Minnesota Career Lattice Steps

The Minnesota Career Lattice recognizes the professional achievements of Develop Individual Members in the field of Early Childhood and School-Age Care and Education. There are 12 Career Lattice Steps, from entry-level to advanced.

Develop Members are awarded a Career Lattice Step based on the documentation they provide to Achieve – The MN Center for Professional Development during the Develop Individual Membership application process.

Use the interactive menu below to expand the specific requirements for each Career Lattice Step, explore opportunities unlocked by each Career Lattice Step, and find tools and resources to help you identify and achieve your professional development goals.

Please Note: Achieve will automatically award Develop members the highest step possible based on step requirements.

Foundational Awareness

Everyone can achieve this entry-level step by becoming a Develop Individual Member.

Step Requirements

Apply for Develop Individual Membership

Opportunities to Explore

Noncredit Training (Steps 1-5)

Applicants must show documented proof of high school graduation and completion of at least 10 Develop-approved training hours. Training hours must have been completed no more than 5 years before the Develop membership application submission date.

Resources for Documenting Achievements at this Level:

Step Requirements

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Step Requirements

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Step Requirements

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Noncredit Credential and/or College Credits (Steps 6-8)

Applicants must show documented completion of a Non-credit Credential and/or college credits directly related to Minnesota’s Knowledge and Competency Framework for Early Childhood Professionals.

Resources for Documenting Achievements at this Level:

Step Requirements

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Step Requirements

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Step Requirements

  • Verified completion of High School or GED AND
  • Some College with 30 Approved Semester Credits OR
  • Diploma in Early Childhood Education from an accredited college

Opportunities to Explore

Degree Completion (Steps 9-12)

Applicants must show documented completion of a degree and at least 6 (semester) college credits directly related to Minnesota’s Knowledge and Competency Framework for Early Childhood Professionals.

Resources for Documenting Achievements at this Level:

Associate Degree (Step 9)

Step Requirements

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Step Requirements

  • Associate degree in Early Childhood Education OR
  • Associate degree with 31 Approved Semester Credits in Infant and Toddler, Early Childhood, and/or School-Age.

Opportunities to Explore

MN Career Lattice Facts

  • The Career Lattice and Develop’s Individual Membership are open to anyone working directly or indirectly with young children (ages birth to 8). It recognizes the contributions of the entire workforce and their dedication to the care and education of children.
  • Develop members can track their Career Lattice growth and professional development through their Develop profile.
  • The team at Achieve – The MN Center for Professional Development uses the Develop system to process Develop Individual Membership applications and award Career Lattice Steps. The Develop Individual Membership and awarded Career Lattice step are valid for one year and may be renewed at any time for free.
  • Develop members are awarded the highest Career Lattice step possible based on the achievements they have verified on their Develop profile and Learning Record.
  • Some elements of the Career Lattice rely upon Minnesota’s Knowledge and Competency Framework for Early Childhood Professionals, which is embedded in Develop’s approved Training hours and the Higher Education Coursework Policy.
  • A minimum Career Lattice Step is required before applying for any of Develop’s other membership types:
    • Develop Trainer
    • Develop Course Writer
    • Develop Relationship Based Professional Development Specialist