Child Development Associate
Register today! Email act@sunydutchess.edu or call (845) 431-8600 to get started!
Nurture Your Childcare Career
Your support is vital to the children you serve. Our Child Development Associate (CDA) microcredential provides the same for you. Advance their education (and yours!) at DCC.
courses to complement your work in the field
credits toward an Early Childhood degree
year to complete your microcredential
Who Should Enroll?
If you work in early childhood education in Dutchess County or nearby, this program is for you! When you finish, you’ll be ready for the CDA assessment process – and one step closer to your Early Childhood associate degree at DCC!
- Prepare to earn your Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ from the Council for Professional Recognition
- Earn 12 college credits toward your Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Early Childhood degree
- Gain the required qualifications to be a lead teacher in a daycare setting
The microcredential consists of two classes (ECH 131 and ECH 132), which must be taken in sequence. Most students will complete both in two semesters or one academic year.
You should be prepared to devote 4 hours per week to coursework in order to earn the required 120 training hours for the CDA credential.
ECH 131 and ECH 132 are hybrid asynchronous (HYA) courses. They contain a mixture of face-to-face meetings and independent online work.
You will also be assigned a fieldwork supervisor to observe your work in the field.
You will be responsible for paying tuition and fees for 6 credit hours per semester. The current tuition rate and fees can be found here.
DCC offers payment plans to break the cost into monthly installments. You can also check with your employer to see if they offer tuition assistance or reimbursement.
One scholarship opportunity to be aware of is the Education Incentive Program (EIP) for daycare providers. You can view the information here.
What You Study in Our Child Development Associate Microcredential
Our program follows the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Child Development Associate (CDA). With a balance of relevant coursework and practical experience, it helps you gain new skills to advance your career.
VIEW FULL CURRICULUMCourses You'll Take
ECH 131: In-service Preparation for Child Development Associate I
Learn the basics of early childhood education, child development, safety, and planning
educational activities.
ECH 132: In-service Preparation for Child Development Associate II
Explore physical and intellectual growth, nurture relationships with families, foster
creativity in arts, and plan developmentally appropriate activities.
Demonstrate Your Expertise with a Digital Badge
Upon successful competition of the Child Development Associate Microcredential, you’ll earn a digital badge as proof of your accomplishment. Display it on your social media and online professional profiles to showcase your new skill set! Since digital badges are secure and verifiable, employers can have confidence knowing you possess the qualifications they’re looking for.
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Contact Us
Office of Admissions
101 Orcutt Student Services Center
Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: (845) 431-8010
Email: admissions@sunydutchess.edu
53 Pendell Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601