Connecticut Director's Credential (CDC)

In addition to requiring a degree, the Director's Credential is awarded to those who have successfully met all additional requirements necessary to obtain the credential at each level. Applicants will need at least 12 credits in early childhood education as well as courses in the Core Competency Areas for Child Care Directors. These competency areas include:

• Competency 1: Administration and Supervision

  Required for all levels of the Credential. To meet this requirement, applicants may choose to take a 3-credit comprehensive introductory course in administration and supervision that covers all of the core areas of knowledge listed above.

• Competency 2: Personnel Management and Staff Development

  Examples of courses in this area are human resource management; personnel management and human behavior.

• Competency 3: Budget/Fiscal Management

  Examples of courses in this area are financial accounting; small business management; small business accounting; or non-profit accounting.

• Competency 4: Leadership Skills

  Examples of courses in this area are courses on leadership practices; leading teams; team building; interpersonal communication; leadership and group process.

• Competency 5: Child/Family/School and Community Relations

  Child, family and school relations; children, schools and the community; family school partnerships; public policy and family; any course on the child and the family which emphasized the relationship between child, family, and the teacher/school. (An introductory course on the family will not be acceptable).

Applicants for the Connecticut Director’s Credential must also meet the following minimum experience and educational requirements:

• Initial Level - Minimum Associate Degree (renewable in 3 years)

  Minimum Education Requirements
  • AA/AS degree with twelve (12) credits in early childhood or after school education and completion of three (3) credits in competency area 1 PLUS six (6) credits in two of the remaining competency areas.
  Supervisory Experience Requirements
  • One year of supervisory experience, and
  • One year of full-time supervised administrative experience
  Administrative Requirements
  • Nine (9) credits in Program Administration including: three (3) credit introductory course in Administration and Supervision PLUS six (6) credits in two of the four remaining competency areas (Personnel, Budget,Leadership or Community).

• Standard Level - Minimum Bachelor Degree (renewable in 3 years)

  Minimum Education Requirements
  • BA/BS degree with twelve (12) credits in Early Childhood or After School Education and completion of three (3) credits in competency area 1 PLUS nine (9) credits in three of the remaining competency areas.
  Supervisory Experience Requirements
  • One year of supervisory experience, and
  • One year of full-time supervised administrative experience, and
  • One additional year of administrative experience.
  Administrative Requirements
  • Twelve (12) credits in Program Administration including: three (3) credit introductory course in Administration and Supervision PLUS nine (9) credits in three of the four remaining competency areas (Personnel, Budget,Leadership or Community).

• Master Level - Minimum Master's Degree (renewable in 6 years)

  Minimum Education Requirements
  • MA/MS degree with twelve (12) credits in early childhood or after school education and completion of three (3) credits in competency area 1 PLUS twelve (12) credits in each of the remaining competency areas.
  Supervisory Experience Requirements
  • One year of supervisory experience, and
  • One year of supervised administrative experience, and
  • Two additional years of administrative experience.
  Administrative Requirements
  • Fifteen (15) credits in Program Administration including: three (3) credit introductory course in Administration and Supervision PLUS twelve (12) credits in all of the four remaining competency areas (Personnel, Budget, Leadership, or Community).

If you are interested in applying for the CT Director Credential, please apply by logging on to https://www.charteroak.edu/application/ to complete the application form and to pay the $50.00 application fee. Once you apply, you should arrange to have your official college transcripts sent over to us. All transcripts must be official (either in a sealed envelope or sent directly from the college or university where you obtained your degree). Please note that copies of official transcripts cannot be accepted. Also, please note that the Office of Early Childhood maintains a separate registry of transcripts and credentials. This should not be confused with the Charter Oak State College requirement for official college transcripts since transcripts are not shared between agencies.

To be accepted into the CT Director Credential program, your college degree must be verified:

• Initial Level applicants - Associate of Science is required;
• Standard Level applicants- Bachelor of Science is required;
• Master level applicants- Master’s degree required.

Once you are accepted into the CT Director Credentialing program, you will work with an academic advisor to verify your additional experience and to create a plan for your successful completion of the credential. You will be notified by our admissions department once you are accepted into the program.

The CDC is a renewable credential. Students earning the initial and standard level credential must renew the credential every three years by submitting additional documentation of education and experience. Students earning the master level credential must renew the credential every six years by submitting additional documentation and experience. To obtain the renewal and application procedures, please refer to the following:

• Connecticut Directors' Credential Renewal Procedures (PDF)
• Connecticut Directors' Credential Renewal Application (PDF)

• Initial Level

  • Initial Level Renewal in three years. Renewal requires documentation of one additional three (3) credit college course related to CDC or 60 hours of professional development and three (3) professional contributions.

• Standard Level

  • Standard Level Renewal in three years. Renewal requires documentation of one additional three (3) credit college course related to CDC or 60 hours of professional development and three (3) professional contributions.

• Master Level

  • Master Level Renewal in in six years. Renewal requires documentation of two additional three (3) credit college courses (6 credits) related to CDC or 120 hours of professional development and six (6) professional contributions.

Connecticut Director's Credential (CDC) Costs

Applications for the CDC are accepted year round for students at each respective level. The Application Fee is valid for two years from the date of payment. During that period, students are free to submit materials to complete the credentialing requirements whenever they become available. Students should refrain from sending official transcripts or other materials to Charter Oak State College until the application has been accepted.

Students who hold a credential at one level and would like to move to a new level should not renew the credential but apply for the credential at the new level.

CDC applicants are encouraged to review the following to assist them in meeting the requirements for the CT Director Credential:

• Approved credit-based (PDF)
• Non-Credit Portfolio Review by Charter Oak State College
• Standardized Exams (e.g., CLEP, DANTES, etc.)
• Apply for the Connecticut Directors' Credential