Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement

Overview

The ELEVATE – ECSE added endorsement program at University of Colorado Denver is designed for experienced 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 apply credits to a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Unique features of the ELEVATE ECSE added endorsement program include:

One-on-One Support

Students work directly with one instructor throughout the program, including monthly personalized check-ins. The instructor is your ally throughout the program, serving as your coach, mentor and trusted partner in your development as an ECSE educator.

Professional Learning Community

Students belong to a Professional Learning Community (PLC) that supports their continued development as an ECSE educator. The ELEVATE program operates fully online, including virtual PLC meetings.

Online Guided Explorations

The program curriculum is customized to match your experience and needs in the classroom. Each learning activity is linked directly to practice, focused on developing teacher effectiveness as an ECSE educator, and is reviewed by your instructor, who provides written formative feedback.

Program Requirements

Classes are listed in order that they are completed as a cohort. Please note that there are specific eligibility requirements in order to be accepted into this program.

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
ECED 6100	Perspectives of Disability	3
ECED 5010	Curriculum in Early Childhood Education	3
ECED 5080	Language and Literacy in Young Children ¹	3
ECED 6912	Early Childhood Special Education Preschool Practicum ²	2
ECED 5200	Screening and Assessment of Young Children	3
ECED 5070	Social Competence and Classroom Supports	3
ECED 6914	Early Childhood Special Education Primary Practicum ²	2
ECED 6200	Early Intervention Strategies	3
ECED 6910	Early Childhood Special Education Infancy Practicum ²	2
Total Hours		24

¹: Course is eligible for prior learning credit
²: Up to one credit of practicum experience each semester is eligible for prior learning credit.

Fieldwork and Practicum Requirements

For the ECSE ELEVATE added endorsement, fieldwork/practica are typically required. This work is embedded each semester in practice based experiences, and require an ongoing placement in an eligible worksite or volunteer placement. Students must pass required Praxis exams in the final semester of the program. These exams are required by the Colorado Department of Education for ECSE licensing. More information located here.

Program Requirements and Courses

To complete the ECSE endorsement, students must complete the appropriate course work as outlined. All courses require a grade of B- or better to count towards the endorsement.

Course Scheduling

Courses are offered in hybrid format- including asynchronous online work and monthly PLC meetings and check in with the instructor/coach.

Planning

This program is offered in a cohort model, meaning that all students enrolled in the cohort take the same sequence of courses.

Active Status

If a student steps away/takes a break from the program, they must complete within seven years. Students enroll in 8 courses over fall, spring and summer semesters. Failure to enroll over three contiguous semesters will result in a requirement to submit readmission materials.

Plan of Study