Early Childhood Education

Is working with young children, families and communities during this critically important stage of development a passion of yours? If so, CU Denver’s Early Childhood Education program can take you to the next level no matter where you are now. We prepare highly competent professionals who are leaders and advocates known for embracing the whole child in inclusive, culturally and linguistically diverse settings.

Courses are filled with real-world assignments and experiences that prepare our graduates to be responsive and innovative early childhood educators who practice within settings that include all children (infancy through age eight) and families.

Our program emphasizes family-centered practices, culturally sustaining teaching and is inspired by the potential of all children and families.
A small child writes on a smart board

Online Program

Our flexible online MA in Early Childhood Education accepts students every term (fall, spring, summer) and features personalized support for every student. As innovators of digital teaching and learning, our online programs are highly ranked and in great demand.

Our Commitment

CU Denver is committed to putting highly qualified and well-compensated early childhood professionals in the field.

Scholarships

CU Denver offers scholarships and vast learning and development opportunities to support early childhood teachers and leaders.

There are more paths into inclusive, culturally and linguistically diverse, early childhood education than ever before and CU Denver can help you find yours.

Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education Specialist (License)

Degree Earned: MA License Classroom Type: Fully Online Online and on campus classes Prepares individuals who wish to support early childhood special education teachers or teach young children (infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary) with developmental disabilities, while partnering with their families and communities. This program is offered in on-campus, hybrid, or fully online formats.

Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education

Degree Earned: MA Classroom Type: Fully Online On campus Online and on campus classes Prepares educators to work in inclusive and diverse early learning environments with young children (infancy through age eight). Graduates gain practices that embrace the whole child in culturally and linguistically diverse public school or community-based early childhood education settings, emphasizing family-centered practices. It is offered in on-campus, hybrid, or fully online formats. This MA does not lead to a license or endorsement.

Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education, Online with Boulder Journey School

Degree Earned: MA Classroom Type: Fully Online A new online MA in Early Childhood Education to study innovation for children birth to age 8, at Boulder Journey School, inspired by the schools for young children in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Study quality multi-media examples of learning and teaching, engage in collaborative examination of documentation, and develop interpretations and new practices to innovate the field of Early Childhood Education.

Early Childhood Special Education Specialist License

Degree Earned: License Classroom Type: Fully Online Online and on campus classes Offers a perfect fit for those interested in providing culturally responsive, family-centered, developmentally effective early education for children with disabilities in an inclusive setting. Specialists in early childhood special education are in high demand in Colorado and nationally, and play an important role as both lead teachers and specialists who support classroom teachers.

Endorsement, ELEVATE Early Childhood Special Education

New Degree Earned: Endorsement Classroom Type: Fully Online The ELEVATE – ECSE added endorsement program at University of Colorado Denver is designed for teachers holding a Colorado Early Childhood Education license and currently teaching in Colorado who seek to add the ECSE endorsement to their license. The program prepares educators to be leaders who will enrich the life experiences of young children (birth to eight years) with delays and disabilities and their families. It is a one-year (3 semester) added endorsement program with an option to complete the MA in Early Childhood Education.
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