Professional Development Courses

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Courses

Foundations for Inclusive Practice and Support Cohort
Blueprint for EL Success and Support Cohort

Foundations for Inclusive Practice and Support Cohort

Description: The Department has sponsored two free online courses, Foundations for Inclusive Practice: Educator and Foundations for Inclusive Practice: Administrator, to help educators be more effective in inclusive settings. These courses are self-paced and are one way to earn the 15 professional development points in "effective schooling for students with disabilities and instruction of students with diverse learning styles" that are required to renew a professional license. Educators can register at the Guidebook for Inclusive Practice website.

Blueprint for EL Success and Support Cohort

Description: The Department has sponsored two free online courses, Foundations for Inclusive Practice: Educator and Foundations for Inclusive Practice: Administrator, to help educators be more effective in inclusive settings. These courses are self-paced and are one way to earn the 15 professional development points in "effective schooling for students with disabilities and instruction of students with diverse learning styles" that are required to renew a professional license. Educators can register at the Guidebook for Inclusive Practice website.

CAST-Universal Design for Learning Courses

CAST course offerings:

Introduction to Universal Design for Learning

UDL Implementation Academy

Search all upcoming courses & classes

Options available to suit your context and learning preferences include:

Live Virtual Classes
Interactive, boutique-style classes are for individuals and small teams who want to increase their understanding of UDL and develop an action plan for implementing it in their learning environment. These are typically intensive experiences with a limited duration (e.g., 2 full days or a series of half-days).
Instructor-Led Courses
These online courses are led by our team of incredible online learning instructors and have live meeting times or office hours to interact directly with the instructors.
Instructor-Supported Courses
Learn at your own pace the support of one of our instructors! These courses are self-directed, and include feedback and check-ins with one of our fantastic team members.

Self-Directed Courses
Prefer learning at your own pace without instructor input? Our self-directed online courses are for you!

CAST Introduction to Universal Design for Learning

CAST Introduction to Universal Design for Learning

Who: Educators (general, special education, curriculum coordinators, administrators, instructional technology specialists, paraprofessionals, college and university faculty, adult education faculty and presenters, etc.) and teams of educators at all levels who are interested in learning about:

How to address the learner variability in every classroom and school
How to support students to become expert learners
Cutting-edge research from the learning sciences
How to implement UDL strategies into their practice
Some courses are also open to parents who are interested in learning about UDL and how it can benefit their children.

Note: Credit Equivalency-Coursework for this module is equivalent to a 22.5-contact-hour, graduate-level course. Please see our Graduate Credit FAQ.

Bridgewater State University and Cape Cod Collaborative Courses

Collaborative Framework for Educator Evaluation (CoFFEE)

Collaborative Framework for Educator Evaluation (CoFFEE)

Description: During the course, candidates deepen their understanding of the MA framework for educator evaluation and develop a common language to define effective instruction. Through the use of practice exercises, videos, case studies, reading, discussion, and coaching sessions, participants will develop instructional leadership skills to…

● Name, explain, and document effective instruction regardless of the means of delivery (e.g., in-person, solely online, and/or blended)

● Communicate about pedagogical practices that impact student learning to provide teachers with detailed feedback in order to promote a continued cycle of professional growth;

● Develop and reinforce professional practice that engages instructional leaders and their colleagues in meaningful, student-focused conversations about best practice and maintains an open feedback loop;

● utilize a wide range of data points about student learning in teacher goal setting and benchmarking to indicate measures of growth and success.

Note: There are no prerequisites for the course.

Instructors Members of the Cape &Islands Curriculum Directors’ Team~Dr. Marc J. Smith; Superintendent- Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District e: smithm@dy-regional.k12.ma.us | p: 508.398.7600 & Mr. Mike Feeney; Falmouth Public Schools e: mfeeney@falmouth.k12.ma.us | p: 508.944.9458

For more information and dates: CoFFEE-BSW/CCC

Lesley Institute for Trauma Sensitivity Courses

Lesley Institute for Trauma Sensitivity (LIFTS) Certificate in Trauma & Learning Courses
Other Lesley University Graduate Certificates

Lesley Institute for Trauma Sensitivity (LIFTS) Certificate in Trauma & Learning Courses

The Lesley Institute for Trauma Sensitivity (LIFTS) strives to promote the development of safe and supportive educational environments, using a whole-child, whole-school, trauma-sensitive approaches. We offer:

Graduate level courses leading to a certificate in trauma and learning
Professional development for school communities
Executive coaching for administrators and school leadership teams
Research on developing trauma sensitive learning environments
We partner with diverse schools locally, nationally, and globally. In these partnerships, we have witnessed remarkable outcomes that include fewer office referrals, fewer suspensions, stronger classroom communities, and better support networks for educators.

LIFTS, a part of Lesley's Center for Inclusive and Special Education, is directed by Dr. Sal Terrasi.

