Course Overview

In this course, you will explore foundational developmental theories and how students learn, behave, and grow. You will examine psychosocial, behavioral, and cognitive perspectives to gain a deeper understanding of how each influences instructional decisions. The course offers practical approaches to applying these theories in your lesson planning, classroom management, and student support strategies. By the end of the course, you will be equipped to design developmentally appropriate learning experiences that promote academic, behavioral, and emotional success.

Learn More & Register

At a Glance

Approximately 45 hours
Access Time: 365 days
3 PDUs
Graduate Level Professional Development Credit
$380
No additional materials required

Program Highlights

Online education

100% Online

All coursework delivered fully online, so you can balance work, life, and study.

Standards

Graduate-Level PD Credits

Earn graduate-level professional development credits to support salary advancement and professional growth. Check with your school or district for approval before enrolling.

Marketing

Fast, Flexible, and Ready When You Are

Enjoy instant access, self-paced study, and an easy-to-follow, template-based course format.

Course Objectives

  • Classify developmental theories by behaviors, academics, and social-emotional development
  • Evaluate several of the most well known developmental theories, including behavioral and cognitive learning theories, and how they are important in the classroom
  • Apply your knowledge of developmental theories to further develop the social-emotional skills in your students
  • Apply your knowledge of developmental theories to your lesson planning process to ensure developmentally appropriate teaching practices
  • Plan for implementation by completing an action plan that supports your classroom practices
  • Critique, analyze, and summarize specific articles, resources, and studies related to developmental theories
  • Build and describe the use of a resource that supports a strategy you plan to use in your upcoming lesson
  • Plan and build a Classroom Implementation Plan for immediate classroom use by planning for the concepts you learned in this course

Course Topics

  • Defining Developmental Theories
  • Exploring Psychoanalytic Theories
  • Supporting Student Social-Emotional Development
  • Exploring Cognitive Theories
  • Supporting Student Cognitive Development
  • Exploring Behavioral Theories
  • Supporting Student Behavior Development Classroom Application

Course Syllabus


View Course Syllabus

View All Professional Development for Educator Courses

Program Partner

This course is offered through University of Massachusetts Global’s School of Extended Education in partnership with Model Teaching.

What are Graduate-level Professional Development Credits?

Graduate-level professional development credits are not part of a degree program but instead are primarily used for professional advancement such as salary increment steps and recertification. Students should seek approval from appropriate district officials before enrolling in these courses.

Related Programs

All Programs
2 PDU
Teaching & Education

Efficient Classroom Processes, Course

 Learn six strategies for improving your learning environment and methods for supporting student learning.
$300
Learn More
3 PDU
Teaching & Education

Classroom Strategies that Work, Course

Develop classroom lessons using the nine research-based strategies that have been proven to be effective in improving student outcomes.
$270
Learn More
2 PDU
Teaching & Education

Brain Based Teaching Strategies, Course

Utilize evidence-based practices based on research in neuroscience and psychology to create an effective brain-based lesson.
$400
Learn More

Featured Articles

All Articles