Explore CU Denver Programs
Use the search tool below to discover degree and certificate programs offered by CU Denver. If you are unable to find a program that is right for you, please contact Admissions or a school or college for more information.
Program Overview
The PhD in Inclusive Early Childhood Education concentration prepares candidates to be faculty members, researchers, and leaders. Graduates will be at the forefront of change in the areas of early childhood education, early childhood special education, and early childhood multicultural/multilingual education.
Office of Recruitment & Outreach
Questions? Email or call us.
Email:
education@ucdenver.eduPhone:
303.315.6300This program prepares scholars to define problems and conduct research that informs curriculum and policies aimed at promoting child- and family-centered early childhood education. This is with a focus on educating children across races, ethnicities, abilities, and languages. To do so, coursework is grounded in theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches.
Students in this program will:
- Examine the theoretical literature that undergirds the study of child development, early childhood education, and early childhood special education.
- Deepen knowledge of theory and research in child- and family-centered approaches in inclusive early childhood education.
- Develop the skills to conduct rigorous research related to culturally sustaining practices that demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Conduct applied and translational research that makes connections among research, practice and policy to help reduce inequities in opportunities and outcomes for young children.
- Create, evaluate and improve preservice teacher education programs in child development, early childhood education, and early childhood special education.
- Advocate for and lead change to assure all children's growth and development in a variety of early childhood settings serving young children from birth through age eight. (Students particularly interested in deepening their knowledge in leadership for equity and who primarily hold careers goals to advocate and lead change within organizations should consult our EdD program in Inclusive ECE).
Why the Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Human Development, Inclusive Early Childhood Education at CU Denver?
Teaching and Research Experiences
In this program, you can participate in teaching and research experiences early and throughout the program.
Build Your Dossier
Leverage opportunities to present, write and publish with your faculty to build your dossier.
Conduct a Dissertation Study
As part of course requirements, you will learn how to design and conduct a dissertation study.
Program Description
This program prepares scholars to define problems and conduct research that informs curriculum and policies aimed at promoting child- and family-centered early childhood education. This is with a focus on educating children across races, ethnicities, abilities, and languages. To do so, coursework is grounded in theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches.
Students in this program will:
- Examine the theoretical literature that undergirds the study of child development, early childhood education, and early childhood special education.
- Deepen knowledge of theory and research in child- and family-centered approaches in inclusive early childhood education.
- Develop the skills to conduct rigorous research related to culturally sustaining practices that demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Conduct applied and translational research that makes connections among research, practice and policy to help reduce inequities in opportunities and outcomes for young children.
- Create, evaluate and improve preservice teacher education programs in child development, early childhood education, and early childhood special education.
- Advocate for and lead change to assure all children's growth and development in a variety of early childhood settings serving young children from birth through age eight. (Students particularly interested in deepening their knowledge in leadership for equity and who primarily hold careers goals to advocate and lead change within organizations should consult our EdD program in Inclusive ECE).
Why the Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Human Development, Inclusive Early Childhood Education at CU Denver?
Teaching and Research Experiences
In this program, you can participate in teaching and research experiences early and throughout the program.
Build Your Dossier
Leverage opportunities to present, write and publish with your faculty to build your dossier.
Conduct a Dissertation Study
As part of course requirements, you will learn how to design and conduct a dissertation study.
Program Features
75
credit hours
4 to 8 years
time to complete
Fall
starting semester
January 1
application deadline for Fall semester
Online & On-campus
classes available
Funding Available
Funding to support students in this program is available through multiple avenues.
Student Testimonials
My PhD experience so far has been an eventful journey. Since I started the ECE PhD program—taking classes with professional colleagues and getting scaffolded support from loving professors and faculty members—I have realized how much impact I can make as an early educator. I have had the opportunity to build the skills needed to ensure my research interests can have far greater real-life applicability and impact effective change. Now as I write my dissertation, I am consciously making research decisions that will ensure that my study is impactful to my target population, a skill that I can credit to the different research projects I have engaged in with professors and mentors over these years.
Tobi Adejumo
PhD in Education and Human Development, Inclusive Early Childhood Education (May 2024)Alumni Success Stories
PhD Alum Dr. Tessa Kranski Translates Research to Practice at UF
I knew I wanted to work in early childhood intervention before becoming a licensed school psychologist in 2015. I found it difficult to bridge the research to practice gap and wanted the level of knowledge and opportunities earning a PhD would afford. What I didn’t anticipate was the level of access I would have in meeting and networking with some of the most notable researchers in the field.
As a Post-Doctoral Associate at the University of Florida’s Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies (AZ CEECS), I work at the intersection of research, practice, and policy. Every day, our work bridges the research to practice gap by triangulating innovative research, professional development, and community partnerships that support young children from birth to age five and their families.
As Project Coordinator of an IES-funded, multi-year, cross-site efficacy study, I am learning successful leadership, grant writing, and project implementation and coordination skills from those who have demonstrated efficacy in these areas for decades. In addition to having access to the networking, research, and resources a R1 university has to offer, I engage in mentored, situated learning experiences to advance my research scholarship alongside several of the most recognizable scholars in early childhood special education research.
I knew I wanted to work in early childhood intervention before becoming a licensed school psychologist in 2015. I found it difficult to bridge the research to practice gap and wanted the level of knowledge and opportunities earning a PhD would afford. What I didn’t anticipate was the level of access I would have in meeting and networking with some of the most notable researchers in the field.
As a Post-Doctoral Associate at the University of Florida’s Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies (AZ CEECS), I work at the intersection of research, practice, and policy. Every day, our work bridges the research to practice gap by triangulating innovative research, professional development, and community partnerships that support young children from birth to age five and their families.
As Project Coordinator of an IES-funded, multi-year, cross-site efficacy study, I am learning successful leadership, grant writing, and project implementation and coordination skills from those who have demonstrated efficacy in these areas for decades. In addition to having access to the networking, research, and resources a R1 university has to offer, I engage in mentored, situated learning experiences to advance my research scholarship alongside several of the most recognizable scholars in early childhood special education research.
Dr. Tessa Kranski
PhD in Education and Human Development, Inclusive Early Childhood Education
(December 2019)
Post-Doctoral Associate, University of Florida
Would you like more information about this program?
Request more information
CU Denver graduates earn more, build community, and make connections. Take the first step toward your future and join an inclusive community of learners while gaining the skills of tomorrow, today.