Course 8: Family and Community Engagement in Early Childhood Education

Course Available
3 Units
Credit Validation

Course Description

Credit Validation for SDCOE Participants Only

In this course participants will learn about the importance of family engagement. They will learn about the crucial role of families as partners in the education of their child. This course will provide strategies and ideas to increase family engagement. Participants will reflect on their beliefs around families and the impact it has within their classroom. This course will support early childhood educators to work with diverse families and ensure there is family representation within the classroom.

Course Details

Number of Units: 3.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours

Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for Multiple Subject credentialed teachers needing ECE units to teach TK.

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 

Step 1: Register with the Partner Organization
Complete your registration directly with the partner organization. Follow their instructions to begin the course and pay any required enrollment fees.

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.

  • Locate the same course on our listings page
  • Click Add to Cart
  • Click Check Out
  • You will be prompted to either log into your USD Student Account or create one, and then pay for your units

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 or you will be required to submit a certificate of completion to [email protected]

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:

  • U.S. addresses: 2–3 weeks
  • International addresses: 3–4 weeks

For detailed information regarding the University of San Diego Credit Validation Program, please consult our Participant Guide.

 

Prerequisites:

Students enrolling in this course must have successfully completed EDC-X711W, EDC-X712W, EDC-X713W, EDC-X714W, EDC-X715W, EDC-X716W, AND EDC-X717W; OR EDC-X724U, EDC-X725U, AND EDC-X726U; a bachelor’s degree, and California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

Course Options

Course Date Units Price
EDC-X718W – Cohort 9 18 Jan 202621 Feb 2026 3 $237

Course 8: Family and Community Engagement in Early Childhood Education

18 Jan 202621 Feb 2026
3
$237
Credit Validation
Online

Directions for Participants: Register with SDCOE by emailing [email protected]

Refund Policy: All Credit Validation enrollments are refundable, less a $25 fee, if requested within 30 days of enrollment date. There will be no refunds for Credit Validation after the allotted 30 days.

Enrollment Open: January 18, 2026 – February 18, 2026 (11:59pm PT) 

EDC-X718W – Cohort 10 03 May 202606 Jun 2026 3 $237

Course 8: Family and Community Engagement in Early Childhood Education

03 May 202606 Jun 2026
3
$237
Credit Validation
Online

Directions for Participants: Register with SDCOE by emailing [email protected]

Refund Policy: All Credit Validation enrollments are refundable, less a $25 fee, if requested within 30 days of enrollment date. There will be no refunds for Credit Validation after the allotted 30 days.

Enrollment Open: May 6, 2026 – June 6, 2026 (11:59pm PT) 

EDC-X718W – Cohort 11 13 Sep 202617 Oct 2026 3 $237

Course 8: Family and Community Engagement in Early Childhood Education

13 Sep 202617 Oct 2026
3
$237
Credit Validation
Online

Audience: Currently credentialed Multiple Subject (Elementary) teachers seeking Early Childhood Education (ECE) units (SDCOE affiliation not required)

Refund Policy: All Credit Validation enrollments are refundable, less a $25 fee, if requested within 30 days of enrollment date. There will be no refunds for Credit Validation after the allotted 30 days.

Enrollment Open: September 13, 2026 – October 14, 2026  (11:59pm PT)

What You Will Learn

  • Reflect on their current engagement strategies
  • Identify strategies to increase family engagement
  • Articulate why family engagement is crucial in early childhood classrooms

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.

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

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In-depth, innovative, and relevant topics

25+

Career advancing certificates

Learning Method Information

Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational.

Credit Validation

The University of San Diego’s Division of Professional and Continuing Education offers graduate-level extension credit for work completed in trainings, workshops, conferences, induction, credentials, and other professional development programs not offered directly by USD. Complete one of the above and a member of our division will help you earn credit for your hard work and dedication to continuing your education.

Key Benefits of Credit Validation Courses

Make Your Work Count

Earn credit for your previous work in trainings, workshops, and conferences through a simple process.

Advance Faster

Save money by earning credit for work you completed and get one step closer to salary advancement.

Work Towards a Degree

Many receiving institutions may accept credits towards degree programs, giving you a head start in earning a graduate degree.