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• eeCourse: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Environmental Education

  • Start
    September 02, 2026
  • End
    October 20, 2026
  • Location
    Online - Moodle
  • Spaces left
    16

  Register

  eeCourse: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Environmental Education

  Description: This course is designed to provide a strong foundation in Traditional Ecological Knowledge and ways of knowing. It is meant to be an introductory course and spark interest in further learning around how we can more intentionally and respectfully incorporate traditional Indigenous ways of knowing into our environmental and outdoor learning programming.

  Through four modules, which incorporate a variety of readings, videos, and other interactive activities, you will: 

  • Identify some of the opportunities and challenges in using TEK to address environmental challenges
  • Develop your personal guidelines for integrating principles of TEK in your teaching which honor, acknowledge, and care take TEK and Indigenous people
  • Compare and contrast Traditional Ecological Knowledge & ways of knowing with Western science & ways of knowing 
  • Support your students in developing relationships with the world around them
  • Develop a lesson or a unit which integrates TEK knowledge and/or practices with your participants

  Timing: This roughly 6-week course takes approximately 15 hours to complete. The course runs from September 2 - October 20, 2026. This course is offered on a quarterly basis. 

  Format: This is an asynchronous online course. 

  • All activities must be completed independently on your own time/schedule within the 6-week timeframe. 

  • We will provide a suggested timeline and periodic reminders to encourage the timely completion of assignments. While we want to be flexible, we also want these learning experiences to be meaningful and we think timely and periodic work in the course will benefit participants more than trying to complete coursework at the last minute.

  • Coursework includes watching videos, reading articles, posting on public forums and Padlet boards, and writing/recording personal reflections.

  • The course is managed through Moodle - participants will be sent an invitation to access the course on the start date. 

  The course is moderated by Jasjeet Dhanota, AEOE's Communications and Relationships Manager.

  One graduate unit is available upon completion of the course (the unit costs $79 and is purchased separately from University of San Diego). Note that you must also submit a certificate of competition in order to receive your transcript.

  Note that registration is open through September 30, however we encourage you to register earlier so you have the full 6 weeks to complete the course. 

  Show details
• Virtual Workshop: Well-being through Outdoor Learning Nature Connection and Mental Health Virtual Workshop

  • When
    September 15, 2026
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Virtual Workshop: Well-being through Outdoor Learning Nature Connection and Mental Health Virtual Workshop

  Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 15 | 4-5pm Pacific

  Join this FREE virtual workshop for an overview of how educators and healthcare practitioners can better understand and support kids’ mental health through outdoor activities and to learn practical, low-pressure ways to support both student and teacher wellbeing through simple outdoor routines and experiences.

  This workshop will cover nature as co-therapist, benefits of sensory awareness activities, and how risk and challenge can be leveraged to reduce anxiety. With increasing demands, diverse learning needs, anxious students, and constant curriculum pressures, many teachers are looking for approaches that calm the classroom without adding more to their plate.

  This workshop explores how outdoor learning can support regulation, focus, connection, and inclusion—for students and educators—through predictable routines, short activities, and flexible structures that work in real school settings. Participants will experience and plan Social Emotional Learning (SEL) focused outdoor practices that reduce stress, support diverse learners, and create space to breathe, reset, and reconnect with learning.

  Click here to register

  Offered by The Outdoor Learning School & Store and Outdoor Learning Partners:
  

  

  All registrants will be able to access the recording in case you can’t join the session live. And all attendees will be able to access a Certificate of Attendance and will be entered to win some great prizes!

  Show details
• Virtual Workshop: Understanding Outdoor Play

  • When
    October 13, 2026
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Virtual Workshop: Understanding Outdoor Play

  Tuesday, OCTOBER 13 | 4-5pm Pacific

  Join this FREE virtual workshop for an overview of the evolution of the active outdoor play movement over the past decade.

  This workshop will highlight how this movement, together with emerging global, intersectoral challenges (i.e., climate change, digitalization, widening social inequities) prompted the Outdoor Play Canada team to lead a global update to the 2015 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play. We will discuss the process, methodology, outcome, impact, and next steps of the 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play. While focused on the successes of our neighbors to the north, there should be plenty of valuable takeaways that educators based in California can apply to their settings. 

