Child Development Associate (CDA) Training Program
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Certificate Fee: $500
Prepare for Your CDA Credential With Flexible, On-Demand Training
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Training Program is an on-demand, online professional development program designed for individuals beginning or advancing a career in early childhood education. The program features an award-winning CDA® curriculum developed by the National Head Start Association (NHSA). It is delivered through National University’s professional learning platform, combining academic quality with real-world relevance.
This flexible online training supports early childhood educators across a variety of childcare settings, including childcare centers, preschools, and family childcare environments. Learners progress at their own pace while building a strong foundation in CDA® subject areas and competency standards essential to effective, high-quality early learning.
In addition to coursework, learners receive support in identifying appropriate early childhood settings for required training hours. The program includes 120 hours of formal early childhood education training across the eight CDA® subject areas, helping learners build the knowledge and competencies required for the credential.
NHSA also provides guidance in identifying appropriate early childhood settings where learners can complete the professional work experience required for the CDA® credential. Upon successful completion of the program, learners receive a certificate documenting their training hours.
Scholarships are available to help offset the cost of this program! Visit the CDA Council for Professional Recognition website to learn more.
CDA Program Learning Outcomes
- Learn to work effectively with children and families by understanding and implementing the CDA competency standards in daily work with children in a classroom setting
- Gain a deeper understanding of child development principles and their effective implementation in each learning experience throughout the day
- Identify key elements of management and professionalism in early childhood education
- Meet CDA training requirements and prepare for the CDA credentialing process
Certificate Fee: $500
Courses
Module 1: Planning a Safe and Healthy Learning Environment
Module 2: Children’s Physical and Intellectual Development
Module 3: Supporting Children’s Social and Emotional Development
Module 4: Building Productive Relationships With Families
Module 5: Managing an Effective Program and Observing Children’s Behavior
Module 6: Maintaining a Commitment to Professionalism
Module 7: Getting Your On-Demand CDA Credential
Contact Us
To speak to a Professional and Continuing Education program coordinator about this certificate, please email [email protected] or call 805-200-2332.
Certificate Fee: $500
Degree Pathway
Successful completion of the Child Development Associate credential allows students to receive academic credit toward the BS in Early Childhood Education degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students can register and start the program any time.
Yes. Successful completion of the Child Development Associate credential allows students to receive academic credit toward the BS in Early Childhood Education degree.
All learners are eligible to apply. There are no specific admissions requirements. It is recommended that learners have a high school diploma or GED.
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Training Program is designed to be completed in four months.
Yes, the program is 100% self -paced. All resources are included in the program.
While the CDA® Competency Standards Book is not required to complete this course, it is required when applying for the CDA® credential through the Council for Professional Recognition. For this reason, we strongly recommend that learners purchase a copy to support their progress through the CDA process.
You may purchase the book directly from the Council for Professional Recognition.
The certificate registration fee is $500. Students can register here with a credit card. Contact [email protected] to discuss payment options.
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Training Program is ideal for individuals interested in starting or advancing a career in early childhood education. It’s well-suited for aspiring educators, current childcare providers, preschool teachers, and family childcare professionals seeking flexible, online training aligned with CDA competency standards. The program is also a good fit for career changers looking to build foundational knowledge while balancing other commitments.
Students can enroll at any time by clicking the buttons below and completing the registration steps.
Certificate Fee: $500
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