Child Development Associate (Certificate)

Certificate

Program Description

Are you unsure of your career path, but feel you might like working with children? Would you like to “try out” what a possible education degree might be like, but not commit to an entire degree program? If so, our Child Development Associate certificate will fit you perfectly if this is your desired start for your career path.

The Child Development Associate Certificate will provide students with the introductory courses to determine if the field of education is truly for them. Even though this certificate is only nine credits, students will gain professional knowledge, skills and abilities to benefit them early on in their career.

After graduating with the Child Development Associate Certificate, recipients will be prepared to work toward the Child Development Associate [CDA] credential. Note: if this certificate is being used toward a CDA, there are two tracks from which a student may choose (see “Required Courses” below).  All graduates will also be prepared for any number of entry-level positions related to the child care profession.

For more information on how to apply for the CDA Certificate and for a list of requirements, please visit the CDA - Council for Recognition at:  http://www.cdacouncil.org/credentials/apply-for-cda

This program falls under the federal guidelines of Gainful Employment programming. For important information regarding program costs, debt, and potential earnings, please click here.   

Career Opportunities

1. Child Care Worker
2. Child Care Provider
3. Child Caregiver
4. Before and After School Daycare Worker
5. Nanny

Program Objectives

The program objectives for this certificate will follow the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards as follows:

1. Standard 1: Promoting Child Development and Learning
2. Standard 2: Building Family and Community Relationships
3. Standard 3: Observing, Documenting and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families
4. Standard 4: Using Developmentally Effective Approaches to Connect with Children and Families
5. Standard 5: Using Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum

Obtaining the Certificate

To earn the Certificate, students must:

• Matriculate into the program.
• Satisfactorily complete all certificate requirements.
• This degree program requires that all students obtain a current Pennsylvania Criminal Record Check (Act 34), Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151), and Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) (ACT 114)  to be eligible for the required field experiences. A student should consider these factors before enrolling into this program

Note: Students are required to have these clearances submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the final day of their first semester.  If students fail to have clearances submitted by that time, they will be removed from the program.