  Click here to register

  Offered by The Outdoor Learning School & Store and Outdoor Learning Partners:
  

  

  All registrants will be able to access the recording in case you can’t join the session live. And all attendees will be able to access a Certificate of Attendance and will be entered to win some great prizes!

  Show details
• Fall 2026 Regional EE Meetup: Los Angeles County

  • When
    October 25, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Audubon Center at Debs Park, Los Angles

  Register

  Fall Regional Meetup - Los Angeles County

  
  

  Join environmental and outdoor education professionals from across Los Angeles County and southern CA to connect, learn, and explore.

  Participants will tour the Audubon Center at Debs Park learn about the site's programs, explore the trails, network with fellow environmental educators, and participate in hands-on activities while sharing ideas and resources for environmental education. Join a guided nature walk exploring local birds, native plants, and how to inspire others to strengthen their connection to nature. Then explore activity kits designed to inspire curiosity in local wildlife. 

  The event includes snacks, networking activities, and shared learning with colleagues from across the county. 

  Environmental educator professionals in any role and setting are all encouraged to attend. 

  Site accessibility: ADA-accessible parking and restrooms are available on site. The parking lot and the path to the restrooms are paved. 

  MEETUP LOCATION: Audubon Center at Debs Park

  Address: 4700 N Griffin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90031

  Timing: 12-4PM (note the alternate timeframe from other regional meetups) – bring your lunch and chat with other EE professionals from your region before the official welcome and activities start at 1PM. 

  
  

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• Fall 2026 Regional EE Meetup: Shasta County

  • When
    October 25, 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Whiskeytown Environmental School, Redding

  Register

  Fall Regional Meetup - Shasta County

  
  

  Join environmental and outdoor education professionals from across Shasta County and northern CA to connect, learn, and explore.

  Participants will tour Whiskeytown Environmental School; learn about the site's history, programs, and future; explore the campus and trails; network with fellow environmental educators; and participate in a hands-on macroinvertebrate investigation while sharing ideas and resources for environmental education. Click here for the complete schedule.

  The event includes snacks, networking activities, and shared learning with colleagues from across the county. 

  Environmental educator professionals in any role and setting are all encouraged to attend. 

  Site accessibility: ADA-accessible parking and restrooms are available on site. The parking lot and the path to the restrooms are paved. The remainder of the campus includes a mix of terrain, including compacted earth, uneven surfaces, and some rocky inclines. Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs or accommodations you would like to discuss.

  MEETUP LOCATION: Whiskeytown Environmental School

  Address: 10106 Paige Bar Rd, Redding, CA 96001

  Timing: 1-5PM 

  Thanks to Shasta County Office of Education Environmental Education and CREEC North for partnering on this event. 

        
  

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• Fall 2026 Regional EE Meetup: San Diego County

  • When
    October 25, 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Mission Trails East Fortuna Field Station, San Diego

  Register

  Fall Regional Meetup - San Diego County

  
  

  Join environmental and outdoor education professionals from across San Diego County to connect, learn, and explore.

  Participants will tour the Mission Trails East Fortuna Field Station learn about the site's programs, explore the trails, network with fellow environmental educators, and participate in hands-on activities while sharing ideas and resources for environmental education. 

  The event includes snacks, networking activities, and shared learning with colleagues from across the county. 

  Environmental educator professionals in any role and setting are all encouraged to attend. 

  Site accessibility: ADA-accessible parking and restrooms are available on site. The parking lot and the path to the restrooms are paved. 

  MEETUP LOCATION: Mission Trails East Fortuna Field Station Visitor Center

  Address: One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA 92119

  Timing: 1-5PM 

  
  

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• Fall 2026 Regional EE Meetup: SF Bay Area

  • When
    October 25, 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

  Register

  Fall Regional Meetup - SF Bay Area (location TBD)

  
  

  Join environmental and outdoor education professionals from across the SF Bay Area to connect, learn, and explore.

