The Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate is the most widely recognized national credential in early childhood education and an important stepping stone on the career pathway for many early childhood educators. In partnership with the Institute, the CDA Certificate is offered at the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS). Graduates of the program receive 12 undergraduate college credits and preparation to attain the national CDA Credential. In addition, CUNY SPS has articulation agreements with several CUNY two-year colleges and universities to ensure that students easily transfer the maximum number of credits to these institutions. These colleges include Borough of Manhattan Community College, Hostos Community College, and Kingsborough Community College.

Last week 53 students graduated from the CUNY SPS CDA Certificate Program (CUNY SPS), their largest class to date! Eight of the graduating students are members of the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) Head Start Policy Council and we are thrilled to report that all eight parents received employment offers upon their completion of the program.

The Institute commends the forward thinking of ACS in supporting the growth of the early childhood workforce. Join us in congratulating the CDA Class of 2017, the Institute’s Director of Higher Education and Professional Development, Dana Benzo, and the CDA instructors at CUNY SPS for this accomplishment!

To check out the NY1's segment on the CDA parent cohort, click here.