Program Overview
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
School of Teacher Education
McKee 216, Greeley, CO 80639
Telephone: 970-351-2908
Website: www.unco.edu/ebs/teacher-education/
Center for Urban Education
1059 Alton Way #758, Denver, CO 802030
Telephone: 303-637-4334
Website: www.unco.edu/ebs/centers-institutes/urban-education/
Program Duration: 4 years
Advising Information:
Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.
To find your advisor, log into MyUNC; under Student Quick Links, click on Student Profile If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.
The program consists of four parts:
- Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Credits
- Required Major Credits
- Professional Teacher Education Program (PTEP) Credits
- University-Wide Elective Credits
*For Educator licensure majors, PTEP coursework counts towards the minimum of nine upper-division UNC credits (300-400).
Program Description:
The Early Childhood Education Teacher Education Program is offered at the Greeley campus and the Center for Urban Education (CUE) at the Denver Center at Lowry. More information on the online degree completion can be found here. In addition to engaging coursework, students complete over 800 hours of fieldwork in a variety of birth through third grade settings.
Graduates possess a broad background of knowledge within liberal arts areas and the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to be successful in a variety of early childhood settings. Upon graduation, students are eligible for a Birth through Age Eight State of Colorado Teacher License that includes the right to teach grades kindergarten through age eight and Director Qualification.
Early Childhood Education Online Degree Program (Years 3 & 4):
The online program option is designed to support completion of a BA Early Childhood Education with Licensure. Currently, it is intended for students who have completed an associate’s degree in Elementary Education (Degree with Designation (DwD)). UNC currently only guarantees online courses required for the final two years of the program. For the full list of required courses, refer to the Transfer Agreements.
In the future, the program will be expanded to include a fully online 4-year degree program option. More details can be found on this program link.
Program Admission Requirements:
Academic Good Standing
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.
Teacher Candidates seeking licensure in this licensure program must complete the following program requirements:
- Maintain program GPA requirement
- Completion of Application for Initial Admission to PTEP - referred to as Checkpoint #1 (This checkpoint requires 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.)
- Enrollment in this teacher licensure program results in a one-time program fee (Teacher Preparation Program Fee) assessed the semester of the first field experience course.
- 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 the semester prior to Student Teaching (if applicable)
- Candidates may not take extra courses with Student Teaching without prior approval from the Program Coordinator and the Associate Dean in charge of Educator Preparation.
- All PTEP courses, practicum field experiences, and methods courses need to be successfully completed prior to Student Teaching.
- A teacher candidate may be removed from the UNC teacher licensure pathway if they fail to meet professional, academic, or dispositional standards set by the program. In such cases, the student may continue in a different degree program and graduate; however, they will not receive a recommendation for licensure.
- Supervision of Student Teaching outside of UNC Faculty will be considered for approval.
- Teacher Candidates will not be placed in a school where they have a close relative attending and/or working. If teacher candidates need an exception to this, they will need approval from the Associate Dean in charge of Educator Preparation.
- Teacher Candidates placed in a middle or high school they once attended must notify their program coordinator and the Field Placement Officer immediately for a possible change in placement.
- 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.
Teacher Candidates work with the content advisor and/or Program Coordinator to determine when these requirements will be completed throughout the licensure program.
Degree Requirements — 120 Credits
1. Liberal Arts Curriculum — 31 credits
Written Communication — 6 credits
Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.
See Written Communication courses
Mathematics — 3 credits
Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.
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.
ELIT 290 is recommended to fulfill Arts & Humanities and U.S. Multicultural Studies requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
SOC 120 is recommended to fulfill Social & Behavior Sciences, but is not required by the major.
See Arts & Humanities, History, and Social & Behavioral Sciences courses
Natural & Physical Sciences — 7 credits
Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.
