Child Development Associate

What is the job outlook?
Employment of child care workers is expected to increase by 11 percent through 2018, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. High replacement needs should create good job opportunities for child care workers, who on average earn from $24,800 to $36,900 per year in Maryland, depending on whether they work as a family child care provider, child care center director or child care center senior staff/teacher.

What is the training?
In partnership with the Council for Professional Recognition, Anne Arundel Community College offers child development associate training in a noncredit, six-course format which can be completed in one to three years. Taking the first three courses of the program meets the 90-hour child care training requirement of the Maryland State Department of Education’s Office of Child Care. Individuals with previous child care experience may be able to substitute for some of the course work. Following completion of the final course, students will be prepared for child development associate certification by the Council for Professional Recognition. Total Hours: 135

What courses will I take? 
CDA 308 – Basic Growth and Development
CDA 309 – Classroom Experience for Young Children
CDA 310 – Using Growth and Development in Designing Experiences 
CDA 311 – Working with Infants and Toddlers
CDA 312 – Planning for the School-Aged Child
CDA 313 – Child Development Associate Completer

What credentials can I earn?
Upon successful completion of the course, students have:  

• Earned the 120 hours of training required to become a Child Development Associate awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition and be ready for their assessment process for certification
• Met the Maryland State Department of Education/Office of Child Care’s 90 hour child care requirement for preschool teachers
• Earned an AACC continuing education certificate, and can obtain that certificate by completing and submitting a form. For details visit www.aacc.edu/coned/certificates. 

What will it cost?
$735 for Anne Arundel County residents, including tuition and fees

What are the requirements?
Students must be at least 16 years old. The Council for Professional Recognition has additional requirements for actual certification. For information visit www.cdacouncil.org.

How do I enroll?
Register online, in person, by fax, mail or touch-tone phone. Use certificate code CE.CHILD-DEV-ASSOC. Visit www.aacc.edu/noncredit for details.

Related Studies
AACC offers a variety of child care courses approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Office of Child Care, including family provider start-up classes, preservice training and continuing professional development. Visit www.aacc.edu/childcare or see the Schedule of Noncredit Classes.

Consult the college catalog or visit www.aacc.edu/teach for information about the following credit programs of study.

• Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Early Childhood Development
• Certificate in Early Childhood Development

Questions?
For more information contact Stacie Burch at 410-777-2916 or sqburch@aacc.edu.