Department of Special Education, Early Childhood and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education

Thank you for your interest in the Department of Special Education, Early Childhood and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education! The department offers majors in special education and early childhood and also provides coursework in culturally and linguistically diverse education to students seeking to add an endorsement to a current Colorado teaching license.

There are several options for students seeking to earn a K-12 Generalist Degree in Special Education.  In our undergraduate program, students may choose from one of four concentrations while they earn their K-12 generalist degree.  Concentrations include Early Childhood, Elementary, Linguistically Diverse, or Secondary Education.  Students who select the Secondary Concentration will also select a focus area in English, Math, Science or Social Studies.  Post-baccalaureate students are able to earn K-12 licensure in special education after completing a bachelor’s degree in an area of their choosing.  Our Master of Arts in Teaching allows students to earn both their licensure and a master’s degree after completion of a bachelor’s degree.  We also offer an approved endorsement in special education that can be added to most licensure areas and a minor in special education.

We offer a major in Early Childhood Education with both licensure and non-licensure tracks.  Licensure in Early Childhood Education may also be earned by majoring in Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences. A licensure endorsement in Early Childhood will qualify you to teach pre-kindergarten through third grade in public schools in the state of Colorado.  Post-baccalaureate students can also complete a Licensure program in ECE.  All of the skills you will need to be an Early Childhood educator will be taught to you in the courses required in our ECE program.  A minor in Early Childhood is also available, but does not lead to licensure.

The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Endorsement offers an undergraduate program leading to the endorsement for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Educators in the state of Colorado.  The courses, field experience and student teaching are built upon current research in the field of cultural and linguistic diversity.  The importance of culture and the role it plays in the education of linguistically diverse students is emphasized in the program.

Our educational mission is to develop highly effective professional educators who engage in reflective practice and scholarly activity, and who are ethical decision makers and agents of social change.  Our mission is achieved through classroom instruction and clinical teaching.

Undergraduate Programs

• Early Childhood Education Major, B.A.  
• Early Childhood Education Licensure with Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences Major, B.A.  
• Early Childhood Education Minor (Non-Licensure)  
• Special Education Major, B.A.  
• Special Education Minor (Non-Licensure)  
• Bilingual Education Specialist Certificate - School Educator  

Post-baccalaureate Programs

• Early Childhood Education Post-Baccalaureate Licensure Program  
• Special Education Post-Baccalaureate Licensure Program  
• Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education (refer to current graduate catalog)

Added Endorsement Programs

• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Endorsement Program