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)
EDFN 592: Family Engagement 101
Register Here for USD Credits
Instructor: Pamela Lange & Morgan VonHaden
Dates: July 16, 2025 - August 8, 2025
Location: Online
Credit Hours: 1
Fees: $40
*Please Note: You must register through Canvas first before you can enroll for USD transcribable credits.
Course Description: Research shows that when families and schools work together, everyone benefits. Most importantly, students feel safe to learn, to explore, and to grow. Family Engagement is a buzzword in education, but what does it really mean? In this course, participants will explore the answer to that question as they practice multiple strategies that can be used to build relationships with families while learning how to leverage their strengths in order to support their child, your classroom, and your school. In addition to strategies, participants will explore the latest research around family engagement and gain access to research-based tools for immediate use within classrooms.
Register Here through Canvas
ELED 592: PBL Summer Institute Introduction and Application
Instructor: Melissa Hittner
Dates: July 28, 2025 - July 31, 2025
Location: In person in Jefferson High School, Sioux Falls, SD and Online
Credit Hours: 2
Fees: $80
* Please Note: You must first Register Here before you can enroll Here for graduate credits.
Course Description: Participants will plan a project-based learning (PBL) unit utilizing a project snapshot based on the model of PBL used in the Jefferson HS Project Based Learning Academy. The Project Based Learning Academy has worked in conjunction with the New Tech Network and the Buck Institute for Education. Participants will gain an understanding of the fundamental principles and classroom management strategies of a PBL classroom, and will work with experienced instructors and students immersed daily in the project based learning model.
SEED 592: PBL Summer Institute Introduction and Application
Instructor: Melissa Hittner
Dates: July 28, 2025 - July 31, 2025
Location: In person in Jefferson High School, Sioux Falls, SD and Online
Credit Hours: 2
Fees: $80
* Please Note: You must first Register Here before you can enroll Here for graduate credits.
Course Description: Participants will plan a project-based learning (PBL) unit utilizing a project snapshot based on the model of PBL used in the Jefferson HS Project Based Learning Academy. The Project Based Learning Academy has worked in conjunction with the New Tech Network and the Buck Institute for Education. Participants will gain an understanding of the fundamental principles and classroom management strategies of a PBL classroom, and will work with experienced instructors and students immersed daily in the project based learning model.
SPED 592: Autism Spectrum Education & Resource Training (ASERT 1 of 3)
Instructor: Heidi Aderhold
Credits: 3
Tuition: $120
Dates: July 28, 2025 - September 30, 2025
* PLEASE NOTE: You must register through Eventbrite first before you can enroll for USD graduate credits. Register through Eventbrite here. - Make this a box saying REGISTER THROUGH EVENTBRITE HERE
Course Description: Autism Spectrum Education and Resources Training (ASERT) sessions 1, 2, and 3 are designed to provide information to guide and support autistic students from assessment to intervention through the implementation of evidence-based practices. ASERT students will receive monthly mentor support and six-days of synchronous training over the 2025-2026 school year. Trainers will deliver the course content and provide support to both SPED 592 students and their mentors within and between the training days. Participation in ASERT is a commitment and as such, participants will be required to obtain administrative approval for their participation as well as time to complete the ASERT requirements. Both the ASERT participant and their administrator will be required to complete and sign a form that outlines the ASERT requirements.
There are three sessions of ASERT, labeled ASERT 1, ASERT 2, and ASERT 3. Students must take all three sessions sequentially within the same school year. ASERT 2 and ASERT 3 each have a separate syllabi.
Register for USD Credits Here
SPED 592: Dr. Russell Barkley Professional
Register for USD graduate credits here
Instructor: Aimee Deliramich
Dates: August 1, 2025 - August 25, 2025
Location: Online
Credits: 1
Fees: $40/ Credit
*PLEASE NOTE: You must register through Canvas first before you can enroll for USD graduate credits.
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 Executive Functioning and ADHD. Many of the cognitive deficits associated with ADHD lie in the domain of executive functioning in neuropsychology. The focus of this course will be to promote a better understanding of the nature of ADHD symptoms, the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, and the modifications necessary for its use with special populations.
