Continuing Education for Teachers

Advance Your Career in Education with Courses & Certificates

OVERVIEW

The University of San Diego's Professional and Continuing Education courses and certificate programs are designed by educators for educators to motivate teachers, enhance instruction and stimulate student learning, while also expanding your opportunities for professional advancement.

Continuing education is essential for teachers, many of whom seek out our high-quality programs (offered online, on-campus, and in several Los Angeles locations) motivated by a passion for lifelong learning, as well as professional growth and salary advancement.

Browse Courses and Programs

Take a Course (or Several)

Choose from hundreds of online and independent study courses for teachers covering a wide range of subjects. Earn graduate-level extension credit that can be applied toward salary advancement or professional development (with prior district approval), while also enhancing your resume.

Featured Courses for Teachers

Earn a Certificate

Designed for busy working teachers, our online educator certificates are comprehensive, multi-course programs of study that demonstrate mastery of a specific body of knowledge (for example Classroom Management, Teacher Leadership and Bullying Prevention). Completing an educator certificate program can be an excellent way to:

  • Earn professional development credits (with prior district approval)
  • Position yourself for salary advancement
  • Gain expertise that will enhance your effectiveness in the classroom

Featured Educator Certificates

Learn how to identify and prevent school bullying through the Bullying Prevention Certificate program, offered 100% online through the University of San Diego.

Learn more about USD PCE's STEAM education program and how to earn your STEAM certificate online

Looking for a high-quality online TESOL certificate program? Explore the online certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) offered by expert instructors through the University of San Diego.

Educator Series

Explore a series of courses covering in-depth expertise in single subject areas. Similar to our educator certificates, you will earn graduate-level extension credit that can be applied toward salary advancement or professional development (with prior district approval), while also enhancing your resume.

Featured Educator Series

Use today's latest technology to improve classroom learning and teaching

A series of online courses for educators to promote collaboration and creativity in the classroom using Google for teachers.

This series is to enhance anti-racism, diversity, inclusion and social justice in the classroom providing K-12 educators with the skills and knowledge on how to incorporate strategies into their teaching.

Who are these programs for?

Our educator programs are ideal for teachers, administrators, and others who are working in the K-14 field of education. These programs are a great way to expand your skills, develop new specializations, and enhance your resume. Plus, you'll earn graduate-level extension credit that many teachers apply toward salary advancement or professional development (with prior district approval). Our curriculum is designed to appeal to educators and others whose interests include:

  • Athletic coaching
  • Art and music instruction
  • Classroom management
  • Teaching techniques
  • General education
  • Special education
  • STEAM/STEM
  • Educational leadership
  • Literature
  • Multicultural issues
  • Social justice
  • Educational equity
  • Mathematics
  • Language instruction
  • Professional development
  • Technology in education
  • Digital literacy
  • Bullying prevention
  • Google for Teachers

Features & Formats

The top reasons so many K-12 teachers and community college-level instructors enroll in our educator programs include:

  • Continuing your lifelong education at a nationally ranked university with proven programs and cutting-edge curriculum.
  • Positioning yourself for potential salary increases by expanding your knowledge and skills in a wide range of teaching subject areas.
  • Gaining the insights and tools needed to become more effective in the classroom or position yourself for educational leadership roles.
  • Strengthening your resume by listing continuing education achievements that make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.
  • Learning from expert faculty instructors who are also experienced, real-world educators.
  • Benefiting from small class sizes that offer personalized instruction and support to enhance learning.
  • Augmenting your professional growth by engaging in networking opportunities with faculty and fellow students.
  • Signing up for convenient and flexible program schedules, with no application required.
  • Completing a career-building teacher certificate in less than 10 months, quicker than it typically takes to earn a graduate degree.

Available Formats

The University of San Diego offers high-quality online and on-campus courses and programs geared to lifelong learning, professional growth, and career advancement in a number of different formats.

Classroom

These on-campus courses are offered in a traditional classroom where you can connect with your instructor and classmates in a live setting. This learning environment facilitates communication in real time, enables immediate feedback and fosters face-to-face interaction with the instructor and classmates. Classroom courses have a scheduled start and finish date, and students are expected to attend all course sessions.

Online Fixed-Date

Online Fixed-Date: Online fixed-date courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that enables you to collaborate with your instructor and other students in a shared, online learning environment. These courses have fixed start and finish dates, but as an online student you will have 24/7 online access to your classroom assignments, syllabus and course resources. Our online fixed-date courses allow you to work on your assignments anytime, although you are required to complete the assignments by specific dates.

