USD Professional and Continuing Education offers customized, online curriculum design and development courses. Participants have the choice to take either 3-Units, 6-Units or both to earn a total of 9-Units.
A component of curriculum design and development is curriculum planning — identifying and selecting teaching strategies and organizational methods based on individual student needs that will result in improved student growth and student learning outcomes. While our curriculum design and development courses are adapted for each successive year, the mission remains the same: to provide K–14 educators with the tools and education to successfully refine, design and enhance their course curricula. Course completion needs to be completed within six months from enrollment. These courses are in the Online Self-Paced format.
Inspire your students by targeting your classroom with the development of new plans, projects and materials so they can become more creative. Enrollment in this course will help with the designing of new projects, lessons and materials for your classroom.
This course empowers educators to become intentional designers of learning experiences that spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and support student success across all grade levels.
Our online self-paced courses are designed to provide flexibility and autonomy for learners. Unlike traditional classroom methods, which require attendance at scheduled times, self-paced courses allow you to progress through the material at your own speed within a six-month period from the time of enrollment. Your instructor will provide feedback via written responses on your assignments and exams. Grades are based on completed projects, assignments and exams.
Key differences from traditional classroom methods:
Structure of Online Self-Paced Courses:
The content is divided into learning modules, each covering one or more topics. Within each module, you can expect the following components:
Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that synthesizes all the topics covered throughout the course. The design of the learning modules follows a consistent rhythm to help you manage your time effectively. Grades will be available within two weeks of final submission, transcripts will be automatically mailed out following grades being posted and approved. Please allow 3-4 weeks from when final grades are posted to receive a transcript.
To meet the wide range of educators needs, USD offers two course options for the curriculum design and development courses. Participants can choose a 3-Unit or 6-Unit course option. The more units you choose to earn, the more time you should expect to devote to your course. Participants can also choose to enroll into both courses to earn a total of 9-Units, but expect to do different projects for each course. If choosing to enroll into both courses we recommend enrolling and completing one course before enrolling into the next course as you only have six months to complete the courses from the date you enroll, so spacing out enrollment is recommended.
At the end of your curriculum design and development course, you will be able to:
K–14 educators like you who are looking to improve and elevate their classroom curriculum. Choose the schedule and course units that best suit your goals for the coming school year.
Not only will you discover various improvement strategies for designing and developing engaging, effective lessons — you’ll also earn credit while planning for your next school year. Curriculum design and development courses at USD can be as customized as your planning strategy needs to be, providing you with the accessibility, flexibility and convenience to control your own learning pace.
I love the continuing education classes at USD because unlike classes I’ve taken at other universities, I feel like the material is really applicable and I’m actually learning something. The courses push my learning without being too challenging/time consuming to complete while working full time. The professors also really seem interested in your growth rather than just checking off that you completed the requirements.
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.
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.
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You will learn how to independently design or revise K–12 curriculum, implement innovative teaching strategies, develop actionable lesson plans, and enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. Personalized instructor feedback will help you refine your skills and confidently improve your classroom practice.
There are no formal prerequisites. The course is designed for K–12 educators who want to enhance their curriculum design and planning skills.
This course is ideal for K–12 teachers, department chairs, instructional coaches, curriculum coordinators, and school leaders seeking to improve classroom curriculum and instructional outcomes.
Assignments include written projects, lesson plan development, reflective exercises, quizzes, and a final project that synthesizes course content into practical curriculum improvements.
The course provides graduate-level extension credit. Participants can choose either three-unit or six-unit options in Spring/Summer or six-unit in Fall. One unit equals approximately 12.5 hours of learning. Credits do not automatically transfer to a USD master’s degree. It is your responsibility to confirm whether a specific school district/organization will accept USD credits before registering for credit.
While a master’s degree can increase opportunities for higher pay and advanced positions, it is not required to improve your teaching skills. Dedicating time to professional development, such as this course, can help you advance your career and potentially qualify for higher-level positions.
Teaching salaries vary by location, school district, your experience, and specialization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), annual mean wages for elementary and high school teachers are approximately $62,310 and $64,580, respectively. Professional development and additional credentials can influence earning potential.
Each 1.0 unit represents 12.5 hours of learning, including assignments, readings, and other approved coursework.
Completion time depends on the unit option: The three-unit course takes approximately 37.5 hours, and the six-unit course takes approximately 75 hours. The online self-paced format allows you to complete the course according to your schedule, but within specific start and end dates.
Yes. These deadlines are included in the course overview information; click “View Course Options” for specific deadlines.
For assistance, complete the Contact Us form or call USD Enrollment and Student Services at (619) 260-4585 or toll-free at (888) 321-6658, Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM PST.
You can register by purchasing the course on this page. Early registration is recommended to secure your spot in the course.
Yes. Your instructor provides written feedback on assignments and final projects, and you can reach out to them any time with questions.
Click here for complete details regarding our refund, drop, and transfer policies.
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.
Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) points of contact (POCs) usually have their own template for their course requests which includes all the information that is needed. If they do not, here is a template they can use:
Graduate-level extension credit.
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.
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