Apprenticeship Programs
Earn as you learn.
Students/Apprentices
Earn while you learn.
- Become a childcare professional
- Advance your skills with on-the-job training and professional mentoring
- Earn college credit while earning a paycheck
- Receive incremental wage increases as competencies on the job increase
- Take advantage of available funding opportunities
Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ is a national credential, is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education (ECE), and is a key stepping stone on the path of career advancement in ECE. The CDA is based on a core set of competency standards, which guide early care professionals as they work toward becoming qualified teachers of young children.
- Explore a career in Early Childhood Education
- Engage in competencies required on the job
- Collaborate with families
- Utilize best practices
- Learn what it takes to be a childcare professional
In addition to the CDA, earn 15 college credits in 12 months.
Upcoming Schedule
- ECE 2185 – Onboarding for the Profession
- ECE 1110 – Introduction to Early Childhood Education
- ECE 2115 – Curriculum and Program Planning: Ages 3-8 Years
- EDUC 2130 – Child, Family, and Community
- PSYC 2190 – Child Development I
Prerequisites
You must be at least 16 years old to participate in this program.
210 hours of instruction
- ECE 2185 – Onboarding for the Profession
- ECE 1110 – Introduction to Early Childhood Education
- ECE 2115 – Curriculum and Program Planning: Ages 3-8 Years
- EDUC 2130 – Child, Family, and Community
- PSYC 2190 – Child Development I
480 hours of observation and field participation in
- Early childhood centers
- Head Start
- Early Head Start
- PreK Counts classrooms
CDA Portfolio
These 15 credits of coursework articulate into the associate’s (A.S.) and bachelor’s (B.S.) degrees in Early Childhood Education. There is a preferred sequence, but they can be taken in any order.
At this time, classes are virtual. However, CDA classes can be offered by synchronous Zoom, hybrid, or in-person moving forward. We accept transfer credits from accredited colleges/universities with approval from the Registrar.
High school students have the opportunity to obtain the credentials they need to become certified childcare professionals.
Cohort participants report that they were committed to the successful completion of the coursework and valued the experiential learning gained at the laboratory school. The support system provided to the students was viewed as a key element for success. Participants gained knowledge about the ECE field as well as related occupations.
Cost
View the current tuition per credit on the Admissions website under the Part-Time Student heading.
Keystone College participates in state funding opportunities, including Teacher Education And Compensation Helps (TEACH) Scholarships, Rising Stars Tuition Assistance Program, PASSHE Professional Development Organization, Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) Professional Development Organization, and PA Smart Funding.
Books are the responsibility of the participant unless funding is available.
Application Requirements
- Non-matriculated application, available via Caroline Millen
- Official copies of high school transcripts
- Official copies of college transcripts (if applicable)
Apprenticeship Requirements:
- Employment as a Child Care Worker or Family Provider in a Keystone Stars child care setting that is licensed and in good standing with DHS to qualify for the costs of the CDA credentialing process
- Recent PA Child Abuse, PA State Criminal Background Check, FBI Clearances
- High School Diploma or High School Equivalency
- Reliable computer or tablet with Internet access to access Zoom meetings and complete assignments