Earners of microcredential will be provided with specialized content area training to enter the childcare field. It is designed for anyone who is interested in becoming an early childhood educator. Moreover, the credential is designed to provide additional knowledge and experience to students interested in applying for higher education to study early child development, early childhood clinical intervention, or early childhood education. Students who complete the CDA microcredential will be able to find entry-level employment in the early child education and care setting.
All interested students should contact the Chairperson of the Psychology Department for additional information. The Psychology Department can be reached by telephone at 934 420-2725 or by email at psychology@farmingdale.edu.
Requirements to earn the microcredential:
To achieve the Child Development Associate microcredential, participants will need to be enrolled at FSC and successfully complete a four-course sequence (PSY 220, PSY 221, PSY 222, and PSY 223). In addition, participants must complete or achieve the following:
- Portfolio that demonstrates competencies in the 13 functional areas outlined by the Council of Professional Recognition (Portfolio includes CPR/First Aid infant/child)
- Family Questionnaires and Reflection Essay
- 6 Competency Statements focused on the 13 functional areas and standards
- 6 resource collections (e.g. menus, sample lessons plans, learning experiences for young children based on domains, copy of regulations, sample assessment documents)
- Professional Philosophy Statement (essay)
- 480 fieldwork hours as an internship or place of employment in the age group designation (Infant/Toddler, Preschool, or Family Child Care)
- Become ASPIRE members (NY State early childhood workforce registry)
Students who complete the requirements for this microcredential will be prepared to apply for the nationally recognized Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential through the Council for Professional Recognition: https://www.cdacouncil.org/en/. To earn the CDA Credential, students must demonstrate the following additional requirements:
- Take and successfully pass the CDA Exam at a Pearson VUE testing center
- Verification visit with a CDA PD Specialist (4 hours) at their place of employment
Admission requirements for application:
- Matriculation into a Farmingdale State College degree program
- Completion of the Microcredential Application on Etrieve
For Non-matriculated students:
- Completion of the non-matriculated student application
- Completion of the Microcredential Application on Etrieve (Instructions will be emailed after completing the non-matriculated student application)
Stackable to:
Time to complete:
2 semesters
Cost to attend:
Standard tuition rates apply. For tuition and student consumer information, please click here.
Contact Information
Psychology
Knapp Hall, second floor,
934-420-2725
psychology@farmingdale.edu
PSY 220 Child Development Birth-5 years
The course will focus on theories of attachment, theories of childhood, and developmental touch points essential in learning about children. This knowledge allows child care professionals to establish nurturing environments conducive to meeting the individual needs of children and families while being respectful and cognizant of family preference and cultural frameworks. This course is designed to provide students with opportunities to explore, reflect, and build a theoretical grounding in child development. Students will have numerous opportunities to link theory to practice, with a focus on hands-on learning. Students are encouraged to question, reflect, and integrate their experiences and readings while they learn from each other through small group brainstorming, problem solving, and discussions. This course requires students to complete 120 hours of supervised work experience in a child care setting, over and above the in-class experience. Prerequisite(s): Permission of Department
PSY 221 Observing & Recording Development of the Young Child
This course is designed to provide students with opportunities to explore, reflect on, and apply the theoretical grounding gained in Child Development Birth - 5 years. The course will focus on presenting a unique system for observing and recording development of children ages Birth to 5 years in early-childhood classroom settings. The system is based on a progression of children's skill development in six major areas: emotional development, social development, physical development, cognitive development, language development, and creative development. Students will not only explore how to observe, record, and interpret development of children Birth through 5 years of age, but also have opportunities to discuss what these children are like and how to support them in their development with exciting hands-on activities. Students will identify ways to connect their observations to making individual learning plans, assessment of individual children for program development, and developing classroom activities that are developmentally appropriate for young children. Students will have numerous opportunities to link theory to practice, with a focus on hands-on learning. Students are encouraged to question, reflect, and integrate their experiences and readings while they learn from each other through small group brainstorming, problem solving, and discussions.This course requires students to complete 120 hours of supervised work experience in a child care setting above and beyond the in-class experience. This course is designed to be taken simultaneous with PSY 220. However, a student may take PSY 220 first; and PSY 221 after, PSY 220 must be passed with a C grade or higher, and can be either be a pre- or co-requisite. Corequisite(s): PSY 220
PSY 222 Early Childhood Learning Environments
This course is designed to provide students with opportunities to explore, reflect, and build upon the theoretical grounding gained in the Child Development course. The course will focus on establishing and_ maintaining a safe, healthy, learning environment through the examination of each child's physical, cognitive, language, creative, self, social, and emotional development, and their impact on child guidance practices. Students will have numerous opportunities to link theory to practice, with a focus on developing safe learning environments; creation of good health and nutrition practices; development of environments that encourage growth, creativity, curiosity and learning. Students are encouraged to question, reflect, and integrate their experiences and readings while they learn from each other through small group brainstorming, problem solving, and discussions. This course requires students to complete 120 hours of supervised work experience in a child care setting, above and beyond the in-class experience. Prerequisite(s): PSY 221 with a grade of C or higher
PSY 223 The Childcare Professional and Family Dynamics
The course will focus on establishing positive and productive partnerships with families, ensuring a well-run, purposeful program responsive to participant needs, and maintaining a commitment to professionalism. Special attention will be given to making connections when working with diverse families and communities, as well as children with special needs. Students will learn about establishing and maintaining high-quality childcare programs and how to assess and support the families of young children. This course is designed to provide students with opportunities to explore, reflect, and build upon their belief and view of early childhood professionals within the field as well as within society. Students will have numerous opportunities to link theory to practice, with a focus on hands-on learning. Students are encouraged to question, reflect, and integrate their experiences and readings while they learn from each other through small group brainstorming, problem solving, and discussions. This course requires students to complete 120 hours of supervised work experience in a child care setting above and beyond the in-class experience. Prerequisite(s): PSY 221 with a grade of C or higher