco.edu
Advising Information:
Students must consult with a major advisor each semester prior to registering.
To find your advisor, log into ursa.unco.edu; go to 'Student' tab and click 'View Student Information' link. If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.
The program consists of four parts:
- Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Credits
- Professional Teacher Education Program (PTEP) Credits
- Concentration Credits
- University-Wide Credits
Program Description:
The curriculum consists of recommended Liberal Arts curriculum requirements, courses in professional teacher preparation, courses in elementary education theory, practice, and pedagogy, and specific required content to ensure students have the breadth of knowledge needed to be an elementary education teacher. The required course work for the CLD concentration includes all necessary courses to earn a CLD endorsement. Students declaring the CLD concentration will have the CLD endorsement automatically added to their record.
Program Admission Requirements:
- Admission: Must be in academic good standing
- Program: Must have a 2.75 cumulative GPA prior to Practicum and a 3.0 cumulative GPA prior to Student Teaching.
PTEP Program Requirements:
Teacher candidates who complete an approved content degree and the UNC professional teacher education program, as well as pass the appropriate Colorado Department of Education designated PRAXIS exam (if applicable), will be eligible for recommendation from UNC for a Colorado Department of Education teaching license.
If you are seeking licensure in your program area, the following items are required to complete your program.
- Completion of Application for Initial Admission to PTEP – referred to as Checkpoint #1 (Enrollment in this checkpoint will result in a one-time program fee, assessed to student accounts to pay for assessment software. This checkpoint will also require an out-of-pocket payment - to the chosen approved vendor - to obtain a fingerprint background check, which is required by the Colorado Department of Education.)
- Completion of Full Admission to PTEP – referred to as Checkpoint #2
- Completion of Application for Student Teaching – referred to as Checkpoint #3
- Completion of content specific PRAXIS test prior to Student Teaching
- Candidates may not take extra courses with Student Teaching without prior approval from the Program Coordinator and the STE Director.
- All PTEP Field Experiences and methods courses need to be successfully completed prior to Student Teaching.
- Student Teaching outside the supervision of UNC Faculty may or may not be approved.
- Teacher Candidates will not be placed in a school where they were once students or where they have a close relative attending and/or working.
- Teacher education and educator preparation licensure programs do not accept Professional Teacher Education Program (PTEP) or field based courses that are more than ten years old. PLEASE NOTE: Teacher Candidates have the right to petition this policy at the discretion of the program coordinator.
Please work with your content advisor to determine when these requirements will be completed throughout your program.
Degree Requirements — 120 Credits
1. Liberal Arts Curriculum — 31 credits
To complete the degree in 120 credits as outlined, the program recommends the below LAC courses that also count toward the required major credits.
Any additional coursework completed outside of the recommended list below may extend the length of the program of study.
Written Communication — 6 credits
Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.
These courses are recommended to better prepare students for Elementary teaching and successful Praxis testing, but they are not required by the major.
See Written Communication courses
Mathematics — 3 credits
MATH 181 (3) and MATH 182 (3) are recommended to satisfy the Mathematics requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
See Mathematics courses
Arts & Humanities, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Multicultural Studies [MS], and International Studies [IS] — 15 credits
To complete the LAC in the minimum number of credits, be sure to choose at least one course with an IS designation and one course with an MS designation.
The following course is recommended to satisfy the Arts & Humanities requirement in this category and the Multicultural Studies designation, and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
- ELIT 290 Survey of Culturally Diverse Literature for Children
A 200-level world language course (3) will satisfy the additional course requirement in this category with International Studies designation and will also fulfill the language requirement in the CLD concentration.
Please work with your academic advisor to choose courses in the Social & Behavioral Sciences and History categories that are recommended to better prepare students for Elementary teaching and successful Praxis testing, but not required by the major.
