The Ed Factory Participants Only
Public Inquiry as Liberatory Education is a live, online seminar in curriculum and program design for educators working inside and outside of schools. The institute explores public inquiry as a liberatory education practice: a way of positioning young people to investigate the social, economic, political, cultural, and local conditions shaping their lives and to design creative work that recognizes, records, and makes public—in any form—what others have not yet seen, heard, or understood.
Participants begin by developing their own public inquiry into a place they know. They identify a question, study the conditions surrounding it, listen to people connected to that place, and consider what creative public form could carry the inquiry beyond the institute. From there, participants design a public inquiry project for young people—one that begins with a strong guiding question, moves through investigation, listening, local research, skill-building, creative production, and revision, and culminates in public work that young people can create and share.
The institute draws on liberatory curriculum and program design, critical cultural pedagogy, public inquiry, audioethnographic practice, descriptive review, writing, discussion, and creative production. Participants examine how young people are shaped by schools, neighborhoods, public policy, labor, housing, policing, language, family life, media, and local histories. They also explore how educators’ understandings of young people, authority, freedom, care, responsibility, conflict, and learning influence the curriculum and programs they create.
By the final session, each participant will have developed a teachable public inquiry project with a guiding question, core materials, listening or oral history practices, scaffolded learning experiences, formative assessment strategies, and a public-facing format. Projects may take the form of a photo-text essay, audio piece, exhibit, archive, community walk, publication, performance, installation, conversation, or another format suited to the inquiry, the learners, and the educational setting.
Number of Units: 1.0 - 4.5 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours.
Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for The Ed Factory Participants.
PLEASE READ ALL COURSE DETAILS
IMPORTANT: YOU MUST ENROLL WITH THE PARTNERED ORGANIZATION AND PAY ALL REQUIRED FEES BEFORE PURCHASING UNITS THROUGH USD.
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 (The Ed Factory) 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: Complete the Course Participate fully in the course through the partner organization and complete all required assignments, activities, and assessments. (Some courses, specifically DoDEA courses, may require participants to purchase units before the course ends; please check the enrollment window for details.)
Step 3: Register for University Credit After confirming your registration with the partner organization and completing your program, 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 4: Submit your Certificate of Completion After completing this course, you are required to submit your certificate of completion, which will be provided by your program. Please be sure to purchase your credits first, then email your certificate to [email protected], including the course number in your message.
Step 5: Receive Your Transcript No further action is needed. Once your grade has been processed, USD will issue an official transcript reflecting your earned university credit. Transcripts are mailed to the address listed in your USD student account.
Transcript Process: Once we receive your certificate of completion, we will begin processing your transcript. Participants are responsible for ensuring that 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.
Need additional university credit or CEUs? Visit the Credit Validation Course Catalog to explore available credit options.
Audience: Teacher, Teaching Assistant, Paraprofessional, School Counselor, Instructional Coach, School Administrator, Curriculum Coordinator, After-School Educator, Youth Worker, Teaching Artist, Museum Educator, Community Educator, Program Educator, Pre-Service Teacher, Youth Program Director, Arts Education Coordinator
Refund Policy: All Credit Validation enrollments are refundable, minus a $25 processing fee, if the refund is requested within 30 days of the enrollment date. Refunds will not be issued once a grade has been assigned or after the 30-day period has passed.
Enrollment Open Through: Dec/31/2026 11:59 PM
Review step #4 for instructions on how to submit your Certificate of Completion.
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.
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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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.
Earn credit for your previous work in trainings, workshops, and conferences through a simple process.
Save money by earning credit for work you completed and get one step closer to salary advancement.
Many receiving institutions may accept credits towards degree programs, giving you a head start in earning a graduate degree.