Know and Use Cognitive Skills to Captivate Your Students’ Interest

What are effective strategies to help the current generation of students learn? How does today’s technology impact student learning? Understanding how students learn and how their brains develop and function are key to enhancing academic performance. These courses provide you with a glimpse into the young mind and how you can use that knowledge to your advantage to promote successful learning. They also give you strategic tools and techniques for use both inside and outside of the classroom.

Schedule & Fees

Courses – Enroll in One or More

Course Date Units Price
Increasing Achievement by Diminishing Creativity Anxiety [EDU-X769P] Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled 2 $317
Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled
2
$317
Online Self-Paced
Paula Intravaia

Online 2-Unit professional growth course for K-12 educators that focuses on creativity anxiety awareness and how to reduce it to increase achievement, innovation and performance.

Once you have enrolled in your course, log in to your account to access the course Welcome Letter, which includes directions on how to access the Online Orientation and your online course.

Atomic Habits: Develop Habits to Increase Learning, Efficiency and Joy in the Classroom and Beyond [EDU-X750R] Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled 3 $504
Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled
3
$504
Online Self-Paced
Amanda Dolphin

This online self-paced professional growth course gives educators the background of how we form habits, how to create better habits to increase efficiency, learning and joy in the classroom.

Once you have enrolled in your course, log in to your account to access the course Welcome Letter, which includes directions on how to access the New Student Orientation and your online course.

Cognitively Guided Instruction in Math (CGI) [EDU-X788P] Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled 3 $504
Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled
3
$504
Online Self-Paced
Danielle Moore

This course is an online professional growth course for educators that want to learn Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) to enhance student learning in Math

Once you have enrolled in your course, log in to your account to access the course Welcome Letter, which includes directions on how to access the Online Orientation and your online course.

Creating a Culture of Thinking: Metacognition in the Classroom [EDU-X722O] Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled 2 $317
Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled
2
$317
Online Self-Paced
Amy Triba

Creating a Culture of Thinking Metacognition in the Classroom is an online course for educators that promotes critical thinking and student engagement in the classroom

Once you have enrolled in your course, log in to your account to access the course Welcome Letter, which includes directions on how to access the Online Orientation and your online course.

Engagement: Connecting Students to Content [EDU-X793Q] Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled 3 $504
Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled
3
$504
Online Self-Paced
Ronalee Johnson

Online course for educators that promotes deeper learning/thinking of concept-based curriculum allowing for students to connect to content.

Once you have enrolled in your course, log in to your account to access the course Welcome Letter, which includes directions on how to access the Online Orientation and your online course.

The Innovator’s Mindset: Empower Learning through Creativity and Connections [EDU-X784P] Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled 3 $504
Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled
3
$504
Online Self-Paced
Amanda Dolphin

The Innovator’s Mindset: Empower Learning through Creativity and Connections is an online three-unit course for K-12 and community college teachers seeking to refresh curriculum with innovation and to inspire creativity within their students

Once you have enrolled in your course, log in to your account to access the course Welcome Letter, which includes directions on how to access the Online Orientation and your online course.

Mathematical Routines to Support Positive Mindsets [EDU-X747Q] Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled 2 $317
Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled
2
$317
Online Self-Paced
Ronalee Johnson

This is a two-unit online self-paced course for K-8 educators that teach math and want to promote a positive mindset with their students with routines

Once you have enrolled in your course, log in to your account to access the course Welcome Letter, which includes directions on how to access the Online Orientation and your online course.

Learning with the Brain in Mind [EDU-X752J] Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled 3 $504
Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled
3
$504
Online Self-Paced
Jerry Goldberg

Teaching with the Brain in Mind is an online course for educators that balances research and theory of brain function with successful tips and strategies for use both in and outside of the classroom

Once you have enrolled in your course, log in to your account to access the course Welcome Letter, which includes directions on how to access the Online Orientation and your online course.

Learning Method Information

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. 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.

SERIES CURRICULUM

Enroll in one or more courses in this series to earn graduate level extension credits.

You can expect the following from Online Self-Paced courses:

What You Will Learn

Who Should Attend

Grade K-12 teachers who want to make teaching more effective by understanding how their students learn.

Benefits of usd’s cognitive learning series

Instructors

Professional development courses offered by the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education are taught by faculty that possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.

Careers Outlook

Employment opportunities in the education field — including adult education — are expected to grow by almost 1 million new jobs by 2030 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). With so many new and emerging opportunities, adult learning institutions and programs are going to have to compete heavily to attract and retain the most talented educators.

This makes furthering your education and diversifying your teaching skill set all the more important. By growing your expertise in a wide variety of educational concepts, you will broaden your career prospects and become a valuable asset in any learning environment.

Industry Insights

10 %

Job growth

$57,220

Median salary


Career Opportunities

District Level Professional Development Provider
Instructional Coach
Academic Director
Conference Speaker
Workplace Trainer
Continuing Education Instructor
Anyone interested in leading other adults through trainings, workshops, or presentations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements for completing a certificate program?

Requirements for completing a certificate can be found on the certificate page.

Are the continuing education courses transferable to a master degree program?

Professional and Continuing Education courses that are transferrable to a USD master degree will be stated on the course or certificate page. If you wish to transfer credit, it is your responsibility to confer with the receiving institution before enrolling, as each
individual academic institution decides whether or not to accept USD Professional and Continuing Education credit.

How long do I have to complete the Certificate?

You have five years to complete the certificate.

What are your registration/drop/refund policies?

Click here for complete details regarding our refund, drop and transfer policies

What if I can’t get into a course because it is full?

Prospective students can request to be placed on a waitlist. Should a space open up in a course, those on the waitlist will be notified. We encourage you to register early for courses.

Why USD?

The Professional and Continuing Education program nurtures key partnerships on the local, national, and international level. The goal is to better serve working professionals who seek to enhance or build their careers and help achieve their highest value and potential. Contact us today to learn more.

Informative Stats and Facts

600+

High-quality, career-building courses to choose from

50+

In-depth, innovative, and relevant topics

25+

Career advancing certificates

5 REASONS WHY CONTINUING EDUCATION MATTERS FOR EDUCATORS

The education industry is always changing and evolving, perhaps now more than ever. Learn how you can be prepared by downloading our eBook.