Online Bachelor of Arts in Inclusive Early Childhood Education Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Inclusive Early Childhood Education (IECE) program offered by UCCS 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 program 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 in 2023.
Program at a Glance
Degree Program:
Bachelor of Arts in Inclusive Early Childhood Education
Offered By:
College of Education
Tuition:
Cost Per Credit:
$435*
*Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
Cost Per Credit:
$636*
*Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
Priority Application Deadline:
Credit Hours:
120
Program Details
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.
Curriculum Overview
IECE Core Courses (76 Credit Hours)
- IECE 1000: Introduction to Inclusive Early Childhood Education
- IECE 1010: Inclusive Child Development Birth-8
- IECE 1020: Learning Through Play
- IECE 1500: Diversity and Anti-Bias Practice in IECE
- IECE 2000: Collaborative Partnerships in IECE
- IECE 2100: Social Emotional Learning and Trauma Sensitive Practice
- IECE 2200: Designing Inclusive Child-Centered Curriculum
- IECE 2500: Relationships, Positive Guidance and Behavior Supports in IECE
- IECE 3000: Observation and Assessment for IECE
- IECE 3010: Early Language Arts and Communication Disorders (Birth-4)
- IECE 3020: Practicum 1: Birth-4
- IECE 3025: Practicum 1 Seminar
- IECE 3500: Young Dual Language Learners and Family Literacy
- IECE 3600: Culturally Responsive Leadership and Practices in IECE
- IECE 4000: Math and Numeracy
- IECE 4010: Literacy Development, Instruction and Interventions, K-3
- IECE 4020: Creating Classroom Communities: Social and Behavioral Supports for Young Children
- IECE 4030: Practicum 2: K-3
- IECE 4035: Practicum 2 Seminar
- IECE 4500: Universal Design for Learning and Individualized Supports in IECE
- IECE 4600: Practicum 3: Differentiating Instruction for Young Children
- IECE 4800: Inclusive Early Childhood Student Teaching
- IECE 4801: IECE Capstone Professional Portfolio
Education Courses (19 Credit Hours)
- COUN 4500: Wellness, Resilience and Emotional Intelligence
- EDUC 2200: Children's Literature
- EDUC 2400: Arts Integration for Educators
- EDUC 2600: Integrated Science I
- EDUC 2650: Integrated Science II
- EDUC 3991: Introduction to Professional Year - Inclusive Early Childhood
- IELM 3250: Teaching Students with Complex Support Needs
General Education Courses (25 Credit Hours)
- GES 1980: World Regional Geography
- GPS 1010: Gateway Program Seminar
- ENGL 1310: Rhetoric and Writing I
- ENGL 1410: Rhetoric and Writing II
- MATH 3010: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I
- MATH 3020: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II
- PORT 3000: Writing Portfolio Assessment
- PSY 1000: General Psychology
U.S. History (choose one):
- HIST 1510: U.S.: Birth of a Nation, 1607-1789
- HIST 1520: U.S.: Expansion and Division, 1789-1877
For details on program coursework, please visit the Academic Catalog.
Professional Exam Requirements
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.
Program Requirements
- 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 toward degree completion.
Admissions Information
To learn more about admission requirements and the application process, please visit the UCCS Admissions page.
Additional Resources:
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