This program guides candidates through the entire CDA credentialing process. The self-paced coursework gives learners the flexibility to study on their own schedule while dedicated faculty provide one-on-one coaching and additional support to ensure all of our learners complete the entire CDA program.
Live • On-Demand • 120 PD Hours
Earning a CDA® credential demonstrates educators’ knowledge, skills, and abilities in the early childhood education field as well as their commitment to professional development. Designed for working Head Start and Early Head Start professionals, The Academy’s CDA® Training Pathways program gives learners the flexibility and support they need to achieve their goals.
On-Demand CDA courses with FREE office hours: Teachers enrolled in on-demand CDA® courses have the option to join one hour a month of free consultation with a CDA® expert coach to answer questions about the CDA® portfolio assignments. NOTE: This option does not include assignment revisions or written feedback by the coach. It's exclusively to answer questions and provide clarifications.
CDA® Core - includes all features in On-Demand, 120 hours coursework aligned with The Council competency standards, online coaching sessions to support portfolio and coursework completion, and access to individual coaches as needed via email.
CDA® Pro - includes all features in CDA Core PLUS application for The CDA through The Council for Professional Recognition, and includes the CDA book.
Learners can complete the training on-demand or have access to the full pathway—completely online. Which program is right for you? Explore the options:
Fill out this this form and one of our CDA experts will contact you soon to do the registration!
| Features | On-Demand Program | CDA Core | CDA Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best-in-class preparation to prepare CDA candidates to successful complete the 120 hours of Early Childhood Education required by the Council of Professional Recognition | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Exclusive Early Head Start, Head Start focus in each module, featuring the knowledge to succeed in any Head Start classroom across the country | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Coursework activities to prepare a professional portfolio throughout the course | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Option to join one hour a month of free consultation with a CDA expert coach to answer questions about the CDA portfolio assignments. | ✓ | ||
| Regular online meetings with CDA Professional Development coaches | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Access to a national cohort of peers | ✓ | ✓ | |
| One-on-one check-ins on deadlines and milestones | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Portfolio Review by professional development coach | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Application to obtain the credential: CDA exam cost as well as the verification visit; both are mandatory requirements to obtain the CDA credential | ✓ | ||
| Support scheduling verification visit and CDA exam. | ✓ | ||
| All course materials, including the CDA Competency Standards book | ✓ |
| Bonus: A Pathway Beyond with National University | On-Demand Program | Live Training Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Enrollment support to National University's CDA to BA Pathway, an affordable and inclusive opportunity designed for Head Start staff | ✓ | ✓ |
| Six semester credits—nearly halfway towards National University's Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Foundations,, the first in a series of five that stack to a Bachelor's Degree in ECE with a Head Start focus! | ✓ | ✓ |
| The equivalent of taking the following college courses from National University: "ECE 201: The Growing Child: Zero to 8," "ECE 210 Child, Family, School, and Comm," and "HED 220: Health, Nutrition, and Safety." | ✓ | ✓ |
| Course | Core | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Family Child Care Home | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bilingual Infant and Toddler | ✓ | |
| Bilingual Preschool | ✓ | |
| Bilingual Home Visitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Parent Family Child Care Home | ✓ | ✓ |
| Parent Infant and Toddler | ✓ | |
| Parent Preschool Core | ✓ | |
| Parent Home Visitor | ✓ |
The CDA Pathway is designed for educators working in the following settings: 1) preschool; 2) with infants and toddlers; 3) family child care; and 4) home visitor environments. In addition to meeting the Council for Professional Recognition’s coursework requirements, this training provides learners with everything they need to know to succeed in Head Start.
Start Dates:
Target Audience: Instruction and Effective Practice, Parents and Families, Support Services
Requirements/Prerequisites:
Completion Timeline/Duration: Four months
Head Start Alignment: Includes alignments with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework in each module.