Graduate Certificate in Inclusive Early Childhood Education (Licensure & Endorsement)

About the Program

This graduate program in Early Childhood Special Education qualifies students to earn a Colorado Department of Education teaching license/endorsement in Early Childhood Education (birth-8 years) and Early Childhood Special Education (birth-8 years Special Education).

The coursework in this certificate may be applied towards a Master’s degree in Special Education. Students who complete the Master’s degree in addition to the certificate will qualify for the Early Childhood Special Education Specialist endorsement from the Colorado Department of Education.

Focus of Study

The Inclusive Early Childhood Education graduate certificate program educates the head, heart, and hands of future inclusive early childhood educators through a three-fold focus on essential foundational knowledge, relationship-driven dispositions, and evidence-based inclusive practices and tools.

The curriculum integrates content in:

Culturally responsive practice
Strategies for inclusion
Trauma-sensitive care
Learning through play and developmentally appropriate practices

Effective distance education and supervision methods, including intensive field residencies, deeply engage students in a rich, meaningful curriculum and interactive learning experiences.

Program Requirements

The Inclusive Early Childhood Education Graduate Certificate Program requires 27 credit hours (8 courses).

Praxis Exam Requirements

Graduate-level IECE teacher candidates are required to take the following Praxis exams or submit for the corresponding MMCC by May 1 prior to their student teaching semester.
Please see the CDE website for more information.

5024: Education of Young Children

Graduate-level IECE teacher candidates are also required to take the following Praxis exam prior to their student teaching semester. Note: MMCC are not accepted for reading.

5205: Teaching Reading: Elementary

5692: Special Education: Preschool/Early Childhood

When registering to take the Praxis exam9s0, students need to send their scores to UCCS (4874) and the Colorado Department of Education (7040).

For more information, students should visit: www.ets.org/praxis

Candidates who have not passed these exams or secured approval for MMCC before their student teaching semester will have a formal conference with their Faculty Director and document a plan to meet content competency requirements.

Program Coursework

Term	Courses
Fall 1 6 Credit Hours	IECE 5010 Inclusive Child Development (Birth-8) IECE 5600 Inclusive Early Childhood Curriculum and Instructional Strategies
Spring 1 9 Credit Hours	SPED 5020 Significant Support Needs SPED 5303 Designing Trauma Informed Supports in the Classroom IECE 5500 Collaborative ECSE Assessment and Planning with Families
Summer 1 6 Credit Hours	SPED 5001 Foundations of Special Education SPED 5010 Multisensory Structured Language Education (Substitute for TED 5570)
Fall 2 6 Credit Hours	IECE 6950 Inclusive Early Childhood Student Teaching

Partnership with TEACH Colorado

Considering a career in early childhood education? Our partners at TEACH Colorado will help you get started with confidence.
Sign up today for free access to 1:1 advising, group webinars, multi-lingual how-to guides, and up to $1,000 in financial aid.

Connect with Ashley Lawless for individual program planning, email alawless@uccs.edu

Additional Information on Licensure

The Inclusive Early Childhood Education Certificate Program is a multi-credential program. Students who successfully complete the program will be recommended for an initial teaching license in Early Childhood Education (ages 0-8), and an added endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education (ages 0-8).

Exam Requirements

In order to receive an initial license or added endorsement students will need to complete the following exam(s):

Praxis II Education of Young Children #5024.
This exam must be passed just prior to Professional Year courses. Students will not be allowed to continue with Professional Year coursework unless they have passed this exam.
Praxis II Teaching, Reading: Elementary #5205.

This exam must be passed just prior to Professional Year courses. Students will not be allowed to continue with Professional Year coursework unless they have passed this exam.

Praxis II Special Education: Preschool/Early Childhood #5691.

This exam must be passed by just prior to Professional Year courses. Students will not be allowed to continue with Professional Year coursework unless they have passed this exam.

When registering to take the Praxis exam(s), students need to send their scores to UCCS (4874) and the Colorado Department of Education (7040).

For more information, students should visit: www.ets.org/praxis