How is the learning structured? In an online fixed-date course, you and your classmates will proceed through the curriculum together, collaborating in a shared learning experience. Each online fixed-date course is asynchronous, meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime, although required to complete the assignments by specific dates. The course is designed with learning modules where all of the content is grouped into weekly assignments. Each module covers one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:

  • Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
  • Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).
  • Assignments with due dates (which may include: written assignments, journal entries, research, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.
  • Discussion forum where you answer prompts from the instructor and interact with your classmates.
  • Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.
  • Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You'll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.

Independent Study

Independent Study Self-Paced: Independent study courses offer you flexibility and the ability to complete a course faster or slower than you would a traditional live course. In this online format, you may register at any time and you will have a set time period (typically 9 months) from the time of registration to complete your course. This convenient format is often helpful for:

  • Working professionals with tight schedules
  • Students who require a specific course to meet professional development or recertification requirements
  • Students living in remote locations
  • Students who cannot easily attend courses due to injury or illness
  • Students who are self-motivated and conscientious

Online Self-Paced

Our online self-paced courses are similar to online fixed-date courses, but are designed to give you a six-month period from time of enrollment to complete all assignments. Like fixed-date courses, online self-paced courses are asynchronous, meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime; the difference being there are no assigned due dates in self-paced courses. Your instructor will provide feedback via written responses on your assignments and exams. Grades are based on completed projects, assignments and exams.

How is the self-paced course structured? Like fixed-date courses, online self-paced courses are asynchronous meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime; the difference being there are no assigned due dates in self-paced courses. The content is divided into learning modules. Each module will cover one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:

  • Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
  • Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, websites, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).
  • Assignments (which may include: written assignments, quizzes, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.
  • Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.
  • Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You'll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.

What our students say

Benefits

Professional Development

Earn graduate-level extension credits that can be applied (with prior district approval) toward professional development goals and requirements.

Salary/Career Advancement

Many educators complete our programs to qualify for salary increases (with prior district approval), and to advance their careers.

Flexible Scheduling

Choose online educator courses for optimal scheduling flexibility to balance your teaching duties, your USD studies, and family life.

Expert Faculty Instructors

The educator program faculty instructors at the University of San Diego's Division Professional & Continuing Education possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience as educators. USD PCE faculty attributes and benefits include:

  • Experienced instructor-practitioners
  • Instructors who are engaged and accessible
  • Small class sizes with personalized attention
  • Opportunities for professional networking
  • Faculty connections/industry contacts
  • Passion for teaching and lifelong learning
  • Skilled educators who are invested in your success

Is USD Right for Me?

USD's widely respected Division of Professional & Continuing Education is dedicated to connecting students with high-quality courses and certificate programs.

If you are passionate about lifelong learning or if you are seeking educational opportunities to gain specific knowledge and skills for personal or career advancement reasons, then (yes!) the University of San Diego is right for you.

Informative Stats and Facts

1949

USD has been crafting high-quality curriculum for over 70 years

350,000+

Number of students who have enhanced their career

95%

Majority of courses are offered in flexible and convenient formats

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I need help enrolling in a course, or I need more information on a course?

If you experience issues enrolling, or have questions, complete our Contact Us Form or call our Enrollment and Student Services team between 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (PST), M-F, at (619) 260-4585 or toll free at (888) 321-6658.

How do I request an Official Transcript?

Transcripts can be ordered online via your student account. For more detailed information, please visit the Student Transcript Request Page

What type of credit am I earning?

The credit earned is considered Graduate Level Extension Credit, in semester hours (1 semester hour= 15 contact hours). The credit earned is usually used for salary advancement, credential renewing and/or recertification. Graduate Level Extension credit is not usually transferrable towards a degree. Prior district approval is highly recommended and the responsibility of the student if using the units towards salary advancement, credential renewing and/or recertification.

Where can I get directions to my course classroom?

The address for classroom courses are provided at the section level detail on the course page. Once you know the address, we recommend you use Google Maps. Otherwise please contact the ESS during business hours of 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (PST), M-F, at (619) 260-4585 or toll free at (888) 321-6658.

How many units can I complete in one semester?

USD Professional and Continuing Education allows for a maximum of 18 units to be completed during any one semester: fall (September – December); spring (January – April); and summer (May – August).

Can I be notified when a course section opens for enrollment?

Yes, on the course page, click on Request Information and you will be notified by email when enrollment is open for the course or you can complete the Course Inquiry form

explore

the Possibilities

Check out our Career-Building Course, Certificate, and Series Offerings for Educators