Early Childhood BA

  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Undergraduate Teacher Licensure
UNC Extended Campus Center with University of Northern Colorado sign on building.
Format
  • Online
Location
  • Online
Concentration
  • Liberal Arts
  • Licensure: Early Childhood Education (Ages Birth-8)
Estimated Completion Time

Varies

Start Date

Fall Term (Aug.)
Spring Term (Jan.)
Summer Term (May)

Tuition Rate

$485/Credit

Credits

About 60 Credits Provided by UNC (See Course of Study)

Area of Study
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An Online Degree Completion Program for Early Childhood Education

Have you completed an associate degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE)? Do you want a convenient way to complete your bachelor’s degree? Take our online Early Childhood Bachelor of Arts degree completion program. You will learn how to teach children from birth through age eight. You’ll have the option to earn your early childhood teaching license/endorsement.

You’ll learn through meaningful online coursework and authentic in-person teaching experiences (completed in your area).

In This Program You Will…

  • Learn Child Development: Understand the various ways children develop and learn. Learn how to make the best decisions for each child.
  • Get Hands-on Experience: Get hours of valuable classroom practice in a classroom near you. You’ll work with babies/toddlers (birth to age 5) and early elementary students (K-3).
  • Be Taught by Experts: Learn from dedicated UNC instructors. Our faculty are active teachers and researchers in early childhood education.

Are You Ready to Get Started?

This online program was developed to meet a need for licensed early childhood teachers, especially in rural areas.

  • Concentration Options: You can choose either the ECE Licensure or Liberal Arts concentration for this online program. If you want to become licensed to teach early childhood, we encourage you to apply!
  • Degree Completion: this program is designed for those who have completed an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. See the Course of Study and Program-Specific Admission Requirements sections below for details.

Full Degree Offered On Campus

We also offer the full bachelor’s degree program in a traditional on-campus delivery.

About the On-Campus Program

Convenience and Flexibility

  • Enjoy quality online education: The courses offered in this program include the same learning outcomes as the courses delivered on campus, taught by the same faculty.
  • Teaching experiences in your area: If your current employment does not include access to a classroom, the UNC Field Placement office will help you find a site to complete your field work.
  • Finish on your terms: You can attend part time or full time.
  • Learn from education experts: UNC is the premier teacher preparation university in Colorado.

Early Childhood education bachelor's degree completion student doing coursework online on her laptop.

Your Career in Early Childhood Education

Many graduates of this program choose to teach in public schools (grades K-3). But this program also prepares you to teach in pre-K settings and to direct early childhood centers.

Teaching and Leading

Graduates of UNC teaching programs are highly regarded by employers in our region. You’ll make a difference in the lives of your students and establish a career in a field that is in high demand. You will be ready to succeed in roles in:

  • K-3 classrooms in public and private schools
  • Pre-schools
  • Childcare centers (including as Directors, Assistant Directors and Owners)
  • County agencies
  • Head Start programs
  • Montessori schools (with additional training)

Some positions require licensure / endorsement.

Early Childhood Education Licensure and Endorsement

If you complete the Licensure: Early Childhood Education (Ages Birth-8) concentration of this program, you will qualify for:

  • Colorado teacher licensure with an Early Childhood Education (Ages 0-8) endorsement. Once you get your Colorado teaching license you can also add a K-6 Elementary Education endorsement if you pass the Elementary Content Exam (Praxis).
  • The Colorado Early Childhood Director qualification.

The licensure concentration of this program will also qualify you for credential requirements in most states. If you plan to work outside of Colorado, please see the Licensure Eligibility by State section below.

Early Childhood Education Liberal Arts

If you complete the Liberal Arts Concentration of this program, you will qualify for the Colorado Early Childhood Director qualification.

Meet with an Enrollment Counselor

Speak with an Enrollment Counselor by phone or video.

Meet with Enrollment Counselor

Faces of our four Enrollment Counselors and a UNC logo

Course of Study

Early Childhood BA – Licensure: Early Childhood Education (Ages Birth-8)

View the Full Degree Requirement Details

Please review both the Program Overview and Degree Requirements tabs.

Complete the Program at Your Own Pace

This online program is designed for flexibility and accessibility. How long it takes you to complete the program will depend on whether you take all (or just some) of the ECE coursework that is recommended for each term.

Full Time (Two-Year Plan)

  • You will be able to graduate in two years if you take all of the recommended ECE coursework (about 15 credits) each fall and spring term.
  • Full-time enrollment (12 credits or more during each term) during fall and spring term increases the amount of federal financial aid for which you may qualify.

Part-Time

  • Many students choose to attend part-time so that they can fit the program around work and other obligations.
  • Complete the program at your own pace, taking as many courses per term as you choose. We’ll help you plan a schedule that keeps you on track for your goals.

