Program Overview

Major in Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education Major with teacher licensure (ECE-L) is provided by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) in collaboration with Educator Preparation within the School of Education (SOE). This major enables students to apply for Early Childhood with teacher licensure and Director Qualification in the state of Colorado.

Program Description

The ECE-L degree qualifies students to engage in various early childhood professions, including teaching grades Pre-K to 3rd in public or private schools in Colorado, teaching in Head Start or other preschool or child care programs, providing infant and toddler programming, establishing a business as a family child care or a child care center, and serving as director of a child care center. An understanding of human development and family studies provides a strong foundation for students desiring a license to teach young children between the ages of 0 and 8.

Learning Objectives

Students will demonstrate:

1. Content knowledge and understanding of theory, research, and practice relevant to optimizing the development, health, and well-being of children and families in the context of the larger social environment.
2. Effective written and oral communication skills appropriate for early childhood educators interfacing with colleagues, children, and parents/guardians.
3. The ability to access, critically evaluate, and apply multiple forms of information related to children and families.
4. Professional and leadership skills with individuals and families, including ethical and culturally sensitive conduct.
5. Knowledge and skill in teaching and assessing literacy, mathematics, social studies, science, music, art, and physical education in early childhood.

Program Requirements

• Students must earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA in all AUCC courses and a minimum grade of a C (2.000) in all HDFS and EDUC courses and PSY 460, including courses used as substitutions.
• Students must achieve a 2.75 GPA to transition to the education coursework (ECE-L) in semester 5.
• For teacher licensure, students must complete their degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
• Only a maximum of 6 credits fulfilling major requirements may also count toward the HDFS Minor, department certificates, and the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Minor.
• Students double majoring must have a minimum of 27 credits that are unique to the second major.

Course Sequence

The program is structured over eight semesters, with specific courses required each semester. The sequence includes:

• Freshman year: CO 150, HDFS 101, HDFS 217, HDFS 277, PSY 100, and electives.
• Sophomore year: EDUC 275, HDFS 250, HDFS 310, HDFS 311, HDFS 318, HDFS 334, and electives.
• Junior year: EDUC 331, EDUC 340, EDUC 400, EDUC 425, FSHN 445/HDFS 445, HDFS 350, HDFS 375, HDFS 410, and electives.
• Senior year: EDUC 426, EDUC 485C, EDUC 493A, HDFS 434, HDFS 439, HDFS 492, and electives.

Additional Requirements

• Students must meet with their Human Development Family Studies (HDFS) Advisor/Academic Success Coordinator to successfully complete ECE-L degree requirements.
• Coursework in the Center for Educator Preparation (CEP) requires a 4-semester (or 2-year) consecutive sequence to complete.
• Students must pass a criminal arrest record background check before participating in field placement courses.
• Students must complete a graduation contract with an HDFS Advisor during the first two weeks of the semester in which they are graduating.