Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program
Application for 2016-2017
Application Deadline: January 15, 2016
These application directions and supplemental materials must be used for application to the following
program:
BUELL EARLY CHILDHOOD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (BECLP)
This program offers an 18-credit graduate certificate in the field of early childhood care and education
leadership that can also be articulated into one of three masters programs in the School of Education and
Human Development. This program is targeted to grow the competencies of experienced and emerging
leaders in early care and education settings.
The following materials can be found in this supplemental application packet:
 Overall application checklist
 Application directions
 Personal statement questions
 Letter of recommendation guidelines
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS


Conferred Bachelor’s degree
Minimum three years of experience in the field of early childhood care and education
CONSIDERATIONS
Critical elements of the evaluation process are:
 Applicant’s desire to learn and apply leadership strategies to address critical issues in the field of
early childhood care and education
 Academic ability
 Motivation to complete the program
 Interpersonal skills
 Career performance and potential
TUITION
Generous funding by the Buell Foundation provides for each admitted student (Buell Fellow) to receive a
scholarship for the 18 required credits. Fellows will incur costs throughout the year related to books,
travel, and lodging while attending classes in Denver.
TIME COMMITMENT
Courses are offered in an on-line hybrid format. Courses will meet in person one weekend per month
with online work between weekend meetings. Admitted candidates must have the ability to secure
release time to attend the following:
 Orientation in June 2016 (all day – date to be determined)

Summer retreat in July 2016 (five full days and evenings, Thursday through Monday – dates to be
determined)

8 Friday evening sessions (4pm-9pm) each month from August 2016 to May 2017

1 Friday all day session (8am-5pm) in February 2017

10 Saturday all-day sessions (8am-5pm) each month from August 2016 to May 2017
FINANCIAL HARDSHIP
The Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program (BECLP) may be able to assist an applicant who is
experiencing a financial hardship that might prohibit participation in the program due to expenses for
travel, lodging, and purchase of course materials. If you feel that this represents your current
circumstances, please explain your financial hardship and provide specific information related to your
situation. Each request will be considered on a case by case basis.
Application Deadline: January 15, 2016
Contact Information:
Sara Van Dyke
Program Coordinator
beclp@ucdenver.edu
720-639-9228
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
All items listed below must be completed and included as part of your application for full consideration.
The admissions committee cannot review incomplete applications.
Please refer to the detailed directions in this packet for submitting this information.

Application Form (included in packet)

Photo to be included with your Application Form (will not to be returned)

$45 Application Fee

Personal Statement (instructions in packet)

Resume

Three Letters of Recommendation (instructions in packet)

Release of Confidential Information Form (available on www.ucdenver.edu/education/buell)

One copy of official transcripts, in sealed and signed envelope, from all colleges and universities
attended for one or more semester hour, including study abroad programs mailed to the
following address:
University of Colorado Denver
School of Education & Human Development
Continuing and Professional Education
Attn: Sara Van Dyke
999 18th St.
Suite 144
Denver, CO 80202
APPLICATION FORM
APPLICANT INFORMATION – ALL FIELDS ARE REQUIRED
Last Name:
First Name:
Date of Birth:
M.I.:
Social Security No.:
Gender:
Male
Date:
Female
Ethnicity:
American Indian of Alaska Native
Black or African- American
Hispanic or Latino
Asian
Pacific Islander or Hawaiian Native
White, not of Hispanic Origin
Other (please specify)
Do you have a Disability?
YES
NO
Unknown
Mailing Address:
Apartment/Unit #:
City:
State:
Phone:
E-mail Address:
Are you a citizen of the United States?
Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
YES
ZIP:
NO
YES
NO
Endorsement Area:
EDUCATION
College:
From:
Address:
To:
Other:
From:
Did you graduate?
YES
NO
Degree/Major:
YES
NO
Degree/Major:
Address:
To:
Did you graduate?
SHORT BIO – Write a 3-4 sentence paragraph describing your current position, prior work experience in ECE, and education
background. (Use back of form or separate paper, as needed)
DISCLAIMER AND SIGNATURE
I certify that my answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge.
Signature:
Date:
APPLICATION FEE _______________________________________________________________
All applicants must submit a $45 application fee. We are unable to process your application until
the application fee is received.

