Director Credential
The Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children (MnAEYC) Director Credential program is a voluntary system developed to serve individuals who are currently directors, family providers, assistant directors or teachers wanting to advance in the field. It has proven to be an opportunity to develop a support network with other directors and providers who are facing similar challenges in this high demanding position.
There is a strong relationship between professional education and/or training for the center director and the quality of care provided to the children and families a program serves. Hence, NAEYC has recognized the MnAEYC Director Credential as a pathway for center-based administrators to meet their accreditation criteria.
There are two professional development pathways. Saint Paul College offers a cohort model for practitioners seeking to learn about the roles and responsibilities of a center director. Metropolitan State University's theory seminars are ideal for experienced directors to hone their skills and broaden their expertise.
Saint Paul College Cohort Model
What is a cohort? A cohort is a group of early childhood professionals sharing this common learning experience at the same time. At the Saint Paul College the courses are offered online with occasional daytime meetings.
Courses included in the Saint Paul College cohort include:
- CHDV 2840 Child Development Staff and Supervision (3 credits)
- CHDV 2800 Child Development Administration (3 credits)
- CHDV 2860 Child Development Administration, Advanced Internship (1 credit)
- CHDV 2820 Child Development Financial Management (3 credits)
To date MnAEYC has graduated six successful cohorts in conjunction with Saint Paul College. Cohort graduates come away from this course work refreshed and renewed with new ideas and paths to follow in promoting the success of their programs. Each of the graduating cohorts has formed an informal mentoring and support network that continues past graduation day.
For more information visit
MnAEYC Director's Credential
Metropolitan State University Theory Seminars
Metropolitan State is pleased to collaborate with the Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children (MnAEYC) by offering special theory seminars for a total of 12 university credits leading to the MnAEYC's director's credential.- PSYC 350T Early Childhood Programs: Management Principles and Applications (4)
- PSYC 351T Early Childhood Programs: Regulatory, Financial and Facility Management (4)
- PSYC 352T Early Childhood Programs: Advocacy and Communications (4)
Prerequisite: child psychology course or child development courses from a college or university.
Metropolitan State University offers competence-based theory seminars for experienced early childhood center directors or administrators. Theory seminars are designed specifically for individuals with extensive experience and practical knowledge in a subject area, but limited theoretical learning. Because experienced center directors already have a knowledge base, theory seminars involve fewer classroom hours than a regular course (ranging from 10 to 18 hours), but require considerable work outside the classroom. Throughout theory seminars, instructors evaluate students' integrated new learning with their prior experiences.
E-mail questions about the MnAEYC's Director's Credential through Metropolitan State University to heidi.frankard@metrostate.edu.
Eager-to-Learn
Eager-to-Learn, a nationally recognized leader in online education, offers a comprehensive base of knowledge and skills focused on meeting the needs of the whole child. In addition to these standard offerings Eager-to-Learn will offer the training requirements for the Directors Credential over a 1 year period, starting in January. The courses offered in the Eager-to-Learn Directors Learning Community will meet the NAEYC course guidelines for a state or national credential. These courses are non-credit based.
Participants in the Eager-to-Learn Directors Learning Community take eight online classes together, giving them a supportive learning community for the duration of the program (approximately one year). Students will also be required to do a practicum, which is included in the cost. In addition to the quality and convenience of the courses, the Eager-to-Learn Directors Training Learning Community is an affordable training alternative. For the low cost of $940 plus books (approximately half the price of traditional training courses) participants will have over 144 hours of high quality training taught by experienced, knowledgeable and certified instructors.
Coaching/Support - As a part of the Directors Training Learning Community, students will receive opportunities for support between classes and networking sessions to maintain the cohort community.
For more information on both Directors Learning Community options, contact Cory Woosley at coryw@mnchildcare.org or 651-746-4024.
