Online Bachelor's in Inclusive Elementary Education Overview
Grow your education career online at UCCS.
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
Bachelor of Arts in Inclusive Elementary Education

College of Education

100% Online
Delivery Method

$435*
Cost Per Credit
*Approximate In-state

$636*
Cost Per Credit
*Approximate Out-of-state

Priority Application Deadline

Rolling Admissions
Application Deadline

120
Credit Hours

4 Years
Average Completion Time
BA in Inclusive Elementary Education Course Overview
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- IELM 3150: Second Language Acquisition
- Presents a broad survey of second language acquisition research. Stresses theoretical concerns and research findings and practical applications to teaching second languages. Focuses on social and economic factors that contribute to success for ELLs in schools.
- IELM 3250: Teaching Students with Complex Support Needs
- This course provides the tools essential for the successful education of students with complex support needs. We will explore strategies that foster a student’s meaningful participation in inclusive classrooms.
- IELM 4005: Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Support
- This course addresses the knowledge and initial skills needed for creating positive classroom communities. School practices and interventions for managing challenging student behaviors are introduced with an emphasis on Positive Behavior Supports within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports model.
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.

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Complete the form on this page to be contacted by an Enrollment Advisor.
Tuition and Fees
At UCCS Online, we strive to keep our tuition costs affordable so that you can get a world-class education that fits your budget. When you earn a degree, you’re not simply getting a diploma — you’re making a lifelong investment in yourself and empowering your future career. We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education.
Our Enrollment Team can answer any of your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you’re able to focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to tuition assistance programs, we’ll work with you to find the best way to finance your degree.
Complete the formComplete the form on this page to connect with our Enrollment Team and get more information about tuition, fees, scholarships, and financial aid.
In State Cost Per Credit:
$435
Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
Out of State Cost Per Credit:
$636
Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education. Our Enrollment Navigators can answer any of your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you’re able to focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to transfer credits and corporate tuition assistance programs, we’ll work with you to find the best way to finance your UCCS Online degree. Complete the formComplete the form on this page to be contacted by an Enrollment Advisor.
Financial aid is available for eligible students to use toward paying educational costs while enrolled in a UCCS Online program. To determine your eligibility and apply for financial aid, you’ll need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When you submit your FAFSA, you will be considered for three types of aid: grants, work-study, and student loans. To be considered for federal financial aid, you will need to apply early and annually.
- Scholarships | You may be eligible for scholarships at UCCS. We offer many scholarships and grants to students who are ready to earn their degrees and achieve success. Between both UCCS-offered and external scholarships, our students earned more than $10 million in scholarship awards last year alone.
- College Opportunity Fund (COF) | The College Opportunity Fund (COF) is a trust fund created by the Colorado Legislature that provides a tuition stipend to eligible undergraduate students. The stipend pays a portion of your total in-state tuition when you attend a participating college. All students must create a COF account directly through the College Opportunity Fund (COF) website.
- WICHE | The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) has given many students from Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming the opportunity to study at UCCS. The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is an agreement through which 160+ participating public colleges and universities provide significant nonresident tuition savings for undergraduate programs, with eligible students pay no more than 150 percent of resident tuition rates.
UCCS Online is military-friendly and committed to providing service members and their families with a high-quality education that fits their distinct needs. As a UCCS Online student, you will have access to the UCCS Veteran and Military Affairs, which connects veteran, active duty, reservist, National Guard, and dependent students with fundamental support, services, and resources to ensure academic and professional success. UCCS is a proud home campus to many veteran and military students.
Eligible veteran and military students may use veteran benefits, military tuition assistance, and/or financial aid to pay for their education. Military benefits with UCCS Online include:
- Waived application fee for active duty and veterans
- Military benefits approved program
Connect with our Enrollment NavigatorsConnect with our Enrollment Navigators to learn more about the benefits and financial assistance available to military and veteran students.
All students are automatically opted in to the TAAP program with the choice to opt out. The TAAP program provides all your course materials for one flat fee per credit hour. That means no more time spent searching for, ordering, and paying out of pocket for your own course materials.
Many companies offer tuition assistance benefits as part of their employee compensation program. Generally, these policies determine a set number of credit hours per year that the company will pay for on behalf of the student/employee. Some policies place a cap on eligible tuition dollars and related expenses while others reimburse employees on a per-credit-hour basis. Get in touch with your organization's human resources department to learn more about your educational benefits.

Admissions Information
The priority application deadline for this program is May 1. To learn more about admission requirements and the application process, please visit the UCCS Admissions page.
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.
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Earn an education that creates opportunity. Start the admissions process with an enrollment advisor by filling out the form on this page today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We’re here to help. We emphasize to all students that faculty members are here for them. As faculty seek to connect with you, feel free to use their flexible office hours or contact them if you need additional help.
A common barrier to success is time management, especially if you are working a full-time job. The online format offers more flexibility and the opportunity to develop better balance among your commitments, but having a plan for completing your studies each week can help you get on track to success early.
Online courses at the University of Colorado are taught by the same professors that teach in-person classes. This ensures that you are receiving the same education and learning experiences as on-campus students. The primary difference is with the delivery format. Your online courses will all be taught in Canvas, the Learning Management System (LMS). You will be responsible for logging in, accessing course content, and completing any requirements of the course.
The Bachelor of Arts in Inclusive Elementary Education is offered fully online, which means you will not be required to take courses at our campus and there are no on-campus components to this program.