This pre-service course is framed around two critical areas: (1) an overview of and preparation for the skills and tools needed for the teaching profession; and (2) essential attitudes and dispositions needed to maintain poise as novice teachers in diverse communities. This course comprises 50 hours including 30 hours of instruction, 8 hours of classroom observation, and 12 hours of clinical experience. The course will provide the participant with a “clinical” opportunity through structured observations in a school setting. In addition, 12 hours of clinical work such as tutoring or substitute teaching will offer candidates the opportunity to work with students in an authentic environment.
Total Program Hours: 50 hours
Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative 2.75 GPA (if you graduated prior to September 2016) or a 3.0 GPA (if you graduated after September 2016) or higher from a bachelor’s or master’s degree program.

This program is designed to provide educational hours towards a nationally recognized credential for those in the early childhood profession who care for children from birth to age five. Courses must be taken in order. Upon completion of the CDA and enrollment in the Associates in Applied Sciences (AAS) Degree in Early Childhood Education at Bergen Community College, a student will be awarded six (6) college credits in Early Childhood Education. These credits will be awarded to students who meet the admissions requirements for Bergen Community College.
Total Program Hours: 120 hours

This course is designed to prepare you for the Praxis Writing exam and includes test taking tips, strategies and practice questions. The Praxis writing test assesses your ability to write an argumentative essay and an explanatory essay. We will review writing strategies including revising and improving your responses.
Total Program Hours: 3 hours

This course will refresh your knowledge of the math concepts covered in the Praxis test and help you prepare for the exam. Topics include covers ratios, proportions, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, radicals, integers, and solving word problems.
Total Program Hours: 12 hours

This course will prepare you for the Praxis Reading test. The Praxis Reading test is a reading comprehension multiple choice test. We will review strategies for approaching the reading passages, and analyzing the questions and answer choices so that you can maximize your score.
Total Program Hours: 3 hours

This 45-hour course meets the requirements for the CDA renewal. Experienced teachers and assistants will benefit from taking this course, as well as, those looking to take advantage of the CDA® Renewal Amnesty Program. This program will allow anyone with a CDA® Credential that has an expiration date as far back as January 1, 2010, an opportunity to complete the renewal process and make their credential active again. This course will include topics such as physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of children from birth to age 5, how to establish a safe and healthy learning environment, how to observe and record behavior; ways to establish productive relationships with families, and strategies to manage program operations.
Total Program Hours: 45 hours