See the next tab section to learn more about the ECE course offerings.

Online Course Tutorial

If you don’t have recent experience taking classes online, you’ll have the chance to complete our online course tutorial. This tutorial will help you learn our Canvas course platform and prepare you to succeed in your online courses!

Because you will have already earned your associate degree in Early Childhood Education, you will complete approximately 60 credits at UNC to obtain your Early Childhood BA – Licensure: Early Childhood Education (Ages Birth-8) concentration.

Please see the Program-Specific Admission Requirements section below for a list of required prerequisite coursework. That coursework will likely have been completed as part of your associate degree program.

View the Full Degree Requirement Details.

ECE Coursework is Offered in the Fall and Spring Terms

During fall and spring terms, you will complete 16-week online courses. These will fulfill your remaining Required Major and Early Childhood PTEP requirements for the degree.

Early Childhood courses are not available in the summer at this time, but if you have any remaining LAC or elective requirements we recommend you take them in the summer.

You will work with the Program Coordinator to determine a plan that works for you.

To see an example of specific ECE course offerings, visit the current students page for this program.

In-Person ECE Field Placement Requirements

The program coursework includes direct experience in pre-K to 3rd grade classrooms (or other instructional settings).

  • You will complete these experiences through practicums and full-time student teaching. Previous classroom or teaching experience will not apply to completion of this program, because you will apply your UNC coursework to the field placement opportunities you complete in the program.
  • Each placement requires a qualified mentor teacher, as defined by the Colorado Department of Education. If your employment does not include access to a classroom and mentor, the UNC Field Placement office will help you find a site to complete your field work.
  • Please note that the in-person field experience portions of your program may require you to adjust your job or work hours.

Completion of your Early Childhood Bachelor of Arts degree requires 120 total credits. These credits include the Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) coursework, which satisfies general education areas required for undergraduate degree programs at all public higher education institutions in the state of Colorado.

However you may need few, if any, additional courses beyond your UNC Early Childhood coursework, because:

  • Credits from your associate degree will apply to your UNC bachelor’s degree.
  • This program features in-depth study in the field of Early Childhood Education and preparation for teacher licensure.
  • See the Transfer Credit and Waiver of Liberal Arts Curriculum sections below for details.

View the Full Degree Requirement Details.

LAC and Elective Courses (If Needed)

If you need additional coursework to reach 120 credits or to fulfill LAC requirements, UNC offers a wide range of undergraduate courses online.

Summer Term

Summer term is a great time to take any online LAC or elective courses you may need. Taking these courses in summer allows you to take as many online major/PTEP courses as you are comfortable with each fall and spring.

Finding Online LAC and Elective Courses

  • You can find online LAC and elective course options for any term via the UNC Course Search – use the “Go to schedule of classes” button (online LAC course availability varies by term).
  • You can also look for online (and in-person) courses at any community college, particularly one near you (tuition is often lower for local residents).

Waiver of Liberal Arts Curriculum Requirements

Individuals with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or a Bachelor’s degree (regardless of date of completion) from a regionally accredited institution will have their Liberal Arts Curriculum requirements waived. See the Undergraduate Catalog for more information about LAC waiver and transfer evaluation policies.

Please note: many Colorado colleges also offer an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Early Childhood Education. The AAS degree does not guarantee completion of LAC requirements or align with the LAC waiver. If your Early Childhood Education degree is an AAS, it is possible you may need some LAC coursework to complete your UNC degree.

Transfer Credit

You are considered a transfer student if you have completed any college-level coursework after you completed high school.

Please visit the Transfer of Credits pages from the UNC Office of the Registrar for information about:

  • How many credits can transfer
  • Requirements of credits transferred, such as your earned grade and institutional accreditation
  • The transfer evaluation process
  • Transferology – check your previous coursework in our published course equivalencies. You can do this before you apply to UNC.

Have Questions? Get in Touch!

Tuition Rate

Simple Per-Credit Tuition Rate

You pay the same rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.

$485

Per Credit

Rate for the 2026-27 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*

No Student / Technology Fees

Certain courses, e.g., field experiences, may include course fees to support added services and materials.

*Tuition for the 2027-28 academic year will be decided mid-June 2027.

Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP): UNC provides a health insurance plan to all degree-seeking undergraduate students who are enrolled in 9 or more credits for a term. If you have comparable insurance coverage, and do not want to be charged for SHIP coverage, you can opt out of this plan. Please visit the UNC Student Health Insurance pages for more information.

Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC’s official Cost of Attendance/Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.

Federal Financial Aid

Degree-seeking students are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Full-time undergraduate student status for financial aid purposes is 12 credit hours or more. Enrollment in 9–11 credits is classified as three-quarter time. Enrollment in 6–8 credit hours is classified as half-time. Less than half-time (or part-time) is five credit hours or less. See full-time and part-time status details.