Register through Canvas here
EDFN 492: Family Engagement 101
Register Here for USD Credits
Instructor: Pamela Lange & Morgan VonHaden
Dates: August 25, 2025 - December 9, 2025
Location: Online
Credit Hours: 3
Fees: $120
*Please Note: You must register through Canvas first before you can enroll for USD transcribable credits.
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 well-being. 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.
Register Here through Canvas
EDFN 592: Family Engagement 101
Register Here for USD Credits
Instructor: Pamela Lange & Morgan VonHaden
Dates: August 25, 2025 - December 9, 2025
Location: Online
Credit Hours: 3
Fees: $120
*Please Note: You must register through Canvas first before you can enroll for USD transcribable credits.
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 well-being. 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.
Register Here through Canvas
HSC 492: Community Response to Child Abuse
Instructor: Tifanie Petro
Dates: August 25, 2025 - November 1, 2025; In person conference dates: October 2 & 3, 2025
Location: Hybrid: Online & Sioux Falls, SD
Credits: 1
Fees: $40/ Credit
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.
At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Describe the prevalence and incidence rates of child maltreatment and be able to locate and identify data (global, national, and local) to prevent and respond.
2. Understand demographic factors associated with higher risks of child maltreatment, and identify data to describe the South Dakota context.
3. Gain a broad understanding of multidisciplinary approaches to the prevention of and responses to child abuse.
4. Increase ability to articulate the principles of trauma-informed care and child abuse prevention and reflect upon how to put these principles into practice.
Register Here
HSC 592: Community Response to Child Abuse
Instructor: Tifanie Petro
Dates: August 25, 2025 - November 1, 2025; In person conference dates: October 2 & 3, 2025
Location: Hybrid: Online & Sioux Falls, SD
Credits: 1
Fees: $40/ Credit
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.
At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Describe the prevalence and incidence rates of child maltreatment and be able to locate and identify data (global, national, and local) to prevent and respond.
2. Understand demographic factors associated with higher risks of child maltreatment, and identify data to describe the South Dakota context.
3. Gain a broad understanding of multidisciplinary approaches to the prevention of and responses to child abuse.
4. Increase ability to articulate the principles of trauma-informed care and child abuse prevention and reflect upon how to put these principles into practice.
Register Here
EDFN 592: Cooperating Teacher Experience
Course Name: EDFN 592 Cooperating Teacher Experience
Instructor: Mary McCorkle
Dates: August 25, 2025 - December 5, 2025
Credits: 1
Tuition: $40/Credit (Additional $75 fee payable to SDEA for non-SDEA members)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed for mentors of current student teachers in SD
and surrounding states. Students will learn and apply mentoring competencies.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Gain insight into and apply best practices of mentoring a pre-service
educator
Course delivery will be through Learn Upon in cooperation with the South Dakota Education
Association. There is additional course fee for those who are not members of the South Dakota
Education Association or its state affiliates. This course can be found at: https://sdeaportal.learnupon.com.
Student learning objectives will include:
1. Commits to the roles and responsibility of mentoring
2. Accepts the teacher candidate as a developing professional
3. Reflects on interpersonal communications and decisions
4. Serves as an instructional coach
5. Models a commitment to personal and professional growth
6. Communicates hope and optimism for the future of the profession
7. Applies objectives daily while working with a teacher candidate
Notes:
Please Note: This course requires dual enrollment. After registering for USD credit and paying the tuition fee, you must also register through the SDEA Portal to access the course content.
REGISTER THROUGH SDEA PORTAL
REGISTER FOR USD CREDITS HERE
SPED 592: An Introduction to Deafblindness - Course 1
Instructor: Brandy Sebera
Dates: August 26, 2025 - December 12, 2025
Credits: 3
Tuition: $120
Location: Online
* PLEASE NOTE: You must register through Eventbrite first before you can enroll for USD graduate credits.
REGISTER THROUGH EVENTBRITE HERE
Course Description: This course will provide online training for school-based educators and clinicians to enhance the capacity to serve and educate students who have sensory disabilities including deafblindness and high intensity needs. The content of this course is aligned with the standards published by the Council for Exceptional Children. The participants will have 45 hours of online instruction (3 graduate credits) to incorporate the skills and techniques which are beneficial to students with deafblindness and high intensity needs.
