A Degree in Early Childhood Education with Teacher Licensure
If you enjoy interacting with children and helping families, you may enjoy studying early childhood education. You will take classes about specific stages of child development and how family, community, and culture play a role. You will learn how environmental and social factors affect physical, cognitive, and emotional development in children ages 0-8 years old (infants to 3rd grade).
Your communication with your adviser is critical for your success, and it is recommended you talk to your adviser before orientation. You’ll start with an adviser and classes in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and then later do your on-campus coursework in teacher licensure. The first two years of your program can be completed on-campus or online. Please check tuition rates as online and on-campus vary.
Early Childhood Education with Teacher Licensure Classes and Program Requirements
Major in Early Childhood Education with Teacher Licensure
Program Overview
The ECEL major is offered through the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the Center for Educator Preparation. Current and transfer students apply to participate in teacher licensure cohorts.
Teacher Licensure Application
For current and some transfer students there is a process for joining the Center for Educator Preparation licensure cohort. The application for the Fall 2024 cohort is now closed. Please contact your adviser for more information on the next application cycle.
Credits and GPA
Students must complete 120 total credits, including 42 upper division credits (300/400 level courses), of which 30 upper division credits must be completed through CSU. Fifteen of the last 30 credits must also be completed through CSU. Both the cumulative GPA and AUCC GPA must be at least 2.0.
Example Schedule
Online Course Offerings
Many AUCC and HDFS courses are offered online through CSU Online. AUCC courses are not offered online (except for EDUC 275). Online tuition is paid in addition to on campus tuition. Different policies and deadlines apply. Before taking online courses students should consult with Student Financial Services, financialaid.colostate.edu/.
Transfer Credits
Transfer courses may be applied to this degree program. A maximum of 64 credits will be accepted from a community college. Students must verify course transferability ahead of time by using Transferology at registrar.colostate.edu/transferology or through consultation with the Registrar’s Office as well as their academic adviser if courses are not directly equivalent. A minimum grade of C- must be earned for transfer credit. Transfer courses are not calculated in students’ CSU GPA nor applied towards eligibility for graduation with distinction.
Path to Consider Master of Education + Early Childhood Education
If you already have a bachelor’s degree and are interested in pursuing a master’s degree as well as your teacher licensure, we invite you to explore our M.Ed. and ECE Teacher Licensure hybrid program offered through CSU Online.
