Strengthening Your Craft - EDC-X737AA

Course Description

Credit Validation for DoDEA Participants Only

The purpose of this course is to provide educators with the opportunity to engage in coaching tailored to their individual areas of professional growth. Course content and activities will be customized to meet the needs of each participant. Coaching topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Student engagement
• Classroom management
• Providing student interventions
• Instructional practices
• Leading teams
• Integrating technology
• Career advancement

Course assignments will consist of educators participating in coaching sessions during their personal time (planning period, lunch, or outside the duty day) and completing additional work specific to their coaching focus area. Half of the coursework will be completed through coaching sessions, and the remaining half will consist of individualized outside assignments. Outside work may include, but is not limited to:

• Lesson planning
• Rearranging the physical classroom environment
• Visiting classrooms
• Observing peers
• Reflective practice
• Required readings

Educators may choose to complete either a 1-credit or 2-credit hour version of the course. Course requirements are as follows:

• Educators completing the 1-credit hour course will participate in 7.5 hours of coaching sessions and complete 7.5 hours of outside assignments
• Educators completing the 2-credit hour course will participate in 15 hours of coaching sessions and complete 15 hours of outside assignments

Learner Outcomes

• Identify an area of professional growth and establish a goal related to the identified area
• Develop an action plan with the instructor to support progress toward achieving the identified professional growth goal
• Achieve professional growth goals through coaching sessions and completion of the individualized action plan

Course Details

PLEASE READ ALL COURSE DETAILS

Number of Units: 1.0 - 2.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours.

Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for DoDEA 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 

Step 1: Register with the Partner Organization
Complete your registration directly with the partner organization. Follow their instructions to begin the course and pay any required enrollment fees.

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

Step 2: Complete the Course 
Participate fully in the course through the partner organization and complete all required assignments, activities, and assessments. (Some courses, specifically DoDEA courses, may require participants to purchase units before the course ends; please check the enrollment window for details.)

Step 3: Register for University Credit
After confirming your registration with the partner organization and completing your program, return to USD’s website.

• Locate the same course on our listings page
• Click Add to Cart
• Click Check Out
• You will be prompted to either log into your USD Student Account or create one, and then pay for your units

If this course displays Request Information, it means the course is either not yet open for enrollment (please check the enrollment dates) or enrollment has already closed. If enrollment has closed, you may still contact the organization directly to see if they will accept a late enrollment or if the course will be offered again in the future.

Step 4: Partner Organization Submits Grades
After you finish, the partner organization will submit your final grade to USD.

Step 5: Receive Your Transcript
No further action is needed. Once your grade has been processed, USD will issue an official transcript reflecting your earned university credit. Transcripts are mailed to the address listed in your USD student account. 

Transcript Process: Once we receive your certificate of completion, we will begin processing your transcript. Participants are responsible for ensuring that 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

For detailed information regarding the University of San Diego Credit Validation Program, please consult our Participant Guide.