Early Childhood Education, AA/AS


Program Description

The FSHD Department offers an AA/AS degree in Early Childhood Education.  All classes for this degree are offered online except for a required science class. Experience both academic theory and hands-on application through a series of classes, lab experiences and practicum to develop an understanding of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children and acquire skill in planning and implementing programs that promote development. The program prepares you to work in a variety of early childhood education settings including child care centers, nursery schools, Head Start programs, school-age child care programs, and family day care homes. The Early Childhood Education AS/AA degree prepares students for employment as teachers in childhood programs and para-professionals in public school preschools.  This degree can also prepare you to move into an Elementary Education Bachelors Degree.


Program Curriculum

63 credits

Utah Tech General Education Requirements

All Utah Tech General Education requirements must be fulfilled. A previously earned degree may fulfill those requirements, but courses must be equivalent to Utah Tech's minimum General Education standards in American Institutions, English, and Mathematics.

General Education Core Requirements
English3-7
Mathematics3-5
American Institutions3-6
Life Sciences3-10
Physical Sciences3-5
Fine Arts3
Literature/Humanities3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
Exploration 3-5
Associate of Arts: Foreign Language Requirement3-8
Complete one of the following:
- Complete 8 credits numbered 1000 or above in a single foreign language, through earned credit (grade C or higher), credit by examination, or vertical credit from the courses listed on the GE Foreign Language Requirement page 1
- Complete a 1020 or higher foreign language course listed below (grade C or higher)
- Receive 8 FLATS exam credits for FLAT 1000
- Receive 8 transfer credits GEFL 1000 (grade C or higher) in a language not currently taught at Utah Tech
Available only to students who are nonnative English speakers, complete one of the following:
- Complete 8 credits of ESL courses listed below (grade B or higher)
- Submit one of the following test scores required for unconditional Utah Tech admission: TOEFL (61 iBT, 173 CBT, or 500 PBT); or Michigan (70); or USU-IELE equivalent score. Other tests may be accepted for admission to Utah Tech but will not fulfill this requirement. Official scores must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office.

Core Discipline Requirements 

EDUC 2010Intro to Exceptional Learners3
EDUC 2400Foundations Multicultural/ESL (SS, GC, ALCI)3
FSHD 1020Sci Foundations of Nutrition (LS)3
FSHD 1500Human Development Lifespan (SS, GC)3
or PSY 1100 Human Development Through Lifespan (SS, GC)
FSHD 2120Infant and Child Nutrition3
FSHD 2180Partnering With Parents2
FSHD 2500Child Devel - Birth to Eight3
FSHD 2600Intro to Early Childhood Educ3
FSHD 2610Child Guidance Based on Developmental Theory3
FSHD 2620Designing Integrated Curriculum with Play3
FSHD 2630Literacy and Literature for Early Childhood3
FSHD 2880Practicum Early Childhood Educ3
ENGL 2330Children's Literature (HU, GC)3
or HUM 1010 Humanities Through the Arts (HU, GC)
HIST 1700American History (AI)3
or POLS 1100 American Government (AI)
MATH 1030Quantitative Reasoning (MA)3
or MATH 1050 College Algebra / Pre-Calculus (MA)

Recommended Electives

These are recommendations to fulfill a minimum of 63 credits. Consult your advisor.
BUS 1010Introduction to Business3
EDUC 1010Foundations/Intro to Education3
FSHD 2400Family Relationships (SS, GC)3
MATH 2010Math for Elementary Teachers I3
MATH 2020Math for Elemen Teachers II3
XSCI 1543First Aid / Resp Emergencies3

 Graduation Requirements

  1. Complete a minimum of 63 college-level credits (1000 and above)
  2. Complete at least 20 semester hours of credits at Utah Tech for institutional residency.
  3. Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
  4. All Core Discipline Requirement Courses must be passed with a C- or higher