Online Bachelor's in Inclusive Elementary Education Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Inclusive Elementary Education offers undergraduate education majors the opportunity to engage in cross-disciplinary coursework required to secure an Initial Colorado Teacher License endorsed for K-6 elementary education, special education, and culturally and linguistically diverse education with 122 credit hours of coursework.  A student will be able to complete the curriculum with four years of full-time study. 

  • Focus on student diversity and inclusive practices in classrooms 
  • Emphasis on strategies to teach students within an inclusive school community 
  • Gain 1,000+ hours of fieldwork in multiple inclusive instructional settings planning lessons, delivering instruction, and assessing student learning 
  • Provide coaching and feedback throughout the program 
  • Courses infuse special education and English as a Second Language methodology

Program at a Glance

Degree Program:

Bachelor of Arts in Inclusive Elementary 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

Focus of Study

Students will learn to be a teacher for all children with a BA in Inclusive Elementary Education. This degree prepares teachers to utilize universal design for learning, innovative methods, instructional best -practices, and technology to support the success of all students. The program leads to: 

  • An Initial Teaching License in Elementary Education (K-6) 
  • A Special Education Generalist (ages 5-21) Endorsement 
  • A Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education (K-12) Endorsement 

Program Requirements

  • A minimum of 122 credit hours must be completed with a cumulative CU grade point average of 2.75
  • All IELM courses must be completed with a grade of B- or better.
  • To remain in good standing within the College of Education, students must maintain a cumulative CU GPA of 2.0 or better in all semesters.
    • Students whose cumulative CU GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation for the next semester in which they are enrolled.
    • While on probation, students must raise their cumulative GPA to 2.0 within one semester. If the required semester GPA is not met, the student will be suspended from the College of Education for a full academic year.

Curriculum Overview

IELM Core Courses (51 Credit Hours)

  • IELM 3100: Language and Linguistics
  • IELM 3150: Second Language Acquisition
  • IELM 3200: Designing Transitions and Inclusive Futures
  • IELM 3250: Teaching Students with Complex Support Needs
  • IELM 3300: Collaboration and Co-Teaching
  • IELM 3900: Field Placement I - Elementary
  • IELM 3950: Field Placement II - Elementary
  • IELM 4005: Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Support
  • IELM 4015: Teaching Reading and Writing, Grades 2-6
  • IELM 4025: Teaching Elementary Mathematics
  • IELM 4035: Teaching Elementary Science
  • IELM 4045: Teaching Elementary Social Studies
  • IELM 4900: Field Placement III - Elementary or IELM 4905: Residency Field Placement III - Elementary
  • IELM 4950: Student Teaching - Elementary or IELM 4955: Residency Student Teaching - Elementary

Education Courses (40 Credit Hours)

  • COUN 4500: Wellness, Resilience and Emotional Intelligence
  • EDUC 1000: Introduction to Inclusive Education
  • EDUC 2000: Introduction to Educational Psychology or IECE 1010: Inclusive Child Development Birth-8
  • EDUC 2100: Introduction to Technology in Education
  • EDUC 2200: Children's Literature
  • EDUC 2300: Health and Physical Education for Educators
  • EDUC 2400: Arts Integration for Educators
  • EDUC 2600: Integrated Science I
  • EDUC 2650: Integrated Science II
  • EDUC 2700: Schools, Society and Diversity
  • EDUC 3992: Introduction to Professional Year - Elementary
  • IECE 4000: Math and Numeracy
  • IECE 4010: Literacy Development, Instruction and Interventions, K-3
  • LEAD 1000: American Foundations of Education

General Education Courses (31 Credit Hours)

  • GPS 1010: Gateway Program Seminar
  • ENGL 1310: Rhetoric and Writing I
  • ENGL 1410: Rhetoric and Writing II
  • ENGL 1500: Introduction to Literature
  • MATH 3010: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I
  • MATH 3020: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II
  • PORT 3000: Writing Portfolio Assessment
  • PSC 1100: American Political System

Economics (choose one):

  • ECON 1000: Economics of Social Issues
  • ECON 1010: Introduction to Microeconomics
  • ECON 1050: Economics in Practice

Geography (choose one):

  • GES 1980: World Regional Geography
  • GES 1990: Introduction to Human Geography

U.S. History (choose one):

  • HIST 1510: U.S.: Birth of a Nation, 1607-1789
  • HIST 1520: U.S.: Expansion and Division, 1789-1877
  • HIST 1530: U.S.: Emergence of Modern America, 1865-1920

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 must receive a passing score on the following exams no later than June 15 prior to their Professional Year (these exam requirements may also be met by taking #5901 Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle): 

  • #5903 Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle - Mathematics
  • #5904 Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle - Social Studies
  • #5905 Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle - Science

Students must receive a passing score on the following exam no later than December 15 prior to the student teaching semester:

  • #5205 Teaching Reading: Elementary

If these requirements are not met by the deadlines, the student must withdraw or defer their Professional Year until the requirements are met.

A passing score on the Praxis #5354 Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications exam is required to qualify for the Special Education Generalist (ages 5-12) endorsement. It is recommended that students take this exam after completing IELM 4005 taken in the Summer just prior to the Professional Year.

Admissions Information

To learn more about admission requirements and the application process, please visit the UCCS Admissions page.

Additional Resources:

A landscape image of the UCCS campus with the iconic clock tower in the foreground and Pike's Peak mountain in the background, with a dark overlay for text contrast.

Ready to get started?

Connect with our Enrollment Advisors to learn more about this in-demand online program and start your admissions process.