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Child Development Associate I Certificate

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Program Description:

The CDA I Certificate Program is designed to meet the training needs of persons already working in the field of early childhood care and education. To enroll in this program, you must have completed a minimum of 480 hours of work in the field with young children. This program is designed to provide the minimum formal training in early-childhood-care-and-education competencies, knowledge, skills, and techniques required to apply for a CDA credential from the Council for Early Childhood Recognition in Washington, D.C. The CDA credential is not issued by the technical college and must be applied for and paid for separately from this program; however, this program is approved to provide the needed training to attain this credential. Once achieved, this credential is recognized nationally by Head Start and in Georgia for working in state pre-K programs and in many other public and private early-childhood-care-and-education settings.

Program Admission Requirements:

  1. Present official documentation of an earned high school diploma or official GED scores.
  2. Be at least 18 years old.
  3. Meet minimum test scores.
  4. Apply for a criminal record check, and present official documentation of a TB test.

Career Information and Occupational Outlook:

Curriculum Outline:

Course Title Credit Hours
ECE 101 Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education 5
ECE 103 Human Growth and Development I 5
ECE 105 Health, Safety, and Nutrition 5
ECE 125 Professionalism through CDA Certificate Preparation 2
ECE 126 CDA Certificate Assessment 2
Completion of Work Ready Assessment

The content of this page does not constitute a contract between Columbus Technical College and its students on either a collective or individual basis. Course curriculum, fee changes, or additional unforeseen changes may occur after publication. Course offerings are contingent upon adequate enrollments. Please contact the school offering the program for the most current information. Academic advising is available to students prior to registration; this information is not a substitute for consulting with an academic advisor.

Last updated: July 15, 2008.