The Mississippi Child Development Associate Scholarship Program

Steps 1-2-3

1.   To apply for a Mississippi Child Development Associate Scholarship, you must meet certain requirements for scholarship applicants.

2.   If you meet the requirements under Step 1, complete and return these forms:

Mississippi Child Development Associate Scholarship Program Application Form
Mississippi Child Care Registry Practitioner Profile

Make sure your application is complete: 

Ø   Fill out all pages of the application

Ø   Mail the Director Recommendation Form

Ø Mail a copy of your High School Diploma or Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED)

Ø   Mail a copy of your college transcript if you have one

3.   If you are accepted into the Mississippi Child Development Associate Scholarship Program, a mentor will guide you through the process of completing the necessary training and completing the application for the Council for Professional Recognition.

How Long Does It Take?

You are in charge of how long you take to complete your application for the Child Development Associate credential. It will take approximately nine months to complete the program if you stay on task and make the necessary commitment to gain the scholarship.

Requirements for Scholarship Applicants

• 18 years or older
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
• Be able to speak, read and write well enough to fulfill the responsibility of a CDA candidate
• Sign a statement of ethical conduct

• Be eligible to enroll in the community college where the course work will be held
• Have access to the Internet and an e-mail account for communication with the advisor
• Work as a home visitor/parent educator or in an early childhood program such as:

Ø A center-based preschool program

Ø A center-based program for infants and toddlers

Ø A family child care home

·        Have 480 hours of experience, in the last five years, of working with children in the same type of early childhood program for which you are applying for the CDA

As a Mississippi Child Development Associate Scholar, you will be able to take these training hours through a combined classroom-and-Internet program, with classes meeting in a convenient location only once a month.

Required Materials for Your CDA Application

• Professional Resource File (prepared by the candidate)
• Parent Opinion Questionnaires (collected by the candidate)
• Formal Observation (conducted by your advisor)
• Early Childhood Studies Review (administered by a representative of the Council for Professional Recognition)
• Oral Interview (conducted by a representative of the Council for Professional Recognition)

46 Blackjack Rd. / P.O. Box 6013 / Mississippi State, MS / 39762
tel. 662-325-4836 / fax 662-325-5436

© 2004- Mississippi State University