Early Childhood Education (Licensure), BA (CAGS)

Within the context of a Christian worldview, the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education Licensure degree provides a challenging, theory-based and application-oriented approach to the education of children from birth to age 8. Students acquire knowledge, develop skills and demonstrate competencies necessary to teach effectively in public and private schools. Courses and field experiences develop educators who are dedicated to addressing diverse learner needs with excellence through servant-leadership in their field and society.

The emphasis on becoming a licensed teacher enhances the student's instructional skills through the study of curriculum development, learning assessment, psychological foundations of teaching methods, classroom management, and critical thinking skills. These principles are then put into practical application through 160 clock hours of field-based experiences throughout the first two semesters, culminating in a semester-long, full-time (640 clock hours) student teaching practicum in a classroom in their community.

Students who satisfactorily complete all requirements of the program and the requirements for licensure are qualified to teach birth through eight years in public and private schools in Colorado and are eligible to reciprocate or directly apply for licensure in most states. Out-of-state students are responsible for verifying their home state's teacher licensure process and requirements. Click here to learn more about the program and licensure requirements for each state. Graduates also meet requirements for certification by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) to teach in schools around the world.

Students graduating from the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education Licensure program may apply to the program (MACI) program at CCU. Upon acceptance, three credits of graduate-level coursework included in the BA professional core can be applied to the MACI "Non-Emphasis" degree.

The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education Licensure requires completion of the following 120 hours:
General Education Core (45 credits)
Prerequisite Professional Core (6 credits)
Early Childhood Professional Core (44 credits)
Electives (25 credits)

Students who have earned a "Center-Based Preschool Child Development Associate" certification may substitute this certificate for two of the following three courses in the ECE professional program:

1. From the Prerequisite Professional Core Requirement

ECE 205A Health, Safety and Nutrition for ECE (3)

100 level or higher ECE course (3)

2. From the Professional Core Requirements

ECE 201A Teaching as a Profession (3)

Students should make sure this certificate is submitted to Registration Services.

Requirements for Entrance into the Professional Core:

• A SEP-required background check

• Cumulative GPA of 2.75 for courses completed at CCU

• A minimum of 9 credit hours must be completed at CCU prior to admission into School of Education Professions (SEP) programs

• Participation in a 30-minute, small-group informational synchronous webinar

• Applicants must complete all general education and elective requirements for unconditional admission. Applicants may be admitted by the program director for conditional admission with a maximum of 9 credits outstanding in general education and elective requirements.

Time Limitations

All degree program requirements must be completed within four years beginning from the start date of the first education course within the professional core of the program. After the four-year period, a student who has not completed the program requirements will be withdrawn from the program unless an exception to policy request to extend this time limitation is submitted by the student and approved by the program director.  In this case, the student’s CCU transcript will be reviewed by the program director.  At the director’s discretion, if an extension is approved, a program course may have to be retaken if the content of the course has received substantive changes since it was last taken by the student. 

Students who step out of the program for more than 365 days, or go beyond the four-year period without an approved extension, and wish to complete the program, will be required to apply for re-admission. If approved for readmission, the student’s CCU transcript will be reviewed by the program director.  At the director’s discretion, a program course may have to be retaken by the re-admitted student if the content of the course has received substantive changes since it was last taken by the student. Students will be required to adhere to current academic policies, program requirements, tuition, and fees.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Colorado Christian University offers several academic programs which lead to professional licensure in the state of Colorado and, in some programs, prepare students for a national exam. All students should be aware that states vary in their educational and professional requirements depending on the profession. Some states require specific educational requirements, clinical requirements, accreditation requirements, or exam requirements. See professional licensure disclosures for details.