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Navigating our program guides
Use the links above to jump to the program plan for your desired program. Program plans are subject to change with curricular updates each year or with changes in state teacher licensure requirements (for licensure programs).
Use these guides as a reference only and work with academic and faculty advisors throughout your program to plan out your coursework using our official degree audit and program planning systems.
Early Childhood Education Major - Licensure Concentration: 4-Year Plan
This guide is for students completing the licensure concentration of the Early Childhood Education major, based on the 2025-2026 university catalog.
Please note: students who transfer in with a completed associate’s degree with Degree with Designation status or Statewide Early Childhood Education Articulation Agreement status should refer to the “Degree with Designation” version of this guide.
- All courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better.
- All students must complete the School of Education admission process.
- Please see your Early Childhood Education advisor to plan your course of study.
- Some courses are offered in Fall, Spring, Summer only, as noted after the course title.
This 4-year plan is intended to support advising and course registration planning. For official documentation of degree requirements, please refer to your Degree Progress Report or the University Catalog. Please note: requirements to earn teacher licensure recommendation are subject to change according to mandates from the Colorado Department of Education, regardless of catalog year.
Praxis Exam Information:
Students in this program should complete the Praxis exams at recommended points in the program identified below. Please refer to the Praxis Exam Information and Resources page for exam details and tutoring resources.
Year 1
Semester 1 (Year 1):
Written Communication (General Studies) (1 of 2)
3 credits
Oral Communication (General Studies)
3 credits
Historical (General Studies)
3 credits
MTH 1610 – Integrated Mathematics I (General Studies: Quantitative Literacy)
3 credits
ECE 2100 – Introduction to Early Childhood Education
3 credits
Note: you should select at least one General Studies course that also meets the Global Diversity requirement. Discuss with your academic advisor.
Semester 1 Total:
15 credits
Semester 2 (Year 1):
Written Communication (General Studies) (2 of 2)
3 credits
Arts and Humanities (General Studies) (1 of 2)
3 credits
Natural and Physical Science (General Studies) (1 of 2)
3 credits
Social and Behavioral Science (General Studies) (1 of 2)
3 credits
ECE 2400 – Development and Characteristics of Early Learners (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
ECE 2500 – Health, Safety and Nutrition (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
Semester 2 Total:
18 credits
Year 2
Semester 3 (Year 2):
Arts and Humanities (General Studies) (2 of 2)
3 credits
Natural and Physical Science (General Studies) (2 of 2)
3 credits
ECE 2600 – The Exceptional Child (Fall)
3 credits
ECE 2950 – Developmentally Effective Practice (DEP) I: The Intentional Preschool Teacher (Fall)
3 credits
45 hours field experience
ECE 2970 – Supporting Social Emotional Competence
3 credits
Semester 3 Total:
15 credits
45 field experience hours
Semester 4 (Year 2):
ECE 2330 – Creativity and Expressive Arts for the Young Child (Spring)
3 credits
ECE 2345 – Administration of Early Childhood Programs (Spring)
4 credits
ECE 2360 – Infants and Toddlers I (Spring)
3 credits
ECE 2370 – Curriculum for the Young Learner (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
15 hours field experience
ECE 3860 – Cultural Socialization of Children (ESSJ) (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
Semester 4 Total:
16 credits
15 field experience hours
Year 3
Semester 5 (Year 3):
Social and Behavioral Science (General Studies) (2 of 2)
3 credits
ECE 3120 – Early Literacy Development: Birth to Age 5 (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
10 hours field experience
ECE 3140 – Math and Science: Birth to Age 5 (Fall)
3 credits
10 hours field experience
ECE 3150 – Developmentally Effective Practice II: Planning for Beginning Readers** (Fall, Spring)
4 credits
45 hours field experience
EDT 3010 – Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching
3 credits
Semester 5 Total:
16 credits
65 field experience hours
Semester 6 (Year 3):
ECE 2310 – Families and Communities: Advocacy and the Law (Spring)
3 credits
ECE 3500 – Teaching with Children’s Literature (Spring, Summer)
3 credits
ECE 3610 – Teaching for Social Justice (Fall, Spring)
4 credits
45 hours field experience
ECE 3750 – The Young Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learner (Spring, Summer)
3 credits
MTL 3600 – Mathematics for the Elementary Curriculum (prerequisite: MTH 1610) (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
Semester 6 Total:
16 credits
45 field experience hours
Year 4 (Residency)
Semester 7 (Year 4):
CLD 3510 – Perspectives in Education for CLD Learners
3 credits
ECE 3350 – Documentation and Assessment in Early Childhood Ed (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
ECE 4000 – Differentiation of Literacy Instruction
3 credits**
Or
RDG 3111 – Emergent Literacy K-3** (F, S) (Fall, Spring)
3 credits**
**Take Praxis: Teaching Reading (#5205) after completing ECE 3150 and ECE 4000/RDG 3111
ECE 4340 – Math and Science: Ages 5-8 (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
ECE 4370 – Developmentally Effective Practice III: Teaching in the Content Areas (Fall, Spring) *Take Praxis: Education of Young Children (#5024) after
3 credits
Semester 7 Total:
12 credits
Semester 8 (Year 4):
ECE 4390 – Student Teaching and Seminar: Early Childhood (Preschool through Third Grade) (Senior Experience)
12 credits
NOTE: Two clinical residency courses can be taken as a combined alternative to ECE 4390. Please speak with an ECE faculty advisor about this option. The courses are as follows:
ECE 4415 – Early Childhood Residency I
7 credits
ECE 4425 – Early Childhood Residency II
9 credits
Semester 8 Total:
12 credits (unless opting for Residency, see note above)
5 days per week, full-time student teaching
Early Childhood Education Major - Licensure Concentration (for Degree with Designation transfer students): 4-Year Plan
This guide is for students transferring in with a “Degree with Designation” and who are completing the licensure concentration of the Early Childhood Education major, based on the 2025-2026 university catalog.
