Children's Program Administrator Credential

Format: Online, On Campus
Application Deadlines
  • Fall 2023 Priority Deadline: April 6, 2023
  • Fall 2023 Regular Deadline: May 18, 2023

Offered in partnership with the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute (PDI) the graduate-level courses in early childhood education administration can lead to the Children’s Program Administrator Credential (CPAC). The CPAC is recognized as the standard for measuring effectiveness in leadership, procedural supervision, and fiscal management for administrators of early childhood and school-aged children's programs. Obtaining the CPAC also serves as a measure of individual professional achievement.

Developed by The New York State Association for the Education of Young Children, the CPAC is a credential for current early childhood program directors who desire to be more effective leaders, or require course work to meet the accreditation standards. New directors who are interested in administrator certification, and the next generation of leaders who require preparation as administrators also benefit from CPAC training. Students are not required to be in a director position to be considered for the CPAC program, we encourage students to reach out to us for internship information.

The courses will educate, train, and inspire directors to create excellent environments for the children and families they serve and reflect the competencies that New York State has identified as requirements to meet the criteria for the CPAC. Each course has been designed to demonstrate the competencies through applied assignments, enabling each student to build the required portfolio as progress is made through the topic areas.

Scholarship Opportunities and Financial Aid

Eligible students can take advantage of the following scholarship opportunities:

Custom Programs

For more information on how the CDA Certificate can benefit your staff and organization, please contact Claudine Campanelli, Director of Career Services and Higher Education
New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute: claudine.campanelli@cuny.edu or Elvia Mata, College Assistant: elvia.mata@cuny.edu.

Admissions Criteria

Applicants to courses in Early Childhood Education Administration must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution to qualify for admission. A personal statement is also required. Current directors of early childhood education programs or those who aspire to leadership positions are encouraged to apply.

Registration Forms

Application Deadlines

  • Fall 2023 Priority Deadline: April 6, 2023
  • Fall 2023 Regular Deadline: May 18, 2023
Apply Now

Recent News About Children's Program Administrator Credential

2022 Outstanding Dissertation Award

February 10, 2022

American Montessori Society

Dr. Claudine Campanelli, who oversees the CUNY SPS Child Development Associate (CDA) and Children’s Program Administrator Credential (CPAC) programs, has been awarded the 2022 Outstanding Dissertation Award by the American Montessori Society (AMS) for her dissertation "Birth to Three Language Acquisition: Influences of Ambient Language in the Montessori Setting". She will be sharing her research findings at the 2022 national AMS conference this March.