See Arts & Humanities, History, and Social & Behavioral Sciences courses
Natural and Physical Sciences — 7 credits
The following courses are recommended to satisfy the Natural and Physical Sciences requirement and better prepare students for Elementary teaching and successful Praxis testing and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
See Natural & Physical Sciences courses
See Liberal Arts Curriculum
2. General Licensure/PTEP — 87 credits
PTEP Core — 69 credits
Take all the following courses:
| ECLD 360 | Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| ECLD 455 | Approaches to Content Literacy for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| EDEC 250 | Diverse Early Language and Literacy | 3 |
| EDEL 101 | Elementary Teaching as a Profession | 1-3 |
| EDEL 220 | Teaching with Writing | 3 |
| EDEL 310 | Reading Assessment Informs Teaching | 3 |
| EDEL 339 | Assessment Data for Elementary Classrooms: Large Sets | 1 |
| EDEL 360 | Teaching Foundational Reading Skills | 3 |
| EDEL 420 | Elementary School Mathematics Methods | 3 |
| EDEL 425 | Elementary School Social Studies Methods | 3 |
| EDF 290 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDSE 201 | Culture of Special Education | 3 |
| EDSE 325 | Behavioral Dimensions of Students with Exceptionalities I | 3 |
| ELIT 290 | Survey of Culturally Diverse Literature for ChildrenLAA2LAMS | 3 |
| ET 240 | Integration of Technology into Content and Pedagogy | 3 |
| HIST 224 | History of Colorado | 3 |
| | or | |
| HIST 230 | Class and Culture in America | 3 |
| | or | |
| HIST 290 | American Immigration | 3 |
| | or | |
| GEOG 200 | Human GeographyLAB2 | 3 |
| | or | |
| GEOG 224 | Exploring Colorado | 3 |
| | or | |
| GEOG 250 | The Making of the American LandscapeLAB2 | 3 |
| MATH 181 | Fundamentals of Mathematics I: Number and OperationsLAX1 | 3 |
| MATH 182 | Fundamental Mathematics II: Algebra, Probability and Data AnalysisLAX1 | 3 |
| MATH 283 | Fundamental Mathematics III: Geometry and Measurement | 3 |
| PSY 330 | Child and Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
| SCED 475 | Teaching Science in the Elementary School | 3 |
| SCI 265 | Physical Science ConceptsLAS1LASL | 3 |
| SCI 266 | Earth and Life ScienceLAS1LASL | 4 |
| SES 403 | Physical & Health Education for Elementary Teachers | 1 |
EDEL 101: Students taking the course at UNC need to register for 3 credits
Required Fieldwork — 18 credits
Required Fieldwork (Main Campus students)
Required Fieldwork (Center for Urban Education students)
| EDFE 170 | Introduction to Field Based Experience | 1- 3 |
| EDEL 457 | Social Studies/Literacy Practicum | 3 |
| EDEL 459 | Mathematics/Science Practicum | 3 |
| EDFE 444 | Supervised Student Teaching | 1-15 |
3. Concentration Credits — 15 credits
Take all the following courses:
| ECLD 380 | Introduction to Linguistics for ESL/CLD Educators | 3 |
| ECLD 400 | Methods and Approaches of Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students | 3 |
| ECLD 401 | CLD Practicum | 3 |
| | Any level of world language | 3 |
Take one 200 level World Language as part of LAC requirement or any world language course at any level as additional credits.
Take one of the following courses:
| MAS 275 | Education of Mexican American Students | 3 |
| WLC 390 | History and Philosophy of Multilingual Education | 3 |
4. University-Wide Credits — 0-3 credits*
*Note: Students must apply the recommended courses to both the liberal arts curriculum requirements and the major requirements to complete this degree program in 120 credit hours. Students who apply a 200 level world language course to the Liberal Arts Curriculum and the CLD concentration will have 3 credits of university wide electives. This degree does not require university wide electives for students who choose a 100, 300 or 400 level world language course to satisfy the CLD concentration.
Four Year Plan
This four year plan is a recommended schedule to complete this bachelor's degree in 4 years. Courses are subject to availability. Students must consult with their major advisor to receive information on any additional graduation requirements and course sequence guidance.
