Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Graduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Early Childhood Education


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Office: Lawrence Street Center, 701
Telephone: 303-315-6300
Fax: 303-315-6311
E-mail: education@ucdenver.edu
Website: www.ucdenver.edu/education

Faculty

More information about faculty in this division is available online at http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/SchoolOfEducation/FacultyandResearch/Pages/Our-Faculty.aspx.

Early Childhood Education Program

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program leads to a master’s degree in early childhood education and/or licensure or added endorsement in early childhood special education (ECSE). The program prepares early education leaders who will enrich the life experience of young children (ages birth to 8 years) and their families through a variety of professional roles.

ECE Program students may select from three program options:

  1. Early Childhood Education MA  - Personalized Professional Master’s degree
  2. Early Childhood Special Education Specialist Endorsement  
  3. Early Childhood Special Education Specialist Licensure  

The ECE program focuses on building and supporting learning and development of all children across inclusive settings in the natural environments where they live, grow and learn. The program draws on university resources and the clinical expertise of various professionals and early childhood partners in the community. There is a strong emphasis on fieldwork and practicum experiences in both regular and special education concentrations. Field experiences are a part of each course and provide an opportunity for each student to gain knowledge, abilities and dispositions while interacting with children, families, program staff and community agencies. Practicum experiences are designed for students to apply knowledge and practice skills in a closely supervised environment.

The MA in ECE and ECSE focus share course content in:

  • language and literacy development,
  • child growth and development,
  • teaching and learning approaches with young children,
  • learning, development and education grounded in culture, context and identity of young children,
  • research methods for education,
  • early childhood curriculum and program development for inclusive classrooms,
  • collaborative program development and supports for children with families and communities at the center,
  • leadership of programs and early childhood professionals for practice, advocacy and social change

The early childhood special education program provides specialized preparation in:

  • screening and assessment of young children
  • inclusive intervention strategies with infants, preschoolers and primary aged children
  • social emotional competence and classroom supports for children with severe and persistent challenging behavior
  • collaborative team membership on a transdisciplinary team
  • learning and development for a variety of learning styles and abilities
  • inclusive services for children diagnosed with low incidence disabilities including autism, developmental delay and chronic illness

 

Program Requirements

Semester Hour Requirements:

MA in ECE: 30 semester hours
ECSE specialist license: 36 semester hours
MA in ECE plus ECSE specialist license: 42 semester hours
MA in ECE plus ECSE specialist added endorsement: 36 semester hours
ECSE specialist added endorsement: 24 semester hours

Fieldwork and Practicum Requirements

For the MA in ECE plus the ECSE specialist initial license, a total of 650 hours of fieldwork/practica is required. Approximately 200 hours of fieldwork are associated with course assignments; 450 hours of intense, culminating practica occur toward the end of the second year of study. Students seeking an added endorsement in ECSE specialist complete 450 hours of practicum experiences.

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