  Participants will tour a local site to learn about the site's programs, explore the trails, network with fellow environmental educators, and participate in hands-on activities while sharing ideas and resources for environmental education. 

  The event includes snacks, networking activities, and shared learning with colleagues from across the county. 

  Environmental educator professionals in any role and setting are all encouraged to attend. 

  Site accessibility: ADA-accessible parking and restrooms will be available on site. 

  MEETUP LOCATION: TBD

  Address: 

  Timing: 1-5PM 

  
  

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• Fall 2026 Regional EE Meetup: Greater Sacramento

  • When
    October 25, 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Effie Yaw Nature Center, Carmichael

  Register

  Fall Regional Meetup - Greater Sacramento Region

  
  

  Join environmental and outdoor education professionals from across the Greater Sacramento Area to connect, learn, and explore.

  Participants will tour the Effie Yaw Nature Center learn about the site's programs, explore the trails, network with fellow environmental educators, and participate in hands-on activities while sharing ideas and resources for environmental education. Topics/activities may include: how to shrink our disturbance zone and increase our awareness zone, bird language, how to protect the watershed from your home, exploring phenomena, mindfulness at the river, nature journaling, and a live animal presentation.

  The event includes snacks, networking activities, and shared learning with colleagues from across the county. 

  Environmental educator professionals in any role and setting are all encouraged to attend. 

  Site accessibility: Three ADA parking spots are available, and there is a paved path with a ramp leading to the Assembly Building, where we will meet. We have a picnicking area and restrooms available. Some construction may be taking place on site to improve ADA access. The trails are not wheelchair accessible and closed-toe shoes are recommended.

  MEETUP LOCATION: Effie Yaw Nature Center

  Address: 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael, CA 95608

  Timing: 1-5PM 

  
  

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• eeCourse: Accessible by Nature: Designing EE to Support All Learners

  • Start
    November 02, 2026
  • End
    December 15, 2026
  • Location
    Online - Moodle

  Register

  Accessible by Nature: Designing EE to Support All Learners 

  Description: This eeCourse uses the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to guide the design of learning environments that are accessible and challenging for all, rather than making modifications for individual students. UDL improves and optimizes teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn, giving all students equal opportunity to succeed. This eeCourse is designed to encourage you to reflect deeply on your practice to focus on how you plan and teach to support all learners. The course content and associated assignments are geared towards practicing environmental and outdoor educators. We hope this eeCourse will inspire you to strengthen your pedagogical practices so they are more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible.

  Timing: This roughly 6-week course takes an approximately 12 hours to complete. The course runs from November 2 through December 15, 2026. Registration is open through November 30 but we recommend registering sooner so you have ample time to complete the course content. This eeCourse is offered several times a year. 

  Format: This is an asynchronous online course. 

  • All activities must be completed independently on your own time/schedule within the 6-week timeframe. 

  • We will provide a suggested timeline and periodic reminders to encourage the timely completion of assignments. While we want to be flexible, we also want these learning experiences to be meaningful and we think timely and periodic work in the course will benefit participants more than trying to complete coursework at the last minute.

  • Coursework includes watching videos, reading articles, posting on public forums and Padlet boards, and writing/recording personal reflections.

  • The eeCourse is managed through Moodle - participants will be sent an invitation to access the course on the start date. 

  The course will be moderated by Amy Williams, Ed.D.

  One graduate unit is available upon completion of the course (the unit costs $79 and is purchased separately from University of San Diego). Note that you must also submit a certificate of competition in order to receive your transcript.

  eeCourse content was designed by Michelle Silvers of Silver’s Lining PLLC, Estrella Risinger with AEOE, Michelle Pearce and Lauren Pyle with the Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC), with contributions from Rebekah Jones and the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning.

  AEOE's eeCourses are offered in partnership with NAAEE and the Affiliate Network.

