The Children’s Program Administrator Credential (CPAC) of New York State has established a standard used to measure program management and leadership abilities of early childhood and school-age program administrators. The credential was developed by The New York State Association for the Education of Young Children and may be earned by both new and experienced administrators who desire to be more effective leaders. This includes center directors, educational directors, administrative directors, executive directors, site supervisors, and teachers. The credential is a recognition of competence that is above and beyond college coursework and also serves as a measure of individual professional achievement.
In New York, the 18 credit-graduate program is designed to provide early childhood administrators with the management and leadership competencies to create high quality environments for the children and families they serve. The courses were developed by The Institute and are offered online at the CUNY School of Professional Studies!
The topic areas that reflect the competencies New York State requires to meet the criteria of the CPAC Credential are: administering children’s programs, financial planning and management of children’s programs, operations management in children’s programs, external environment and children’s programs, and designing programs that are good for children and families, culminating in a seminar in children’s program administration.
If you are currently working as an administrator of an early childhood and school-age program, and are interested in obtaining the CPAC Credential, the only prerequisite at the CUNY School of Professional Studies is to have a bachelor’s degree. In order to obtain the credential students need to have 18 credits in early childhood, child development, or related courses verified in The Aspire Registry, in addition to the 18 CPAC credits described in this post. If eligible, the first step in obtaining the CPAC certificate is completing your profile on The Aspire Registry and receiving your Career Ladder Level.
For more information about the CPAC please click here.