Please note: students who did not transfer in with a completed associate’s degree with Degree with Designation status or Statewide Early Childhood Education Articulation Agreement status should refer to the standard version of this guide.
- All courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better.
- All licensure students must complete the School of Education admission process.
- Please see your Early Childhood Education advisor to plan your course of study.
- Some courses are offered in Fall, Spring, Summer only, as noted after the course title.
This 4-year plan is intended to support advising and course registration planning. For official documentation of degree requirements, please refer to your Degree Progress Report or the University Catalog. Please note: requirements to earn teacher licensure recommendation are subject to change according to mandates from the Colorado Department of Education, regardless of catalog year.
Praxis Exam Information:
Students in this program should complete the Praxis exams at recommended points in the program identified below. Please refer to the Praxis Exam Information and Resources page for exam details and tutoring resources.
Year 1
Semester 1 (Year 1):
Written Communication (General Studies) (1 of 2)
Satisfied by ENG 1021/121
3 credits
Oral Communication (General Studies)
Satisfied by COM 1150/115 or COM 125/1250
3 credits
Historical (General Studies)
Satisfied by HIS 1210/121 or HIS 1220/122
3 credits
MTH 1610 – Integrated Mathematics I (General Studies: Quantitative Literacy)
Satisfied by MAT 1220/155
3 credits
ECE 2100 – Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Satisfied by ECE 1011/101
3 credits
Note: you should confirm with your advisor that one of your transfer courses has satisfied the Global Diversity requirement.
Semester 1 Total:
15 credits (12 satisfied)
Semester 2 (Year 1):
Written Communication (General Studies) (2 of 2)
Satisfied by ENG 1022/122
3 credits
Arts and Humanities (General Studies) (1 of 2)
Satisfied by ART 1110/110 or MUS 1020/120 or THE 1005/105
3 credits
Natural and Physical Science (General Studies) (1 of 2)
Satisfied by SCI 1055/155
3 credits
Social and Behavioral Science (General Studies) (1 of 2)
Satisfied by GEO 1005/105
3 credits
ECE 2400 – Development and Characteristics of Early Learners (Fall, Spring)
Satisfied by ECE 2381/238
3 credits
ECE 2500 – Health, Safety and Nutrition (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
Semester 2 Total:
18 credits (15 satisfied)
Year 2
Semester 3 (Year 2):
Arts and Humanities (General Studies) (2 of 2)
Satisfied by LIT 1015/115 or LIT 2055/255
3 credits
Natural and Physical Science (General Studies) (2 of 2)
Satisfied by SCI 1056/156
3 credits
ECE 2600 – The Exceptional Child (Fall)
3 credits
ECE 2950 – Developmentally Effective Practice (DEP) I: The Intentional Preschool Teacher (Fall)
Satisfied by ECE 1045/102
3 credits
ECE 2970 – Supporting Social Emotional Competence
Satisfied by ECE 1031/103
3 credits
Semester 3 Total:
15 credits (12 satisfied)
45 field experience hours (45 satisfied)
Semester 4 (Year 2):
ECE 2330 – Creativity and Expressive Arts for the Young Child (Spring)
3 credits
ECE 2345 – Administration of Early Childhood Programs (Spring)
4 credits
ECE 2360 – Infants and Toddlers I (Spring)
Satisfied by ECE 1111/111
3 credits
ECE 2370 – Curriculum for the Young Learner (Fall, Spring)
Satisfied by ECE 2621/220
3 credits
ECE 3860 – Cultural Socialization of Children (ESSJ) (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
Semester 4 Total:
16 credits (6 satisfied)
15 field experience hours (15 satisfied)
Year 3
Semester 5 (Year 3):
Social and Behavioral Science (General Studies) (2 of 2)
Satisfied by PSY 1001/101 and PSY 1002/102
