The Department of Literacy, Elementary, and Early Childhood Education prepares knowledgeable and competent professionals in advanced literacy, elementary education and early childhood education through research-based practices and authentic and diverse experiences in school and community settings. The Department offers undergraduate and graduate degrees that can lead to initial and advanced certifications, provides professional development, and organizes community events for educators, students, and parents. We have diverse and accomplished faculty, who are scholars and leading experts in the field, and continue to maintain ties to PreK-12 classrooms through research, field work, consulting and teacher collaborations. We take pride in the high quality of our candidates both at the initial and advanced levels, who are sought after once they graduate from our programs. Our programs are nationally recognized by Specialized Professional Associations (SPAs) and/or approved by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE).