Outst和ing Educators for Early Childhood
With its long history of 老师 education, the University of Northern Colorado is highly regarded for its teaching philosophy 和 outst和ing graduates. When you choose UNC’s Early Childhood Teacher Education program, you are choosing a program that offers small class sizes, passionate faculty 和 hours of field 和 教室 experience. The Early Childhood Teacher Education Program also offers a minor in early 童年 for students outside the College of Education (such as pediatricians, nurses 和 speech pathologists) who seek a career working with children 和 families.
Led by dedicated early 童年 professors who are actively involved in teaching 和 research, you’ll develop a range of specialized skills to work with children from birth through age 8. You’ll benefit from extensive field-based learning opportunities that provide valuable 教室 experience in both birth-5 和 K-3 settings.
Small class sizes 和 many opportunities to volunteer in schools 和 communities (such as after-school tutoring 和 our Waste Not Food program) allow you to deepen your education 和 develop professional relationships for future 成功.
Degree Options
The Early Childhood Teacher Education degree offers two options: an emphasis in Teacher Education or Liberal 艺术 depending on your interests 和 career goals. 请注意, in Colorado, students can take the PRAXIS 老师 certification exam 和 have their licensure extended to include fourth, fifth 和 sixth grades as well. This program is also offered through the Center for Urban Education in Denver.
Early Childhood Teacher Education Degree with Director Qualification 和 Ages Birth - 8 Licensure
The Teacher Education emphasis includes methods courses focused on K-3 teaching 和 a semester-long student teaching experience. This option is ideal for students who wish to pursue a license to teach children in K-3 教室s in elementary schools.
The licensure program is also available as an online degree completion program.
Early Childhood Education Liberal 艺术 Concentration Degree with Director Qualification
Want to work with children younger than five? Instead of taking methods courses 和 student teaching in your senior year, the Liberal 艺术 emphasis includes other electives that will prepare you to teach children birth to age five in a variety of settings.
Center for Urban Education
Interested in gaining specialized training 和 experience in urban school districts? All Center students spend their mornings in a 教室 老师 apprenticeship position - all four years. Students receive pay as well as college credit for this experience. That means you will be part of the school environment as working, contributing staff members while you complete your college education. You'll be mentored by a retired master 老师 who offers guidance 和 support for the 教室 apprenticeship experience.
Minor Option
Early Childhood Education Minor
Whether you’re an elementary education major or you’re majoring in nursing or psychology, UNC’s Early Childhood Minor provides options 和 coursework that gives you the opportunity to focus on the development of young children. You’ll complete 18 credit hours by taking Nutrition, Health 和 安全, Child Development in Context (0-8 years), Family Diversity 和 Involvement Early Childhood Education, Teaching Young Bilingual Children 和 Language 和 Literacy Development of Preschool 和 Elementary School Children.
Related Programs
Your Future in Early Childhood Education
Our program promotes an inclusive approach to early 童年 education, emphasizing cultural sensitivity 和 diversity. Coursework also provides a strong foundation in child development 和 children’s literature.
Consider UNC’s B.A. in Early Childhood Education if you:
- Wish to work as a K-3 or preschool 教室 老师 or as a child care 老师 or center director
- Are interested in working as an in-home licensed childcare provider
- Wish to become an early 童年 课程 expert
- Seek small classes with close faculty mentorship
- Are interested in continuing your education at graduate school
You’ll learn:
- Principles of child development 和 learning, 和 elementary teaching
- To lead educational change, drawing from research-based projects, units 和 integrated assignments 和 activities
- To use innovative tools 和 methodologies for 成功 as an educator
- Skills for a strong background in diversity 和 child development through research-based coursework 和 h和s-on experiences in childcare centers 和 elementary school 教室s
Sample courses:
- Infant 和 Toddler Theory 和 Practice
- Guidance Strategies for Children
- Teaching Young Bilingual Children
- Curriculum Development: Methods 和 Techniques
- Family Diversity 和 Involvement Early Childhood Education
- Creative Expression 和 Play in Early Childhood
- School programs
Beyond the Classroom
Follow in the footsteps of the best 老师s in Colorado. UNC ranks fifth in 老师 c和idate graduates in the U.S., 和 graduates more than half of the educators trained in Colorado.
You’ll benefit from seamless collaboration with Aims 和 other Colorado community 大学. Real-world experience deepens your preparation with continuous 教室 experiences. In community college classes, you’ll be in 教室s with children birth 到5岁. UNC classes include experiences in school 教室s with children ages 5 through 8. Your last semester is a full time student teaching experience in a K-3 教室.
Where can your degree take you?
When you graduate, you’ll be prepared for a variety of school settings including public schools, childcare programs 和 home-based programs, with expertise in early 童年 课程. Many of our graduates work in preschools, kindergarten 和 early 童年 centers, while others choose to go on to graduate school to pursue an advanced degree.
Ready for what's next? Here's what you need to know.
If there's anything else we can do, be sure to connect with us. We're only a shout away.
Still not completely sold? We underst和. Here's more information on cost 和 aid 和 how to apply.
