Certificate
Professional Development Facilitation and Leadership Certificate
FACILITATE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES BY MASTERING ADULT LEARNING THEORY
Have you spent the majority of your professional career working with K–12 students and now find yourself in a new position of providing professional development to other educators? Or do you aspire to share your knowledge and expertise with other adult learners — your colleagues, your employees, or your community? Then our professional development facilitation certificate program is for you!
There are significant and fascinating differences between the ways children and adults learn; while children master concepts through guided reinforcement and repetition, adults tend to filter new concepts through a wealth of their own lived experiences. For professional development providers, this requires an entirely different approach to delivering course content.
The three-course Professional Development Facilitation and Leadership Certificate program focuses on the fundamentals and application of adult learning theory, with a primary focus on andragogy (adult learning). By following the courses sequentially, you will come to understand the adult audience and be able to create successful adult-targeted learning experiences in any subject.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FACILITATION CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
To earn your online certificate in Professional Development Facilitation and Leadership, complete all three courses (9 units total) in the following order:
- EDU-X797R
- EDU-X716S
- EDU-X717S
The certificate can be completed in as few as two semesters.
Learn more about the University of San Diego’s Professional and Continuing Education Certificate Benefits and Policies.
Schedule & Fees
Required Courses
| Course | Date | Units | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Understanding the Adult Learner — Theory and Skills to Become a More Effective Professional Learning Designer and Facilitator [EDU-X797R] | Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled | 3 | $504 | |
|
Online Self-Paced
Kevin Popadines
Online 3-unit professional growth course for educators to learn how to design and facilitate courses, workshops, presentations for peers, other teachers, colleagues which focuses on adult learning theory and implementation. 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. |
||||
| Deeper Understanding of the Adult Learner – Theory and Application for Adults Teaching Adults [EDU-X716S] | Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled | 3 | $504 | |
|
Online Self-Paced
Kevin Popadines
Online self-paced three-unit professional growth course for educators that focuses on learning how to provide professional development learning experiences to adult learners providing theory and application skills. 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. |
||||
| Applying Theory to Practice for the Adult Learner – Excellence in Adult Instruction [EDU-X717S] | Start now, you have 180 days to complete this course once enrolled | 3 | $504 | |
|
Online Self-Paced
Kevin Popadines
Online three-unit course that focuses on learning how to provide professional development learning experiences to adult learners, including in an online platform, that focuses on implementation skills. 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
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 three or seven 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.
Curriculum
Enroll in one or more courses to earn graduate-level extension credits. We recommend that you take them sequentially as they build upon each other.
The first course EDU-X797R covers:
- Basic information regarding adult learning theory
- Its differences from pedagogy
- The six assumptions of andragogy
- An adult learning process model
- Application to adult education facilitation
The second course EDU-X716S explores:
- The theory of teaching and learning
- Human resource development
- Ideas beyond andragogy
- Neuroscience
- Diversity and inclusion
The final course EDU-X717S will focus on bringing everything together with application. Topics in the final course will include:
- Online learning for adults
- Computer learning for adults
- Future directions for adult learning
- Learner analysis and inventories
You can expect the following from Online Self-Paced courses:
- The convenient online format enables you to complete assignments as long as you have access to the Internet (and any textbook requirements stated, if applicable).
- Articles, videos, and other resources are provided within the course.
- Completed assignments will be evaluated by the instructor.
- Communication and feedback are provided by instructors between assignments.
- Complete courses within six months or sooner of enrollment!
What You Will Learn
By studying the fundamentals of adult learning theory and instructional leadership, program participants can expect to:
- Gain an understanding of the six assumptions of andragogy
- Develop an understanding of the andragogy process model
- Apply adult learning theory to design effective learning experiences for adult learners
- Employ adult learning theory in a variety of scenarios and platforms
Who Should Attend
This adult learning certificate program provides continuing education for those interested in working with adult learners in a training or teaching capacity. Our adult education certificate is ideal for school administrators, teacher leaders, human resource developers, and college instructors and professors.
Key Benefits of Certificates
Develop Expertise
From classroom management and bullying prevention to teacher leadership, USD certificates provide career-enhancing skills and knowledge.
Document Your Achievement
Bolster your resume as an educator by adding a University of San Diego certificate to your professional development accomplishments.
Advance Your Salary
Boost your career by earning Graduate-Level-Extension-Credit and position yourself for salary advancement at your school.
Testimonials
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.