3 credits
ECE 3120 – Early Literacy Development: Birth to Age 5 (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
10 hours field experience
ECE 3140 – Math and Science: Birth to Age 5 (Fall)
Satisfied by MAT 1240/120 (only if taken to fulfill ECE Articulation Agreement course requirement)
3 credits
ECE 3150 – Developmentally Effective Practice II: Planning for Beginning Readers** (Fall, Spring)
4 credits
45 hours field experience
EDT 3010 – Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching
3 credits
Semester 5 Total:
16 credits (6 satisfied)
65 field experience hours (10 satisfied)
Semester 6 (Year 3):
ECE 2310 – Families and Communities: Advocacy and the Law (Spring)
Satisfied by ECE 2101/256
3 credits
ECE 3500 – Teaching with Children’s Literature (Spring, Summer)
3 credits
ECE 3610 – Teaching for Social Justice (Fall, Spring)
4 credits
45 hours field experience
ECE 3750 – The Young Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learner (Spring, Summer)
3 credits
MTL 3600 – Mathematics for the Elementary Curriculum (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
Semester 6 Total:
16 credits (3 satisfied)
45 field experience hours
Year 4 (Residency)
Semester 7 (Year 4):
CLD 3510 – Perspectives in Education for CLD Learners
3 credits
ECE 3350 – Documentation and Assessment in Early Childhood Ed (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
ECE 4000 – Differentiation of Literacy Instruction
3 credits**
Or
RDG 3111 – Emergent Literacy K-3** (F, S) (Fall, Spring)
3 credits**
**Take Praxis: Teaching Reading (#5205) after completing ECE 3150 and ECE 4000/RDG 3111
ECE 4340 – Math and Science: Ages 5-8 (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
ECE 4370 – Developmentally Effective Practice III: Teaching in the Content Areas (Fall, Spring) Take Praxis: Education of Young Children (#5024) after
3 credits
Semester 7 Total:
12 credits
Semester 8 (Year 4):
ECE 4390 – Student Teaching and Seminar: Early Childhood (Preschool
through Third Grade) (Senior Experience)
12 credits
NOTE: Two clinical residency courses can be taken as a combined alternative
to ECE 4390. Please speak with an ECE faculty advisor about this option. The courses are as follows:
ECE 4415 – Early Childhood Residency I
7 credits
ECE 4425 – Early Childhood Residency II
9 credits
Semester 8 Total:
12 credits (unless opting for Residency, see note above)
5 days per week, full-time student teaching
Early Childhood Education Major - Early Learning Specialization Concentration: 4-Year Plan
This guide is for students completing the Early Learning Specialization concentration of the Early Childhood Education major, based on the 2025-2026 university catalog. This concentration does not lead to Colorado teacher licensure in Early Childhood Education.
- All courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better.
- All students must complete the School of Education admission process.
- Please see your Early Childhood Education advisor to plan your course of study.
- Some courses are offered in Fall, Spring, Summer only, as noted after the course title.
This 4-year plan is intended to support advising and course registration planning. For official documentation of degree requirements, please refer to your Degree Progress Report or the University Catalog.
Year 1
Semester 1 (Year 1):
Written Communication (General Studies) (1 of 2)
3 credits
Oral Communication (General Studies)
3 credits
Historical (General Studies)
3 credits
Quantitative Literacy (General Studies)
3 credits
ECE 2100 – Introduction to Early Childhood Education
3 credits
Note: you should select at least one General Studies course that also meets the Global Diversity requirement. Discuss with your academic advisor.
