Program of Study

Overview

This program consists of 4 courses. These courses may be included in the curriculum of master's students seeking the certificate or may be taken as a stand-alone certificate. Non-degree-seeking students completing this certificate take the 4 courses at 3 Professional Development Units (PDUs) each for a total of 12 PDUs. PDUs are non-credit bearing and are not assessed at the standard graduate tuition rate.

These graduate credit courses are offered online through the Department of Learning and Teaching. The Character Education Certificate program can be completed in one academic year (fall, intersession, spring semesters).

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the three course program will be able demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the:

• Historical development of character education in the U.S.
• Need for and importance of the character development of children and youth
• Cultural and societal factors that support or detract from helping youth learn and practice common core democratic values
• Frameworks that are essential for effective character education programs in schools and school districts
  
• Programs and curriculum, commercial, organizational, and school site/district level
  
• Ways to teach students the core values of a school and society
  
• Need for and ways to involve families/parents in the character development of their children
  
• Research in character education
  
• Need for evaluating character education initiatives and strategies to carry out school-site evaluation efforts
  
• Resources in character education including commercial materials, major publications, and web sites

Program Curriculum

Visit Professional and Continuing Education to view the program curriculum.