OT-Getting CDA when already have Bachelors

[Bibbidi]

I already have a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, but I stopped working 5.5 years ago to stay home with my first child. Now that my youngest will be in preschool part-time next year I was thinking about getting my Child Development Associate. My goal is to teach preschool and perhaps eventually apply my CDA courses toward an associates degree in early childhood education. Where I already have a bachelors is it necessary to get the associates? A CDA will only cost me $750 and it's all online--I need some practical experience at the preschool, but I can get that already as a sub. Anyone out there have a CDA and any insight? Thanks!

 

[Cindy B]

I have never heard of that cert. I am in an elementary ed. program at a respected teaching university and have never heard that in any program.

It sounds like a teachers aide type cert. In my school district (where I sub) you don't need anything like that. The only requirements for instructional associates/paraprofessionals/teachers aides are 48 to 60 college credits. Most schools would like to see an associates instead of just 48 credits--but that is what they are looking for.

It sounds like you have that covered.. I would just apply to different districts and see what they have to say!

 

[lovinpoohbear]

What state do you live in? In Connecticut, I know of a few preschool programs that will pay for you to get your cda while you are working for them.
The CDA is a certificate and will give you certification to be a Head Teacher of an early childhood program. (At least here in Ct!!)
PM me if you have any question!!!

 

[DiznEeyore]

I have my CDA. I got it many, many years ago.

I didn't have a degree, and here in Michigan, if you wanted to direct a child care center, you either needed a degree OR a CDA.

I haven't kept up with any changes that may have taken place in the program, so my best advice would be to do some research into your district/state's requirements for what you want to do.

I will say that the CDA is a very specialized certification (definitely *not* the equivalent of a "teacher's aide" -- Cindy B., you probably haven't heard of it because it's only related to Early Childhood, not elementary ed) and even though I'd been in the field for quite some time, I learned a lot through the process.

I'm amazed that you can get it online now -- there was so much classroom time involved, additional projects, and interviews with parents and your parent-advisor. The actual certification review took all day long and was extremely rigorous. Sounds like it's changed a lot!

 

[Cindy B]

I have my CDA. I got it many, many years ago.

I didn't have a degree, and here in Michigan, if you wanted to direct a child care center, you either needed a degree OR a CDA.

I haven't kept up with any changes that may have taken place in the program, so my best advice would be to do some research into your district/state's requirements for what you want to do.

I will say that the CDA is a very specialized certification (definitely *not* the equivalent of a "teacher's aide" -- Cindy B., you probably haven't heard of it because it's only related to Early Childhood, not elementary ed) and even though I'd been in the field for quite some time, I learned a lot through the process.

I'm amazed that you can get it online now -- there was so much classroom time involved, additional projects, and interviews with parents and your parent-advisor. The actual certification review took all day long and was extremely rigorous. Sounds like it's changed a lot!

I know quite a few early childhood majors--and was originally accepted into the early childhood program--my university did nothing about the CDA. Its in none of the literature or anything.

It may just be a certain state thing. If its only one day--why would it not be equivalent to a paraprofessional or a substitute teacher? Not trying to stir the pot, just curious?

I've subbed in my district early childhood center (all prek and 3-4 year olds) and have never seen anyone with this or talking about this cert.

 

[ameraumi]

I received my CDA 5 years ago (family child care setting). I took 4 internet classes from our local tech school (IVY Tech), and those classes could also be use towards my ECE degree if I choose to ever go for it. Ivy Tech had it in their class catalog what classes need to be taken to qualify for the CDA.

Indiana also has a program called TEACH that will pay for the classes as well as the exam. I also received a bonus from them once I passed the exam, and another bonus after I was in the child care field for 1 yr.

If you have a child care resource and referal office near you, give them a call and ask them for input. They can give you information on what online classes, as well as traditional classes, would be best. Good Luck!

