The Office of Professional Learning Review
Here's your roadmap to finishing your University degree faster with PLR credits from the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.
- How many college credits is it worth?
- What can I study at Thomas Edison State University?
- How do I get started?
- Can I transfer PLR credit to another institution?
How many college credits is it worth?
The most current University review identified up to 9 credit(s) in course equivalencies at Thomas Edison State University for successfully completing the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential before June 2015. Through our CACE partnership, the University awards up to 6 credits in course equivalencies for qualifying credentials earned between June 2015 and December 2019. This is based upon Charter Oak State College's review. A student's credit eligibility is determined according to the submission of appropriate documentation as well as the documented date of successful credential completion. If you completed your credential outside the effective dates listed in the following table, check the notes below the table for any reference to an earlier University review.
The credential components have been divided into the following courses:
(TIP: Hover over each column heading for a description)
| CDA Credential | Credits |
TESU Course Equivalent |
Effective Dates |
For Staff Use |
| Early Childhood Education: Home, School and Community | 3 | CDS-2530 | 5/1/2010-5/31/2015 | CDA |
| Introduction to Child Development and the Early Childhood Curriculum | 3 | CDS-2510 | 5/1/2010-5/31/2015 | CDA |
| Introduction to Early Childhood Programs | 3 | CDS-2520 | 5/1/2010-5/31/2015 | CDA |
| Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood Education | 3 | CDS-2510 | 1/1/1950-4/30/2010 | CDA |
| Early Childhood Education: Home, School and Community | 3 | CDS-2530 | 1/1/1950-4/30/2010 | CDA |
| Organization and Management of Early Childhood Programs | 3 | CDS-2520 | 1/1/1950-4/30/2010 | CDA |
The CDA-Infant and Toddler and the CDA-Preschool, Family Child Care, or Home Visitor issued between June 2015 and December 2019 are eligible for a direct credit award through CACE (CDAIT.CACE, CDAYC.CACE).
What can I study? top of page
- To get the most out of the credits, consider the following degree programs:
- Contact Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services to learn more about the degree pathways related to your PLR assessment
- If you have additional college credits you would like to transfer or prefer a different degree program at the University, a University academic evaluation will determine whether and how PLR credits may fulfill the requirements for your degree of choice.
How do I get started? top of page
- Submit documentation of successful completion
Students should download and complete this CDA Credential Request Form to request proof of their credential be sent to Thomas Edison State University.
- Learn more about enrolling at TESU
- Get started on your TESU application
- Estimate the cost of attendance and identify potential sources of financial aid using our College Financing Plan
Can I transfer PLR credit to another institution? top of page
If you are seeking to transfer the PLR credits to another college, the decision whether or not to accept these credits in transfer rests with that college. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the receiving institution's academic policy will allow transfer of each credit. Thomas Edison State University offers a non-degree service called Individual Learning Account that may be helpful.