See Natural & Physical Sciences courses
See Liberal Arts Curriculum
2. Required Major — 36 credits
Take all of the following courses:
| EDEC 101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDEC 102 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education Lab | 3 |
| EDEC 103 | Guidance Strategies and Trauma Informed Practices for Children | 3 |
| EDEC 104 | Child Development in Context | 3 |
| EDEC 205 | Nutrition, Health, and Safety | 3 |
| EDEC 220 | Curriculum Development: Methods and Techniques | 3 |
| EDEC 240 | Administration of Early Childhood Care and Education Program | 3 |
| EDEC 241 | Administration: Human Relations for Early Childhood | 3 |
| EDEC 250 | Diverse Early Language and Literacy | 3 |
| EDEC 330 | Development and Education of Infants and Toddlers | 3 |
| | |
| ECLD 341 | Content-Based Literacies for Equitable Access to PK-12 Instruction | 3 |
| or | |
| ECLD 350 | Teaching Young Bilingual Children | 3 |
| | |
| ELIT 290 | Survey of Culturally Diverse Literature for ChildrenLAA2LAMSGT-AH2 | 3 |
3. Early Childhood Licensure/PTEP — 53 credits
Take all of the following courses (Main Campus and Urban Education):
| EDEC 450 | Family Diversity and Engagement Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDEC 455 | Creative Expression and Play in Early Childhood | 3 |
| EDEC 465 | Managing Early Childhood Classrooms | 2 |
| EDEC 475 | Assessment for Primary Classrooms | 3 |
| EDEC 482 | Early Childhood Curriculum II Science | 3 |
| EDEL 220 | Teaching with Writing | 3 |
| EDEL 310 | Reading Assessment Informs Teaching | 3 |
| EDEL 360 | Teaching Foundational Reading Skills | 3 |
| EDEL 420 | Effective Instruction in Early Childhood and Elementary School Mathematics | 3 |
| EDEL 425 | Early Childhood and Elementary Social Studies Methods | 3 |
| EDSE 442 | Language and Literacy for Students with Severe Delays | 3 |
| EDSE 431 | Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| ET 275 | Integration of Technologies in PK12 Teaching and Learning | 3 |
Main Campus Field Requirements — 15 credits
Take all of the following courses:
| EDEC 262 | ECE Practicum Field Experience I | 1 |
| EDEC 462 | ECE Practicum Field Experience II | 2 |
| EDEC 490 | Early Childhood Student Teaching | 6-12 |
Center for Urban Education Field Requirements — 15 credits
| EDEC 490 | Early Childhood Student Teaching | 6-12 |
| EDFE 170 | Introduction to Field Based Experience | 1-3 |
| EDFE 370 | Advanced Field Based Experience | 1-3 |
Main Campus
EDEC 490: Must be taken for 12 credits
Center For Urban Education
EDEC 490: Must be taken for 9 credits
EDFE 170: Must be taken for 3 credits; take for 3 semesters, 1 credit each semester.
EDFE 370: Must be taken for 3 credits; take for 3 semesters, 1 credit each semester.
4. University-Wide Electives — 0-3 credits*
Complete additional credits to achieve the minimum credits needed for any degree at UNC.
*Note: Students who apply the recommended courses to both the liberal arts curriculum and the major requirements will have an increased number of university wide electives to apply to this degree. See your advisor for details.
