Read, Empower, Act, Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators who wish to launch a critical dialogue on today’s issues and concerns that affect our schools, portrayed in one or more of our preselected book titles. Engage with literature to promote continuous improvement and professional development. Over 125 books to choose from!
Journey further with the same subject matter and take the optional corresponding Read, Empower, Act, Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part II (two-units) course to build on the ideas and perspectives learned in the chosen book, pursuing avenues of further research and action to improve education.
Review courses by clicking on a book category listed on this page; or for your convenience, view this printable pdf of the current booklist which includes brief book descriptions by category: Printable Booklist/Book Descriptions
Scroll to the category of your choice under Schedule & Fees below to view available courses in the category of your choice. Categories include:
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators
Once you have enrolled in this course, you may access Course Instructions upon logging into your account.
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators based on the book The Oxford Handbook of Social Justice in Music Education by Cathy Benedict, Patrick Schmidt, Gary Spruce, and Paul Woodford Editors
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book STEAM Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Hands-On Projects for Exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math by Liz Heinecke
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Start Here, Start Now: A Guide to Antibias and Antiracist Work in Your School Community by Liz Kleinrock
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book 180 Days: Two Teachers and the Quest to Engage and Empower Adolescents by Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book The AI Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education by Dan Fitzpatrick, Amanda Fox, et al
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book AI for Educators: Learning Strategies, Teacher Efficiencies, and a Vision for an Artificial Intelligence Future by Scott Ervin
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book All Learning is Social and Emotional: Helping Students Develop Essential Skills for the Classroom and Beyond by Nancy Frey, Douglas Fisher, et al
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book The Civically Engaged Classroom: Reading, Writing, and Speaking for Change by Mary Ehrenworth, Pablo Wolfe, et al
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book The Classroom Behavior Manual: How to Build Relationships with Students, Share Control, and Teach Positive Behaviors by Liz Kleinrock
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Discipline with Dignity: How to Build Responsibility, Relationships, and Respect in Your Classroom by Richard Curwin, Allen Mendler, et al
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book End Peer Cruelty, Build Empathy: The Proven 6Rs of Bullying Prevention That Create Inclusive, Safe, and Caring Schools by Michele Borba
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Engagement by Design: Creating Learning Environments Where Students Thrive by Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, et al
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Evolving Education: Shifting to a Learner-Centered Paradigm by Katie Martin
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Five Paths of Student Engagement: Blazing the Trail to Learning and Success (Your Guide to Promoting Active Engagement in the Classroom and Improving Student Learning) by Liz Kleinrock
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Motivated to Learn: Decreasing Challenging Student Behaviors and Increasing Academic Engagement (Your Guide to Evidence-Based Practices for Effective Classroom Management) by Liz Kleinrock
Project READ is a series of one-unit independent study courses for Department of Defense Schools and International school educators
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Rebound, Grades K-12: A Playbook for Rebuilding Agency, Accelerating Learning Recovery, and Rethinking Schools by Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, et al
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book The Shift to Student-Led: Reimagining Classroom Workflows with UDL and Blended Learning by Catlin Tucker and Katie Novak
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Radical Inclusion: Seven Steps to Help You Create a More Just Workplace, Home, and World by David Moinina Sengeh.
