Career Training Group

Career Training Group logomark.
Equipping educators with the tools to thrive
Get Cda-Ready On Your Schedule

CDA Programs

CDA Programs

Empowering your next step with training that builds confidence, sharpens skills, and moves your career forward.

Self-paced, research-based training designed to help you grow, lead, and elevate your classroom practice—without putting your life on pause.

Built On Experience, Backed By Results

Why Educators Choose CTG

300+ Educators Trained • 100+ CDA Credentials Earned • Trusted Across Louisiana & Nationwide

We’ve Identified The Problem

You Want to Grow, But Time Is Limited

Between long days in the classroom and personal responsibilities, finding time for professional development can feel overwhelming.

You don’t need another program that adds stress—you need one that works with your life, not against it.

& We’re Offering A Solution

A Better Way Forward

CTG’s CDA E-Courses are designed to give you the flexibility, structure, and support you need to complete your training and move forward in your career without burnout.

What We Offer:

  • Self-paced courses (complete within 12 months)
  • Practical strategies you can use immediately
  • Built by experts who understand your reality
Empowering Louisiana’s ECE Workforce

Excellence Through Training

Career Training Group (CTG) is a BESE-approved Child Development Associate (CDA) ancillary program based in Louisiana. We prepare early care and education (ECE) professionals with the knowledge, tools, and practices they need to thrive—both in the classroom and beyond. High-quality care starts with a skilled, supported workforce, and CTG is committed to helping ECE professionals grow, succeed, and make a lasting impact.

A happy Preschool CDA graduate, Sharie Brock, holding up her credentials for the camera.
Recognized ECE Credential

What Is A CDA?

A CDA, or Child Development Associate, is a nationally recognized credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition. It demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively with young children, typically from birth to age five.

This credential is often required or preferred for roles in early childhood education (ECE) programs and is considered a key step for professional development in the field. Whether you’re entering the workforce or looking to advance, earning a CDA helps establish your commitment to high-quality early care and education.

Coach Raeyna Woodside-Howard engaging with program participants during orientation.
Support That Goes Beyond

Get Certified with CTG

Career Training Group (CTG) offers more than just a path to certification. Our BESE-approved program provides a well-rounded experience with in-depth training, one-on-one coaching, and leadership development. We focus on equipping educators not just to meet the requirements—but to thrive in real-world classrooms.

Participants in CTG’s program benefit from enhanced job prospects, increased confidence, and a deeper understanding of child development and best practices. From start to finish, CTG offers the tools, support, and community that early childhood educators need to succeed and grow in their careers.

Coach Raeyna Woodside-Howard engaging with program participants during orientation.
Speaker facing the audience, holding up a CTG-branded spiral book while presenting during orientation.
Key takeaways

Benefits & Structure

  • 120 clock hours
  • Mentor coaching
  • Monthly coaching sessions
  • Peer learning group
  • Assisted portfolio development
  • Candidate progress reports
Cohort 3 orientation participants engaged in excited conversation with each other.
Scholarship for Louisiana Residents

Confirm Your Qualification

Please note: This scholarship is only available to Louisiana residents.

Before you begin, determine if you qualify by answering the questions below:

  1. Have you previously attended another BESE approved CDA/Ancillary program?
  2. Do you have an AA or BA degree?
  3. Do you currently have a CDA credential?

If you answer yes to any of the questions above, you will not qualify for the scholarship to attend this program.

Cohort 3 orientation participants engaged in excited conversation with each other.

CDA Application Process

Interested in applying for our CDA program? Learn more about the steps involved or begin your application below.

Get a full overview of the current CDA application steps, requirements, and timeline.

Note: Application links are only active during open admission periods. If links are not working, admissions may be currently closed.

Smiling participants of CTG's CDA course.

CTG Is Your Trusted Partner

Career Training Group (CTG) is a leading workforce development organization based in Louisiana, supporting educators, programs, and agencies nationwide.

For years, we’ve partnered with early childhood professionals to strengthen the workforce and elevate the quality of care for young children.

We don’t just train educators—we equip them with the tools, confidence, and systems needed to thrive in the classroom and beyond.

Smiling participants of CTG's CDA course.
More Than a Course

A Transformational Experience

A Transformational Experience

This isn’t just training—it’s an investment in your growth as an educator and leader.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to confidently lead in your classroom
  • Gain deeper, practical understanding of child development
  • Strengthen your teaching strategies
  • Build habits that improve quality every day

What You’ll Gain:

  • 120 hours of CDA-aligned training
  • Practical, real-world strategies
  • Increased confidence in your classroom practice
  • A clear path toward your CDA credential
Salina Johnson, proudly holding up her Preschool CDA credentials.
Built for Educators

Who This Course Is For

This program is designed for:

  • Early childhood educators working toward their CDA
  • New teachers entering the field
  • Experienced educators strengthening their practice
  • Program leaders investing in staff development

Choose Your Path

CDA Course Options

We offer specialized pathways so you can choose the course that best aligns with your role and classroom needs.