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 — 28-30 credits
Fall Semester
| EDEC 101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| | LAC Arts and Humanities, History, or Social and Behavioral SciencesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4LAB1LAB2LAB3LAH1 | 3 |
| | LAC MathematicsLAX1 | 3 |
| | LAC Written CommunicationLAW1LAW2LAW3 | 3 |
| Application for Initial Admission to PTEP | |
| | Main Campus students take the following: | |
| EDEC 103 | Guidance Strategies and Trauma Informed Practices for Children | 3 |
| | Center for Urban Education students take the following: | |
| EDEC 102 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education Lab | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| | LAC Written CommunicationLAW1LAW2LAW3 | 3 |
| | Main Campus students take the following: | |
| EDEC 102 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education Lab | 3 |
| EDEC 104 | Child Development in Context | 3 |
| EDEC 330 | Development and Education of Infants and Toddlers | 3 |
| | LAC Arts and Humanities, History, or Social and Behavioral SciencesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4LAB1LAB2LAB3LAH1 | 3 |
| | Center for Urban Education students take the following: | |
| EDEC 103 | Guidance Strategies and Trauma Informed Practices for Children | 3 |
| EDFE 170 | Introduction to Field Based Experience | 1-3 |
| ELIT 290 | Survey of Culturally Diverse Literature for ChildrenLAA2LAMSGT-AH2 | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13-15 |
Main Campus: Take 15 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 13 credits total
EDFE 170 (CUE): Take 1 credit
Year 2 – 29-33 credits
Fall Semester
| | LAC Arts and Humanities, History, or Social and Behavioral SciencesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4LAB1LAB2LAB3LAH1 | 3 |
| | LAC Arts and Humanities, History, or Social and Behavioral SciencesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4LAB1LAB2LAB3LAH1 | 3 |
| | Main Campus students take the following: | |
| EDEC 205 | Nutrition, Health, and Safety | 3 |
| EDEC 250 | Diverse Early Language and Literacy | 3 |
| EDEC 262 | ECE Practicum Field Experience I | 1 |
| | Center for Urban Education students take the following: | |
| EDEC 240 | Administration of Early Childhood Care and Education Program | 3 |
| EDEC 330 | Development and Education of Infants and Toddlers | 3 |
| EDFE 170 | Introduction to Field Based Experience | 1-3 |
| | LAC Natural and Physical Sciences with LabLAS1LASL | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13-17 |
Main Campus: Take 13 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 17 credits total
EDFE 170 (CUE): Take 1 credit
Spring Semester
| | Main Campus students take the following: | |
| EDEC 220 | Curriculum Development: Methods and Techniques | 3 |
| EDEC 240 | Administration of Early Childhood Care and Education Program | 3 |
| EDEC 475 | Assessment for Primary Classrooms | 3 |
| EDEL 220 | Teaching with Writing | 3 |
| ELIT 290 | Survey of Culturally Diverse Literature for ChildrenLAA2LAMSGT-AH2 | 3 |
| | Center for Urban Education students take the following: | |
| EDEC 205 | Nutrition, Health, and Safety | 3 |
| EDEC 250 | Diverse Early Language and Literacy | 3 |
| EDEL 310 | Reading Assessment Informs Teaching | 3 |
| EDFE 170 | Introduction to Field Based Experience | 1-3 |
| | LAC Arts and Humanities, History, or Social and Behavioral SciencesLAA1LAA2LAA3LAA4LAB1LAB2LAB3LAH1 | 3 |
| | LAC Natural and Physical Sciences without LabLAS1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15-16 |
Main Campus: Take 15 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 16 credits total
EDFE 170 (CUE): Take 1 credit
Year 3 – 32-33 credits
Fall Semester
| EDEC 241 | Administration: Human Relations for Early Childhood | 3 |
| ET 275 | Integration of Technologies in PK12 Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| | Main Campus students take the following: | |
| EDEL 310 | Reading Assessment Informs Teaching | 3 |
| | LAC Natural and Physical Sciences without LabLAS1 | 3 |
| | LAC Natural and Physical Sciences with LabLAS1LASL | 4 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 2 |
| | Center for Urban Education students take the following: | |
| EDEC 220 | Curriculum Development: Methods and Techniques | 3 |
| EDEC 104 | Child Development in Context | 3 |
