Through the Early Childhood Assessment Program, you can earn college credits for trainings that are not sponsored by Metropolitan State University but have been assessed and approved for prior learning credit. You are eligible to apply for credit if you have participated in an approved training. You can still apply for credit, even if you took the training more than 5 years ago, but your learning must still be current. For example, if you took "Basic Health and Safety Considerations in Child Care" six years ago, you can still apply for credit if you are currently using the knowledge you gained at the workshop in your early childhood program today. However, if you also took a college course in Health, Safety, and Nutrition, you would not be eligible to receive credit. Metropolitan State University's Early Childhood Assessment Program follows the Council of Adult and Experiential Learning guidelines that state: Prior learning must be independent from credits previously transcripted at other institutions of higher education.
Below is a list of the programs that have been approved. You can learn how to apply for college credit by clicking on the training title. If you would like more information about a specific community program, please link to the agency website. Metropolitan State University does not provide the instruction for these training options and will not register students for the trainings. If you are interested in attending a specific training visit MNSTREAMS.org or contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency. Phone numbers and locations can be found through the Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network. If you are interested in online classes, visit Eager to Learn.
Who can apply for these credits?
Any early childhood professional in Minnesota, who can provide proof that they successfully completed an approved training, can apply for college credit. However, students not admitted into an associate or baccalaureate degree program are only eligible for up to 4 credits. If you would like assistance with Metropolitan State University's admissions process, please contact the Admissions Office at 651-793-1300 or visit the website.
What do you need to do to apply for the credits?
Application instructions can be found by clicking on the training title. You will see that several trainings require you to complete an assignment before college credit is granted, but others only require proof of successful training completion such as a copy of the training certificate.
How much does it cost?
Through this program, you pay $25.00 per credit. This program is supported by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services in partnership with Metropolitan State University to promote professional development, career pathways and higher education access among the Minnesota early childhood professionals.
Training in the Community Approved for College Credit
|
Training Title |
Cr. |
MN Core Competency Area |
Competencies Assessed |
Agency Website |
|
1 |
Health, Safety, & Nutrition |
Student knows the principles and techniques of health and safety at an introductory level well enough to set up and maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for young children. |
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1 |
Learning Environment & Curriculum |
Student knows the principles and approaches of multicultural learning activities at an introductory level well enough to plan appropriate activities for diverse young children. |
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1 |
Interactions with Children |
Student knows the theories and techniques of challenging behavior at an introductory level well enough to develop positive relationships, design the environment, and implement intervention strategies when needed in an early childhood classrooms. |
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1 |
Families & Communities |
Student knows the principles and approaches of building cultural connections with diverse children and their families at an introductory level well enough to work with families around differences in culture and differences in abilities. |
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4 |
Professional Development & Leadership |
Student will demonstrate knowledge of history, theory, and approaches of early childhood multicultural education well enough to be able to conduct cultural sensitivity training for early childhood providers in the community. |
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0.5 |
Program Planning & Evaluation |
Student knows the concepts and skills of contracts and policies at an introductory level well enough to establish and enforce their contract and policies with clients. |
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6 |
Child Development Learning Environment & Curriculum Interactions with Children Families & Communities Health, Safety and Nutrition Program Planning & Evaluation Professional Development & Leadership |
Metropolitan State University students who have earned their Child Development Associate (CDA) have the opportunity to earn college credit for this credential. Student learning is assessed by representatives from the Council for Professional Recognition; therefore additional assignments are not required to earn college credit. However, credits will not be granted for expired CDA certificates. If your CDA certificate is expired, you can learn how to have your current learning assessed by attending an Early Childhood Assessment Program Workshop. |
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Child Growth and Development |
1 |
Child Development |
Student knows the theory and stages of child development at an introductory level well enough to examine their current practices and improve their skills in working with children and families. |
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0.5-4 |
All Core Competency areas are addressed through various trainings. |
Child Care Resource and Referral trainers around the state offer ITTI workshops for infant and toddler caregivers. Students who participate in the workshops gain competencies in areas including Social Emotional Growth and Socialization, Group Care, Learning and Development, and Culture Family and Providers. Click on the ITTI link to view a list of all trainings. |
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|
1 |
Program Planning & Evaluation |
Student knows the laws and approaches to legal and insurance issues at an introductory level well enough to reduce risks involved in running a family child care program. |
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0.5 |
Program Planning & Evaluation |
Student knows the principles and techniques of marketing at an introductory level well enough to attract new clients to their program. |
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27 |
All Core Competency areas are addressed upon graduation from the program. |
Students and alumni of The Montessori Training Center of Minnesota, Inc., Saint Paul, Minnesota, who meet Metropolitan State University admissions requirements, may have competencies gained through The Minnesota Training Center assessed for academic credit. The Montessori Training Center is accredited by The Association Montessori International. Students pay all instructional charges for the Montessori training directly to the Montessori Training Center. |
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|
Money Management and Retirement Planning for Child Care Providers |
0.5 |
Program Planning & Evaluation |
Student knows the principles and methods of money management and retirement planning at an introductory level well enough to identify and avoid financial pitfalls, use strategies to track and save money, and invest with an eye toward retirement savings. The workshop helps family child care providers build their business on a strong financial foundation. |
|
|
More than Letters-Literacy |
1 |
Learning Environment & Curriculum |
Student knows the concepts and skills of literacy development well enough to plan appropriate experiences to promote emergent reading and writing skills for preschool children. |
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|
1 |
Professional Development & Leadership |
Student knows how to use the following tools at an introductory level: (1) The Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress which describes what young children should know and be able to do. (2) The Minnesota Core Competencies which defines what providers should know and be able to do. (3) The Environmental Rating Scales, a set of tools for understanding and measuring the quality of child care or school-age care programs. |
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Parents In Community Action (PICA) Head Start Journey Program |
4-16 |
All Core Competency areas are addressed through various trainings. |
Teachers and assistant teachers employed by Parents In Community Action (PICA) Head Start who have successfully completed PICA Head Start's Journey Assessment may apply for college credit at Metropolitan State University for the competencies they have achieved. Teachers and assistant teachers requesting college credit should be admitted to Metropolitan State University. |
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Planning Activities to Meet Children's Needs |
1 |
Learning Environment & Curriculum |
Student knows the principles and approaches to planning activities at an introductory level well enough to plan appropriate experiences for young children. |
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1-2 |
All Core Competency areas are addressed through various trainings. |
Child Care Resource and Referral trainers around the state offer Project Exceptional training to assist caregivers in developing competencies to address the needs of children with disabilities. Click on the Project Exceptional link to view a list of all trainings. |
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|
1 |
Program Planning & Evaluation |
Student knows the principles and methods of record keeping at an introductory level well enough to claim the basic business deductions on their annual tax return. |
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1-3 |
Learning Environment & Curriculum |
Student knows the concepts and techniques of emergent literacy including book and print rules, vocabulary and background knowledge, phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, and communication and problem solving and can apply these concepts well enough to create literacy rich activities and environments. |
