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

Program Details

The University of Colorado Denver and Boulder Journey School have partnered for 20 years to offer a residency master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. The Boulder Journey School Teacher Education Program includes a one-year paid teaching residency, a Colorado teaching license, director qualifications, and a trip to study in Reggio Emilia, Italy, all at a reduced tuition rate.

Boulder Journey School and CU Denver faculty’s expertise has been developed over 25 years in a wide variety of contexts, including public schools, HeadStart programs, Educare programs and blended, inclusive ECE programs and in collaboration with the educators of Reggio Emilia. Locally, Boulder Journey School and University of Colorado Denver partnerships include Denver Public Schools, specifically Inspire Elementary School and The Zone for Inclusive Learning.

In keeping with the philosophies of CU Denver and Boulder Journey School, your education will be on the cutting edge and will focus on cultivating the following professional qualities: professional character, reflective observation, creativity, resiliency and humility, communication and collaboration, courage, critical knowledge, curiosity, literacy of technology, and visionary leadership. In addition, this partnership program offers all courses as extended studies so that students do not need to meet Colorado residency requirements to receive reduced tuition rates and non-resident tuition rates are not applied.

"The Teacher Education Program at Boulder Journey School was a life-changing experience. I had the opportunity to bring theory into practice on a daily basis.” - former Boulder Journey School resident teacher

Courses

CU Denver and Boulder Journey School have partnered together to create a unique program of study, making a commitment to an innovative and contemporary program that takes into account the current complexities of the teaching field and what it means to be educating teachers. The plan of study includes twelve Reggio-inspired courses, that ensure the same values of the teaching and learning experiences that are at the foundation of learning of children and adults. Faculty at CU Denver and Boulder Journey School created design principles: social constructivism, experimentation and innovation, applied work, dissonance, contextual rigor, Reggio-inspired practice, and residency-embedded experience. These design principles reflect shared philosophical and pedagogical values amongst both institutions, that resulted in a cohesive MA program of study.

The program is a 30-credit program with 10 three-credit courses. All courses will be 8-week sessions. Fall and Spring Semesters are divided into two 8-week blocks.

Summer 2024 (8 weeks)

ECED 6320: A Colorado Interpretation of the Reggio Approach 

Fall 2024 Block 1 (8 weeks)

LDFS 6400: Observation, Documentation and Assessment

ECED 6350: Literacy and the Hundred Languages of Children

Fall 2024 Block 2 (8 weeks)

ECED 6300: Contextual Curriculum 1

ECED 6330: Supportive Social Learning

Spring 2025 Block 1 (8 weeks)

ECED 6310: Contextual Curriculum 2

ECED 6360: Children and Teachers as Change Agents

Spring 2025 Block 2 (8 weeks)

ECED 6340: Messing about with STEM

LDFS 6420: The Environment as the Third Teacher

Summer 2025 (8 weeks)

RSEM 6500: Teacher as Researcher

Faculty

Course instructors consist of faculty from both CU Denver School of Education & Human Development and Boulder Journey School who match your passion for education. Engaged in education at the local, state, national and international levels, these professionals bring with them a wide breadth and depth of experience. Additionally, these professionals network and collaborate with local district leaders to ensure you are prepared for the current challenges that educators, schools and districts face.

Choose CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development 

You can trust CU Denver to provide an education that will prepare you for excellence in your career as an educator. We have a name that is recognized for preparing leaders of excellence. Additionally, CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development is counted among U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools,” making us one of the top education schools in the country.