Child Development Associate (CDA) Program

The child development associate program (CDA) is a training program that offers nine hours of University approved coursework. These nine hours (three three-hour courses) fulfill the mandatory 120 clock hours of training needed to apply for the CDA credential. After training is completed, students go through an assessment process designed and implemented by the National Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition to determine their competence in working with young children. If they successfully complete the process, a CDA credential is awarded. The CDA credential may be obtained in a center-based setting at a preschool (3 to 5-year-olds) and/or infant/toddler (birth to 3) endorsement, or a family child care (birth through age 5) setting by the National Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition (NCEEPR). For information about the CDA program, contact the Teacher Education Services for Child Care Services, 210 Ginger Hall or call 606-783-2896.

The three child development associate classes are: EDEC 125, EDEC 150 and EDEL 250.