Climate Literacy - EDC-X718Z

Course Description

Credit Validation for AEOE Participants Only

This rigorous online eeCourse is designed for communicators, educators, and community leaders seeking to deepen their understanding of climate science and the evidence-based, equitable solutions needed to address it. Participants will examine how climate systems function, how human actions influence climate, and how climate impacts people and ecosystems.

The eeCourse integrates scientific readings, engaging videos, interactive simulations, systems-thinking activities, and data visualizations to create a rich learning experience. While it does not focus on instructional strategies, it provides a strong scientific foundation to support confident and informed engagement with climate education materials.

In addition to global climate science, the course incorporates California-based resources and data to ground concepts in real-world examples. Although these materials are locally focused, they serve as valuable case studies that offer insights and applications relevant to participants in any region.

Learner Outcomes

• Explain how Earth’s climate system functions and analyze the relationships between human systems and Earth systems
• Apply the Climate Literacy: Essential Principles for Understanding and Addressing Climate Change (2024) to evaluate real-world climate issues and solutions
• Design and justify strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change

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.

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: Online Courses - Climate Literacy

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