Description
The certificate prepares students to apply for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in a center-based preschool program awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. The requirements include the 120 formal hours of training and the 480 required fieldwork hours. The certificate prepares students for entry-level employment in an early childhood education environment or building into an associate degree. All Education courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
Career Opportunities
A wide variety of potential jobs with the certificate degree only may include preschool assistant, preschool aide, and nutritional aide. Salary ranges include $16,000 for classroom assistant and entry level positions in Early Childhood Education.
Transfer paths and requirements
This program is designed for students wishing to go directly into the workforce.
Full-Time and Part-Time Options
Listed below are four options for earning the certificate:
- One-year plan for full-time students (see below)
- One-and-a-half-year plan for 3/4 time students (see below)
- Two-year plan for part-time students
- Two-year plan for part-time students ONLINE T.E.A.C.H.
ONE-YEAR PLAN FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS
| Course | Credits | Contact Hours | Semester(s) Offered | Comments |
| ED 109A Parent Child Connection | 3 | 4 | Fall, Winter and Online | |
| ED 111A Introduction to Early Childhood EDU | 3 | 4 | Fall, Winter and Online | |
| ED 225A Child Development
or ED 250A Human Growth and Development |
3 | 4 | Fall, Winter, Summer and Online | |
| ED 120C Anti-Bias Curriculum | 3 | 4 | Fall, Winter and Online | Prerequisite: Meet Ready to Succeed |
| Education Fieldwork Hours | 100 Hours | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | 16 |
| Course | Credits | Contact Hours | Semester(s) Offered | Comments |
| ED 220B Early Childhood Assessment | 2 | 3 | Fall, Winter and Online | Prerequisite: ED 111 |
| ED 210 Child Care and Guidance | 3 | 3 | Winter and Online | Prerequisite: Department Approval |
| ED 252B Child Development Practicum | 3 | 6 | Winter and Online | Co-requisite: ED 210 |
| Education Fieldwork Hours | 380 Hours | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 8 | 12 |
MINIMUM CREDITS NEEDED FOR CERTIFICATE – 20
Additional notes: This degree requires a cleared background check, which may include fingerprinting and a TB clearance. Fieldwork is required in all education courses. Courses are offered both face-to-face and online and delivery varies by semester.
ONE-AND-A-HALF-YEAR PLAN FOR THREE-QUARTER-TIME STUDENTS
| Course | Credits | Contact Hours | Semester(s) Offered | Comments |
| ED 109A Parent Child Connection | 3 | 4 | Fall, Winter and Online | |
| ED 111A Introduction to Early Childhood EDU | 3 | 4 | Fall, Winter and Online | |
| Education Fieldwork Hours | 50 Hours | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | 8 |
| Course | Credits | Contact Hours | Semester(s) Offered | Comments |
| ED 120C Anti-Bias Curriculum | 3 | 4 | Fall, Winter and Online | Prerequisite: Meet Ready to Succeed |
| ED 225A Child Development
or ED 250A Human Growth and Development |
3 | 4 | Fall, Winter, Summer and Online | |
| ED 220B Early Childhood Assessment | 2 | 3 | Fall, Winter and Online | Prerequisite: ED 111 |
| Education Fieldwork Hours | 75 Hours | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 8 | 10 |
| Course | Credits | Contact Hours | Semester(s) Offered | Comments |
| ED 210 Child Care and Guidance | 3 | 3 | Winter | Prerequisite: Department Approval |
| ED 252B Child Development Practicum | 3 | 6 | Winter | Co-requisite: ED 210 |
| Education Fieldwork Hours | 355 Hours | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | 9 |
MINIMUM CREDITS NEEDED FOR CERTIFICATE – 20
Additional notes: This degree requires a cleared background check, which may include fingerprinting and a TB clearance. Fieldwork is required in all education courses. Courses are offered both face-to-face and online and delivery varies by semester.