 

[jocotter]

I am an adminstrator of 5 childcare centers, and the requirements in Texas for a center director can include 2 years of experience and a CDA, plus 6 hours in business. There are various ways to meet the director qualifications, and that is one of them for people who might not have a BA in child development or the 2 year associate degree. Also, Head Start has a real push on for all teacher's aides to have CDAs. You might check your regulations out and see if there is any benefit. If you have a BA or BS in an unrelated field, but want to become a director, in Texas you would have to either get a CDA or take college classes in business and child development.

 

[InstImpres]

Like OPs have stated it will depend where you live. I know in NJ (my parents used to own a center) the CDA was not needed the bachelors was plenty. Each center can decide if that is acceptable or not but state wise you would be fine without it

 

[DiznEeyore]

I know quite a few early childhood majors--and was originally accepted into the early childhood program--my university did nothing about the CDA. Its in none of the literature or anything.

It may just be a certain state thing. If its only one day--why would it not be equivalent to a paraprofessional or a substitute teacher? Not trying to stir the pot, just curious?

Oh my gosh, it's WAY more than one day!! The one day is just the summation of everything that's come before. There are months of classes, projects, interviews, etc.

And back when I got my CDA, it wasn't a credential that was available through universities. It was a professional certification.

HTH explain a little more!

 

[lovinpoohbear]

I just wanted to add that I would be careful about choosing a school online. I had to take college courses through a local college, internship over six months, PLUS an early childhood advisor had to observe me in a classroom. I had to wait 5 months after my last class to actually take the CDA exam which took almost a whole day since it was a written exam followed by an oral exam/interview.
I never heard of doing the CDA online.

 

[ameraumi]

I just wanted to add that I would be careful about choosing a school online. I had to take college courses through a local college, internship over six months, PLUS an early childhood advisor had to observe me in a classroom. I had to wait 5 months after my last class to actually take the CDA exam which took almost a whole day since it was a written exam followed by an oral exam/interview.
I never heard of doing the CDA online.

I took one online class a semester (Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall). Then I applied to the CDA Council to do the exan the quarter after DD was born, so it took me just shy of 2 yrs to complete it. So it is not just a one day thing.

There are more agencies popping up online that have online classes to take towards a CDA. My classes thru Ivy Tech were online, which more accredited colleges are now doing.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I live in Fl & 11 years ago I worked for the City as a preschool teacher. I didn't have to go for my CDA. I have an AA in Early Childhood as well as 17 more credits towards my BA... just never finished. I left college many many years ago. I did however have to attend a 30 hour program given by HRS, as well as CPR & a First Aid class. I am currently working for the school district & they keep pushing me to go back & finish so I can become an Elm School teacher. I think I am just a little tooooo old to go back though. I left college in 1979! I can tell you, here in my county & maybe all of FL, if you want to work in any school directly with the students.. even as an assistant, you must have your AA or have been grandfathered in & pass the "Para-Pro test". I didn't have to worry since I have the AA.

 

[funnygarcia]

I worked at Head Start as an Assistant Teacher for 3 years and two years at a daycare/preschool.
Head Start's new guidelines require AA degree with coursework in Early Childhood Education for teachers. In the past they pushed for the CDA only, in fact I knew a few teachers who had a bachelor degree and licensed in Elementary Ed but still had to take the CDA (it was a Head Start paperwork requirement).

CDA is a good starting point for someone with little or no experience in the field.
Personally,I would pursue some college courses in Early Childhood Education (technical or community college) instead of the CDA. With college credits it opens up more doors of opportunity ... Head Start, state run preschools, private preschools (means better pay and benefits!).

I haven't finished my own AA degree.. just a few credits shy due to MN technical colleges switching to semester credits. Maybe next year I will hack away at it again! The Early Childhood coursework was worth it.. I learned a ton about children and was able to use those skills in the classroom.


Just something to ponder.. to keep my LPN licensure with the state I needed only 12 CEUs every two years.
According to state regs.. To work with children I needed proof of 40 hours of training per year (if working full time).

