Education - Early Childhood Education: Child Development Associate (CDA) Skills Certificate

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Schoolcraft program code #CRT.00315

The Schoolcraft College Child Development Associate (CDA) Skills Certificate is designed to meet the formal early childhood education training requirements of the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. This external credential is offered through the Council for Professional Recognition and represents an international effort to credential qualified early childhood educators working with children from birth to age five. More information can be found at this link regarding the other credential requirements: https://www.cdacouncil.org/. Depending on if a student chooses to take ECE 135 or ECE 145 , upon satisfactory completion of program requirements, they will receive a certificate of completion to present to the Council for Professional Recognition towards Preschool or Infant-Toddler credentialing respectively.

Prior to the start of field placement hours, interviews at sites where children are present, observations, service learning experiences or practicums, students must:

have a clear criminal background check
obtain Michigan Central Registry Clearance from the Michigan Department of Human Services
obtain a current TB test

Students who are not cleared through a criminal background check and by the Michigan Department of Human Services will not be permitted in the ECE/SPE programs. Some field placement/practicum sites may have additional requirements prior to starting an experience/practicum.

Students are expected to follow the ECE/SPE program policies, abide by the National Association for the Education of Young Children Code of Ethical Conduct, follow field placement policies and conduct themselves appropriately in the presence of children, families, and professionals during field placements/practicums. In order to receive a CDA Skills Certificate, students need to obtain a grade of 2.0 or higher in ECE 135 or ECE 145 .

Not all courses are offered each semester. Students should work with an academic advisor to develop a plan of study that works for them. Students planning to transfer are advised to check the transfer institution’s requirements/guides and discuss their options with an academic advisor. Number of credits may vary depending on the course selection.

Sample Schedule of Courses

First Year

Fall Semester

ECE 100 - Foundations of Early Childhood Education Credits: 2
ECE 110 - Child Development Credits: 3
ECE 120 - Creative Activities Credits: 3

Total Credits: 8

Winter Semester

ECE 240 - Administration of Early Childhood Programs Credits: 3

ECE

Select one:

ECE 135 - Preschool Education with Field Experiences Credits: 5 *
ECE 145 - Infant and Toddler Education with Field Experiences Credits: 5 *

Total Credits: 8

Program Total: 16 Credits

* Students will choose either ECE 135 or ECE 145 depending upon the type of External CDA Credential they plan to pursue through the Council for Professional Recognition. Students in the Early Childhood Education program must adhere to the Code of Ethics of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Council for Exceptional Children along with the Early Childhood Education and Special Education Department policies. Early Childhood Education and Special Education Department policies are provided from the department to the student in their field experience courses. In order to receive a CDA Skills Certificate, students need to obtain a grade of 2.0 or higher in ECE 135 or ECE 145 .