School of Education

Must have a High School or General Education Diploma (GED). Must complete all items below:

1. 45 hours: Three training certificates required by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)

All of these certificates require that you pass an examination

2. Four Courses: Early Childhood Education (12 credits)

Choose one track:

Preschool Track: Program #60003

Infant-Toddler Track: Program #67014

3. EDG2943 (3 credits): Field Experience

This course is taken at the conclusion of one of the above tracks, plus other requirements (portfolio/resource file, an on-site observation by a qualified ECE professional, and testing)

4. 480 hours: Documented field work in an ECE setting

5. Current Pediatric First Aid/CPR Certificate

Dual Language Certification Program:

Teacher assisting two children

National CDA/FCCPC in Spanish or Haitian Creole plus School of Continuing Education Contextualized English.

In an effort to meet the needs of our diverse community members, MDC SOE ECE offers credentialing courses in Spanish or Haitian Creole along with School of Continuing Education English for Child Care Practitioners. This is a special program in collaboration with the Quality Counts Career Center. Ask an MDC SOE advisor for additional information.

National CDA/FCCPC Renewal

In order to renew the National CDA or FCCPC, students must take a 3-credit course that begins with the prefix EEC and differs from the already taken courses. For National CDA, contact https://www.cdacouncil.org/.

For FCCPC renewal information, go to www.myflorida.com/childcare/training and click on “Additional Resources.” Find “Training and Credentialing” and then “FCCPC Renewal Application.” Complete the form, complete any additional requirements that you may need, and attach a copy of all your transcripts.

Questions? Call the Child Care Training Information Center at 888-352-2842. For Spanish, contact Community Education at 305-237-2482.