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Early Childhood

The Early Childhood Education Program at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) stands out as a beacon of excellence and inspiration, dedicated to shaping future educators for K-3 classrooms. This comprehensive program offers a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education, ensuring that graduates are licensed to teach young learners in the K-3 classroom with confidence and competence. This program also offers a liberal arts degree, providing students with a well-rounded education that enhances their teaching capabilities. Students are immersed in a curriculum that balances pedagogical theory with practical application, fostering an environment where future teachers can thrive. The program also recognizes the diverse needs of its students by offering an online degree completion BA option, enabling those who may have started their education elsewhere or have demanding schedules to finish their degrees with flexibility and support.

The heart of this program lies in its exceptional professors and instructors, who bring a wealth of experience and inspiration to the classroom. These educators are not only seasoned professionals in the field of early childhood education but are also passionate mentors dedicated to nurturing the next generation of teachers. Their approach is characterized by encouragement, fostering a supportive learning atmosphere where students feel empowered to explore innovative teaching methods and develop their unique teaching styles. This program’s commitment to high-quality education and the personal growth of its students ensures that graduates are not only well-prepared for the challenges of the classroom but also inspired to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young children.

Courses Emphasize

  • Child Development
  • Cultural Sensitivity
  • Children’s Literature
  • Telling Personal Stories
  • Authentic Projects and Case Studies

Early childhood students in a school hallway

Which Degree is Right for You?

Licensure

Liberal Arts

Early Childhood Teacher Education Degree with Director Qualification and K-3 Licensure

Main Campus Program: This pathway includes methods courses focused on K-3 teaching and a semester-long student teaching experience. If you want to have a license to teach children in K-3rd grade classrooms in elementary schools, you should select this degree.

Online Degree Program: This online bachelor's degree completion program is designed for busy adults of any age who need to fit their college completion into busy lives, no matter where they live.

Early Childhood Education Liberal Arts Concentration Degree with Director Qualification

Main Campus Program: This pathway has the same required classes as the licensure degree, until your senior year. Instead of the methods courses and student teaching, you will take other electives that will prepare you to work with children birth – age 8 in a variety of settings that do not require a license to teach. If working with children younger than 8 is what you want to do, you may select this degree.

 

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