Educational Counseling

While not a college credential, the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is an entry-level credential that is widely recognized in the industry, issued by the Council for Professional Recognition.

Earning the CDA credential is a three-step process that requires:

• 120 clock hours of CDA training covering 8 subject areas
• Experience in the classroom and compiling a portfolio
• CDA Exam and verification visit by a Professional Development Specialist (PDS)

The CDA credential must be renewed every three years. Click here to visit the Council for Professional Recognition’s website for complete information.

Several technical colleges provide programs that allow for the transfer of CDA training into college credits, although the specific rules vary among institutions. To obtain more information on this opportunity, it is recommended to contact the early childhood education department at the technical college of your preference.

Our team put together this helpful document outlining the financial aid requirements and deadlines that DECAL Scholars Scholarships applicants need to know. This document can be downloaded here.

More information about HOPE specifically can be found on the Georgia Futures website, which is also where you can create an account to track your eligibility for this program.

We recommend reaching out directly to the financial aid office at your college/university or contacting FAFSA directly with detailed questions about your financial aid.

Below are two documents listing all of the eligible colleges and universities in Georgia offering early childhood education programs of study that qualify for Academic Scholarships:

• For Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC), Technical College Diploma (TCD), and Associate Degree programs: Click here
• For Bachelor’s Degree programs: Click here

The Montessori Program Credential is a certification awarded by an eligible MACTE-accredited training program. The only two institutions that meet this requirement at this time are: the Montessori Teacher Education Institute of Atlanta and Grace Montessori Teacher Education. The credential is recognized by Montessori schools and is valuable for a teacher that is working or desires to work at a Montessori school.

Learn more about Montessori Program Credential Scholarships here.

A Bachelor’s degree is a program of study offered at most of Georgia’s four-year public and private colleges and universities.

The following Bachelor’s degrees programs typically qualify for our Academic Scholarships program:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in:
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Elementary Education (Pre-k-5)

Click here to download a list and map of all of the eligible colleges and universities offering ECE programs of study for Bachelor’s degrees that qualify for Academic Scholarships.

An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a program of study, offered onsite or online through Georgia’s technical colleges and some of Georgia’s public colleges and universities.

The following Associate degree programs typically qualify for our Academic Scholarships program:

• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in:
  • Early Childhood Education with specializations in:
    • Program Administration
    • Infant/Toddler Development
    • Exceptionalities
    • Arts Integration
    • Family Child Care

Click here to download a list and map of all of the eligible Technical Colleges offering early childhood education programs of study for Associate degrees that qualify for Academic Scholarships.

A Technical College Diploma (TCD) is a program of study offered through Georgia’s technical colleges, onsite or online.

The following TCD program typically qualifies for our Academic Scholarships program:

• Technical College Diploma (TCD) in:
  • Early Childhood Education

Click here to download a list and map of all of the Georgia HOPE-eligible Technical Colleges offering ECE programs of study for Technical College Diplomas that qualify for Academic Scholarships.

A Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC) is a short program of study leading to an entry-level credential offered through Georgia’s technical colleges onsite and/or online.

The following TCC programs typically qualify for our Academic Scholarships program:

• Child Development Associate (CDA) Preparation
• Child Development Specialist
• Early Care and Education Basics
• Early Childhood Program Administration
• Early Childhood Exceptionalities
• Family Child Care Specialist
• GaTAPP Early Childhood Education Precertification
• Infant/Toddler Care Specialist
• Introduction to Child Care
• School Age Care

Click here to download a list and map of all of the eligible Technical Colleges offering early childhood education programs of study for Technical Certificates of Credit that qualify for Academic Scholarships.

DECAL Scholars provides tuition assistance through the Scholarships program for many credentials and degrees in early childhood education programs of study. The following credentials and degrees qualify for our Scholarships program:

• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
• Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC)
• Technical College Diploma (TCD)
• Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)
• Bachelor’s Degree (BA or BS)
• MACTE-accredited Montessori Program Credential (Infant/Toddler and Early Childhood Programs only)