The AI Leadership Academy explores the powerful intersection of human creativity, critical thinking, and artificial intelligence to enhance teaching and learning. Designed for educators seeking to lead innovation, this academy empowers participants to harness AI as a catalyst for deeper learning, personalized instruction, and meaningful educational transformation. Emphasizing ethical and inclusive implementation, the course helps educators develop a personal AI leadership strategy aligned with their school or district goals while gaining the confidence to lead professional development for peers.
Through a collaborative learning community, facilitated sessions, and ongoing support, participants will engage in hands-on experiences that translate directly into practice. They will design and implement AI-driven initiatives that strengthen instructional impact, promote digital equity, and build capacity for sustainable change. By the end of the program, participants will have mastered the role of a forward-thinking AI leader and created a long-term strategy that positions them at the forefront of educational innovation.
Time Commitment: 13 hours per month (includes 1.5 hours of live, synchronous learning) plus 9 hours for completion of the Culminating Action Project.
PLEASE READ ALL COURSE DETAILS
IMPORTANT: YOU MUST ENROLL WITH THE PARTNERED ORGANIZATION AND PAY ALL REQUIRED FEES BEFORE PURCHASING UNITS THROUGH USD.
Number of Units: 8.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours
Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for CALIE Participants
Certificate Option: To earn the Advanced Certificate in AI Integration for Educational Leadership, please check the box under Other Fees for the certificate option to include the additional $45 fee. Your certificate will be mailed to you along with your official transcript.
University of San Diego – Graduate-Level Extension Credit Information
The University of San Diego partners with this program to offer graduate-level extension credit(s) in semester hours through the Credit Validation Program. To earn units, participants must register for and successfully complete coursework through the external program provider.
Credits earned through USD’s Credit Validation Program are widely accepted by many school districts and universities across the United States for purposes such as license renewal, required professional development hours, short-term skill building, salary advancement, credentialing, and potential advanced degree pathways.
These units do not apply toward a master’s or higher degree program at the University of San Diego; however, they may be transferable to advanced degree programs (e.g., MA, EdD, PhD) at other institutions that accept external graduate-level credits.
Participants are responsible for confirming acceptance, transcript requirements, deadlines, and applicability of units with their employing district or intended institution prior to enrollment.
Directions to Enroll for Credit
1. Enroll in this course:
Please Note: USD does not provide course materials, manage instruction, or assign grades. All coursework is evaluated by the program’s instructor or coordinator.
Step 2: Register for University Credit After confirming your registration with the partner organization, return to USD’s website.
If this course displays Request Information, it means the course is either not yet open for enrollment (please check the enrollment dates) or enrollment has already closed. If enrollment has closed, you may still contact the organization directly to see if they will accept a late enrollment or if the course will be offered again in the future.
Step 3: Complete the Course Participate fully in the course through the partner organization and complete all required assignments, activities, and assessments.
Step 4: Partner Organization Submits Grades After you finish, the partner organization will submit your final grade to USD.
Step 5: Receive Your Transcript Once your grade has been processed, USD will issue an official transcript reflecting your earned credit. Transcripts are mailed to the address listed in your USD student account.
Transcript Process: Final grades submitted by the program provider will initiate the transcript process. Grades should be submitted within 7 days of the official course end date or the course enrollment deadline—whichever comes last. Participants are responsible for ensuring their mailing address is accurate and up to date in their USD student account to avoid delays in transcript delivery.
Transcript Delivery Timeline:
For detailed information regarding the University of San Diego Credit Validation Program, please consult our Participant Guide.
Audience: Classroom teachers, administrators, Special Education staff, curriculum directors, Teachers on special assignment (TOSAs), instructional coaches, other education professionals
Refund Policy: All Credit Validation enrollments are refundable, minus a $25 processing fee, if requested within 30 days of the enrollment date. No refunds will be issued after the 30-day period.
Enrollment Open Through: December 22, 2026 (11:59pm PT)
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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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How is the learning structured? Each online fixed-date course is asynchronous, meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime, although you are required to complete the assignments by specific dates. The course is designed with learning modules where all of the content is grouped into weekly assignments. Each module covers one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:
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• 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.
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