Year 1 - 30-31 credits
Fall Semester
| EDEL 101 | Elementary Teaching as a Profession | 1-3 |
| ENG 122 | College CompositionLAW1 | 3 |
| MATH 181 | Fundamentals of Mathematics I: Number and OperationsLAX1 | 3 |
| | LAC Arts and Humanities, History, or Social and Behavioral SciencesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4LAB1LAB2LAB3LAH1 | 3 |
| | Application for Initial Admission to PTEP | |
| | Main Campus students take the following: | |
| MAS 100 | Introduction to Mexican American StudiesLAB3LAMS | 3 |
| | or | |
| MAS 101 | Careers in Mexican American Studies | 1 |
| | or | |
| MCS 101 | Multiculturalism in the United States: Concepts and Issues | 3 |
| | Center for Urban Education students take the following: | |
| MAS 275 | Education of Mexican American Students | 3 |
| | or | |
| WLC 390 | History and Philosophy of Multilingual Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
EDEL 101: Students taking the course at UNC need to register for 3 credits
Main Campus: Take 15 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 15 credits total
Spring Semester
| EDEC 250 | Diverse Early Language and Literacy | 3 |
| ENG 123 | College Research PaperLAW2 | 3 |
| | HIST/GEOG Required Elective Course | 3 |
| MATH 182 | Fundamental Mathematics II: Algebra, Probability and Data AnalysisLAX1 | 3 |
| SCI 265 | Physical Science ConceptsLAS1LASL | 3 |
| | Center for Urban Education students take the following: | |
| EDFE 170 | Introduction to Field Based Experience | 1- 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15-16 |
EDFE 170: Take 1 credit
Main Campus: Take 15 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 16 credits total
Year 2 - 31-35 credits
Fall Semester
| | Any level of world language | 3 |
| EDEL 220 | Teaching with Writing | 3 |
| EDEL 310 | Reading Assessment Informs Teaching | 3 |
| ET 240 | Integration of Technology into Content and Pedagogy | 3 |
| | Main Campus students take the following: | |
| MAS 275 | Education of Mexican American Students | 3 |
| | or | |
| WLC 390 | History and Philosophy of Multilingual Education | 3 |
| | Center for Urban Education students take the following: | |
| EDSE 201 | Culture of Special Education | 3 |
| | LAC Arts and Humanities, History, or Social and Behavioral SciencesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4LAB1LAB2LAB3LAH1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15-18 |
Main Campus: Take 15 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 18 credits total
Spring Semester
| ECLD 360 | Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| EDEL 360 | Teaching Foundational Reading Skills | 3 |
| MATH 283 | Fundamental Mathematics III: Geometry and Measurement | 3 |
| SCI 266 | Earth and Life ScienceLAS1LASL | 4 |
| | Main Campus students take the following: | |
| EDF 290 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| | Application for Full Admission to PTEP | |
| | Center for Urban Education students take the following: | |
| EDFE 170 | Introduction to Field Based Experience | 1- 3 |
| | LAC Arts and Humanities, History, or Social and Behavioral SciencesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4LAB1LAB2LAB3LAH1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16-17 |
EDFE 170: Take 1 credit
Main Campus: Take 16 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 17 credits total
Year 3 - 29-31 credits
Fall Semester
| EDEL 339 | Assessment Data for Elementary Classrooms: Large Sets | 1 |
| EDEL 420 | Elementary School Mathematics Methods | 3 |
| EDEL 459 | Mathematics/Science Practicum | 3 |
| ELIT 290 | Survey of Culturally Diverse Literature for ChildrenLAA2LAMS | 3 |
| SCED 475 | Teaching Science in the Elementary School | 3 |
| ECLD 380 | Introduction to Linguistics for ESL/CLD Educators | 3 |
| | Application for Full Admission to PTEP | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Main Campus: Take 16 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 16 credits total
Spring Semester
| ECLD 455 | Approaches to Content Literacy for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| EDEL 457 | Social Studies/Literacy Practicum | 3 |
| EDEL 425 | Elementary School Social Studies Methods | 3 |
| | LAC Arts and Humanities, History, or Social and Behavioral SciencesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4LAB1LAB2LAB3LAH1 | 3 |
| | Main Campus students take the following: | |
| EDSE 201 | Culture of Special Education | 3 |
| | Center for Urban Education students take the following: | |
| EDFE 170 | Introduction to Field Based Experience | 1- 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13-15 |
EDFE 170: Take 1 credit
Main Campus: Take 15 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 13 credits total
Year 4 - 22-28 credits
Fall Semester
| ECLD 400 | Methods and Approaches of Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students | 3 |
| ECLD 401 | CLD Practicum | 3 |
| EDSE 325 | Behavioral Dimensions of Students with Exceptionalities I | 3 |
| PSY 330 | Child and Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
| SES 403 | Physical & Health Education for Elementary Teachers | 1 |
| | Application for Student Teaching | |
| | Main Campus students take the following: | |
| | LAC Arts and Humanities, History, or Social and Behavioral SciencesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4LAB1LAB2LAB3LAH1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13-16 |
Main Campus: Take 16 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 13 credits total
Spring Semester
| EDEL 454 | Student Teaching | 12 |
| | Center for Urban Education students take the following: | |
| EDF 290 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Main Campus: Take 12 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 12 credits total
Advising Notes –
- Main campus students can swap Fall Year 3 with Spring Year 3.