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators based on the book The Trauma-Sensitive Classroom: Building Resilience with Compassionate Teaching by Patricia Jennings
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Vintage Innovation: Leveraging Retro Tools and Classic Ideas to Design Deeper Learning Experiences by John Spencer
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book What School Could Be: Insights and Inspiration from Teachers Across America by Ted Dintersmith
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book What the Fact?: Finding the Truth in All the Noise by Seema Yasmin
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Why Don’t Students Like School?: A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works and What It Means for the Classroom by Daniel Willingham
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action by Liz Kleinrock
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators based on the book We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom by Bettina Love
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators based on the book Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Building Culturally Responsive Partnerships Among Schools, Families, and Communities by Maria Pacino, Susan Warren, et al
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators based on the book Case Studies and Social Justice Education by Paul Gorski and Seema Pothini
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Start Here, Start Now: A Guide to Antibias and Antiracist Work in Your School Community by Liz Kleinrock
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators based on the book Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students by Zaretta Hammond
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators based on the book Hacking School Discipline: 9 Ways to Create a Culture of Empathy and Responsibility Using Restorative Justice by Nathan Maynard and Brad Weinstein
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators based on the book How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators based on the book The Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing by Anneliese Singh
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Radical Inclusion: Seven Steps to Help You Create a More Just Workplace, Home, and World by David Moinina Sengeh
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators based on the book So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators based on the book Practice What You Teach: Social Justice Education in the Classroom and the Streets by Bree Picower
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Unearthing Joy: A Guide to Culturally and Historically Responsive Curriculum and Instruction by Gholdy Muhammad
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators based on the book White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Leverage Leadership 2.0: A Practical Guide to Building Exceptional Schools by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo and Doug Lemov
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Street Data: A Next-Generation Model for Equity, Pedagogy, and School Transformation by Shane Safir and Jamila Pugh
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book The Canva Classroom: 42 Ultimate Answers to Templates that Rocket Student Engagement by Amanda Fox
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book The Esports Education Playbook: Empowering Every Learner Through Inclusive Gaming by Chris Aviles, Steve Isaacs, et al
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.
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Teaching in the Online Classroom: Surviving and Thriving in the New Normal by Doug Lemov
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators based on the book Flash Feedback: Responding to Student Writing Better and Faster – Without Burning Out by Matthew Johnson
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators based on the book Take Time for You: Self-Care Action Plans for Educators by Tina Boogren
USD Athletics Department students, enroll in Section 011 instead of this section.
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Grades K-12: 14 Teaching Practices for Enhancing Learning by Peter Liljedahl
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Choosing to See a Framework for Equity in the Math Classroom by Pamela Seda, Kyndall Brown, et al
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) consist of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for instructors
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values by Brian Christian
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity by David Graeber and David Wengrow
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Reverse Engineering God: Irreligious Answers to Fundamental Questions by Michael Rothschild
Read Empower Act Discover (R.E.A.D.) Part I Series consists of one-unit independent study courses designed for educators, with this course based on the book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Harari
Independent Study Self-Paced: Independent study courses offer you flexibility and the ability to complete a course faster or slower than you would a traditional live course. In this online format, you may register at any time and you will have a set time period (typically 9 months) from the time of registration to complete your course. This convenient format is often helpful for:
Enroll in one or more R.E.A.D. Part I courses in this series, or upon completion of each R.E.A.D. Part I course, delve further into the subject matter by considering earning two more units with the corresponding R.E.A.D. Part II Series course using the same text.
These courses are designed for K-12 teachers, administrators, early-childhood educators, community college level instructors, museum personnel; other educators may also find the course helpful.
NOTE: If you are a DoDEA educator, you may want to consider USD’s course series Project READ for DoDEA/Int’l School Educators Series which similarly has courses tied to books that have been recommended by DoDEA.
Prior district approval is highly recommended and the responsibility of the student if using course units toward salary advancement, credential renewing, and/or recertification. Not all courses may qualify in your local school district.
I truly have enjoyed taking on-line classes for Physical Ed/Coaching through your program. It is an excellent program for adults who work – I enjoy completing the courses at my own pace.
This is a great way to learn and get professional learning hours
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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District Level Professional Development ProviderInstructional CoachAcademic DirectorConference SpeakerWorkplace TrainerContinuing Education Instructor Anyone interested in leading other adults through trainings, workshops, or presentations.
Requirements for completing a certificate can be found on the certificate page.
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.
You have five years to complete the certificate.
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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.
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.
High-quality, career-building courses to choose from
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Career advancing certificates
The education industry is always changing and evolving, perhaps now more than ever. Learn how you can be prepared by downloading our eBook.
Character Education remains an essential but often overlooked discipline in today’s schools. This online Certificate program is designed to enhance your understanding and facilitation of teaching character to your students.
The Cognitive learning series examines the current generation of students for more effective modern education. Educators will take cognitive learning courses to implement successful education.
The professional teachers program series offers courses with flexible scheduling for mid-level and veteran teachers. The online teachers program is convenient and fun.