For educators, career development and continuing education is important to stay up-to-date with your teaching skills and innovations. Instead of spending your summer break on-campus or at a workshop, enroll in an online class from USD. We offers quality courses at affordable rates that make it possible to advance your career.
Some programs are funded externally by non-university partnerships as projects or classes. You may earn college credits for the courses, however, the funding to offer the course is provided by the external source or organization.
If you are interested in offering a course for educators through partnership with USD, please contact us.
Inquire About Offering Course(s)
SPED 592: Dr. Russell Barkley Professional Training Series
Instructors: Aimee Deliramich
Credit Hours: 1
Fees: $40
Dates: November 26, 2025 - December 17, 2025
Location: Online
*Please note: You must register through Canvas first before you can enroll for USD graduate credits.
Course Description: This course aims to provide training and assistance to South Dakota educators, administrators, other related professionals, and graduate students interested in learning more about Executive Functioning and ADHD. Many of the cognitive deficits associated with ADHD lie in the domain of executive functioning in neuropsychology. The focus of this course will be to promote a better understanding of the nature of ADHD symptoms, the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, and the modifications necessary for its use with special populations.
Register through Canvas here Register Here
SPED 592: Autism Spectrum Education & Resource Training (ASERT 3 of 3)
Instructor: Heidi Aderhold
Credit: 1
Tuition: $40
Dates: January 5, 2026-March 31, 2026
Location: Online
*Please note: This course has Prerequisites.
Course Description: SPED 592: Autism Spectrum Education and Resources Training (ASERT) sessions 1, 2, and 3 are designed to provide information to guide and support autistic students from assessment to intervention through the implementation of evidence-based practices. ASERT students will receive monthly mentor support and six-days of synchronous training over the 2025-2026 school year. Trainers will deliver the course content and provide support to both SPED 592 students and their mentors within and between the training days. Participation in ASERT is a commitment and as such, participants will be required to obtain administrative approval for their participation as well as time to complete the ASERT requirements. Both the ASERT participant and their administrator will be required to complete and sign a form that outlines the ASERT requirements. There are three sessions of ASERT, labeled ASERT 1, ASERT 2, and ASERT 3. Students must take all three sessions sequentially within the same school year and each has a separate syllabus.
Register for USD Credits Here
SPED 592: Deafblindness: Communication Strategies
Instructors: Brandy Sebera
Credit Hours: 3
Fees: $120
Dates: January 6, 2026 - April 24, 2026
Location: Online
Course Description:This course will provide online training for school-based educators and clinicians to enhance the capacity to serve and educate students who have sensory disabilities including deafblindness and high intensity needs. The content of this course is aligned with the standards published by the Council for Exception Children. This course includes selected content from seven Open Hands, Open Access modules:
- Understanding Communication Principles
- Emergent Communication
- Progression from Non-Symbolic to Symbolic Communication
- Concept Development
- Calendars
- Introduction to Sign Language and Braille
- Touch for Connection and communication
The participants will have 45 hours of online instruction (3 graduate credits) to incorporate the skills and techniques which are beneficial to students with deafblindness and high intensity needs.
Addressing the unique needs of students with low incidence disabilities is often a struggle for educators. This course is designed to prepare educators to address educational and communication needs of students with deafblindness and high intensity needs in a proactive, functionally based manner using evidence-based practices. Through learning activities, reflections, discussion boards and synchronous online meetings, participants will expand their knowledge of communication strategies for students who are deafblind.
As you progress through this course, you will find that the knowledge and skills covered in the various modules are closely linked. Together, they represent the foundational competencies needed to work with children who are deafblind. The skills you will learn in this course will be valuable and useful to you throughout your career.
Register Here for USD Credits
SPED 592: Life Planning for Success: DeafBlind Strategies
Instructors: Brandy Sebera
Credit Hours: 3
Fees: $120
Dates: January 6, 2026 - April 24, 2026
Location: Online
Course Description: The course includes an overview of topics and issues that are highlighted in the final years of the educational careers of young adults who are deafblind but that also can and should be addressed in educational programs across the age span of students. The course includes selected content from five Open Hands, Open Access modules:
- Transition to Adulthood and Community Living
- Self Determination
- Social Skills and Peer Relationships
- Sexuality
- Collaborative Teaming and Family Partnerships
Synchronous and asynchronous course meetings and coursework address best practices in adult learning by focusing on professional relevance and immediate applicability, and by recognizing and benefiting from the knowledge and experience of participants. In addition, assignments can be customized to meet specific professional goals, both personal and institutional.