Note: five courses provide three graduate level credits, and are offered to professional educators (teachers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, specialists, and administrators) at a substantial discount. This discount is made possible due to generous funding from the Oak Foundation, which commits its resources to address issues of global social and environmental concern, particularly those that have a major impact on the lives of the disadvantaged.

The first four courses comprise a certificate program in trauma & learning. Courses must be taken in sequence, and are offered in a variety of formats, including on-site delivery in your district, remote (synchronous and asynchronous) 8-week delivery, and an intensive low-residency institute format, which combines weekend study with continuing online work. For more information, contact Merlyn Mayhew, Assistant Director, at mmayhew3@lesley.edu.

Website: https://lesley.edu/professional-development-and-continuing-education/center-for-inclusive-and-special-education/lesley

Other Lesley University Graduate Certificates

Landmark & SNHU Partnership Courses

Universal Design for Learning 201: Putting Theory into Practice

Advance your understanding and application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) with this level 2 facilitated course designed for educators who already have a foundational knowledge of UDL and are ready to go beyond introductory practices. This course focuses on honing your skills in identifying barriers to learning, designing more inclusive lessons, and refining your teaching strategies to foster deeper learner agency.

Learn more and register here

Note: 45 hours in MA is equivalent to 2 graduate credits

Empowering Multilingual Learners

Multilingual learners bring a richness of experience and diversity to our classrooms, but they also have unique support needs. In this course, you will delve into the intricacies of Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT), Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching (CLRT) and UDL, learning how to provide multiple pathways for engagement, representation, and expression to meet the varied language proficiencies of your students. You will explore practical strategies for integrating linguistically responsive practices into your teaching, ensuring that every learner, regardless of language background, can access and succeed in the curriculum.

Learn more and register here

Note: 45 hours in MA is equivalent to 2 graduate credits

Certificate of Advanced Study in Literacy and Language; MGH Institute of Health Professions

Monomoy now has an affiliation agreement with IHP ( MGH Institute of Health Professions). This grants 20% off tuition for the CAS (Certificate of Advanced Study in Literacy and Language) program to our members. IHP is currently working on revising the program to meet the new IDA (International Dyslexia Association) accreditation standards so graduates will have to pass the national exam in addition to the state exam. You can find more information about that here and the levels of certification.

Graduate Programs in Reading (M.ED) - Bridgewater State

Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) in Reading - Bridgewater State

Cape Cod Institute

Literacy Launch Summer Institute

Literacy Launch Summer Institute Added in Springfield:

Due to strong interest across the state, an additional Literacy Launch Institute has been added for August 10-13 in Springfield. Hosted by DESE and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) in collaboration with HILL for Literacy, these free institutes are designed to strengthen educators’ understanding of evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining early literacy practices. Summer 2026 institutes will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. as follows:

June 23-26 in Marlborough and Peabody
July 27-30 in Medford
August 3-6 in Quincy
August 10-13 in Springfield

The institutes will have differentiated tracks—novice, advanced, preschool, school and district leaders, and educator prep program faculty and staff—to meet a variety of needs. Participants are eligible to earn professional development points (PDPs), receive a stipend, and may pursue optional graduate credit. Eligible school teams that attend an institute together may apply for free, on-site, follow-up coaching from HILL for Literacy, giving teams the chance to work side-by-side with coaches to turn new knowledge into classroom practice.

To learn more about institutes, eligibility for follow-up coaching, and to register, please visit DESE’s Literacy Launch webpage. Space is limited, and registrations will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.

PD on Strengthening IEPs and Substantially Separate Programs

In partnership with Walker Solutions and Buzz Education, DESE will offer an in-person professional development opportunity for multi-disciplinary school and district teams that want to strengthen inclusive, effective special education practices across a continuum of settings. The sessions will be held in Worcester and consist of two parts across three days. Attendees can attend either or both parts:

Part 1: Individualized Education Program (one-day session): 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, and
Part 2: Substantially Separate Programming in Schools (two-day session): 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 25 and Friday June 26.

Professional development points (PDPs) are available. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Learn more and register online for one or both parts of these professional learning sessions in Worcester.

2026 Massachusetts Science Professional Learning Catalog

DESE collaborated with MAST and MSELA to share the first annual 2026 Massachusetts Science Professional Learning Catalog (Summer and Fall 2026). All opportunities are local, virtual, or offer stipend travel expenses. New opportunities are added as they come in, so bookmark it and check back throughout the spring and summer! These opportunities are NOT vetted or "endorsed" by DESE; they have been compiled by MAST, MSELA & DESE staff and are offered as a resource for educators to explore.

Summer 2026 Cohort: Supporting Diverse Learning Needs with Digital Tools

This synchronous online graduate course includes live online sessions, a structured schedule with assignment deadlines, and clearly defined start and end dates.

Format: Synchronous Online
Enrollment Deadline: July 6, 2026
Course Dates: July 6 - August 20, 2026
Mandatory Live Meeting: July 6, 7 PM EST
Five Additional Live Support Sessions
Pacing: Regular assignment deadlines throughout the term
Register by June 30 for Early Access

Register here

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