English Composition 1
Self-paced online English Composition 1 course (ENG 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →PennsylvaniaChild care
What college credits does a child-care director need in Pennsylvania?
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
Child care director qualifications in Pennsylvania, under 55 Pa. Code 3270.34, give four options: a bachelor's in a listed field with 1 year of experience, a bachelor's including 30 credit hours with 2 years, an associate in a listed field with 3 years, or an associate including 30 credit hours with 4 years. Every degree must come from an accredited college.
The four director options
Section 3270.34 of the Pennsylvania Code sets the director rule for licensed child care centers. The listed fields are early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education and the human services field. The more of your degree that sits in those fields, and the higher the degree, the fewer years of experience you need.
| Option | Degree | Experience with children |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bachelor's in a listed field | 1 year |
| 2 | Bachelor's including 30 credit hours in a listed field | 2 years |
| 3 | Associate in a listed field | 3 years |
| 4 | Associate including 30 credit hours in a listed field | 4 years |
Reading the 30-credit options
Options 2 and 4 suit people whose degree is in another subject, such as business or psychology, but who have 30 credit hours in a listed field inside that degree. The credit hours must be part of a degree from an accredited college or university.
Section 3270.31 also treats a CDA or CCP credential as equivalent to 9 credit hours in early childhood education or child development. Ask your certification representative how that applies before you count it toward 30.
Finding your fastest route
Start with what you have. Count your years of experience with children and gather every college transcript. Then match yourself to the option that needs the least extra work.
If you have years of experience but no degree, an associate degree is often the shortest path. If you already have a degree in another subject, check how many credit hours in a listed field it includes. You may be close to 30.
- Four or more years of experience, no degree: aim for option 4 or option 3.
- A degree in another subject: count listed-field credit hours toward 30.
- A bachelor's in early childhood: option 1 needs 1 year of experience.
- A CDA already: ask how its 9 credit hours apply.
Where online general education helps
An associate degree is about 60 credits, and roughly half is general education. Those courses, such as English Composition, College Algebra, Introduction to Psychology and Introduction to Sociology, are standard across colleges. UPI Study offers them on PRO at $99 a month. They are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended and help only via a college transcript, when the degree college reviews and posts them.
Partner colleges such as Thomas Edison State University, University of the People and Newlane University consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit. Ask any college in writing which of its courses it will review before you enrol. The early childhood courses themselves come from the college.
What to put in writing
Two questions protect you. Ask the college which general-education courses it will review and post. Ask OCDEL's certification representative whether your planned degree and credits meet the director option you are aiming for. Keep both replies in your staff file, along with records of your experience with children, such as employer letters with dates and roles.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Before you enrol, ask the degree college in writing which general-education courses it will review, and ask OCDEL's certification representative in writing whether a named course counts toward the 30 credit hours.
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
Can a group supervisor become a director in Pennsylvania?
Yes, if they meet one of the four director options in 3270.34. Director options need more experience than group supervisor options for the same degree, so count your years carefully and ask your certification representative.
Does experience in a home-based program count toward the director rule?
Section 3270.34 asks for experience with children and does not limit the setting in the text we read. Ask your certification representative in writing how they count your past roles before you rely on them.
Does the degree have to be from a Pennsylvania college?
The regulation asks for a degree from an accredited college or university and does not limit it to Pennsylvania. Online degrees from accredited colleges are reviewed like any other, but confirm with your certification representative.
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 your degree college in writing which courses it will review first.
Sources
- 55 Pa. Code 3270.34: Director qualifications and responsibilities (official)Director options: bachelor's in a listed field plus 1 year of experience; bachelor's including 30 credit hours in a listed field plus 2 years; associate in a listed field plus 3 years; associate including 30 credit hours plus 4 years; all from an accredited college or university. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- 55 Pa. Code 3270.31: Age and training (official)A CDA or CCP credential is equivalent to 9 credit hours in early childhood education or child development; staff are 18 or older; 12 clock hours of child care training each year; amended 2020 (50 Pa.B. 7133). Checked on 15 Nov 2026.