This course will provide online training for school-based educators and clinicians to enhance the capacity to serve and educate students who have sensory disabilities including deafblindness and high intensity support needs. The content of this course is aligned with the standards published by the Council for Exceptional Children. The participants will have 45 hours of online instruction (3 graduate credits) to incorporate the skills and techniques which are beneficial to students with deafblindness and high intensity support needs.
Register Here for USD Credits
EDFN 592: Cooperating Teacher Experience
Course Name: EDFN 592 Cooperating Teacher Experience
Instructor: Mary McCorkle
Dates: January 12, 2026 - May 6, 2026
Credits: 1
Tuition: $40/Credit (Additional $75 fee payable to SDEA for non-SDEA members)
Course Description: This course is designed for mentors of current student teachers in SD and surrounding states. Students will learn and apply mentoring competencies.
Course Objectives: Gain insight into and apply best practices of mentoring a pre-service educator. Course delivery will be through Learn Upon in cooperation with the South Dakota Education.Association. There is additional course fee for those who are not members of the South Dakota. Education Association or its state affiliates. This course can be found at: https://sdeaportal.learnupon.com.
Student learning objectives will include:
- Commits to the roles and responsibility of mentoring
- Accepts the teacher candidate as a developing professional
- Reflects on interpersonal communications and decisions
- Serves as an instructional coach
- Models a commitment to personal and professional growth
- Communicates hope and optimism for the future of the profession
- Applies objectives daily while working with a teacher candidate
*Please Note: This course requires dual enrollment. After registering for USD credit and paying the tuition fee, you must also register through the SDEA Portal to access the course content
Register Through SDEA Portal Register for USD Credits Here
SPED 592: The Proactive IEP: Avoiding Pitfalls from Evaluation to Implementation
Instructor: Heidi Aderhold
Credits: 1
Fees: $40/ Credit
Dates: January 21, 2026 - April 22, 2026
Location: Online
*Please Note: This course requires dual enrollment. After registering for USD credit and paying the tuition fee, you must also register with Eventbrite.
Course Description: This course aims to provide training and assistance to South Dakota educators, administrators, other related professionals, parents, caregivers, and graduate students interested in learning more about the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process from start to finish. This course provides an in-depth, practice-focused exploration of the IEP process with an emphasis on proactive planning, legal compliance, and dispute prevention. Through six targeted sessions, students will examine common pitfalls and high-conflict areas in special education, learning how to anticipate challenges and implement strategies that improve outcomes for students with disabilities. Participants will develop competencies in IEP development, service implementation, placement decisions, parent collaboration, eligibility evaluation, and behavior intervention planning. Legal and ethical responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and South Dakota-specific regulations are addressed throughout.
The course will be conducted through six mandatory class sessions: January 21, February 4 and 18, March 18, and April 8 and 22. Each session will be held live online from 4:00-6:30 p.m. CST (via Zoom Virtual session), with ongoing technical assistance provided between sessions. There will be a requirement of 15 hours of mandatory class attendance, with each class being 2.5 hours in length. In addition to the required class attendance, there will be a short (1-2 paragraph) reflection to be completed prior to the next session.
Register through Eventbrite Here Register for USD Credit Here
SPED 592: Dr. Russell Barkley Professional Training Series
Instructor: Aimee Deliramich
Credits: 1
Fees: $40/ Credit
Dates: April 10, 2026 - May 8, 2026
Location: Online
*Please Note: You must register through Canvas first before you can enroll for USD graduate credits.
Course Description: This course aims to provide training and assistance to South Dakota educators, administrators, other related professionals, and graduate students interested in learning more about Executive Functioning and ADHD. Many of the cognitive deficits associated with ADHD lie in the domain of executive functioning in neuropsychology. The focus of this course will be to promote a better understanding of the nature of ADHD symptoms, the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, and the modifications necessary for its use with special populations.
Register through Canvas Here Register for USD Credit Here
SPED 592: Autism Spectrum Disorders - Behavior Basics
Instructor: Heidi Aderhold
Credits: 1
Fees: $40/ Credit
Dates: April 11, 2026 - May 8, 2026
Location: Online
*Please Note: This course requires dual enrollment. After registering for USD credit and paying the tuition fee, you must also register through Canvas for the class.
Course Description: This course aims to provide information to educators, administrators, related professionals, and graduate students interested in learning more about Autism Spectrum Disorder. The focus of this course will be to introduce information about the behavioral principles often utilized in educational settings.
