Online education has fast become a mainstay of graduate education. In 2012, only 26 percent of postsecondary students took online classes. By 2022, that number had increased to 53 percent. Researchers expect demand for online education to remain strong in the future, prompting higher education institutions to expand their online program portfolios to meet the growing demand.
The rise in online education offers students many benefits, including increased access to educational programs, flexible formats, and improved opportunities to balance schoolwork with personal and professional commitments. Educators working in preschool or daycare settings can strengthen their credentials by earning a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential—which many states require to work in daycare and preschool settings—in a flexible online program like the Child Development Associate Program at American University.
This article explores the purpose of a CDA program and career outcomes, highlights the benefits of studying online, and offers guidance on how to get started.
Unlock Your Potential with AU’s Online CDA Program
Gain the Tools to Achieve Your Early Childhood Education Credential
What Can You Do with a Child Development Associate Credential?
The CDA credential is an industry-recognized qualification in early childhood education for educators working in preschool or daycare settings. Offered by the Council for Professional Recognition, the CDA requires educators to meet specific requirements, including completing a minimum of 120 hours of formal early childhood education coursework, preparing a professional portfolio, and acquiring 480 hours of professional work experience. Earning the credential demonstrates that professionals have the qualifications to excel in early childhood education and provides a competitive edge in the job market.
Earning your CDA credential will equip you with the knowledge and skills to pursue these early childhood education roles:
- Childcare worker: Childcare workers tend to children’s needs and nurture their early development. They may play games with toddlers, help younger children prepare for kindergarten, or assist older children with homework.
- Childcare center director: Childcare center directors supervise staff, design programs, manage daily activities, create budgets, and oversee the entire center’s operations. They typically work in schools and childcare centers and spend most of their days in an office, but they also observe classrooms, collaborate with staff, and meet with parents. Childcare center directors usually work full time, earning a median annual income of $54,290.
- Preschool and pre-K teacher: Preschool and pre-K teachers educate and care for children under age five, preparing them for kindergarten by teaching language, motor skills, social skills, and respect for others. They typically work in child day-care services or schools during their workplace’s regular hours.
- Teacher assistant: Teacher assistants work alongside a licensed teacher to provide students additional attention and instruction. They may work with individuals or small groups, monitor student progress, provide feedback to teachers, and help with lesson planning.
A CDA can open doors professionally. To prepare for your certification, find an educational program and format that fits your needs. Continue reading to learn more about online CDA programs and their benefits.
The Top Reasons to Complete Your CDA Program Online
There are many reasons students choose to pursue an online certificate or degree. Common motivations include flexibility and convenience, cost savings, and access to quality education. The sections below explore these factors and how they benefit students pursuing a CDA program online.
Flexibility and Convenience
Online learning allows students to learn at their own pace, enabling them to balance work and school and plan their schedules to accommodate vacations and other obligations. The flexible and convenient format also offers location independence, allowing students to pursue their education from anywhere without the need to relocate or commute to campus. AU’s CDA program is self-paced and delivered entirely online, facilitating maximum flexibility.
Cost-Effective Online Classroom
Students considering an online program should compare online tuition with in-person program rates to determine which program is more cost-effective. In-person programs often include student and campus fees, resulting in higher costs. Online study can also reduce the cost of your CDA program by saving money on costs typically associated with attending on-campus classes, such as commuting and parking. The time you save by not traveling to and from campus is another cost savings, according to the adage, “Time is money.”
Access to Quality Education
Online programs typically feature the same curriculum as their on-campus counterparts. AU’s CDA program curriculum emphasizes critical literacy, social justice, and antiracism through culturally responsive and culturally sustaining teaching methods. It can be completed in 4–8 months and includes 135 course hours, covering theoretical, research-based, and practitioner-oriented topics in early childhood development.
The program fulfills the educational requirements for the Preschool, Infant-Toddler, and Family Child Care CDA credential and enables students to work on most of the required portfolio components. After completing the CDA program and fulfilling all the requirements, students can apply for their CDA credential from the Council for Professional Recognition.
The American University Advantage: Explore the Online CDA Program
AU’s online CDA program offers unique advantages that help students reach their academic and career goals. Throughout the program, online students have access to support from an academic advisor and faculty coach, as well as distinguished faculty members who conduct cutting-edge research, spearhead innovative partnerships, create relevant coursework, and drive positive change. The support system carries over into the classroom, where group work and collaboration help students build lasting relationships with peers and faculty, fostering a strong professional network.
During their CDA program, students in the DC region can gain valuable preschool or infant-toddler professional work experience in one of the high-quality education programs available through AU’s partnership with the non-profit organization Martha’s Table. Students in other areas can complete their work experience at a location local to them.
Upon completing their CDA program, students can further their education and careers through a degree program. CDA graduates can transfer up to six credits toward Trinity Washington University’s Associate of Arts (AA) in Early Childhood Education, which can later be applied toward a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Education at American University or Trinity Washington University.
Get Started: Pursue Your Child Development Associate Program Online
The CDA credential provides an industry-recognized qualification that equips early childhood educators with the knowledge and skills to excel in preschool or day care settings.
Students in an online CDA program can benefit from a high-quality, flexible, and convenient education offered at an affordable cost. Students enrolled in the AU online CDA program have the added advantage of a comprehensive support system, including esteemed faculty members, as well as the opportunity for a seamless transition into an associate degree program and, subsequently, a bachelor’s in education. Connect with an enrollment advisor to learn more about the CDA program and admissions requirements, or start your application if you’re ready to take the next step.
