Bachelor of Arts: Early Childhood Education (Licensure)

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Within the context of a Christian worldview, the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education Licensure degree provides a challenging, theory-based and application-oriented approach to the education of children from birth to age 8. Students acquire knowledge, develop skills and demonstrate competencies necessary to teach effectively in public and private schools. Courses and field experiences develop educators who are dedicated to addressing diverse learner needs with excellence through servant-leadership in their field and society.

The emphasis on becoming a licensed teacher enhances the student’s instructional skills through the study of curriculum development, learning assessment, psychological foundations of teaching methods, classroom management, and critical thinking skills. These principles are then put into practical application through 160 clock hours of field-based experiences throughout the first two semesters, culminating in a semester-long, full-time (640 clock hours) student teaching practicum in a classroom in their community.

Students who satisfactorily complete all requirements of the program and the requirements for licensure are qualified to teach birth through eight years in public and private schools in Colorado and are eligible to reciprocate or directly apply for licensure in most states. Out-of-state students are responsible for verifying their home state’s teacher licensure process and requirements. Click here to learn more about the program and licensure requirements for each state. Graduates also meet requirements for certification by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) to teach in schools around the world.

Students graduating from the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education Licensure program may apply to the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (MACI) program at CCU. Upon acceptance, three credits of graduate-level coursework included in the B.A. professional core can be applied to the MACI “Non-Emphasis” degree.

The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education Licensure requires completion of the following 120 hours:
General Education Core (45 credits)
Prerequisite Professional Core (6 credits)
Early Childhood Professional Core (44 credits)
Electives (25 credits)

General Education Core Requirements (45 credit hours)

Arts and Humanities (9 credit hours)

PHL-205A World Views (3) (must be taken at CCU)
Choose one.
ART-112A Art Appreciation (3)
HUM-101A Creative Arts (3)
Any creative arts/fine arts/music appreciation equivalent may be used for either course.
Choose one.
HUM-216A Classic Christmas Films & Literature (3)
HUM-229A C.S. Lewis in Film & Literature (3)
Any literature equivalent may be used for either course.

Biblical Studies (9 credit hours)

INT-212A Adult Studies Seminar II (3) (must be taken at CCU)
BIB-101A Old Testament Introduction (3) (or equivalent)
BIB-102A New Testament Introduction (3) (or equivalent)

Communications (9 credit hours)

Written Communication

Oral/Interpersonal Communication

Integrative Studies (3 credit hours)

INT-211A Adult Studies Seminar I (3) (must be taken at CCU)

Mathematics (3 credit hours)

MAT-113A Math Concepts (3) (*or higher level Math)
*MAT-250A Introduction to Research and Applied Statistics cannot be used to fulfill this general education requirement.

Natural/Physical Science (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 hours of physical, earth, or biological science courses.

Social Science (6 credit hours)

PSY-102A General Psychology (3) (or psychology equivalent)
Choose one of the following, or a world history or U.S. history equivalent:
HIS-202A Western Civilization I (3)
HIS-203A America to 1877 (3)
HIS-204A America since 1877 (3)
HIS-312A Colonial America (3)

Prerequisite Professional Core Requirements (6 credit hours)

Students must demonstrate a foundational background in early childhood education prior to beginning this degree by transferring 6 credits of early childhood education coursework from an accredited college or university. All students must transfer ECE 205 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition for ECE (3) and the additional 3 credits may be from any 100 level or higher ECE course, not to include field work or practicum experiences.

Requirements for Entrance into the Professional Core:

School of Education Professions (SEP) - specified background check
Cumulative GPA of 2.75 for courses completed at CCU
A minimum of 9 credit hours must be completed at CCU prior to admission into School of Education Professions (SEP) programs
Asynchronous interview with an SEP staff designee
Writing sample
Participation in a 90-minute synchronous program kickoff webinar in June
Applicants must complete all general education, and elective requirements prior to enrolling in any SEP core program courses. Applicants may be admitted by the program director for conditional admission with a maximum of 9 credits outstanding in any of the above areas

Professional Core Requirements (44 credit hours)

All program admission requirements must be met before enrolling in the education core.

Elective Requirements (25 credit hours)

Complete 25 hours of elective credits.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Colorado Christian University offers several academic programs which lead to professional licensure in the state of Colorado and, in some programs, prepare students for a national exam. All students should be aware that states vary in their educational and professional requirements depending on the profession. Some states require specific educational requirements, clinical requirements, accreditation requirements, or exam requirements. See professional licensure disclosures for details.

Graduation Requirements

The faculty recommends students in the Bachelor of Arts in the Early Childhood Education Licensure program to the Board of Trustees as candidates for graduation when they have completed the following requirements:

Completion of a total of 120 credits, including all general education, prerequisite, professional core, and elective requirements
A grade of D or higher in all CCU non-education coursework, and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher in all CCU coursework
Teacher candidates must earn a C- or higher in all education core courses, and must consistently demonstrate professional disposition qualities, knowledge and skills in all core courses and field studies
Teacher candidates must earn a grade of C or higher in the student teaching practicum
Compliance with CAGS residency requirements
Formal and timely application for graduation by the date specified by the University Registrar
No outstanding financial obligations to the University