Register through Canvas Here Register for USD Credit Here
SPED 592: Childhood Mental Health and Diagnoses
Instructor: Aimee Deliramich
Credits: 3
Fees: $120
Dates: May 12, 2026 - August 5, 2026
*Please Note: This is a synchronous course, and your LIVE attendance at each session is mandatory. Please note that you must register through Eventbrite first before you can enroll for USD graduate credits.
Course Description: The purpose of this course is to provide training and assistance to South Dakota educators, administrators, other related professionals, and graduate students who are interested in learning more about childhood mental health and psychopathology. The focus of this course will be to promote a better understanding of childhood mental health, diagnostic criteria, as well as commonly occurring social, emotional, and behavioral problems which may present in children and adolescents. Course participants will engage in lectures, case studies, active participant responding, small group discussions, video presentations and hands-on learning opportunities which will be directly applicable to their work settings. These trainings aim to positively influence how participants instruct, interact with, and support children and adolescents in their respective settings. Every effort will be made to encourage application to their work environment. This is an introductory course and is intended for those wanting to gain broad knowledge related to mental health diagnoses which can impact children and adolescents.
Register through Eventbrite Here Register for USD Credit Here
MUS 790: Band Director's Institute 2026
Band Directors Institute 2026
2026 Guest Clinician: Paul Popie
Credit Hours: 0-3
Fees: $40 per credit hour (in addition to the institute registration fee)
Dates: June 24–26, 2026 (Final project due by July 15, 2026)
Location: Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts
Course Description: The University of South Dakota’s Band Directors Institute is an intensive program designed to expose music educators to the best in current and standard literature in addition to teaching methods and materials. The three-day institute will include large ensemble reading sessions, master classes, and clinic sessions that focus on a wide variety of teaching subjects for band directors.
Participants registering for graduate credit must pay the tuition of $40 per credit hour on the day of registration, in addition to the institute registration fee paid through the event listing (26SU-BAND). Tuition rates are set by the South Dakota Board of Regents and are subject to change without notice.
Graduate Credit Options:
MUS 793 Rehearsal Techniques and Classroom Methods for the Instrumental Educator (UE1 CRN 56533)
Master classes, clinics, and discussion that focus on teaching materials, rehearsal techniques, and instrumental pedagogy for instrumental music educators. Methods and materials will be available to take back to the classroom.
MUS 793 Instrumental Music for Educational Ensembles (UE2 CRN 56534)
Reading sessions will focus on a wide variety of instrumental music for public school bands including concert, marching, and jazz music. The selections will include previous and newly published works at a variety of grade levels appropriate for all levels of bands.
MUS 793 Special Topics in Instrumental Music Education (UE3 CRN 56535)
This course provides seminars and panel discussions with veteran master teachers and band music composers. Topics include current trends and issues facing instrumental music educators.
Selected clinicians and USD faculty instruct all sessions.
Register for USD Credit Here
MUS 793: Choral Director's Institute 2026
Choral Directors Institute 2026
2026 Guest Clinician: Laura Farnell
Credit Hours: 0-3
Fees: $40 per credit hour (in addition to the institute registration fee)
Dates: June 24–26, 2026 (Final project due by July 15, 2026)
Location: Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts
Course Description: The University of South Dakota’s Choral Directors Institute is an intensive program designed to expose music educators to the best in current and standard literature in addition to teaching methods and materials. The three-day institute will include large ensemble reading sessions, master classes, and clinic sessions that focus on a wide variety of teaching subjects for choral directors.
Participants registering for graduate credit must pay the tuition of $40 per credit hour on the day of registration, in addition to the institute registration fee paid through the event listing (26SU-CHORAL). Tuition rates are set by the South Dakota Board of Regents and are subject to change without notice.
Graduate Credit Options:
MUS 790 Rehearsal Techniques and Classroom Methods for the Choral Educator (UE1 CRN 56536)
This is a series of lectures on various choral topics, including conducting, rehearsal skills, vocal skills, classroom management, and related subjects.
MUS 790 Choral Music for Educational Ensembles (UE2 CRN 56537)
Reading sessions focusing on a wide variety of choral music for public school choirs, grades K–12. Materials will include both standard works and new releases from major publishers.
MUS 790 Special Topics in Choral Music Education (UE3 CRN 56538)
A seminar for the discussion of current trends and methods in choral music, including techniques, pedagogy, literature, and contemporary issues in the field.
