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 state required Elementary Math Praxis by the due date for Application for Student Teaching (checkpoint #3). See your advisor for specific test information.
- Completion of state required Elementary Social Studies Praxis by the due date for Application for Student Teaching (checkpoint #3). See your advisor for specific test information.
- Completion of state required Elementary Science Praxis by the due date for Application for Student Teaching (checkpoint #3). See your advisor for specific test information.
- Completion of state required Teaching Reading Praxis by the due date for Application for Student Teaching (checkpoint #3). See your advisor for specific test information.
- 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.
ENG 122 and ENG 123 are recommended to fulfill the Written Communication requirement and to better prepare students for Elementary teaching but is not required by the major.
See Written Communication courses
Mathematics — 3 credits
MATH 181 and MATH 182 are recommended to fulfill 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.
One of the following courses is recommended to satisfy the Arts & Humanities requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements. The course will also fulfill the Multicultural Studies designation.
ECLD 260 is recommended to fulfill Social & Behavioral Sciences and U.S. Multicultural Studies requirements and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
ELIT 290 is recommended to fulfill Arts & Humanities and U.S. Multicultural Studies requirements and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
PVA 220 is recommended to fulfill Arts & Humanities and to better prepare students for Elementary teaching but is not required by the major.
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
SCI 265 and SCI 266 are recommended to fulfill 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 — 85-87 credits
PTEP Core — 69 credits
Take all the following courses:
| ECLD 260 | Language Acquisition in Multilingual SocietiesLAB3LAMS | 3 |
| ECLD 341 | Content-Based Literacies for Equitable Access to PK-12 Instruction | 3 |
| EDEC 250 | Diverse Early Language and Literacy | 3 |
| EDEL 101 | Elementary Teaching as a Profession | 2 |
| EDEL 220 | Teaching with Writing | 3 |
| EDEL 310 | Reading Assessment Informs Teaching | 3 |
| EDEL 339 | Assessment Data for Elementary Classrooms: Large Sets | 1 |
| EDEL 420 | Elementary School Mathematics Methods | 3 |
| EDEL 360 | Teaching Foundational Reading Skills | 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 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 — 3-5 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 up to 5 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.
Accelerated MAT in CLD
Motivated students may seek to complete the requirements for the BA in Elementary Education and MAT in CLD Education in five years with the following credentials:
- BA in Elementary Education,
- CO teaching license in Elementary Education,
- CO Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Endorsement, highly desired by CO schools,
- Master’s degree in Teaching (MAT) in CLD Education
The online delivery format in the fifth year would allow graduates to be working full time while completing the MAT degree.
To obtain both degrees, students must complete all the requirements for the B.A. in Elementary Education described above (120 credit hours) and all of the requirements for the MAT in CLD Education Concentration described in the Graduate Catalog (30 credit hours). However, the accelerated BA/MAT program involves credit hours shared between the Bachelor's and Master's programs, so the total number of credit hours to complete the accelerated Master’s program is 141 for students with a BA in Elementary Education with CLD Endorsement.
Completing the requirements for both degrees is made possible by taking double-counted BA/MAT credits during the Junior and Senior years (ECLD 592, ECLD 594 and ECLD 523 paid for at the undergraduate tuition rate) and graduate-level credits (online – graduate-level tuition rate) starting the summer following the Senior year and completion of the undergraduate program. While this is the most efficient route, students may also elect to complete the program at a slower pace. Students remain eligible for financial aid as an undergraduate; any Graduate School aid is not available until students are admitted to the Graduate Program.
To be fully admitted to the MAT program, students must graduate with a cumulative GPA at 3.00 and above for the BA. Students then take the remaining 7 graduate courses: ECLD 602, ECLD 601 (sub for 611), ECLD 593, ECLD 612, ECLD 605, ECLD elective (waiving ECLD 504), SRM 600 and one elective to complete the MAT program.
Accelerated M.A.T. CLD Admission
Due to its necessarily streamlined path of progression, admission to the Accelerated B.A. and M.A.T. in CLD occurs in a structured way. Students interested in transferring into the accelerated program must:
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 to take graduate-level courses as a Junior.
- Meet with the CEBS CLD Education Advisor prior to the start of Junior year for application (following the same procedure and meeting the same requirements as other M.A.T. applicants). Full admission is dependent on completing the B.A. requirements in the Senior year while maintaining a minimum cumulative 3.00 GPA. The program application will be signed and forwarded to the Graduate School with signatures of the program advisor indicating the approval of graduate course transfer.
- Complete ECLD 592, 594, 523 starting in the summer at the end of the sophomore year. These are the 9 credits which count towards both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
- Students must apply for completion of their B.A. degree the semester before completing the degree. To apply, students must be registered for all remaining courses in their final undergraduate semester.
Accelerated M.A.T. CLD Timeline
Outline for degree completion of the Accelerated Elementary Education BA – CLD Teaching Licensure (K-6) to MAT CLD Dual Endorsement Program - Total 30 Credits
Sophomore year
Meet with CEBS CLD advisor and apply for the program
In Junior and Senior years, schedule the following courses based on advisement from the CLD advisor:
ECLD 523 for ECLD 341 in non Accelerated (3 credits, counts for both degrees)
ECLD 592 for ECLD 360 in non Accelerated (3 credits, counts for both degrees)
ECLD 594 for ECLD 380 in non Accelerated (3 credits, counts for both degrees)
Summer after completion of Senior year to graduate with the BA:
Complete all the following taking two courses each semester including summer:
SRM 600 (3 credits)
ECLD 593 (3 credits)
ECLD 602 (3 credits)
ECLD 612 (3 credits)
ECLD 605 (3 credits)
ECLD 601 (waiving ECLD 611 as a result of taking a CLD methods course in the undergraduate Elementary CLD program) (3 credits)
ECLD Elective (waiving ECLD 504 as a result of taking a practicum course in the undergraduate Elementary CLD program) (3 credits)
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 | 2 |
| 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 | Writing and Research MethodsLAW2 | 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 260 | Language Acquisition in Multilingual SocietiesLAB3LAMS | 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 341 | Content-Based Literacies for Equitable Access to PK-12 Instruction | 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 - 25-28 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
| | Main Campus students take the following: | |
| EDEL 454 | Student Teaching | 12 |
| | Center for Urban Education students take the following: | |
| EDFE 444 | Supervised Student Teaching | 1-15 |
| EDF 290 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Main Campus: Take 12 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 12 credits total
EDFE 444: Take 9 credits
Advising Notes –
- Main campus students can swap Fall Year 3 with Spring Year 3.