Bullying Prevention in Our Schools Certificate

Be an Anti-Bullying Champion with Bullying Prevention Program [Online]

Does bullying affect students in your school? What if you could be a stronger force for good in combating one of the most pervasive and destructive issues facing students, parents, teachers and schools today?

Well, you absolutely can — and here’s how. Our Bullying Prevention Certificate program, offered 100% online through the University of San Diego, is a research-based program of study that incorporates real-world scenarios and current events to equip you with the knowledge, skills and tools you need to become an effective anti-bullying advocate in your school community.

“The USD prevention certificate program for bullying is really fantastic because it’s not about a packaged program, it’s not a one-size-fits-all program,” says Elloise Bennett, a longtime instructor. “It’s one where you can really learn from other educators in your class as well as experts about what works in schools, what meets your school’s needs.”

Who Should Attend

The University of San Diego’s online Bullying Prevention in Our Schools Certificate is designed to engage and inspire all new and experienced K-12 teachers, counselors, administrators and staff who are interested in learning how to reduce the impact of bullying.

Marcia Sue Rathfon Scholarship

USD's Bullying Prevention in Our Schools certificate is eligible for the Marcia Sue Rathfon Scholarship. Apply today to be eligible to receive $500 off the cost of this certificate. Click here to learn more.

Certificate Requirements [Courses and Fees]

To earn the USD professional development certificate in bullying prevention, students are required to successfully complete four individual courses, which can be accomplished in as few as two semesters. See course titles and tuition fees in the chart below:

Schedule and Fees

Course #	Required Courses (9 Units)	Duration	SP	SU	FA	Fees*
EDU-X717A	Bullying: An Introduction (3 units)	6 weeks	OFD	OFD	OFD	$500
EDU-X718A	Bullying: Issues of Gender and Race (2 units)	6 weeks	OFD	OFD	OFD	$400
EDU-X719A	Bullying and the Internet (2 units)	6 weeks	OFD	OFD	OFD	$400
EDU-X720A	Bullying: Prevention (2 units)	6 weeks	OFD	OFD	OFD	$400
One Time Certificate Fee						$45
Total Certificate Cost (4 courses)						$1,745
C = Classroom; OFD = Online Fixed-Date; OSP = Online Self-Paced; IS = Independent Study Self-Paced
*Schedule and Fees are subject to change.

Benefits of the Bullying Prevention Certificate Program

The benefits of earning your certificate through the USD anti-bullying program include sharpening your ability to counteract some of the negative impacts of bullying. For example, according to anti-bullying advocate DoSomething.org:

Bullying impacts 1 in 5 students in the U.S.
Students who reported being frequently bullied scored lower in reading, mathematics and science than peers who reported that they were never or rarely bullied.
Tragically, in extreme instances students subjected to bullying have physically harmed themselves or even taken their own life.
Researchers have also identified negative impacts in adults many years after being bullied.

Completing the anti-bullying program is also a way to enhance your leadership skills and earn professional development credits that can be applied toward salary advancement requirements in some school districts. Learn more about the University of San Diego’s Professional and Continuing Education Certificate Benefits and Policies.

Additionally, the opportunity to make an important difference in the life of a student who is a victim of bullying is a compelling reason to learn how to intervene and support victims, educate other students as well as faculty on what to look for, or to point out a situation that may have been ignored.

Bullying Prevention Certificate Program Learner Outcomes

Educators and others who complete the Bullying Prevention Certificate program gain the skills and strategies needed to be a positive force against all forms of bullying in your school. Expected learner outcomes include the capacity to:

Identify, prevent and address bullying by building a “toolkit” for improving school and classroom safety
Understand how gender and race matter and how differences in cultural views relate to bullying
Develop insight into the insidious role that social media can play in 21st century bullying
Recognize cyberbullying methods and use tools, tips and strategies to prevent inappropriate use of the Internet
Apply practical strategies and approaches that can be implemented immediately to control bullying
Understand the impact of stereotypes, stereotype threats and identity safety and how to create safe, inclusive, accepting and positive climates
Improve your school climate by working with others (colleagues, students, etc.) to reduce incidences of bullying in your school

Bullying Prevention in Our Schools Certificate – Curriculum

The four courses that comprise the University of San Diego’s Bullying Prevention Certificate program are:

Bullying: An Introduction — Identify key elements of bullying behavior, examine types of bullying and their effects, identify populations at risk of being bullied or becoming bullies, study current research, trends, strategies and best practices.
Bullying: Issues of Gender and Race — Review different forms of bullying and how they are practiced by different genders and ethnic groups, using research articles and real-world scenarios.
Bullying and the Internet — Focus on safety amid the risks presented by the Internet and social media with an emphasis on cyberbullying, how to recognize it, deal with it and prepare your students to address it.
Bullying: Prevention — This course provides participants with a “toolbox” they can use to identify, prevent and address bullying.

Enroll in individual courses of your choice or start the certificate program with any course in any semester to earn graduate level extension credits. Each course is 6 weeks. We recommend that you start with “Bullying: An Introduction” and then complete the remaining courses.

Experienced Instructors

Our instructors, most of whom hold advanced degrees, are experienced subject matter experts who engage each student in a stimulating and participative learning environment. Click on individual course listings to learn more about our primary Bullying Prevention Certificate program instructor: Jeannie Chufo.

Accreditation

The University of San Diego’s Division of Professional and Continuing Education is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges – Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What type of credit am I earning?

The credit earned is considered Graduate Level Extension Credit, in semester hours, meaning that the credit earned is usually good toward salary advancement, credential renewing and/or recertification and is not usually good toward a degree. Prior district approval is highly recommended and is the responsibility of the student if using the units toward salary advancement, credential renewing and/or recertification.

Is online learning right for me?

Our online courses offer the same high-quality content and expert instruction as the courses held on-campus at the University of San Diego. Instructors facilitate courses through engaging multimedia presentations and provide prompt feedback to questions within a 24-48 hour timeframe. This online format allows students to interact with classmates worldwide and replicate in-classroom interactions through weekly discussion forums, chats and email communication. See more information about online learning through the University of San Diego.

Can I take the courses out of order in a certificate program?

Yes. Though some programs recommend a particular order, students can always opt for individual courses.

Can I take two courses at the same time?

Yes, you can! USD Professional and Continuing Education allows for a maximum of 18 units to be completed during any one semester.