Selected clinicians and USD faculty instruct all sessions.
Register for USD Credit Here
EDFN 592: Introduction to Family Engagement in Education
Instructor: Dr. Peg Diekhoff
Dates: July 6, 2026 - August 3, 2026
Credits: 1
Tuition: $40
Location: Online
*PLEASE NOTE: You must register through Canvas first before you can enroll for USD transcribable credits.
Course Description: Family Engagement is key to the success of all students. With over 50 years of research, family and community engagement in education is foundational for child development, student achievement, school improvement, and family and community well-being. This class will provide pre-service educators, practicing educators, educational leaders, or administrators the opportunity to explore current research, learn about relationship-building strategies, and explore tools that empower families to be active partners in education.
Register through Canvas Here Register for USD Credit Here
SPED 592: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Interventions Overview
Instructor: Heidi Aderhold
Credits: 1-2 credits
Fees: $40/Credit
Dates: July 7, 2026 - August 7, 2026
Location: Online
*Please Note: This course requires dual enrollment. After registering for USD credit and paying the tuition fee, you must also register through Canvas for the class.
Course Description: This course aims to provide training and assistance to South Dakota educators, administrators, other related professionals, and graduate students interested in learning more about evidence-Based Practices specific to autistic individuals.
Register through Canvas Here Register for USD Credit Here
SPED 592: Dr. Russell Barkley Professional Training Series
Instructor: Aimee Deliramich
Credits: 1 credit
Fees: $40/Credit
Dates: July 17, 2026 - August 7, 2026
Location: Online
*Please Note: You must register through Canvas first before you can enroll for USD graduate credits.
Course Description: This course aims to provide training and assistance to South Dakota educators, administrators, other related professionals, and graduate students interested in learning more about Executive Functioning and ADHD. Many of the cognitive deficits associated with ADHD lie in the domain of executive functioning in neuropsychology. The focus of this course will be to promote a better understanding of the nature of ADHD symptoms, the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, and the modifications necessary for its use with special populations.
Register through Canvas Here Register for USD Credit Here
EDFN 592: Cooperating Teacher Experience
Instructor: Mary McCorkle
Credits:: 1
Fees: $40/Credit (Additional $75 fee payable to SDEA for non-SDEA members)
Dates: August 24, 2026 - December 4, 2026
*Please Note: This course requires dual enrollment. After registering for USD credit and paying the tuition fee, you must also register through the SDEA Portal to access the course content
Course Description: This course is designed for mentors of current student teachers in SD and surrounding states. Students will learn and apply mentoring competencies.
Course Objectives: Gain insight into and apply best practices of mentoring a pre-service educator.
Course delivery will be through Learn Upon in cooperation with the South Dakota Education Association. There is additional course fee for those who are not members of the South Dakota Education Association or its state affiliates. This course can be found at: SDEA Portal.
Student learning objectives will include:
- Commits to the roles and responsibility of mentoring
- Accepts the teacher candidate as a developing professional
- Reflects on interpersonal communications and decisions
- Serves as an instructional coach
- Models a commitment to personal and professional growth
- Communicates hope and optimism for the future of the profession
- Applies objectives daily while working with a teacher candidate
Register through SDEA Here Register for USD Credit Here
EDFN 492: Foundations of Family Engagement in Education
Instructor: Dr. Peg Diekhoff
Dates: August 24, 2026 - December 7, 2026
Location: Online
Credits: 3
Fee: $120
*PLEASE NOTE: You must register through Canvas first before you can enroll for USD transcribable credits.
Course Description: Family Engagement is key to the success of all students. With over 50 years of research, family and community engagement in education is foundational for child development, student achievement, school improvement, and family and community well-being. This class will provide guidance to pre-service educators, practicing educators, educational leaders, and/or administrators through the research and best practices of family engagement.
Register through Canvas here Register for USD Credit Here
EDFN 592: Foundations of Family Engagement in Education
Instructor: Dr. Peg Diekhoff
Dates: August 24, 2026 - December 7, 2026
Location: Online
Credits: 3
Fee: $120
*PLEASE NOTE: You must register through Canvas first before you can enroll for USD transcribable credits.
Course Description: Family Engagement is key to the success of all students. With over 50 years of research, family and community engagement in education is foundational for child development, student achievement, school improvement, and family and community well-being. This class will provide guidance to pre-service educators, practicing educators, educational leaders, and/or administrators through the research and best practices of family engagement.
Register through Canvas here Register for USD Credit Here