 

[barkley]

you def. want to check out the requirements in your state-as well as take a look at what the program requirements are at any local colleges you might be able to attend. when i got my a.s. in ece the only difference between the program requirements for certification in ece and the a.s. (which qualified you in california then to be a director) was the general ed. core classes for the degree and maybe 2 or 3 classes in the ece program. if you already have a batchelors you probably have met all the general ed. requirements so it would be strictly the ece stuff (and allot of colleges offer all of the classes evenings and weekends with the exception of the practicum which we did'nt do until the last semester). and i would def. check to see if you state allows your sub time to count for the ece experience-here the only practical experience that was acceptable had to be done in the manner of a formal practicum with a master teacher and an advisor (so it had to be so many set hours per week with specific goals/projects built in such that subbing could'nt be applied).

 

[MrsPete]

Oh my gosh, it's WAY more than one day!! The one day is just the summation of everything that's come before. There are months of classes, projects, interviews, etc.

And back when I got my CDA, it wasn't a credential that was available through universities. It was a professional certification.

HTH explain a little more!

I know what the one-day thing is: It's a community college class that sort of hits the highlights of teaching: classroom management mainly. It's for people who want to substitute teach. I had to take it before I could begin student teaching in college; it wasn't much of anything -- well, how much could it be in one day?

I don't think it has anything to do with what the original poster's talking about.

 

[Bibbidi]

I just wanted to add that I would be careful about choosing a school online. I had to take college courses through a local college, internship over six months, PLUS an early childhood advisor had to observe me in a classroom. I had to wait 5 months after my last class to actually take the CDA exam which took almost a whole day since it was a written exam followed by an oral exam/interview.
I never heard of doing the CDA online.

Lovinpoohbear,

I too am usually leary of online coursework, but this one does have an assessment at the end of the coursework that involves an interview/exam, classroom observation, etc. It is a totally legitimate program--it has an articulation agreement with the University of Cincinnati to offer students the ability to pursue a college degree.

 

[Bibbidi]

I know what the one-day thing is: It's a community college class that sort of hits the highlights of teaching: classroom management mainly. It's for people who want to substitute teach. I had to take it before I could begin student teaching in college; it wasn't much of anything -- well, how much could it be in one day?

I don't think it has anything to do with what the original poster's talking about.

Yes, I am not talking about anything being one-day. I'm not even sure what anyone else is talking about referring to a one-day thing. The courses I'm talking about take about 7 months to complete online.

The CDA credential consists of five key components:

* The Professional Resource File
* The Parent Opinion Questionnaires
* The CDA Assessment Observation Instrument
* The Early Childhood Studies Review
* The Oral Interview

My main question was really since I already have a Bachelor's Degree (in Biochemistry, not early childhood education) is it worth pursuing an associates in education or would it be fine to just get my CDA? I'm not looking to teach beyond the pre-k level.

I also have to take a couple classes in Communicable Disease, Recognizing Child Abuse, FirstAid/CPR, etc which are in addition to the CDA courses.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Yes, I am not talking about anything being one-day. I'm not even sure what anyone else is talking about referring to a one-day thing. The courses I'm talking about take about 7 months to complete online.

My main question was really since I already have a Bachelor's Degree (in Biochemistry, not early childhood education) is it worth pursuing an associates in education or would it be fine to just get my CDA? I'm not looking to teach beyond the pre-k level.

I also have to take a couple classes in Communicable Disease, Recognizing Child Abuse, FirstAid/CPR, etc which are in addition to the CDA courses.

Cindy B. brought up the comment about "one day" when she apparently took my comment about my final assessment day to mean that the ENTIRE CDA program was one day.

My .02 on your original question is that since your degree is in a field completely unrelated to early childhood education, you definitely want to get something else. IMO, the CDA is more pertinent/valuable because it is so incredibly specialized. But that is just MY opinion.