Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood
Earn your AAS in early childhood online in only 2 years and go on to work in childcare and/or education, or continue at WSU to earn your bachelor’s degree.
The A.A.S. Early Childhood at Weber State University is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The current accreditation term runs from March 2018 through March 2025.
Why Choose Early Childhood?
- High demand for well-educated pre-kindergarten teachers
- Positions available in Head Start and childcare
- Great preparation for parenting
- Low student-to-faculty ratio
- Practica and student teaching in the Melba S. Lehner Children’s School
What You’ll Learn
You will learn about child development and its foundation for young children’s learning and teacher planning, along with early childhood curriculum assessment and instruction. You will be prepared to teach preschool children.
For questions or concerns, please contact your advisor.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates with an Early Childhood Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree are prepared to work in a variety of professional early childhood settings with children from birth through age 8. Graduates may be employed in positions such as:
- Assistant Head Start and Early Head Start Teacher
- Preschool or “daycare” Teacher Assistant
- Paraprofessional classroom Aide
Field Experience
Take part in practica and student teaching at the Melba S. Lehner Children's School, which provides education and care for children of Weber State University students, faculty and staff. To participate, fill out the application and return it to the Children’s School.
Call 801-626-6277 for more information.
Background Check Fingerprinting
Criminal background clearance for field experiences in ECED 2600, ECED 2610 and ECED 2620 in the on campus lab schools is not required. You must be fingerprinted and have a background check prior to enrolling in ECED 2860 Practicum (see ECED 2860 Background Check polices). If you are an online student completing your field experiences off campus, you will need to comply with the requirements in that location. This is in compliance with Utah State Law. Allow for an eight-week response time from the state.
Revised 11/15/24
Questions directed to sanderson@weber.edu.
Accreditation Information
Outcome 1: Completion
Number of Completers
2022-23: 1
2021-22: 3
2020-21: 0
Percentage who were full-time at time of completion
2022-23 : 0%
2021-22: 33%
2020-21: N/A
Percentage who were part-time at time of completion
2022-23: 100%
2021-22: 67%
2020-21: N/A
Interpretation: This program is designed for students working part or full-time in the field.
Outcome 2: Completion Rate
Percentage of students who finished the program with 150% of the published time frame:
2022-23: N/A no full-time candidates
2021-22: 0 of 1=0%
2020-21: N/A
Percentage of students who finished the program within 100% of the published time frame
2022-23: N/A
2021-22: 0 of 1=0%
2020-21: N/A
Interpretation: Many candidates are working full-time and take longer than 150% of published timeframe.
Outcome 3: Fall to Fall Completion Rate
% of Part-Time Candidates Enrolled in the Program (% of Total Enrollment)
2022-23: 21 of 35=60%
2021-22: 26 of 37=70%
2020-21: 23 of 34=62%
Retention Rate Among Part-Time Candidates
2022-23: 13 of 21=62%
2021-22: 9 of 26=35%
2020-21: 15 of 23=65%
% of Full-Time Candidates Enrolled in the Program (% of Total Enrollment)
2022-23: 14 of 35=40%
2021-22: 11 of 37=30%
2020-21: 14 of 34=38%
Retention Rate Among Full-Time Candidates
2022-23: 7 of 14=50%
2021-22: 5 of 11=45%
2020-21: 7 of 14=50%
The retention rate is based on whether students who were enrolled and declared within that specific major during the academic year were retained to any point within the next academic year. Students may not have been retained due to graduating, switching programs, or stopping out.
Interpretation: Curricular changes in degree requirements increased complexity and prevented students also seeking a B.S. degree from finishing the AAS. These problems will be resolved in the 2025-2026 catalog.
Candidate Performance
The Early Childhood Education programs prepare candidates to be proficient in the National Association for the Education of Young Children Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators. Our goal is that 80% of candidates will fully meet outcomes.
Percent of Candidates that Fully Met All Outcome Criteria:
| Annual Year | Outcome 1: Child Development & Learning in Context |
Outcome 2: Family-Teacher Partnership |
Outcome 3: Observation & Assessment |
Outcome 4: Developmentally, Culturally, Linguistically Teaching Practice |
Outcome 5: Academic Content & Curriculum |
Outcome 6: Professionalism |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AY 2023-24 | 75% | 75% | 80% | 80% | 75% | 80% |
| AY 2022-23 | 100% | 75% | 86% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Interpretation: Strengthen ECED 2640 content for Outcome 2c regarding referral and community resources and 2670 to integrate additional content areas for outcome 5.