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Earn your CDA online with Bertelsen Education

Take CDA classes online to meet the training hour requirement with portfolio support, all online and on your own time!

What is a CDA?

The Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education. It's a great way to advance your career in early childhood education. The CDA® certification is based on a core set of competency standards set by the Council for Professional Recognition that guide early childhood professionals toward becoming qualified educators of young children.

How do I earn my CDA Credential?

There are 4 steps to earning a CDA Credential.
Our CDA Pathway provides you with professional development training and portfolio support, so you are well prepared for your Verification Visit and CDA Exam.

Prepare

Before you apply:
Complete 120 hours of professional education covering the 8 CDA subject areas
Within 3 years of applying:
Work 480 hours with children in your chosen age group
Within 6 months of submitting your application:
Prepare your professional portfolio

Apply

Submit your application and pay the application fee
Select a PD Specialist
Complete Director's Permission Statement
Receive Ready to Schedule notification

Demonstrate

Schedule Verification Visit
Show Professional Portfolio at Verification Visit
Take the CDA Exam

Earn

Celebrate your accomplishment!

Pricing

The CDA Pathway from Bertelsen Education makes earning your CDA Credential easy and fun at a competitive price!
  • Additional fees paid to the CDA Council will apply. See FAQs.

CDA Pathway

Prepare to Earn Your CDA Credential
$375
Per Person

  • 120 hours of professional development training across 8 CDA Subject Areas

  • Includes Portfolio Support
  • Entirely online and self-paced

  • Access for 12 months

CDA Curriculum Pathway

View required courses and exams that you will take as part of our CDA Curriculum Package. You can also download a PDF of our CDA Pathway using the button below.
Subject Area 1
Subject Area 2
Subject Area 3
Subject Area 4
Subject Area 5
Subject Area 6
Subject Area 7
Subject Area 8
subject area 1

Planning a safe and healthy learning environment

9 required courses
19 training hours
The following are required to complete Subject Area 1.
Click the + to learn more about each course.
*Be sure to keep your coursework as you complete these courses. You will use it as part of your portfolio.
subject area 8

Understanding the principles of child development and learning

6 required classes
12 training hours
The following are required to complete Subject Area 8.
Click the + to learn more about each course.
*Be sure to keep your coursework as you complete these courses. You will use it as part of your portfolio.
subject area 7

Observing and recording children's behavior

5 required classes
10 training hours
The following are required to complete Subject Area 7.
Click the + to learn more about each course.
*Be sure to keep your coursework as you complete these courses. You will use it as part of your portfolio.
subject area 6

Maintaining a commitment to professionalism

5 required classes
11 training hours
The following are required to complete Subject Area 6.
Click the + to learn more about each course.
*Be sure to keep your coursework as you complete these courses. You will use it as part of your portfolio.
subject area 5

Managing an effective program operation

7 required classes
13 training hours
The following are required to complete Subject Area 5.
Click the + to learn more about each course.
*Be sure to keep your coursework as you complete these courses. You will use it as part of your portfolio.
subject area 4

Building productive relationships with families

6 required classes
13 training hours
The following are required to complete Subject Area 4.
Click the + to learn more about each course.
*Be sure to keep your coursework as you complete these courses. You will use it as part of your portfolio.
subject area 3

Supporting children's social and emotional development

10 required classes
20 training hours
The following are required to complete Subject Area 3.
Click the + to learn more about each course.
*Be sure to keep your coursework as you complete these courses. You will use it as part of your portfolio.
subject area 2

Advancing children's physical and intellectual development

7 required classes
15 training hours
The following are required to complete Subject Area 2.
Click the + to learn more about each course.
*Be sure to keep your coursework as you complete these courses. You will use it as part of your portfolio.

What are the steps to getting a CDA credential?

While Bertelsen Education provides online CDA courses and the portfolio course, the CDA credential is issued by the CDA Council.
Our program allows you one year to complete these steps.
Infographic describing how to earn a CDA certification online
pricing

How much does it cost to get a CDA?

Bertelsen Education offers a CDA Curriculum Package, which gives you all the coursework and test prep you need for the CDA.


Note: The cost to get a CDA varies. Alternative funding sources and scholarships are available. Visit the CDA webpage to learn more about funding sources.
Our Online CDA Curriculum Package includes the following:
  • Coursework - 112 hours of CDA training courses
  • Section review - 8 hours of review for each of the CDA subject areas
  • Test prep - 8 subject area test prep questions
Total Cost* = $375
* An additional $450 for a CDA workbook and the certification test is paid directly to Council for Professional Recognition
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