Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate

Participants must take the four courses, each worth three credits, in succession:

• EDUC 200 - Child Development Birth - 5 Years (3 Credits)
• EDUC 201 - Observing and Recording Development of the Young Child (3 Credits)
• EDUC 202 - Integrated Curriculum & Learning Environments (3 Credits)
• EDUC 203 - Program, Professional, and Family Dynamics (3 Credits)

We offer three different modalities: virtual, hybrid, and on-campus. On-campus classes are typically held in midtown Manhattan at the SPS campus located at 119 West 31st St. You will have the option of taking weekday evening classes or weekend classes.

In addition to coursework, students are required to complete 120 hours of supervised fieldwork per course (480 hours total), regardless of whether they intend to pursue the CDA credential.

Students currently employed by a licensed program serving children Birth – 5 years can use their place of employment for their fieldwork hours specific to their CDA designation (infant/toddler, preschool or family child care). Students who are not employed by a licensed program will be placed in a site that is agreed upon by the instructor and student. Students are required to complete 480 hours of fieldwork prior to completion of the certificate program.

Visit the CUNY School of Professional Studies to view current tuition rates. The majority of our students receive some form of scholarship. Students who apply for The Enhanced NYS B5 SUNY-CUNY Workforce Scholarship: Early Childhood will be able to meet with a career advisor, who will review your eligibility for all of the scholarships. To learn about some of the scholarships available for early childhood professionals, please go here.

Articulation agreements are formal agreements between CUNY SPS and two-year and four-year colleges and universities, allowing students to transfer the maximum number of credits with ease. Currently, seven CUNY and SUNY schools accept CUNY SPS CDA credits for transfer:

• Borough of Manhattan Community College (A.S.)
• Hostos Community College (A.A.S.)
• Kingsborough Community College (A.S.)
• LaGuardia Community College (A.A.)
• Medgar Evers College (A.A. & B.A.)
• CUNY School of Professional Studies (B.A. in Youth Studies Program)
• SUNY Empire State College (A.A. & B.A.)

Training:

• Complete 480 hours of professional work experience working with children (specific to the CDA designation – Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care, or Home Visitor)
• Complete 120 clock hours of formal education/coursework.

• As part of their SPS coursework, students compile a Professional Portfolio that is used for the final assessment process. In addition to the Professional Portfolio, students demonstrate their competence through a Verification Visit and CDA exam.

• After the Council for Professional Recognition receives the scores for both your Verification Visit and CDA exam, the Council creates a Cumulative Score in order to determine your final credentialing decision. The Cumulative Score takes into account your understanding of the six CDA Competency Standards and 13 Functional Areas and your ability to put them into practice. There is not a passing or failing score on either the CDA exam or the Verification Visit. Instead, the Council comprehensively evaluates how you score in each of the Functional Areas during the Verification Visit and on the CDA exam to arrive at its decision.
• A CDA credential is valid for three years from the date of the award. You can apply to renew your CDA credential 90 days before it expires.