Transfer Information
6067

Catalog of Entry | 2001

Child Development Associate (CDA) (12 credits)

Minimum 2.0 GPA in all courses.

The Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program is a major national effort initiated in 1971. The purpose of the program is to enhance the quality of child care by defining, evaluating, and recognizing the competence of child care providers and home visitors.

The CDA Credential is awarded by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition (the Council). The applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements and submit records as instructed on the Direct Assessment Application Form. (The Form is included as part of the materials required for the courses. The fee for the CDA Credential, payable to the Council - NOT JCC - is about $325.)

Candidate Eligibility Requirements

  1. Personal
    2.
  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Hold a High School diploma or equivalent.
  • Be able to speak, read, and write well enough to fulfill the responsibilities of a CDA Candidate.
  • Sign a statement of ethical conduct.

2. Setting*

  • Identify a state-approved child development center where the Candidate can be observed working as lead caregiver with a group of at least eight children, who are 3 through 5 years.

3. Experience

  • Candidates must have had, within the past five years, at least 480 hours of experience working with children aged 3 through 5 in a group setting.
  1. Education
  • Complete the following coursework.

EDU 246 Early Childhood Education
EDU 140 Early Childhood Guidance
EDU 142 Professionalism in Childhood Development
EDU 143 CDA Preparation

**Certification for CPR & First Aid is required for the CDA credential but it is not necessary to complete HOC 110 to be certified.

Students planning to enter the CDA credential program must complete the course placement assessment given at JCC. Students with an ACT composite of 18 and mathematics score of 18 meet the competencies and are exempt from course placement assessment. Students who complete course placement and who do not receive a minimum of 51 in reading and 1 or 2 in writing on the course placement assessment are not eligible to enroll in more than two CDA required courses in one semester.

*Students not currently employed in a child care setting will need to spend time in such an environment.

Return to Catalog of Entry | 2001