  
  

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• Virtual Workshop: Supporting Risky Play in Schools

  • When
    November 10, 2026
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Virtual Workshop: Understanding Outdoor Play

  Tuesday, NOVEMBER 10 | 4-5pm Pacific

  Join this FREE virtual workshop that will offer clarity on what risky play is and is not, particularly when supervising other people’s children as a professional educator in group learning environments.

  The presenters will offer guidance for creating conditions and building capacity for risky play in schools, which serves to support the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth of children. Bring your questions!

  Click here to register

  Offered by The Outdoor Learning School & Store and Outdoor Learning Partners:
  

  

  All registrants will be able to access the recording in case you can’t join the session live. And all attendees will be able to access a Certificate of Attendance and will be entered to win some great prizes!

  Show details
• Virtual Environmental Education Career Fair

  • When
    December 07, 2026
  •  
    4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    Online | Zoom

  Register

  Calling all job seekers and employers! Join us for a virtual environmental education career fair. Site leaders will be grouped into breakout rooms, where they will make a pitch for their organization/worksite, share any current or upcoming employment opportunities, and end with Q&A. Job seekers will choose several rooms to attend. Interviews will not be conducted during the event, but if you make a connection you can exchange contact information and plan to follow up. Find your next dream job in environmental and outdoor education! 

  The primary focus is on employers based in California, but all are welcome to attend. 

  Deadline to register as an employer is December 2. Job seekers can register up until the event start. 

  Participating employers TBD

  Note: you don't have to be actively seeking new employment to attend - it can be beneficial to learn about different programs and opportunities even if you're happily employed where you are or haven't entered the field yet!

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• Virtual Workshop: How to be Hopeful: Empowering Practices to Overcome Despair and Act for Climate Justice

  • When
    December 08, 2026
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Virtual Workshop: How to be Hopeful: Empowering Practices to Overcome Despair and Act for Climate Justice

  Tuesday, DECEMBER 8 | 4-5pm Pacific

  Join this FREE virtual workshop to hear author and expert Dr. elin kelsey explain the importance of being hopeful and offer tips on where to look for motivation in difficult times and how we can share this with students of all ages.

  With the existential threat of climate change, it’s only natural to feel overwhelming emotions of anxiety, fear, or anger. But at the same time it is critically important to find sources of hope that can allow us to imagine a better future and work towards it.
  

  Click here to register

  Offered by The Outdoor Learning School & Store and Outdoor Learning Partners:
  

  

  All registrants will be able to access the recording in case you can’t join the session live. And all attendees will be able to access a Certificate of Attendance and will be entered to win some great prizes!

  Show details
• eeCourse: Climate Literacy

  • Start
    December 10, 2026
  • End
    February 05, 2027
  • Location
    Online - Moodle
  • Spaces left
    24

  Register

  eeCourse: Climate Literacy

  Description: This rigorous online course is designed for communicators, educators, and community leaders who want to deepen their understanding of the science behind climate change and evidence-based, equitable solutions needed to address it. Participants will explore how climate systems function, how human actions influence climate, and how climate influences people and other parts of the Earth system. The course combines scientific readings, engaging videos, interactive simulations, systems thinking activities, and data visualizations to support a rich learning experience. While it does not focus on teaching strategies, it provides a strong scientific foundation to support confident, informed engagement with climate education materials. In addition to global climate science, the course incorporates California-based resources and data to ground concepts in real-world examples; while these materials are locally focused, they serve as valuable case studies that offer insights and applications relevant to participants from any region.

  Timing: This roughly 8-week course takes approximately 15 hours to complete. The course runs from December 10, 2026 through February 10, 2027. If the timing doesn't work for your schedule, we plan to offer this again in the future. 

  Format: This is an asynchronous online course, with an optional live session over Zoom to discuss content application to your teaching with other course participants.

  • All activities must be completed independently on your own time/schedule within the 8-week timeframe. 

  • We will provide a suggested timeline and periodic reminders to encourage the timely completion of assignments. While we want to be flexible, we also want these learning experiences to be meaningful and we think timely and periodic work in the course will benefit participants more than trying to complete coursework at the last minute.

  • Coursework includes watching videos, reading articles, posting on public forums and Padlet boards, and writing/recording personal reflections.

