Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
Our BS in early childhood education prepares you to teach children from pre-K through third grade.
The B.S. Early Childhood Education 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 Education?
- Placement rate is approximately 100 percent
- Low student-to-teacher ratio
- Seeking accreditation by National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- Pre-kindergarten practica and students teaching in Melba S. Lehner Children’s School
- Diverse field and student teaching placements
- Preparation for teaching pre-kindergarten through third grade
- Collaboration with the Department of Teacher Education
What You’ll Learn
Upon graduation, you will be an expert in working with young children.
Specifically, your coursework will focus on:
- Childhood development, from birth to 8 years old
- Historical roots of early childhood education
- Theories and developmentally appropriate practices
- Types and efficacy of early childhood programs
- Political issues and ethical conduct within the early childhood profession
- Age- and culturally appropriate curriculum for young children
- Characteristics of exceptional children and children at risk
- Working with parents
- And more...
Employment Opportunities
Graduates with an Early Childhood Education BS are prepared to work with children aged 0-8, and are licensed to teach K-3rd grades in Utah. Some states offer full license reciprocity, while others may have additional requirements for your Utah teaching licensure to be recognized.
The job placement rate for graduates is nearly 100 percent, and starting salaries are typically $38,000+ with benefits. Most graduates take positions in elementary school classrooms at both public and private schools. Employers may give preference to applicants with the early childhood education major K-3rd license, through this degree or through dual-majoring in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education.
Field Experience
As a early childhood education major, you may 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 (Fall Semester Nov 1 and Spring Semester March 15).
Call 801-626-6277 if you have additional questions.
Admission Requirements
Teacher Education Program
If you're interested in pursuing a degree in early childhood education, you must apply and be accepted into the Teacher Education program. The program has a competitive admissions process. A limited number of applicants are admitted in March for fall semester and in October for spring semester. Admission to the Teacher Education program is a separate process from your Weber State University admission.
Fingerprinting
Criminal background clearance for field experiences in ECED 2600, ECED 2610 and ECED 2620 in the on campus lab schools is not required. To student teach in the MSL Children's School for ECED 4720, you will need to have a Utah Department of Health, Child Care Licensing Program background screening approval card with you whenever you are in the lab classroom, or proof of fingerprinting card until you receive your official card. You cannot use the one from the Utah State Board of Education that is required by the school district for your K-3 practicum and student teaching in ECED 4861 and ECED 4721.
Revised 11/15/24
Accreditation Information
Outcome 1: Completion
Number of Completers
2022-23: 11
2021-22: 12
2020-21: 10
Percentage who were full-time at time of completion
2022-23 : 91%
2021-22: 100%
2020-21: 100%
Percentage who were part-time at time of completion
2022-23: 9%
2021-22: 0%
2020-21: 0%
Interpretation: This program requires full-time cohort course load and 60 days of student teaching requiring most candidates to be full time students.
Outcome 2: Completion Rate
Percentage of students who finished the program with 150% of the published time frame:
2022-23: 4 of 10=40%
2021-22: 3 of 12=25%
2020-21: 3 of 10=30%
Percentage of students who finished the program within 100% of the published time frame
2022-23: 5 of 10=50%
2021-22: 7 of 12=58%
2020-21: 4 of 10=40%
Interpretation: Most candidates complete within 150% of published timeframe.
Outcome 3: Fall to Fall Completion Rate
% of Part-Time Candidates Enrolled in the Program (% of Total Enrollment)
2022-23: 44 of 145=30%
2021-22: 32 of 121=26%
2020-21: 33 of 95=35%
Retention Rate Among Part-Time Candidates
2022-23: 19 of 44=43%
2021-22: 19 of 32=59%
2020-21: 10 of 33=30%
% of Full-Time Candidates Enrolled in the Program (% of Total Enrollment)
2022-23: 101 of 145=70%
2021-22: 89 of 121=74%
2020-21: 62 of 95=65%
Retention Rate Among Full-Time Candidates
2022-23: 66 of 101=65%
2021-22: 54 of 89=61%
2020-21: 29 of 62=47%
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: The upper division professional block courses require full time for most students.
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.
Candidates for this program also show proficiency in the AAQP Professional Standards and Competencies for Educators and Utah Effective Teaching Standards.
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 | 69% | 84% | 90% | 88% | 82% | 90% |
| AY 2022-23 | 91% | 90% | 80% | 100% | 67% | 100% |
Interpretation: Strengthen ECED 3640 content for Outcome 2c, add 2860 practicum to program of student to strengthen outcome 5.