Upon completion of the course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion. You will have also met the 120 hours of professional development required by the Council of Professional Recognition for CDA certification.

In order to earn the CDA, a candidate must:

• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Complete 120 hours of required CDA training. Complete this online training at your own pace.
• Obtain 480 hours of professional work experience in your setting type: center-based preschool, center-based infant-toddlers, family child care.
• Prepare a professional portfolio.
• Complete a CDA application on https://www.cdacouncil.org/en/.
• Pass CDA exam at testing site of your choice.
• Schedule and engage in a verification visit.

Hardware Requirements:

This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 10 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word Online
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other Requirements:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7–10 business days after enrollment:

• Competency Standards for Center-Based Preschool ages 3–5 yrs old
• Infant-Toddler Competency Standards Book

Reading assignments in each lesson will be linked to the following eBook(s) for the designated reading:

• Beginning Essentials in Early Childhood Education, 3rd edition, by Ann Gordon, Kathryn Williams Browne (eBook)
• Infants & Toddlers: Caregiving and Responsive Curriculum Development, 10th edition, by Terri Swim (eBook)

Prerequisites and Requirements

There are no specific prerequisites for taking this course.

FAQs

• What is a Childcare Professional?
  

  Childcare professionals ensure the welfare, health, and safety of children under their care. Common childcare job titles include:

  • Childcare Worker
  • Childcare Professional
  • Daycare Worker
  • Child Development Specialist
  • Child Development Center Assistant

   

• Where do Childcare Professionals work?
  

  Most work is completed in childcare centers, however some roles, like in-home daycare providers, will work at their own home or their clients' homes.

• What is a Child Development Associate (CDA)?
  

  The CDA is a nationally recognized credential that demonstrates a childcare professional’s skills, competencies and knowledge. According to the Council for Professional Recognition, CDAs are able to “nurture the emotional, physical, intellectual, and social development of children.”

• What can you do with a Child Development Associate Credential?
  

  Earning a Child Development Associate credential can be a steppingstone to career advancement in the early childhood education field. Many CDAs go on to work in education as preschool or elementary school teachers.

• Does this course prepare you for a certification?
  

  Yes. You will be prepared for the Child Development Associate® (CDA) certification and credentialing process for two of the four available pathways. This course will prepare you for the Infant-Toddler and Preschool pathways of the CDA certification. The Infant-Toddler and Preschool pathways will prepare you to work as an educator in a childcare center.

  The education hours earned can be applied toward both pathways. However, you will need to prepare a different Professional Portfolio and have a separate CDA Verification Visit for each age group to be certified in both pathways. For more information on the CDA requirements and to learn more about the four available pathways, please visit the CDA Council website.

• If I am interested in Family Child Care, will this course prepare me for the Family Child Care exam/pathway of the CDA?
  

  No, this course prepares students for the Infant-Toddler and Preschool pathways/exams of the CDA.

• Will I be provided with a certificate, transcript, or letter to verify my completed CDA education with the certifying body to obtain my CDA certification?
  

  Yes. Upon completion of the course, you will have a certificate of completion to provide to the certifying body. In the Getting Started section of the course, under Program Information, in the Course Outline section, you can download a PDF that details the hours of instruction across the eight (8) CDA subject areas that can be provided to the certifying body alongside your certificate of completion and/or included in your professional portfolio.

• How do I claim help with my second portfolio for certification in a second pathway?
  

  You will need to contact your student advisor and state that you would like to enroll in preparing for your CDA second portfolio.

• Do I need to get certified in a second pathway?
  

  No. You do not need to get certified in a second pathway, but it does provide greater flexibility and opportunity for your career. There are no additional out-of-pocket expenses to prepare for your second pathway, as they are included with your original program fees.

• Do I also get a voucher for my second exam?
  

  No. This course does not include the voucher for the second certification exam. You will need to pay the certifying body to sit for the exam.

• When can I start this course?
  

  This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course whenever you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

• How long does it take to complete this course?
  

  After you register, you will receive 6 months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.

• What if I do not have enough time to complete the course within the timeframe provided?
  

  The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

• What kind of support will I receive?
  

  The course instructor will be available by email to answer questions and provide feedback on your performance. Occasionally, your course may be supported by a team of industry experts. You will also receive support from the student advising team.

• What happens when I complete the course?
  

  Upon successfully passing the final exam, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from Mississippi State University’s Center for Continuing Education.

• Am I guaranteed a job?
  

  ed2go courses will help you gain the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. However, you should always research the job market in your area before enrolling.

• Can I get financial assistance?
  

  ed2go courses are non-credit, so they do not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA, and Pell Grant. Vocational rehab or workforce development boards may provide funding to take our courses in some states. Additionally, you may qualify for financial assistance if you meet certain requirements. Learn more about financial assistance.

• How can I get more information about this course?
  

  Representatives are available via LIVE chat if you have questions not answered on our website. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you visit us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the demand for childcare professionals is projected to increase by 11% through the year 2026, which is slightly faster than the average.
• The average annual salary for childcare professionals is $21,170 and $28,790 for preschool teachers. With experience in the field, wage could increase. In fact, the median annual wage for a Childcare Center Director this year is $45,790.