You will complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The UNC Applying for Aid page provides important dates, including the release date and deadline for each academic year (a Fall-Spring-Summer cycle which begins each August).

  • Late FAFSA submissions are still accepted throughout the academic year, but you may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid.
  • If the priority deadline has passed for the upcoming/current school year, we encourage you to apply for FAFSA consideration as soon as you enroll for your first courses.
  • Depending on the time of year, you may be able to submit an application for the current academic year and an early/priority application for the following academic year.

You can also find helpful information in the Federal Student Aid Resources.

Access the FAFSA Form

Coordination of Federal Financial Aid

If you start this program while you are still working on your associate degree at another school, you will keep applying for federal financial aid through that school until you finish that degree. If you are enrolled in this UNC degree program and take extra classes at other schools but are not pursuing a degree at those schools, you will apply for federal financial aid through UNC. There may be some rules or limits. Check the consortium information for more details.

Program-Specific Admission Requirements

Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education

By the time you start this degree completion program, you will need to have earned an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. Please note: if you completed an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, please see the Earning Your Bachelor’s Degree section above.

Prerequisite Courses

The following courses are required prerequisites for courses in this degree completion program, and they required courses in this major. You will likely have completed these courses (or course equivalents) as part of your associate degree.

If you still need to complete one or more of the following courses, they are offered in-person on our campus in Greeley, Colorado. They are also commonly offered either in-person or online at community colleges. Colorado community college course equivalents are noted.

Eligibility for Out-of-State Students

Eligibility by State

UNC can offer distance learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the major U.S. territories. We check for changes in state rules as needed. Some states may have extra rules for internships, clinical placements, and student teaching. Visit the State Authorization page to learn more.

Licensure Eligibility by State

UNC’s professional licensure programs are designed to lead to Colorado licensure. Each state sets their own requirements, so a UNC program might not lead to licensure in other states. Visit the UNC Licensure page to learn more about which states UNC programs meet educational requirements for licensure.

It’s important to understand requirements in the state where you plan to work. Visit the State Licensure Boards page to find each state’s licensing agency and contact information. Questions? Contact Licensure@unco.edu.

International Student Eligibility

You are eligible to apply: We accept international students to online UNC programs. We can’t guarantee that our programs meet distance education requirements for every country. Before you apply, check your country’s policies and regulations. You should not apply if you live in a country that is subject to U.S. sanctions.

No student visa: Students in online UNC programs do not need to come to the United States. You will not get a student visa or receive any immigration documentation. You do not need to provide financial documentation when applying.

You will need to provide proof of your English language ability. Please visit the International Admissions page for information about:

  • Minimum English language requirements
  • Applying as an international student

UNC Teacher Education

On-Campus Delivery Also Available

Are You Ready to Apply?

Thank you for your interest in this UNC program! Here are some elements you can check to be sure you are eligible and ready to apply to this program.

Program Eligibility

See the Program Eligibility section above.

Licensure Eligibility by State

This program is related to a state licensure, endorsement or other credential. If you intend to pursue a credential outside of Colorado, please check the Licensure Eligibility by State section above.

International Applicants

Please see the International Student Eligibility section above to check your eligibility for this program.

Recommended Application Deadlines

For the best possible admission, enrollment and orientation experience, we recommend that you complete your application by these dates, which are approximately 60 days before the start of each term:

  • Summer term: March 15
  • Fall term: June 15
  • Spring term: Nov. 15

You can still apply after these dates, but if the date has passed please contact an Enrollment Counselor for support to apply and begin classes in the upcoming term. View the UNC Academic Calendar for the start dates for upcoming terms.

Application Process Details

On the application, you will choose:

  • Program:
    • Most applicants will choose Early Childhood: Teacher Education – Ages Birth-8 (B.A.).
    • You can also choose Early Childhood: Liberal Arts (B.A.)
  • Campus / Site: Distance-Online
  • Start term: Fall Term (Aug.), Spring Term (Jan.) or Summer Term (May).
  • Note: ECE coursework is only offered in fall and spring term, but you can start in summer term if you need to take LAC or elective coursework.

Application Reimbursement From TEACH Colorado

For Colorado applicants to teacher licensure programs: UNC is pleased to be partnering with TEACH Colorado, a non-profit coalition that works to support future teachers. If you set up a free account with TEACHColorado.org before you complete your UNC application to a program / concentration that includes initial teacher licensure, you will be eligible to receive up to $100 in reimbursement of your application fee and any costs you may incur for academic transcripts or exams. The TEACHColorado.org checklist is optional, but you will need to create an account if you would like to request reimbursement.

We also recommend that you save this page that you are viewing right now for when you return to complete your UNC application.

Create an account with TEACHColorado.org.

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Related Programs Offered Through Extended Campus

Early Childhood Graduate Programs