You need more tools to advance your career, but also flexibility to integrate school into your already busy life. That's why we're committed to bringing our knowledge to you. USD online education offers accredited, high-quality academic programs and courses with the flexibility, convenience and affordability you desire.

With more than 50 accredited online degree programs offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels, there is a program designed to meet your individual needs.

For educators, career development and continuing education is important to stay up-to-date with your teaching skills and innovations. Instead of spending your summer break on-campus or at a workshop, enroll in an online class from USD.  We offers quality courses at affordable rates that make it possible to advance your career.

Some programs are funded externally by non-university partnerships as projects or classes. You may earn college credits for the courses, however, the funding to offer the course is provided by the external source or organization.

If you are interested in offering a course for educators through partnership with USD, please contact us.

 Inquire About Offering Course(s)  

ELED 492/592:  Family Engagement

Register for 492 | Register for 592
Instructor: Pamela Lange & Morgan VonHaden
Location: Online
Dates: August 26- December 10, 2024 
Fee: $120
Credits: 3
Course Description: Family Engagement is key to the success of students, especially your hard to-reach students and families. With over 50 years of research, family and community engagement in education is foundational for child development, student achievement, school improvement, and family and community wellbeing. This class will provide guidance to pre-service educators, practicing educators, educational leaders, and/or administrators through the research and best practices of family engagement. 

HSC 492/592: Community & Multidisciplinary Response to Child Abuse

Register for conference tickets
Instructor: Curstie Konold
Dates: August 26- November 1, 2024; In person conference: October 3-4, 2024
Fee: $40
Credits: 1
Course Description: This course provides experiential learning and reflective opportunities regarding multidisciplinary approaches to prevention and responses to child maltreatment. It is designed to enhance knowledge and improve practice in this critical area.

SEED 592: Finding Your Roots: Genetic Literacy for Educators

Register Here
Instructor: Louisa Otto
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Dates: August 6-December 20, 2024
Fee: $80
Credits: 2
Course Description: Secondary education (Middle School) teachers will learn the ins and outs of genetics, genetic technology, epigenetics, and ethics all while learning about their own DNA through a partnership with Living DNA. Teachers will be expected to create an educational tool that aims to increase genetic literacy for students across South Dakota at the end of the course. Teachers will participate in three days of instruction in the PROMISE lab. To finish the remainder of the credit hours, teachers will review lesson plans that are currently on Sanford PROMISE website and implement one of them in their classroom. Data will be collected as to the effectiveness and usability of the lesson plans.

SPED 592: From Law to Learner: Developing Compliant & Student-Centered IEPs

Register Here
Instructor: Heidi Aderhold
Location: Online
Dates: September 10 – December 10, 2024
Fee: $40
Credits: 1
Course Description: This course aims to provide training and assistance to South Dakota educators, administrators, other related professionals, and graduate students interested in learning more about the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP provides the foundation for promoting progress for students with disabilities and must contain the essential components outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that must be implemented to ensure Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for each child. The focus of this course will be to help participants better understand the essential components of an IEP and develop a legally sound IEP that meets the individual needs of each student. Dr. Mitchell Yell will be a guest lecturer at each class session. Dr. Mitchell L. Yell, is the Fred and Francis Lester Palmetto Chair of teacher education and a professor in Programs in Special Education at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Yell is a nationally recognized expert in special education law and IEP development. His textbook entitled The Law and Special Education, published by Pearson, is now in its fifth edition. He is the editor and writer of a special issue of Teaching Exceptional Children titled IEPs: Policy and Practice, and co-author of a forthcoming book on developing IEPs. Dr. Yell has published 130 articles and 36 book chapters.

Our department offers several in-person and at-home courses throughout the year for dental professionals.

View our current continuing education courses, which includes registration instructions and more information. 

Continuing Education Courses

The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a non-credit course designed to offer career growth opportunities through continuing education. The primary purpose of the CEU is to measure  participation in providing a permanent record of noncredit educational accomplishments. 

One CEU is defined as ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, qualified direction and instruction. One contact hour equals sixty minutes of instructional contact, excluding meals and breaks. The instructor must monitor the learner’s progress and provide some form of feedback to the learner. This applies to both face-to-face interaction and distance programs.

If you are interested in offering a course through partnership with USD, please contact us.

Inquire About Offering Course(s)

The delivery of non-credit training and customized education is determined in collaboration with partnering organizations. These programs can be delivered in a variety of methods and workshops, training and customized programs can vary from daylong events to courses spanning multiple semesters. We work with our partner organizations to determine the ideal length and location to meet the needs of each of our unique offerings.

Need a course tailored to your organization's specific needs? Partner with the the University of South Dakota expertise to design or customize a program specific to your organization’s needs and goals. Schedule your program at a time and location that works best for you and your employees.