Program Overview
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
School of Teacher Education
McKee 216, Greeley, CO 80639
Telephone: 970.351.2908
Fax: 970.351.1877
Website: www.unco.edu/cebs/teacher-education
Center for Urban Education
1059 Alton Way #758, Denver, CO 802030
Telephone: 303.637.4334
Website: www.unco.edu/cebs/urban-education/
Advising Information:
Students must consult with their assigned 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
- 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. 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.
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.
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 — 120-121 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 Survey of Culturally Diverse Literature for Children is recommended to fulfill Arts & Humanities and U.S. Multicultural Studies requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
SOC 120 Introduction to Family Studies 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 350 | Teaching Young Bilingual Children | 3 |
| ELIT 290 | Survey of Culturally Diverse Literature for ChildrenLAA2LAMS | 3 |
3. Early Childhood PTEP — 52-54 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 475 | Assessment for Primary Classrooms | 3 |
| EDEL 220 | Teaching with Writing | 3 |
| EDEL 310 | Reading Assessment Informs Teaching | 3 |
| EDEL 360 | Teaching Foundational Reading Skills | 3 |
| EDSE 431 | Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| ET 240 | Integration of Technology into Content and Pedagogy | 3 |
Additional Main Campus PTEP Requirements:
Take the following course:
| EDEC 262 | ECE Practicum Field Experience I | 2 |
Take all of the following courses concurrently:
| EDEC 461 | Early Childhood Curriculum Language Arts | 3 |
| EDEC 462 | ECE Practicum Field Experience II | 2 |
| EDEC 463 | Early Childhood Curriculum Social Studies | 3 |
| EDEC 465 | Managing Early Childhood Classrooms | 2 |
| EDEC 481 | Early Childhood Curriculum II Mathematics | 3 |
| EDEC 482 | Early Childhood Curriculum II Science | 3 |
Student Teaching
| EDEC 490 | Early Childhood Student Teaching | 6-12 |
Additional Urban Education PTEP Requirements:
Take all of the following courses:
| EDEC 361 | School Programs for Young Children (CUE) | 2 |
| EDEC 461 | Early Childhood Curriculum Language Arts | 3 |
| EDEC 463 | Early Childhood Curriculum Social Studies | 3 |
| EDEC 465 | Managing Early Childhood Classrooms | 2 |
| EDEC 481 | Early Childhood Curriculum II Mathematics | 3 |
| EDEC 482 | Early Childhood Curriculum II Science | 3 |
| 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 |
EDEC 490: Must be taken for 6 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 — 0-4 credits*
Complete additional credits to achieve the minimum credits needed for any degree at UNC; for this program, that will typically be 0-4 credits.
*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 – 29-30 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 ChildrenLAA2LAMS | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 1 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
Main Campus: Take 15 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 14 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 | 2 |
| | 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 |
Main Campus: Take 14 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 ChildrenLAA2LAMS | 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 |
Main Campus: Take 15 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 16 credits total
EDFE 170 (CUE): Take 1 credit
Year 3 – 31-33 credits
Fall Semester
| EDEC 241 | Administration: Human Relations for Early Childhood | 3 |
| | Main Campus students take the following: | |
| EDEL 310 | Reading Assessment Informs Teaching | 3 |
| ET 240 | Integration of Technology into Content and Pedagogy | 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 |
| EDEC 361 | School Programs for Young Children (CUE) | 2 |
| EDFE 370 | Advanced Field Based Experience | 1- 3 |
| EDSE 431 | Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| | Application for Full Admission to PTEP | |
Main Campus: Take 18 credits total
Center for Urban Education: Take 15 credits total
EDFE 370 (CUE): Take 1 credit
Spring Semester
| ECLD 350 | Teaching Young Bilingual Children | 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 |
| ET 240 | Integration of Technology into Content and Pedagogy | 3 |
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 461 | Early Childhood Curriculum Language Arts | 3 |
| EDEC 463 | Early Childhood Curriculum Social Studies | 3 |
| EDEC 465 | Managing Early Childhood Classrooms | 2 |
| | Application for Student Teaching | |
| | Main Campus students take the following: | |
| EDEC 462 | ECE Practicum Field Experience II | 2 |
| EDEC 481 | Early Childhood Curriculum II Mathematics | 3 |
| EDEC 482 | Early Childhood Curriculum II Science | 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 |
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 481 | Early Childhood Curriculum II Mathematics | 3 |
| 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 6 credits of EDEC 490; Take 12 credits total