Educational Psychology
Self-paced online Educational Psychology course (Psychology 120). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →District of ColumbiaChild care
Does a psychology course count as 'child development' for District of Columbia licensing? Ask your licensor first
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
A developmental psychology major is on OSSE's list of majors equivalent to early childhood education, but that does not mean any single psychology course counts toward the 12 early childhood credit hours. General psychology adds to the 60 credit hours in any subject. Whether a specific course counts as early childhood credit is OSSE's call, so ask in writing first.
What OSSE's rule says
Under 5-A DCMR 165.1, a DC teacher with 60 credit hours or an associate degree in any subject needs at least 12 credit hours in early childhood education. The rule asks for early childhood education hours, not psychology hours.
Separately, OSSE lists majors it treats as equivalent to early childhood education. Developmental psychology, child development and human development are on that list. That applies to the whole major, not to one course taken on its own.
Where psychology clearly helps
Every psychology course on an accredited college transcript adds to the 60 credit hours in any subject. That alone matters, because the 60 hours are half the teacher rule and the whole of one assistant teacher route.
| Course | Toward the 60 hours | Toward the 12 ECE hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Psychology | Yes, on a college transcript | Ask OSSE |
| Educational Psychology | Yes, on a college transcript | Ask OSSE |
| Child development (college ECE course) | Yes | Usually designed for this |
| CDA coursework alone | No | No |
Why the answer depends on the course
A child development course in an early childhood programme is built around young children, from birth to about age eight. A general psychology course covers the whole lifespan, and an educational psychology course often focuses on school-age learners. A reviewer may read these differently.
The course title, description and the department that offers it all play a part. Keep the catalog description and syllabus for any course you hope will count.
How to ask OSSE
Send one short request in writing per course. Name the course, the college, the credit hours and attach the catalog description. Ask whether it would count toward the 12 early childhood credit hours, or only toward the 60 in any subject.
Keep OSSE's reply with your transcripts. If you change employers, the next licensing review may ask the same question, and a written answer saves time.
- Course title and number
- College and transcript it will appear on
- Credit hours
- Catalog description or syllabus
Where UPI Study fits
UPI Study offers Introduction to Psychology and Educational Psychology, both ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended. They count only via a college transcript from an accredited college. TESU and UoPeople are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit.
We do not offer early childhood education courses or the CDA. Plan to take your 12 ECE hours at a college, or use a valid CDA where OSSE allows it.
The CDA shortcut
For roles that need 60 college credit hours, OSSE treats a valid CDA credential as meeting the 12 early childhood hours. If you already hold a CDA, you may only need the 60 hours in any subject. CDA coursework without the credential does not count, so finish the credential itself.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Ask OSSE's Division of Early Learning in writing whether credits posted on a partner college's transcript would count toward the 60 college credit hours for your role before you enrol.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Questions people ask
Does educational psychology count as early childhood credit in DC?
It may or may not. OSSE asks for 12 credit hours in early childhood education, and a reviewer decides whether a course fits. Educational psychology clearly counts toward the 60 hours in any subject. Ask OSSE in writing, with the course description, before you rely on it.
Is a psychology degree enough to teach preschool in DC?
A developmental psychology major is on OSSE's list of majors equivalent to early childhood education. Other psychology majors give you the credit hours but may still need 12 early childhood hours. Send OSSE your transcript to confirm.
Does a CDA replace the 12 ECE credit hours in DC?
For roles that need 60 college credit hours, yes: OSSE treats a valid CDA as meeting the 12 early childhood hours. Completing CDA coursework without earning the credential does not count toward those hours.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
Introduction to Psychology
Self-paced online Introduction to Psychology course (Psychology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Introduction to Sociology
Self-paced online Introduction to Sociology course (Sociology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Start when you have it in writing
Ask OSSE in writing first, then start with English Composition and Psychology.
Sources
- OSSE: Child Development Staff: Resources Available for Education Requirements (official)Director: bachelor's in ECE or equivalent, or any bachelor's with 12 ECE credit hours. Teacher: ECE associate or equivalent, or 60 credit hours or any associate with 12 ECE credit hours; or CDA plus enrolment, degree within four years. Assistant teacher: CDA, or 60 credit hours or any associate, or high school diploma and CDA within two years. 'Credit hours can only be earned by completing college credit hours through an accredited college or university.' A valid CDA satisfies the 12 ECE hours for 60-hour roles; CDA coursework alone does not. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- OSSE: Summary of Changes, Child Development Facilities licensing (August 2025) (official)Final Rule published 1 Aug 2025 (5A DCMR Chapter 1) made permanent the 20 Dec 2023 emergency changes: director ECE hours 15 to 12 (164.1(b)); teacher 60 credit hours added (165.1(c)) and ECE hours 24 to 12 (165.1(b)); equivalent majors include developmental psychology and child development (164.1(a), 165.1(a)); assistant teacher 60 hours or any associate (166.1(a)). Checked on 15 Nov 2026.