School of Education and Human Development University of Colorado Denver

Application requirements

The ECE Program is available in two format options: on-campus and online. The online option is limited to Colorado residents living 60 or more miles from Denver. Our online program objective is to provide an opportunity for higher education in ECE and the Colorado ECSE Specialist license for prospective students outside the Denver metro area who have limited access to advanced academic work in ECE. The online format follows a cohort model - a new group of online students is admitted every other January and takes all classes together in the same sequence.

Students living in the Denver metropolitan area are eligible to partake of the on-campus option. If a prospective student has highly unusual circumstances that prevent them from being able to attend late afternoon or weekend classes on-campus, an exemption may be made for the online eligibility requirements. On-campus students are admitted each semester.

ECSE Specialists licensure program completion varies from six to seven semesters and 25 to 49 credits depending on the selected program option:

ECSE Specialist added endorsement only: 25 credit hours
Master's Degree in ECE +ECSE Specialist added endorsement: 40 credit hours
ECSE Specialist initial license only: 40 credit hours
Master's Degree in ECE +ECSE Specialist initial license: 49 credits

Field experiences are a part of each course and provide an opportunity for the student to gain knowledge, abilities, and dispositions while interacting with children, families, program staff, and community agencies.

Students completing the ECSE Specialist license complete 6 credit hours (510 clock hours) divided equally between infant/toddler, preschool, and primary levels practica. ECSE students may complete one of the three practica at their own work site.

Candidates must pass the state licensure PLACE test (#27 ECSE) and pass a practicum portfolio review before applying for licensure. Students completing the MA in ECE also complete comprehensive examination.

Most ECE program classes are offered only once per calendar year. Courses are equally distributed between summer, fall, and spring terms. Average size is 25 to 30 student per class with students taking 2 to 3 courses per semester.

Classes are listed in approximate order of when they will be taken by students. Students must complete a program plan with an advisor prior to registration for classes. This can be done once admitted through our group orientation sessions held each semester or by individual appointment with a faculty member.

Course List

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice. For more information on the Auraria Campus Student Council for Exceptional Children, visit http://www.coloradocec.org/Auraria.asp.

The professional roles our Early Childhood Special Education Specialist graduates assume include:
Lead teacher
Early interventionist
Service coordinator
Child Find team member
Special education consultant
Behavior specialist
Inclusion specialist