Early Childhood (BS)

Students preparing to work in childhood programs or agencies serving young children that do not require a teaching certificate graduate with a major in Early Childhood.

Students who wish to obtain certification to teach in kindergarten through 3rd grade graduate with a major in Early Childhood Education. (See Early Childhood Education  description.)

• Program Prerequisite: Not required.
• Minor: Required. In lieu of a minor, a specialization of 15 credit hours may be substituted as approved by the department. Six of these hours must be upper division (courses numbered 3000 or above).
• Grade Requirements: Students must have a grade of B- or better in each required major course in addition to a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher for all college courses. If a grade in a major course does not meet the minimum requirement for graduation, the student may retake the course once. In special circumstances, by the judgment of the department chair, the student may petition to the Early Childhood/Early Childhood Education Committee, as appropriate, to graduate with the lower grade.
• Credit Hour Requirements: A total of 120 credit hours is required for graduation; 51 of these are required within the major. A minimum of 40 credit hours must be upper division (courses numbered 3000 and above); 30 of these are required within the major.
• Program Code: 5000BS 
• CIPC: 190706

Advisement

Students must follow the Department of Child and Family Studies Advisement procedures. Contact the department advisor located in the McKay Education Building, Room 248 (801-626-6411).

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Admission Requirements

Declare your program of study (see Program of Study (Major/Minor) Declaration ). Sign a Program of Study Contract with the Department of Child and Family Studies. Contact the department advisor, 801-626-6411.

Students enrolling in CHF 2610 - Guidance Based on Developmental Theory  and CHF 2620 - Planning Creative Experiences for Young Children  will be working with families and children; the State of Utah requires a background check and clearance. Applicants must be fingerprinted and complete a background check before being fully accepted into the program. A handout available from the department secretary explains the procedure and nominal expenses. If the background check reveals misconduct, you will not be allowed to enroll in these courses or any others which include field experience, practica or student teaching. Background checks required up to eight weeks and should be completed, or in progress, prior to enrolling in CHF 2610  and CHF 2620 . See the department secretary for further details.

General Education

Refer to Degree Requirements  for Bachelor of Science requirements. CHF 1500  (3) will satisfy a general education requirement and is prerequisite to most major courses. GEOG 1300  or GEOG 1520  is recommended.