Rasmussen College Awarded CDA® Gold Standard Training Certificate

New early childhood education industry certification recognizes high-quality training and support services that prepare students for CDA Credential

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Rasmussen College

Aug 03, 2017, 11:57 ET

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Rasmussen College, a regionally accredited* private college, is proud to be among a select group of early childhood education (ECE) training organizations to be awarded the CDA^® Gold Standard Training Certificate. The new industry certification will better help ECE students find the high-quality training and support services they need to prepare for the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. The Council for Professional Recognition (herein referred to as the "Council") recognized seven training organizations, including Rasmussen College, during an awards ceremony July 27 in Washington, D.C.

"It is an honor to be among such a high-caliber group of training organizations that are dedicated to advancing the early childhood education field by helping educate and prepare students for the CDA Credential," said Mary Muhs, department chair, Early Childhood Education at Rasmussen College. "Since Rasmussen College first began offering CDA preparation courses in 2012, we have helped approximately 2,500 students earn their CDA Credential—something we are extremely proud of. By doing so, the College has helped these students launch their ECE careers and directly impact the development of our youngest learners."

The CDA Credential is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education and is a key stepping stone on the path of career advancement in ECE. Rasmussen College currently offers three CDA preparation courses and helps coach and support students through their credential application process. As a participant in the CDA Gold Standard pilot, Rasmussen College successfully demonstrated that its early childhood education training is based on the Council's three industry-leading principles:

Alignment with the CDA formal education coursework found in the CDA's Eight Subject Areas.
Sound business policies and practices.
Quality student services that meet their educational and professional needs.

In addition to offering high-quality training, CDA Gold Standard applicants must provide evidence they serve the CDA student community with excellence, which includes professional development that prepares students for successful completion of their training program.

"We believe our new CDA Gold Standard Training Certification adds value and integrity to the early childhood profession by verifying connections between the Council's proven teacher competencies and the quality of training resources available to CDA students," said Valora Washington, chief executive officer, Council for Professional Recognition. "It's exciting to think about the many young children, families and communities that will benefit from the high-quality education and training students will receive from CDA^® Gold Standard Training Certification from organizations such as Rasmussen College."

Rasmussen College Committed to Early Childhood Education Profession
Rasmussen College is committed to the advancement of the early childhood education profession by offering opportunities that stem all levels of education. The College offers an ECE Certificate, Diploma, Associate's and Bachelor's degree online with curriculum that prepares students to apply for their CDA Credential from the Council for Professional Recognition. The Associate's and Bachelor's degree is available with Flex Choice^®–a more flexible and affordable learning option that allows students to combine traditional courses and optional self-directed assessments. Students enrolling in the ECE Leadership Bachelor's degree-completion program also have access to competency-based education courses that allow them to earn credit for skills they already have while mastering the skills they need to complete their degree.

To learn more about the Rasmussen College School of Education, please visit http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education.

*Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. hlcommission.org | 800-621-7440

ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE:
Rasmussen College is a regionally accredited private college and Public Benefit Corporation that is dedicated to changing lives through high-demand educational programs and public service. Rasmussen College offers Certificate and Diploma programs through Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's degrees online and across its 22 Midwest and Florida campuses in a supportive, student-centered and career-focused environment. Since 1900, Rasmussen College has been dedicated to being a primary contributor to the growth and development of the communities it serves. As a Public Benefit Corporation, Rasmussen College is committed to helping change lives through education and making a positive impact on society through public service and a variety of community-based initiatives. For more information about Rasmussen College, please visit www.rasmussen.edu.