Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development, 330 Wulling Hall, 86 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-1006; fax: 612-624-3377)

The certificate in professional development is designed to prepare leaders in designing, implementing, and evaluating learning opportunities for preK-12 educators and related staff. This 12- to 15-credit graduate-level program offers professional development opportunities for teachers, administrators, and others involved in school improvement initiatives. Throughout the program, students are required to reflect on their learning, make explicit connections between theory and practice, and design staff development processes and materials for use in their own work contexts. Through the program, participants will: - Learn to apply research-based standards for staff development - Be prepared for the multifaceted roles and competencies of staff developers - Identify organizational and leadership capacities for effective staff development policies and practices - Be able to articulate effective staff learning principles, designs, and strategies - Evaluate staff development, including its effects on students, staff, and systems - Learn to work effectively with groups, including both facilitation and training models of learning - Identify and access staff development resources, including current research and best practices literature - Gain awareness of individual strengths and areas for continuous improvement as a professional educator and leader of staff learning.

Admission to the professional development certificate is open to both degree-seeking or non-degree seeking students. Students may pursue the certificate alone or concurrently with a UM masters or doctoral degree. Applicants must have at least three years of experience working as education or related professionals in preK-12 education. Please note that this program is not offered full-time and therefore is not intended for international students needing a visa to study in the United States. Admission for this program is done on a rolling basis.