Introduction
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The Early Childhood Education (ECE) track in the Education and Human Development major has a strong focus on engaging Colorado’s rapidly diversifying student and family population. It combines cutting-edge research with real classroom experiences. You’ll learn with innovative faculty members who are locally and nationally recognized for their research in early childhood education. They will provide you with a robust knowledge base and relevant learning experiences in children’s thinking, culturally responsive education, supporting dual language learners, inclusive and engaging classroom and curricular design and assessment and documentation of young children’s learning. At the same time, you will benefit from strong school and community partnerships that are unmatched in the state. All ECE track students have the opportunity to take all required courses to fulfill the State of Colorado’s Director qualifications and become leaders in the field of early learning.
The ECE track has two options: Licensure and Non-licensure.
Licensure track
Students who select the 126 credit hour licensure track fulfill all requirements for a license to teach children Birth-Age 8 in Colorado’s school districts and community-based early childhood centers. This track prepares students to become teachers of children up through third grade. Field-based experiences take place in the School of Education’s Professional Development network of partner schools.
Non-Licensure track
This 120 credit hour track is ideal for students who currently and/or intend to work in community-based early childhood environments that serve children from infancy-age five years. Courses include field-based experiences that can take place in settings where students currently work. Students can elect to follow either the Teaching or the Leading strand. The Teaching strand ensures that students can return for one additional semester to fulfill licensure requirements. The Leading strand ensures that students fulfill the Colorado Department of Human Services Director Qualification requirements and offers the option of obtaining an ECE Coaching Certificate.
Program Delivery
- This is an on-campus program with a variety of delivery options for many of our courses including hybrid, evening, weekend and online courses.
Declaring This Major
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General Requirements
To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the three areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.
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