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 offer 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)
August 2026
EDFN 592: Cooperating Teacher Experience
Instructor: Mary McCorkle
Credits: 1
Fee: $40 / Credit
Additional Fee: $75 for non-SDEA members
Dates: August 24 – December 4, 2026
Please Note: Dual enrollment through both USD and the SDEA Portal is required.
Course Description: This mentoring course is designed for cooperating teachers supervising student teachers in South Dakota and surrounding states.
Student Learning Objectives
- Commit to the roles and responsibilities of mentoring
- Support teacher candidates as developing professionals
- Reflect on communication and decision-making practices
- Serve as an instructional coach
- Model professional growth
- Communicate optimism for the profession
- Apply mentoring objectives in daily practice
Register through SDEA Here
Register for USD Credit Here
EDFN 492: Foundations of Family Engagement in Education
Instructor: Dr. Peg Diekhoff
Dates: August 24 – December 7, 2026
Location: Online
Credits: 3
Fee: $120
Please Note: You must register through Canvas before enrolling for USD transcribable credits.
Course Description: This course provides guidance through the research and best practices of family engagement for educators, administrators, and educational leaders.
Register through Canvas Here
Register for USD Credit Here
EDFN 592: Foundations of Family Engagement in Education
Instructor: Dr. Peg Diekhoff
Dates: August 24 – December 7, 2026
Location: Online
Credits: 3
Fee: $120
Please Note: You must register through Canvas before enrolling for USD transcribable credits.
Course Description: This graduate-level course explores the research and best practices of family engagement in education.
Register through Canvas Here
Register for USD Credit Here
SPED 592: An Introduction to Deafblindness - Course 1
Instructor: Brandy Sebera
Dates: August 25 – December 11, 2026
Credits: 3
Tuition: $120
Location: Online
Please Note: You must register through Eventbrite before enrolling for USD transcribable credits.
Course Description: This course provides training for educators and clinicians supporting students with sensory disabilities, deafblindness, and high-intensity needs through evidence-based instructional strategies and online learning modules aligned with Council for Exceptional Children standards.
Participants will engage in reflections, discussion boards, and synchronous online meetings focused on sensory systems, learning, communication, trusted relationships, and effective interventions.
Register through Eventbrite Here
Register for USD Credit Here
SPED 592: Deafblindness: Assessment & Instructional Strategies, Course 3
Instructor: Brandy Sebera
Dates: August 25 – December 11, 2026
Location: Online
Credits: 3
Fee: $120
Please Note: You must register through Eventbrite before enrolling for USD transcribable credits.
Course Description: This course provides an overview of assessment strategies, instructional planning, authentic assessment data, and development of measurable IEP goals for students with sensory disabilities and high-intensity support needs.
Course content includes professional development modules and resources from the National Center on Deafblindness and Open Hands, Open Access modules related to learning readiness, routines, behavior supports, curriculum access, and orientation and mobility.
Register through Eventbrite Here
Register for USD Credit Here
SPED 592: Autism Spectrum Education & Resource Training (ASERT 2 of 3)
Instructor: Heidi Aderhold
Credits: 3
Tuition: $120
Dates: September 24 – December 11, 2026
Course Description: ASERT sessions 1, 2, and 3 provide training focused on supporting students with autism through evidence-based practices, mentorship, synchronous training sessions, and implementation support.
Participants are expected to complete all ASERT sessions sequentially within the same school year.
Register for USD Credit Here
January 2027
SPED 592: Autism Spectrum Education & Resource Training (ASERT 3 of 3)
Instructor: Heidi Aderhold
Credits: 1
Tuition: $40
Dates: January 4 – March 30, 2027
Location: Online
Course Description: ASERT sessions 1, 2, and 3 provide guidance and support for implementing evidence-based practices for students with autism through mentorship, synchronous training, and ongoing instructional support.
Students must complete all three ASERT sessions sequentially within the same school year.
Register for USD Credit Here