The application fee must be paid with a check or money order and included with your application.
Please make payable to “CU Denver”
PERSONAL STATEMENT
All applicants are required to submit a personal statement.
Your statement should be approximately 3-4 pages, single-spaced; please include your name and a title
on each page.
Your personal statement should thoroughly address the following questions:

Briefly describe what you think are the most critical issues affecting young children and their
families today as they relate to your own work. In light of these issues, please explain how you
have worked to create change to promote positive outcomes for children and families of diverse
populations.

What is your overarching vision for yourself as a leader in the field of early childhood? Discuss
what you hope to accomplish on behalf of children and their families to improve the field of early
childhood. What do you see as barriers, and potential resources and strategies to make these
changes? What would you hope to learn in this program that would help you to achieve your
goals?
RESUME
All applicants are required to submit a resume.
Please include:
 Professional certificates

Educational degrees

Professional experiences

Relevant awards, publications, presentations, or other achievements
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
All applicants are required to submit 3 letters of recommendation.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to request letters of recommendation as soon as possible to
allow ample time for their recommenders to submit letters by the deadline. The admissions review
committee cannot review incomplete applications.

One letter must be from a peer and/or supervisor in your current or recent organization and two out
of the three letters must be from professional references. Applicants who are currently employed
full-time and who choose to have their supervisor write a letter of recommendation are strongly
encouraged to have their supervisor indicate their full understanding and agreement to the
required time commitments, access to organizational data for coursework assignments, and if
appropriate financial support.

Please refer to the “Letter of Recommendation Guidelines” at the end of this document for
recommended format.
RELEASE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
All applicants are required to submit a Release of Confidential Information form. The completed
form should be included with the submitted application packet.

This form allows the University of Colorado Denver to share applicant information with the
Institute at Clayton Early Learning and the Buell Foundation.

The Release of Confidential Information form will remain in effect for the duration of the student’s
participation in the program.
TRANSCRIPTS
All applicants are required to submit one official copy of transcripts from all institutions attended
in a signed and sealed envelope. Transcripts should be mailed directly to the Office of Continuing and
Professional Education.

One copy of official transcripts is required from every college and/or university you are attending
or have attended even if coursework from multiple schools is summarized on one.

Transcripts must be in sealed envelopes, signed across the back by the Registrar. Do not open the
envelopes.

Mail transcripts to the following address:
University of Colorado Denver
School of Education & Human Development
Continuing and Professional Education
Attn: Sara Van Dyke
999 18th St.
Suite 144
Denver, CO 80202
Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program
Letter of Recommendation Guidelines
The Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program offers a graduate certificate in the field of early childhood
care and education. This program seeks to provide leadership development to experienced and emerging
leaders in early care and education settings and to instill a sense of personal commitment to making
significant and meaningful differences in the lives of young children and families.
APPLICANT:
 Please print this page for the recommenders.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to request letters of recommendation as soon as possible to
allow ample time for their recommenders to submit letters by the deadline. The admissions review
committee cannot review incomplete applications.
RECOMMENDER:
 The University of Colorado Denver requests a brief statement assessing and evaluating the
prospective student’s ability to complete a graduate certificate.

Please include your title, institution, address, and daytime contact phone number at the end of
your recommendation.

Please address the following questions in your letter of recommendation:
o How long have you known the applicant?
o In what capacity have you known the applicant?
o What are the applicant’s major strengths?
o What impact has the applicant had on his or her professional field?
o What impact has this applicant had in the community, outside his or her professional realm?
o How would you describe this applicant’s speaking and writing abilities?
o How would you describe this applicant’s leadership skills?
o What would you expect this applicant to gain from a graduate certificate in leadership in the field
of early childhood care and education? How might this impact their contribution to the field?