TPCD Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does the Training Program in Child Development (TPCD) cost?
   Typically the Training Program in Child Development is free of charge to participants. However, agencies delivering the Training Program in Child Development may choose to charge a $20 participant registration fee for each module, payable at the time the participant enrolls in each module, or $65 registration fee paid at once for all four modules.
2. Are scholarships available to help me pay for the Training Program in Child Development (TPCD)?
   No, the CCAC Scholarship Assistance Program does not issue scholarships to help pay for the $20 participant registration fee for each module in the TPCD, or $65 registration fee paid at once for all four modules in the TPCD. However, typically the Training Program in Child Development is free of charge to participants.
3. What can I do with my training from the Training Program in Child Development (TPCD)?
   Once you've completed the Training Program in Child Development, you can use the training in all of the following ways:
   • Use it towards the training requirement for the CDA.
   • Translate it into college credit via the Early Childhood Pathways Exams.
4. How do I Translate a CDA into College Credits? A person who has been awarded their CDA credential by the Council on Professional Recognition without having taken any credit based training (for example the Training Program in Child Development (Module Training) can receive college credit! To do so, choose ONE of the options below:

   Option 1: Receive college credit for your CDA at Charter Oak State College
   The 6 college credits are available at Charter Oak State College for earning your CDA credential are:

   • Introduction to Working with Young Children: Three lower (100) level credits are awarded.
   • Early Childhood Field Experience: Three lower (100) level credits are awarded.

   To receive 6 college credits from Charter Oak State College, you need to do all of the following:

   • Have a letter of verification sent from the Council for Professional Recognition indicating the date your received your CDA credential.
   • If the individual is a COSC student, the 6 credits goes on their transcripts. 
   • If the individual is not COSC students, and the individual wants a transcript, the individual can use the credit registry service. See http://www.charteroak.edu/Current/Programs/creditregistry.cfm for more information.

   Click here to view the CT Credit Assessment Program (CCAP) review of the CDA by Charter Oak State College.

   Option 2: Receive college credit for your CDA at a CT Community College:
   You may choose to receive 6 college credits for earning your CDA at a CT Community College instead of from Charter Oak State College.

   To receive 6 college credits from a CT Community College, you must:

   • Register in the CT Community College.
   • Enroll in a course in order for the community college to award the college credit.

   Click here to view college credits each CT Community College will award for earning your CDA credential via non credit training (the Training Program in Child Development).

   In addition to earning college credit for your CDA as described above, you may also choose earn additional college credit via the Early Childhood Pathways Exams.

5. What are the Early Childhood Pathways Exams?

   Early Childhood Pathways Exams can help convert early childhood experience and non-credit training into four lower (100) level courses. Three lower (100) level credits are awarded for each of the following exams passed.

   • Introduction to Early Childhood Education (available in both English and Spanish)
   • Child Developmental Psychology (available in both English and Spanish)
   • Early Language and Literacy Development
   • Infant/Toddler Development.

   In order for individuals to best prepare for taking these exams, Connecticut Charts-A-Course strongly encourages them to do the following:

   • Complete the entire Mandatory Core Areas of Knowledge training delivered in the Module Sequence via the Training Program in Child Development (TPCD). 
   • Acquire the three Pathways Exams study guides.
   • Acquire one or more of the textbooks recommended in the study guides and explore the online resources provided.
   • Spend at least 6 months reviewing and preparing for the exams. Essentially each exam is equivalent of a traditional 15 week three-credit college level course and, therefore, requires approximately 125-135 hours of preparation.

   Individuals interested in registering for the exams or to acquire the study guides should contact  Charter Oak State College to at 860-832-3822. Current cost for each exam is $75.
   
   Click here to see the Pathways Exam brochure.

   Click here to download the updated registration form. Click on Pathways "registration form".