Infant & Toddler

Designed for educators working with our youngest learners. This track focuses on building strong foundational practices that support early development.

You’ll learn to:

  • Support developmental milestones
  • Create nurturing, responsive environments
  • Build strong relationships

Preschool

This course is designed for educators working with preschool-aged children and focuses on preparing children for school readiness through intentional teaching practices.

You’ll learn to:

  • Support cognitive and social development
  • Create engaging learning experiences
  • Strengthen classroom management

Birth to Age 5

Ideal for educators, directors, and leaders who want a complete foundation. This course equips you with a full understanding of child development from birth through age five.

You’ll learn to:

  • Understand development across age groups
  • Adapt to diverse learner needs
  • Strengthen overall program quality

Ready to grow in your career?

What Educators Are Saying

A testimonial from Keimani S., a participant of CTG's CDA programming.
Teleka W., a proud CDA program participant.
Kenedie W., a graduate of CTG's CDA program.
Clarity, Structure, & Support

Build Your CDA Portfolio

Completing your CDA is more than coursework—your portfolio is where everything comes together.

CTG’s CDA Portfolio Builder Course guides you step-by-step through creating a complete, high-quality portfolio without confusion, overwhelm, or guesswork. To make the process even easier, the course includes a FREE digital portfolio template, so you can organize and build as you go.

CDA program classmates posing together for their class portrait.

Your Guided Path to Completion

Instead of figuring it out on your own, you’ll be supported through:

  • Understanding exactly what the CDA portfolio requires
  • Breaking each section into clear, manageable steps
  • Organizing materials to meet CDA standards
  • Building your portfolio in real time as you progress

By the end, you won’t just understand your portfolio—you’ll have it completed and ready for submission.

What’s included:

  • Step-by-step video guidance
  • FREE digital portfolio template
  • Section-by-section breakdown
  • Examples and clear explanations
  • Practical, time-saving support

What you’ll walk away with:

  • A completed (or near-complete) CDA portfolio
  • A clear understanding of CDA requirements
  • Confidence in submitting your portfolio
  • A reusable system for organizing your professional work
 
CDA program classmates posing together for their class portrait.

Stop Guessing, Start Building

You don’t have to figure this out alone—let us guide you every step of the way.

Continue Your Growth

CDA Renewal Course

Your journey doesn’t stop once you earn your CDA. Stay current, stay confident, and continue growing in your practice with CTG’s CDA Renewal Course. This course provides 40 hours of professional development that can be used to renew any CDA credential, regardless of age group.

Stay Sharp & Supported

About the Renewal Course

CTG’s CDA Renewal Course is designed for educators ready to refresh their knowledge, strengthen their skills, and continue delivering high-quality care and education.

This course goes beyond simply meeting requirements. You’ll:

  • Revisit key principles of child development and best practices
  • Reflect on your current teaching approach and identify areas for growth
  • Strengthen the quality of your classroom or program
  • Stay aligned with current standards and expectations in early childhood education

Whether you work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, or across multiple age groups, this course is designed to be practical, relevant, and immediately applicable.

Why Educators Choose CTG

Built for Real Impact

Why Choose CTG for CDA Renewal:

  • Meets CDA renewal requirements (40 hours)
  • Applies to all CDA settings
  • Self-paced and flexible for busy educators
  • Practice-focused learning you can apply daily
  • Supports continued professional growth

What You’ll Gain:

  • 40 hours of CDA-approved professional development
  • Updated knowledge of best practices
  • Renewed confidence in your teaching and leadership
  • Tools and strategies to strengthen your classroom or program

Your journey doesn’t stop once you earn your CDA. Stay current, stay confident, and continue growing in your practice with CTG’s CDA Renewal Course. This course provides 40 hours of professional development that can be used to renew any CDA credential, regardless of age group.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to complete the course?

CDA courses (all age ranges) include 12 months of access from your enrollment date, allowing you to complete the training at your own pace while balancing your schedule and responsibilities.

The Renewal and Portfolio courses include 6 months of access and are designed to be completed within that timeframe.

Is this course accepted for CDA requirements?

Yes, the course is designed to meet the 120-hour formal education requirement for the CDA.

Do I need prior experience?

No. This course is designed to support both new and experienced educators.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes, upon successful completion, you will receive documentation of your training hours.

Your Next Step Starts Here

You’ve been thinking about it, but you’ve been putting it off. Now is the time to move forward.