Semester 1 Total:
15 credits
Semester 2 (Year 1):
Written Communication (General Studies) (2 of 2)
3 credits
Arts and Humanities (General Studies) (1 of 2)
3 credits
Natural and Physical Science (General Studies) (1 of 2)
3 credits
Social and Behavioral Science (General Studies) (1 of 2)
3 credits
ECE 2400 – Development and Characteristics of Early Learners (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
ECE 2500 – Health, Safety and Nutrition (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
Semester 2 Total:
18 credits
Year 2
Semester 3 (Year 2):
Arts and Humanities (General Studies) (2 of 2)
3 credits
Natural and Physical Science (General Studies) (2 of 2)
3 credits
ECE 2600 – The Exceptional Child (Fall)
3 credits
ECE 2950 – Developmentally Effective Practice (DEP) I: The Intentional Preschool Teacher (Fall)
3 credits
45 field experience hours
ECE 2970 – Supporting Social Emotional Competence
3 credits
Semester 3 Total:
15 credits
45 field experience hours
Semester 4 (Year 2):
ECE 2330 – Creativity and Expressive Arts for the Young Child (Spring)
3 credits
ECE 2345 – Administration of Early Childhood Programs (Spring)
4 credits
ECE 2360 – Infants and Toddlers I (Spring)
3 credits
ECE 2370 – Curriculum for the Young Learner (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
15 field experience hours
ECE 3860 – Cultural Socialization of Children (ESSJ) (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
Semester 4 Total:
16 credits
15 field experience hours
Year 3
Semester 5 (Year 3):
Social and Behavioral Science (General Studies) (2 of 2)
3 credits
ECE 3120 – Early Literacy Development: Birth to Age 5 (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
10 hours field experience
ECE 3140 – Math and Science: Birth to Age 5 (Fall)
3 credits
10 hours field experience
ECE 3150 – Developmentally Effective Practice II: Planning for Beginning Readers** (Fall, Spring)
4 credits
45 hours field experience
EDT 3010 – Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching
3 credits
Semester 5 Total:
16 credits
65 field experience hours
Semester 6 (Year 3):
ECE 2310 – Families and Communities: Advocacy and the Law (Spring)
3 credits
ECE 3500 – Teaching with Children’s Literature (Spring, Summer)
3 credits
ECE 3610 – Teaching for Social Justice (Fall, Spring)
4 credits
45 hours field experience
ECE 3750 – The Young Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learner (Spring, Summer)
3 credits
Semester 6 Total:
13 credits
45 field experience hours
Year 4
Semester 7 (Year 4):
ECE 3250 – Advocacy in Early Childhood Education (Fall)
3 credits
ECE 3350 – Documentation and Assessment in Early Childhood Ed (Fall, Spring)
3 credits
Elective Course (1 of 4)
3 credits
Elective Course (2 of 4)
3 credits
Note: Discuss elective options with your faculty advisor.
Semester 7 Total:
12 credits
Semester 8 (Year 4):
ECE 4350 – Senior Experience in Early Childhood Education (Fall, Spring)
6 credits
Elective Course (3 of 4)
3 credits
Elective Course (4 of 4)
3 credits
Note: Discuss elective options with your faculty advisor.
Semester 8 Total:
12 credits
Post-Baccalaureate Licensure in Early Childhood Education
Post-baccalaureate teacher licensure is for candidates who are interested in obtaining a teaching license in Colorado and who have been awarded a conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. These programs do not grant a degree or certificate; they only grant recommendation to the State of Colorado for your teaching license by completion of an Approved Program Verification (APV) form (this is the required document to apply for a license after completing a state-approved licensure program in Colorado).
- All courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better.
- All students must complete the School of Education admission process.
- Please see your Early Childhood Education advisor to plan your course of study.
- Some courses are offered in Fall, Spring, Summer only, as noted after the course title.
This program plan is intended to support advising and course registration planning. For official documentation of program requirements, please refer to the University Catalog. Please note: requirements to earn teacher licensure recommendation are subject to change according to mandates from the Colorado Department of Education, regardless of catalog year.
Praxis Exam Information:
Students in this program should complete the Praxis exams at recommended points in the program identified below. Please refer to the Praxis Exam Information and Resources page for exam details and tutoring resources.
Content Courses for Post-Baccalaureate Licensure
The following content courses are required:
MTH 1610 – Integrated Mathematics I*
3 credits
MTL 3600 – Mathematics of the Elementary Curriculum
3 credits
* It is important for post-baccalaureate students to take MTH 1610 during their first semester of education courses, if possible.
Teacher Education Courses for Post-Baccalaureate Licensure
The following teacher education courses are required:
CLD 3510 – Perspectives in Education for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners
3 credits
ECE 2100 – Introduction to Early Childhood Education
3 credits
ECE 2600 – The Exceptional Child (prerequisite: ECE 2100)
3 credits
ECE 2950 – Developmentally Effective Practice (DEP) I: The Intentional Preschool Teacher (prerequisite: ECE 2100)
3 credits
ECE 2970 – Supporting Social Emotional Competence (pre- or corequisite: ECE 2100)
3 credits
ECE 3150 – Developmentally Effective Practice II: Planning for Beginning Readers (prerequisite: ECE 2950)
4 credits
ECE 3350 – Documentation and Assessment in Early Childhood Education (prerequisite: ECE 2950)
3 credits
ECE 3750 – The Young Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learner (pre- or corequisite: ECE 3120 or ECE 3150)
3 credits
ECE 4000 – Differentiation of Literacy Instruction (prerequisite: ECE 3150)
3 credits
ECE 4340 – Math and Science: Ages 5-8 (prerequisite: ECE 3140)
3 credits
ECE 4370 – Developmentally Effective Practice III: Teaching in the Content Areas (prerequisite: ECE 3150)
4 credits
ECE 4390 – Student Teaching and Seminar: Early Childhood (Preschool through Third Grade)
12 credits
Grand total: 53 credit hours