WilmU, DelTech join DSU offer of 12 free early childhood credits

Three institutions of higher education have reached an agreement to offer 12 early childhood credits.

Just weeks after Delaware State University announced a successful inaugural year of a program that trains professionals to serve the state’s youngest learners, the state’s other prominent institutions of higher education are jumping on board. 

The Delaware Department of Education funds DSU’s Early Childhood Innovation Center, which offers direct support to help early childhood professionals work toward their certification as Child Development Associates (CDAs), associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees. 

RELATED: DSU’s early ed. center awards 13 degrees, 223 credentials in first year

The center’s DE RISE Scholarship Program, at DSU, began in fall 2023 and helped five educators earn associate degrees and eight earning bachelor’s degrees in areas relating to early childhood education. 

The innovation center also facilitated the credentialing of 223 childcare scholars who achieved their CDA certification.

The state legislature has had a focus in recent years on strengthening the state’s early education system, both by expanding the access and affordability for families, and creating pathways for prospective teachers to earn their certifications.

Delaware’s education department announced this week that Delaware State University, Delaware Technical Community College and Wilmington University have signed agreements to award 12 credits for current and incoming students who are CDAs. 

And – the credits are free.

“They are free from the institutions of higher education,” said Alison May, public information for the education department. “It’s credit for prior learning – think of it as when a student scores high on an AP test and the college gives the student credit for those equivalent gen-ed classes.”

This means that any early childhood professional who holds a CDA will be awarded four, three-credit program specific courses on their college or university transcripts.

These credits will allow early childhood professionals to graduate with their degree in early childhood education at an accelerated rate and place more credentialed and degreed professionals in the early childhood industry.

“When we evaluated the Child Development Associate certificate requirements, it was clear that acknowledging the hard work and dedication required to earn this credential was essential,” said Denise Wells, vice president of academic affairs at WilmU. 

She said the school is proud to partner with Delaware organizations to award credits to the members of the childcare workforce who have earned a CDA and look forward to maintaining the positive collaborations.

The Department of Education stated that the partnerships align directly with the Early Childhood Innovation Center’s mission to develop and professionalize the early childhood education workforce.

The center is also in talks with the University of the Potomac in Washington, D.C., to establish the same agreement. 

Potomac’s program is designed for Spanish-speaking students and all courses are offered online.

“Our students come with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and Delaware Tech is proud to acknowledge and provide credits for students’ prior learning experiences,” said Lisa Peel, Del Tech’s associate vice president for academic affairs. “Recognizing national credentials, such as the CDA, accelerates early childhood professionals in their studies allowing them to enter the workforce sooner and fill critical roles in our communities.”

The University of Delaware plans to also add additional opportunities, according to the Department of Education.

Jarek Rutz

Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.