Early Childhood Education, AAS

Program Overview

The Early Childhood Education AAS program at Utah Tech University prepares students for careers in early childhood education settings, including child care centers, preschools, and Head Start programs. The program emphasizes child development, curriculum planning, and family partnerships. Graduates are qualified for teaching positions and other roles in early childhood education.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Early Childhood Education, AAS degree program offered by Utah Tech University's Family Studies & Human Development (FSHD) department prepares students to work in various early childhood education settings, such as:

• Child care centers
• Nursery schools
• Head Start programs
• School-age child care programs
• Family day care homes
The program's objectives are to:
• Develop an understanding of the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children.
• Acquire skills in planning and implementing programs that promote child development.
• Prepare students for employment as teachers in childhood programs and para-professionals in public school preschools.
• Provide a foundation for students who wish to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.

Outline:

The Early Childhood Education, AAS program consists of 63 credits and is offered primarily online, except for a required science course. The program is structured into two academic years:

• First Year:
• Fall Semester:
FSHD 1020, ENGL 1010 or ENGL 1010D, General Elective.
• Spring Semester: FSHD 1500 or PSY 1100, FSHD 2500, FSHD 2600, FSHD 2610, General Elective, General Elective, General Education (Mathematics).
• Second Year:
• Fall Semester:
ENGL 2010, FSHD 2120, EDUC 2010, EDUC 2400, FSHD 2620, General Elective.
• Spring Semester: FSHD 2180, FSHD 2880, General Elective, General Elective, XSCI 1543, General Elective.

Course Breakdown:

• General Education Requirements:
• ENGL 1010 (Introduction to Writing) or ENGL 1010D (Introduction to Writing)
• ENGL 2010 (Interm Writing Selected Topics)
• One Mathematics GE course: MATH 1030 (Quantitative Reasoning), MATH 1040 (Introduction to Statistics), or MATH 1050 (College Algebra / Pre-Calculus).
• FSHD 1020 (Sci Foundations of Nutrition)
• One Social & Behavioral Sciences GE course: FSHD 1500 (Human Development Lifespan) or PSY 1100 (Human Development Through Lifespan).
• Core Discipline Requirements:
• EDUC 2010 (Intro to Exceptional Learners)
• EDUC 2400 (Foundations Multicultural/ESL)
• FSHD 2120 (Infant and Child Nutrition)
• FSHD 2180 (Partnering With Parents)
• FSHD 2500 (Child Devel - Birth to Eight)
• FSHD 2600 (Intro to Early Childhood Educ)
• FSHD 2610 (Child Guidance Based on Developmental Theory)
• FSHD 2620 (Designing Integrated Curriculum with Play)
• FSHD 2880 (Practicum Early Childhood Educ)
• Elective Courses:
• Complete 15-24 credits of electives.

Careers:

The Early Childhood Education AAS program prepares students for careers in various early childhood education settings, including:

• Teaching positions:
• Teachers in child care centers, preschools, and other early childhood programs.
• Para-professionals in public school preschools.
• Other roles:
• Head Start teachers
• Family daycare providers
• School-age child care providers
• Program coordinators

Other:

• The program requires a minimum of 63 college-level credits (1000 and above) for graduation.
• Students must complete at least 20 semester hours of credits at Utah Tech for institutional residency.
• A cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher is required for graduation.
• All Core Discipline Required Courses must be completed with a C- or higher.
• Students will learn about and apply child development theories.
• They will develop strategies for building relationships with families, schools, and communities.
• They will gain knowledge of various assessment methods, both formal and informal, and how to use data to address children's developmental needs.
• They will learn to create and teach developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum.
• Students will learn to model ethical and moral practices within the early childhood profession.