Addressing the unique needs of students with low incidence disabilities is often a struggle for educators. This course is designed to prepare educators to address educational and communication needs of students with sensory disabilities and complex needs in a proactive, functionally based manner using evidence-based practices. Through learning activities, reflections, discussion boards and synchronous online meetings, participants will expand their knowledge of deafblindness and high intensity needs, the impact of the sensory systems on the brain and learning, the importance of building trusted relationships, and other effective intervention strategies including those geared towards maximizing vision and hearing.
As you progress through this course, you will find that the knowledge and skills covered in the various modules are closely linked. Together, they represent the foundational competencies needed to work with children who are deafblind. The skills you will learn in this course will be valuable and useful to you throughout your career.
REGISTER FOR USD CREDITS HERE
SPED 592: Deafblindness: Assessment & Instructional Planning, Course 3
Instructor: Brandy Sebera
Dates: August 26, 2025 - December 12, 2025
Location: Online
Credits: 3
Fee: $120
* PLEASE NOTE: You must register through Eventbrite first before you can enroll for USD graduate credits.
REGISTER THROUGH EVENTBRITE HERE
Course Description: The course includes an overview of assessment strategies, assessment instruments, instructional planning, and the development of specific and measurable IEP goals based on authentic assessment data. Participants in this course will be introduced to and engage with professional development learning modules and digital resources from a variety of sources including the National Center on Deafblindness. In addition, the course includes content from the following Open Hands, Open Access modules: 1) Availability for Learning, 2) Routines for Participation and Learning, 3) Behavior and Environmental Supports, 4) Accessing the Curriculum and the Environment, and 5) Introduction to Orientation and Mobility for Interveners.
Synchronous and asynchronous course meetings and coursework addresses best practices in adult learning by focusing on professional relevance and immediate applicability, and by recognizing and benefiting from the knowledge and experience of participants. In addition, assignments can be customized to meet specific professional goals, both personal and institutional.
This course will provide online training for school-based educators and clinicians to enhance the capacity to serve and educate students who have sensory disabilities including deaf-blindness and high intensity support needs. The content of this course is aligned with the standards published by the Council for Exceptional Children. The participants will have 45 hours of online instruction (3 graduate credits) to incorporate the skills and techniques which are beneficial to students with deafblindness and high intensity support needs.
REGISTER FOR USD CREDITS HERE
AHED 790: LERN Recruiting and Retaining Adult Students
Instructors: William Draves
Dates: September 2, 2025 - November 30, 2025
Location: Online
Credit Hours: 3
Fee: $120
REGISTER WITH LERN HERE
Course Description: Students will learn:
1. Design techniques to enhance communication with prospective adult students and
generate registrations.
2. Master techniques for integrating traditional print as well as digital communication to
effectively recruit and retain adult learners.
3. How to measure the effectiveness of print as a recruitment tool and how to increase the
impact of print media in recruitment.
4. Understand the relationship between print communication and digital communication and
how these two techniques enhance the effectiveness of each other.
5. How to integrate communication strategies to create engagement and stimulate
participation by adult learners,
6. Have a more in-depth understanding of advanced important recruitment concepts that are
the foundation for improving enrollment results.
7. Be able to apply advanced recruitment concepts to the practical how-to practice of
creating both digital and print communication.
8. Increase your confidence in the effectiveness of your own recruitment efforts.
9. Know how to provide the rationale and customer behavior reasons behind successful
marketing strategies and why they work so well.
10. Possess the knowledge to apply the best practices to marketing campaigns and efforts.
REGISTER FOR USD CREDITS HERE
AHED 790: LERN Program Management Institute (4CR)
Instructor: Julie Coates
Location: Online
Dates: September 8, 2025 - November 28, 2025
Credits: 4
Fee: $160.00
*Participants must also register with LERN. https://lern.org/institues/ - Please make this link a box that says REGISTER WITH LERN HERE
Course Description: Train to analyze data to make the best decisions. Learn key financial formulas as well as design a winning brochure. You will learn how to increase registrations and start successful new programs. This training ends with the Certified Program Planner exam and eventual certification upon passing the exam.
