Career Pathway Credential Levels
Level I
Requirements:
At least 16 years old and enrolled in High School
or
GED preparation classes.
Abilities:
Conform to Core Knowledge and Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals by following supervisory direction and instruction.
Level II
Requirements:
At least 18 years old with a High School diploma and 0-1 years of experience.
Abilities:
Understand and practice Core Knowledge and Core Competencies with direction and instruction or through sponsorship/affiliation with a professional organization or qualified mentor.
Level III
Requirements:
WV Training Certificate in Early Care and Education (WVTCECE) which includes completion of 120 clock hours of registered training through WV SATARS
or
120 completed training hours required for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent
or
3 completed semesters of the Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) program
or
completed 4 courses of the WVDE Child Development Specialist (CDS) Career and Technical Education program.
Abilities:
Practice programming that conforms to Core Knowledge and Core Competencies.
Level IV
Requirements:
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent
or
12 college credits in early care and education and 300 hours of relevant occupational experience
or
4 completed semesters of the Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) program
or
Infant/Toddler, Early Childhood, Elementary I, Elementary II Montessori Teaching Credential
or
Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Administration
Abilities:
Practice and implement programming that conforms to Core Knowledge and Core Competencies.
Level V
Requirements:
Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) certificate
or
other comparable certificate program in early care and education
or
Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education
or
28-63 college credit hours with 9 college credit hours in early care and education
or
28-63 college credit hours and 1 year of relevant occupational experience.
Abilities:
Plan and adapt programming that conforms to Core Knowledge and Core Competencies.
Level VI
Requirements:
Associate's degree in an early care and education field
or
associate's degree with 12 college credit hours in early care and education courses
or
associate's degree and 2 years of relevant occupational experience
or
bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and 1 year of relevant occupational experience
or
64 college credit hours with 12 college credit hours in early care and education courses
or
64 college credit hours with 2 years of relevant occupational experience.
Abilities:
Make curricular decisions that conform to Core Knolwedge and Core Competencies
Level VII
Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in an early care and education field
or
bachelor's degree with 15 college credit hours in early care and education and 1 year of relevant occupational experience
or
bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and 2 years of relevant occupational experience
or
bachelor's degree and 3 years of relevant occupational experience
or
Advanced (master's or doctorate) degree in Elementary Education
Abilities:
Develop, select, and evaluate the early childhood program; apply theory into practice.
Level VIII
Requirements:
Advanced (master's or doctorate) degree in an early care and education field
or
advanced degree with 18 college credit hours in early care and education and 1 year of relevant occupational experience
or
advanced degree and 5 years of relevant occupational experience.
Abilities:
Directly involved in the activities of state, regional, and/or national groups; contribute to the formation, evaluation, and implementation of policies within the early childhood field.