About the Program
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 121 credit hours of coursework. A student will be able to complete the curriculum with four years of full-time study.
- Program focus is on elements of student diversity and inclusive practices in classrooms
- Emphasis on strategies to teach students within an inclusive school community
- Preservice teachers spend over 1000 hours in the field in multiple inclusive instructional settings planning lessons, delivering instruction, and assessing student learning
- Inclusive mentor teachers provide coaching and feedback throughout the program
- Courses are designed to infuse special education and English as a Second Language methodology in the classroom
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-practice, 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 121 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.
Program Coursework
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Courses |
IELM Core Courses
51 Credit Hours |
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Education Courses
49 Credit Hours |
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General Education Courses
21 Credit Hours
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English (choose one):
U.S. History (choose one):
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Content Competency for Licensure
Demonstration of content competency is required for candidates to be recommended for initial licensure. Per CDE policy, candidates for an Initial Teaching license may demonstrate depth of content knowledge through Multiple Measures of Content Competency (MMCC) as established by CDE (HB22-1220). If demonstrating content competency via Multiple Measures, the candidate must provide proof of CDE approval to the College of Education (COE).
IELM teacher candidates are required to take the following Praxis exam or submit for the corresponding MMCC by May 1 prior to their Professional Year.
- 5903: Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle - Mathematics
Candidates who have not passed this Praxis exam or secured approval for MMCC by August 1 of their Professional Year will have a formal conference with their Faculty Director and document a plan to meet content competency requirements.
Elementary education teacher candidates are also required to take the following Praxis exam by August 1 of their Professional Year. Note: MMCC are not accepted for reading.
- 5205: Teaching Reading: Elementary
Candidates who have not passed Praxis 5205 by January 1 of their Professional Year will have a formal conference with their Faculty Director and document a plan to meet content competency requirements.
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.
Accelerated Master’s Pathway (AMP) Option
About the Pathway
The Accelerated Master’s (AMP) in Special Education allows high-achieving students to pursue the Bachelor’s of Arts in Inclusive Elementary Education (IELM BA) and Master’s of Arts in Special Education (SPED MA) degrees in an accelerated manner. AMP is a combination of these two existing programs, allowing for 12 credits of graduate credits to count toward the requirements of both degrees. The program is essentially a recruiting tool that motivates students to pursue their MA at UCCS, which is beneficial to both the Department of Teaching and Learning and the overall career development of the student.
Program Requirements
Requirements for the combined AMP are the composite of the IELM BA and SPED MA degrees. Specifically, 12 credit hours of graduate-level courses count towards the special education endorsement requirements of the IELM BA degree, while also counting toward the requirements of the SPED MA degree. Below is the program plan:
AMP Courses (12 Credits):
- SPED 5004 - Transition and Self-Determination
Replaces IELM 3200 - Designing Transitions
- SPED 5020 - Significant Support Needs
Replaces IELM 3250 - Complex Support Needs
SPED 5021 - Positive Classroom Environments
Replaces IELM 4005 - Classroom Management
SPED 5022 - Consultation and Collaboration
Replaces IELM 3300 - Collaboration and Co-Teaching
Additional Courses Needed for SPED MA (18 Credits):
- LEAD 5700 - Introduction to Research and Statistics
- SPED 5000 - Disability Studies in Education
- SPED 5001 - Foundations of Special Education
- CURR 5090 - Applied Research Project
- Elective #1
- Elective #2
Total Credit Hours: 30
Program Admission and Administration
Students may apply for AMP after they have:
- Completed at least 30 credit hours at UCCS
- Completed at least 15 credit hours in the IELM BA program
- Earned Junior class standing or higher
- Maintained a cumulative UCCS GPA of at least 3.00
- Interviewed with a SPED MA faculty member
- Completed an Intent Application
- Addressed any MAPS deficiencies
After the application is accepted, the student may take up to 12 credit hours of graduate classes as an IELM BA student. The 12 credit hours of graduate coursework will be applied toward special education endorsement requirements for the IELM BA, as well as toward course requirements for the SPED MA.
Continuous enrollment (Fall and Spring semesters) from IELM BA to SPED MA is needed for courses to double count towards both degrees. Further, while students are in AMP, they must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA throughout the program.
Lastly, if admission to another UCCS Master’s or Doctoral program is sought, admission must follow completion of the IELM BA to SPED MA AMP.
