Accessible by Nature: Designing Environmental Education to Support All Learners - EDC-X704W

Course Description

Credit Validation for AEOE Participants Only

UDL improves and optimizes teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. UDL is a framework to guide the design of learning environments that are accessible and challenging for all, rather than making modifications for individual students’ needs. Ultimately, the goal of UDL is to support learners to become “expert learners” who are, each in their own way, purposeful and motivated, resourceful and knowledgeable, and strategic and goal-driven. This course is designed to encourage you to reflect deeply on your practice to focus on how you plan and teach to support all learners. The course content and associated assignments are geared towards practicing environmental and outdoor educators. We hope this course will inspire you to strengthen your pedagogical practices so they are more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible.

To register for the course, visit https://aeoe.org/event-5306005 

Learner Outcomes

• Understand the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
• Describe terms, techniques, tools, and resources to promote inclusivity and access to better serve diverse populations, specifically those with learning differences, physical accessibility needs, and language barriers
• Evaluate your current teaching practices/pedagogy and your setting to identify barriers to participation
• Apply the principles of universal design for learning to your pedagogical practices to redesign a lesson, activity, or program

Course Details

Number of Units: 1.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours

Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for AEOE participants only. 

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 

1. Enroll in this course:

• Home Page: Association for Environmental & Outdoor education (AEOE)
• Sign up to enroll: eeCourse: Universal Design for Learning in Environmental Education

2. Complete all course work with AEOE

Please Note: USD does not provide course materials, manage instruction, or assign grades. All coursework is evaluated by the program’s instructor or coordinator.

3. Click “Add to Cart” located on the right of this page to purchase units. If this course displays “Request Information,” it means the course is either not yet open for enrollment or has already closed for enrollment.

4. Submit your Certificate of Completion by email to pce-cv@sandiego.edu after enrolling for credit and completing the course.

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

Applies Towards the Following Certificate(s), Professional Programs and Series

• Online Credit Validation Courses for Educators : Courses - Choose One or More