The Connecticut Career Ladder

The Career Ladder is a display of steps in a person’s early childhood professional development advancement from entry level through degree programs. It is based on research that shows the value of specialty professional development in early childhood education. You may enter at any level of the career ladder as long as you meet the requirements for that particular step.

You can view the requirements for each step by rolling your mouse over the number designating a step on the ladder. Click here for a printable diagram of the career ladder.

My Career Ladder

Level 15

Requires. Advanced degree and 12 ECE credits OR Advanced degree in non-ECE plus current ECE state teaching endorsement.

Level 14

Requires. Masters degree in ECE OR Masters degree in any field plus current ECE state teaching endorsement.

Level 13

Requires. Masters degree in any field and 12 ECE credits.

Level 12

Requires. Bachelor degree in ECE or Bachelor degree in any field plus current ECE state teaching endorsement.

Level 11

Requires. Bachelor degree in any field and 12 ECE credits.

Level 10

Requires. Associate degree in ECE.

Level 9

Requires. Associate degree in any field and 12 ECE credits.

Level 8

Requires. 30 ECE credits or One-Year ECE certificate.

Level 7

Requires. Current CDA credential and 12 ECE credits.

Level 6

Requires. Current CDA credential or 12 ECE credits.

Level 5

Requires. 6 ECE credits.

Level 4

Requires. Inactive: formerly Training Program modules 1-3.

Level 3

Requires. 3 ECE credits

Level 2

Requires. Inactive: formerly Training Program module 1.

Level 1

Requires. OEC Registry Account.

Early Childhood Education (ECE) degrees may include:
  • Degrees in Early Childhood Education and Child Studies, Child Development, Human Development and Family Relations, Early Childhood Special Education, or similar majors with a concentration in ECE courses.
Early Childhood Education (ECE) credits and degrees must include:
  • Study of the education or development of young children less than five years of age.
Elementary Education (ElEd) / After School Education (ASE) degrees may include:
  • Degrees in Elementary Education, Special Education, Youth Studies, Recreation, Family Social Sciences.
Elementary Education (ElEd) / After School Education (ASE) degrees must include:
  • Study of the education and/or development of children age 5-12 years of age.