Children's Program Administrator Credential

Format: Online
Application Deadlines
  • Fall 2024 Priority Deadline: April 4, 2024
  • Fall 2024 Regular Deadline: May 16, 2024

Upcoming Course Offerings:

Program Description:

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:

Admissions Criteria

Applicants to courses in Early Childhood Education Administration must have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally 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.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall 2024 Priority Deadline: April 4, 2024
  • Fall 2024 Regular Deadline: May 16, 2024
Apply Now

Recent News About Children's Program Administrator Credential

Cover of the Journal of Montessori Research

BOOK REVIEW: The Bloomsbury Handbook of Montessori Education

September 18, 2023

Journal of Montessori Research: Vol. 9, No 1

Dr. Claudine Campanelli, who oversees the CUNY SPS Child Development Associate (CDA) and Children’s Program Administrator Credential (CPAC) programs at CUNY SPS, published a book review on the new Bloomsbury Handbook for Montessori Education in the Spring 2023 issue of the Journal of Montessori Research.
Dr. Claudine Campanelli smiling and standing next to John Mogulescu

Dr. Campanelli Wins John Mogulescu Innovation Prize

May 10, 2023

Dr. Claudine Campanelli, the program administrator of CDA and CPAC at CUNY SPS, was awarded the inaugural John Mogulescu Innovation Prize.

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.