Earn Your CDA® Online
Our Child Development Associate (CDA) program is a fully facilitated, 100% online course designed to fit your schedule and provide the professional development you need for success in early childhood education. Through expertly guided sessions, you’ll gain the skills necessary to complete the program confidently, with thorough preparation for every aspect of the CDA credentialing process. We provide in-depth portfolio guidance to help you craft a standout submission and ensure certification readiness, supporting you through each stage until your credential is awarded. Additionally, our dedicated student community offers ongoing, in-depth assistance and encouragement, so you’re never alone on your journey to certification.
Roadmap to Success
Additional Information
FAQ
What are the minimum enrollment requirements?
There are no prerequisites for enrolling in our CDA® program. However, we ask that all participants meet the CDA® Council for Professional Recognition’s requirements by the end of the course, as outlined below:
Completion Requirements
By the end of the program, you must fulfill the following criteria:
- Be able to speak, read, and write English at a level sufficient to meet the CDA® credential requirements.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
- Accumulate at least 480 hours of experience working with young children within the past five years. This can be through paid or volunteer work, including, but not limited to, working in a childcare center, leading a childcare program at home, assisting in a nursery school, supporting a Head Start program, or volunteering in after-school programs, among others.
Technology Requirements
- Access to a smartphone, computer, laptop, or tablet (all coursework will be submitted online).
- A stable internet connection.
- An active email account (preferably Gmail - that is what works best with our classroom platform).
- Access to a phone with a camera or a scanner to be able to upload necessary documents/assignments.
Material Requirements
After starting the class, students will receive the following materials, which will arrive within 14 business days:
- CDA® Textbook
- CDA® Competency Book
These will be provided to you at no additional cost.
How much does it cost?
Tuition for our 120-hour program is $895. This is less than $8 per training hour! Click here to request an invoice is you are a center director interested in registering more than 1 employee member. Materials are included in the cost of tuition and will be sent after registration completion and orientation. Students who join our class typically receive their materials within 2-3 weeks of the course beginning. We offer PDF versions of the text to those who begin before receiving materials.
You may qualify for tuition scholarship and/or reimbursement. Click here to learn more about regarding your state.
How long is the program?
Our CDA® program takes approximately 6 months to complete. At the end of our program, students will submit their application to the CDA® Council for a CDA® Council PD Specialist to assess their work. The CDA® Council takes approximately 2-4 weeks to assess CDA® candidates.
Is there someone to help me if I am having difficulty with the program?
Yes! We have our instructors, our program manager, and a program administrator that are all available at your disposal and rooting for your success! You will be able to reach out to us with any questions at any time. We also will offer office hours and time during each zoom class to answer any and all questions. Instructional videos will also be available for each module to access online at any time.
If I get my CDA® in one state and move will my CDA® still be valid?
Yes, your CDA® is an internationally recognized credential that is accepted in all worldwide!
More About At The Heart
At the Heart of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership, LLC is a private training organization dedicated to inspiring and nurturing individuals and organizations to create stronger connections in their work. Our mission is driven by a team with over 75 years of combined experience in early childhood, leadership, and trauma-informed practices. We are an approved Ancillary Certificate provider recognized by the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, offering 120 hours of CDA training and additional CLASS training.
Founded by Melissa Williamson, EdD, CTP, a faculty member at The University of Texas at San Antonio, Melissa’s extensive career in leadership, trauma-informed practices, and early childhood education informs her approach to professional growth. She is a certified trainer for Deveraux Adult Resilience and Maxwell Leadership, with experience serving as a keynote speaker, consultant, and facilitator globally.