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.

To be allowed to work with children in the Melba S. Lehner Children’s School for lab practicum and student teaching, students must have clearance of criminal background check approved by the Utah Department of Health, Child Care Licensing Program. Look for more information on the Weber State University Fingerprinting Office website (www.weber.edu/fingerprinting).

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.

Major Course Requirements for BS Degree

Pre Core Course Required (3 credit hours)

CHF 1500 SS/DV - Human Development Credits: (3)

Note:

(This course will satisfy a general education requirement.)

Core Courses Required (48 credit hours)

CHF 2400 SS/DV - Family Relations Credits: (3)
CHF 2500 - Development of the Child Credits: (3)
CHF 2600 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education Credits: (3)
CHF 2610 - Guidance Based on Developmental Theory Credits: (3)
CHF 2620 - Planning Creative Experiences for Young Children Credits: (3)
CHF 3500 - Young Children at Risk Credits: (3)
CHF 3570 - Infants and Toddlers: Development and Practice Credits: (3)
CHF 3640 - Working with Parents Credits: (3)
CHF 4130 - Language Development and Emergent Literacy in Early Childhood Credits: (3)
CHF 4670 - STEM and Approaches to Learning in Early Childhood Credits: (3)
CHF 4710 - Advanced Guidance and Planning for Early Childhood Education Credits: (3) *
CHF 4720 - Student Teaching in the Children’s School Credits: (3-6) (6 credit hours required) *
CHF 4730 - Early Childhood/Early Childhood Education Program Development Credits: (3)
CHF 4890 - Cooperative Work Experience Credits: (3) (3 credit hours required)
CHF 4990A - Seminar in Child Development Credits: (3)

Note:

* Taken concurrently. Students are encouraged to apply two semesters prior to student teaching in the Melba S. Lehner Children’s School.

In addition

Students must complete an advisor-approved specialization of 15 hours or advisor-approved minor.