REGISTER FOR USD CREDITS HERE
AHED 790: Certified Marketing Professional
Instructor: William Draves
Dates: September 8, 2025 - October 31, 2025
Location: Online
Credit Hours: 3
Fee: $120
*Participants must also register with LERN. https://lern.org/institues/ - Please make this link a box that says REGISTER WITH LERN HERE
Course Description: This course is designed to explore the best practices and strategies that maximize the effectiveness of a lifelong learning marketing department. It provides an overview of theory-based techniques for winning marketing strategies, including unique selling proposition and branding, data collection and analysis, the AIDA Principle and printed promotion creation, websites, and digital marketing. Participants will discuss suggested strategies and be prepared to take a Certified Marketing Professional Institute exam after eight weeks of course participation.
REGISTER FOR USD CREDITS HERE
SPED 592: Autism Spectrum Education & Resource Training (ASERT 2 of 3)
Please note: this course has Prerequisites
Instructor: Heidi Aderhold
Credits: 3
Tuition: $120
Dates: October 1, 2025 - December 10, 2025
Course Description: Autism Spectrum Education and Resources Training (ASERT) sessions 1, 2, and 3 are designed to provide information to guide and support autistic students from assessment to intervention through the implementation of evidence-based practices. ASERT students will receive monthly mentor support and six-days of synchronous training over the 2025-2026 school year. Trainers will deliver the course content and provide support to both SPED 592 students and their mentors within and between the training days. Participation in ASERT is a commitment and as such, participants will be required to obtain administrative approval for their participation as well as time to complete the ASERT requirements. Both the ASERT participant and their administrator will be required to complete and sign a form that outlines the ASERT requirements.
There are three sessions of ASERT, labeled ASERT 1, ASERT 2, and ASERT 3. Students must take all three sessions sequentially within the same school year and each has a separate syllabi.
Register for USD Credits Here
SPED 592: Autism Spectrum Education & Resource Training (ASERT 3 of 3)
Please note: this course has Prerequisites
Instructor: Heidi Aderhold
Credit: 1
Tuition: $40
Dates: January 5, 2026-March 31, 2026
Location: Online
Course Description: SPED 592: Autism Spectrum Education and Resources Training (ASERT) sessions 1, 2, and 3 are designed to provide information to guide and support autistic students from assessment to intervention through the implementation of evidence-based practices. ASERT students will receive monthly mentor support and six-days of synchronous training over the 2025-2026 school year. Trainers will deliver the course content and provide support to both SPED 592 students and their mentors within and between the training days. Participation in ASERT is a commitment and as such, participants will be required to obtain administrative approval for their participation as well as time to complete the ASERT requirements. Both the ASERT participant and their administrator will be required to complete and sign a form that outlines the ASERT requirements. There are three sessions of ASERT, labeled ASERT 1, ASERT 2, and ASERT 3. Students must take all three sessions sequentially within the same school year and each has a separate syllabus.
Register for USD Credits Here
EDFN 592: Cooperating Teacher Experience
Course Name: EDFN 592 Cooperating Teacher Experience
Instructor: Mary McCorkle
Dates: January 12, 2025 - May 6, 2026
Credits: 1
Tuition: $40/Credit (Additional $75 fee payable to SDEA for non-SDEA members)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed for mentors of current student teachers in SD
and surrounding states. Students will learn and apply mentoring competencies.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Gain insight into and apply best practices of mentoring a pre-service
educator
Course delivery will be through Learn Upon in cooperation with the South Dakota Education
Association. There is additional course fee for those who are not members of the South Dakota
Education Association or its state affiliates. This course can be found at: https://sdeaportal.learnupon.com.
Student learning objectives will include:
1. Commits to the roles and responsibility of mentoring
2. Accepts the teacher candidate as a developing professional
3. Reflects on interpersonal communications and decisions
4. Serves as an instructional coach
5. Models a commitment to personal and professional growth
6. Communicates hope and optimism for the future of the profession
7. Applies objectives daily while working with a teacher candidate
Notes:
Please Note: This course requires dual enrollment. After registering for USD credit and paying the tuition fee, you must also register through the SDEA Portal to access the course content.
REGISTER THROUGH SDEA PORTAL
REGISTER FOR USD CREDITS HERE
