Program Catalog
USC Rossier’s Office of Professional Learning aims to be the K-12 community’s premier source of professional learning opportunities. We look forward to helping educators, leaders, parents and alumni gain the skills and mindsets they need to reach their goals in a rapidly-changing world.
Urban Superintendents Academy
Office for Professional Learning
The AASA-USC Rossier Urban Superintendents Academy is a program designed to support current and aspiring superintendents as they navigate the complexities of equity-centered leadership in school districts. Participants gain the knowledge, insights, skills and practices needed to make a lasting meaningful impact as superintendent. The USC Rossier Urban Superintendents Academy reflects the commitment of Dean Pedro Noguera and our team of veteran faculty to prepare current and future superintendents to thrive in their roles as breakthrough leaders. Led by experienced superintendent Dr. Maria Ott, you are invited to join the Academy and bring your innovative thinking, your experiences as a problem-solver and your vision for a high performing system to engage in learning with other leaders.
Mindfulness for Education
Office for Professional Learning
In this hands-on course, you will explore strategies to incorporate mindfulness and well-being tools in life and your classroom. For your students, these tools can build focus, resilience and emotional literacy. For educators, these tools can strengthen their own personal and professional resiliency and work-life balance. Together, we will explore the research and practice of how to mindfully incorporate stress resilience, mental health, emotional regulation, connection, and present awareness so that those who work and learn in schools can fully thrive.
Alongside a community of practitioners, we will practice meditation together and learn mindfulness techniques you can directly apply to your life, to the stressors you may face in schools and to the classroom. Classes consist of a combination of lecture, practice and discussion across six interactive modules.
School Leadership Academy
Office for Professional Learning
The School Leadership Academy program challenges candidates to critically examine contemporary issues confronting a variety of school systems. During the 15-month, online program, candidates draw from research, practice, and their own experiences as educators and work collaboratively to develop effective and sustainable strategies for school leadership. The curriculum is aligned to the California Administrators Content Expectations (CACE) and the California Administrators Performance Expectations (CAPE), which have the following focus areas:
- Development and Implementation of a Shared Vision
- Instructional Leadership
- Management and Learning Environment
- Family and Community Engagement
- Ethics and Integrity
- External Context and Policy
Courses support candidates’ ability to master the CAPEs and effectively demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to address the challenges and opportunities in leading today’s diverse California’s TK-12 schools. Courses are taught by experienced and successful school administrators who have significant knowledge and skills in leading diverse systems.
The curriculum is also connected to the California Administrator Performance Assessment, also known as the CalAPA. The CalAPA is the embedded performance assessment that determines candidates’ ability to investigate, plan, act, and reflect with the mindset of equity-centered continuous improvement. Candidates are guided through their submissions to the CalAPA Leadership Cycles with coursework assignments that align to the content of the CalAPA.
The USC Rossier School Leadership Academy Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program meets all requirements of the California Teachers Credentialing Commission (CTC). Successful completion of the program and all CA required prerequisites, including passing all three CalAPA Leadership Cycles, results in a recommendation to the CTC for the candidate’s Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) in the state of California.
Reading & Literacy Added Authorization
Office for Professional Learning
This program is designed for current teachers. Under the new Common Core State Standards, teachers must be able to help students use “complex and varied” texts to learn how to access and understand information. Are you prepared?
The USC Reading and Literacy Added Authorization program is designed to help you become a literacy expert. The knowledge and skills that you will gain will help you:
- apply the progression of reading and writing development in your instruction
- analyze data from diagnostic tools to determine students’ reading and writing needs, and
- create and teach lessons to address students’ identified reading and writing needs.
With these skills, you will be well-prepared to help your students develop into proficient and advanced readers and writers.
USC Reading and Literacy Added Authorization Program (Added Authorization) is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate Program
Office for Professional Learning
USC Rossier’s DEI certificate program provides participants with the knowledge and skills to advance diversity, equity & inclusion. Participants go on to disrupt systems that hinder well-being, positive engagement, and achievement in their school environments.
Summer Gifted Institute
Office for Professional Learning
The Summer Gifted Institute is an annual event led by Dr. Sandra Kaplan and a team of faculty members experienced in gifted education, instruction, and curriculum design. This institute is for and provides current K-12 teachers with newly designed differentiated curriculum units responsive to identifying students of diversity and challenging advanced and gifted learners. Note: Does not offer a certificate.
More Information
USC Leadership in Enrollment Management Certificate
The certificate in Leadership in Enrollment Management, offered by the Center for Enrollment Research, Policy and Practice, will prepare you with knowledge, skills, and tools to bring mission-driven leadership to admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment management activities. Our thoughtfully designed online program is created for individuals or campus teams, with a tuition discount available to teams. The content is thematic, ensuring that whether you work in a K-12/ independent school, higher education institution, or graduate/professional program, you will leave each session with actionable insights.