| EDFE 370 | Advanced Field Based Experience | 1-3 |
| EDSE 431 | Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| Application for Full Admission to PTEP | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16-18 |
Main Campus: Take 18 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 16 credits total
EDFE 370 (CUE): Take 1 credit
Spring Semester
| ECLD 350 | Teaching Young Bilingual Children | 3 |
| or | |
| ECLD 341 | Content-Based Literacies for Equitable Access to PK-12 Instruction | 3 |
| | |
| EDEC 450 | Family Diversity and Engagement Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDEC 455 | Creative Expression and Play in Early Childhood | 3 |
| EDEL 360 | Teaching Foundational Reading Skills | 3 |
| | Main Campus students take the following: | |
| EDSE 431 | Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| Application for Full Admission to PTEP | |
| | Center for Urban Education students take the following: | |
| EDFE 370 | Advanced Field Based Experience | 1-3 |
| EDEL 420 | Effective Instruction in Early Childhood and Elementary School Mathematics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15-16 |
Main Campus: Take 15 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 16 credits total
EDFE 370 (CUE): Take 1 credit
Year 4 – 27-28 credits
Fall Semester
| EDEC 465 | Managing Early Childhood Classrooms | 2 |
| EDEL 425 | Early Childhood and Elementary Social Studies Methods | 3 |
| EDSE 442 | Language and Literacy for Students with Severe Delays | 3 |
| Application for Student Teaching | |
| | Main Campus students take the following: | |
| EDEC 462 | ECE Practicum Field Experience II | 2 |
| EDEC 482 | Early Childhood Curriculum II Science | 3 |
| EDEL 420 | Effective Instruction in Early Childhood and Elementary School Mathematics | 3 |
| | Center for Urban Education students take the following: | |
| EDEC 475 | Assessment for Primary Classrooms | 3 |
| EDEL 220 | Teaching with Writing | 3 |
| EDFE 370 | Advanced Field Based Experience | 1-3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15-16 |
Main Campus: Take 16 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 15 credits total
EDFE 370 (CUE): Take 1 credit
Spring Semester
| EDEC 490 | Early Childhood Student Teaching | 6-12 |
| | Center for Urban Education students take the following: | |
| EDEC 482 | Early Childhood Curriculum II Science | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Main Campus: Take 12 credits of EDEC 490
Center for Urban Education: Take 9 credits of EDEC 490; Take 12 credits total
Accelerated MA in Inclusive Early Childhood Education / Early Childhood Special Education
Accelerated ECSE Admission
Due to its necessarily streamlined path of progression, admission to the Accelerated B.A. EDEC (Early Childhood Elementary Education) and ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education) 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 EDEC 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 EDSE 553, EDSE 554, EDSE 559 starting in the spring 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.
Sophomore year (Year 2)
Meet with ECED and ECSE advisors and apply for the program
Junior year (Year 3)
Fall EDSE 554 for EDSE 431 in non Accelerated (3 credits, counts for both degrees)
Spring EDSE 555 for EDEL 360
Spring EDSE 553 for EDEC 450
Senior year (Year 4)
Fall EDSE 559 for EDEL 420 in non Accelerated (3 credits, counts for both degrees)
Spring *EDEC 490 Student Teaching (as required for EDEC licensure BA)
* following course based on advisement from the EDEC or ECSE advisor:
Summer after completion of Senior year to graduate with the BA:
Complete all the following taking two courses each semester including summer:
Summer After Year Four SRM 600 (or equivalent) - 3 credits
Summer After Year Four EDSE 616 Scientifically Based Literacy Interventions - 3 Credits
Fall (Year 5) EDSE 551 Planning and Assessment I in ECE/SPED *first 8 weeks - 3 credits
Fall (Year 5) EDSE 552 Planning and Assessment II in ECE/SPED *second 8 weeks - 3 credits
Spring (Year 5) EDSE 556 Intro to Mental Health for Infants and Young Children*second 8 weeks - 3 credits
Spring (Year 5) EDSE 558 Practicum 3- 8
Summer After Year Five EDSE 557 Practicum ECE/SPED infants and Toddlers - 3 credits
Summer After Year Five *EDSE 560 Inclusive ECE/SPED Comprehensive Portfolio - *1 credit