  • The course is managed through Moodle - participants will be sent an invitation to access the course on the start date. 

  • Participants will receive a certificate of completion after completing the course. 

  The course is moderated by Jasjeet Dhanota, AEOE's Communications and Relationships Manager and a former science educator.

  One graduate unit is available upon completion of the course (the unit costs $79 and is purchased separately from University of San Diego). Note that you must also submit a certificate of competition in order to receive your transcript.

  Registration is open through December 31, but we recommend registering close to the course start date so you will have enough time to work through the course content. 

  Show details
• Save the Date: Program Leader Retreat

  • Start
    January 29, 2027
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • End
    January 31, 2027
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • Location
    Camp Ocean Pines, Cambria

  Annual Program Leader Retreat

  Save the date for a weekend of connection, learning, and resource sharing with program leaders in environmental education from around the state. 

  Combining both focused professional development and open space sessions, the weekend retreat is a time to connect with others in similar roles, gain help from your peers, and strengthen your program while relaxing on the grounds at Camp Ocean Pines on the beautiful California Coast. 

  Registration options include Saturday night only, the full weekend, or a full weekend without lodging for locals and those who prefer to stay offsite. Meals are included. 
  

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• eeCourse: Teaching & Learning Outdoors

  • Start
    February 16, 2027
  • End
    April 02, 2027
  • Location
    Online - Moodle
  • Spaces left
    25

  Register

  eeCourse: Teaching & Learning Outdoors

  Description: This eeCourse is designed to equip educators with the knowledge, skills, tools, and resources to take environmental education learning outdoors. This eeCourse provides an introduction to environmental education; strategies to support outdoor learning like managing students, adapting for weather, and using technology outdoors; and ideas on how to integrate teaching and learning outdoors into your classrooms, homeschool classrooms, and programs.

  Timing: This roughly 6-week course takes approximately 15 hours to complete. The course runs from February 16 through April 2, 2027. If the timing doesn't work for your schedule, we plan to offer this again in the future. 

  Format: This is an asynchronous online course.

  • All activities must be completed independently on your own time/schedule within the 6-week timeframe. 

  • We will provide a suggested timeline and periodic reminders to encourage the timely completion of assignments. While we want to be flexible, we also want these learning experiences to be meaningful and we think timely and periodic work in the course will benefit participants more than trying to complete coursework at the last minute.

  • Coursework includes watching videos, reading articles, posting on public forums and Padlet boards, and writing/recording personal reflections.

  • The course is managed through Moodle - participants will be sent an invitation to access the course on the start date. 

  • Participants will receive a certificate of completion after completing the course. 

  The course is moderated by Jasjeet Dhanota, AEOE's Communications and Relationships Manager and a former science educator.

  One graduate unit is available upon completion of the course (the unit costs $79 and is purchased separately from University of San Diego). Note that you must also submit a certificate of competition in order to receive your transcript.

  Show details
• eeCourse: Accessible by Nature: Designing EE to Support All Learners

  • Start
    April 05, 2027
  • End
    May 20, 2027
  • Location
    Online - Moodle

  Register

  Accessible by Nature: Designing EE to Support All Learners 

  Description: This eeCourse uses the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to guide the design of learning environments that are accessible and challenging for all, rather than making modifications for individual students. UDL improves and optimizes teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn, giving all students equal opportunity to succeed. This eeCourse is designed to encourage you to reflect deeply on your practice to focus on how you plan and teach to support all learners. The course content and associated assignments are geared towards practicing environmental and outdoor educators. We hope this eeCourse will inspire you to strengthen your pedagogical practices so they are more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible.

  Timing: This roughly 6-week course takes an approximately 12 hours to complete. The course runs from April 5 through May 20, 2027. Registration is open through April 30 but we recommend registering sooner so you have ample time to complete the course content. This eeCourse is offered several times a year. 

  Format: This is an asynchronous online course. 

  • All activities must be completed independently on your own time/schedule within the 6-week timeframe. 

  • We will provide a suggested timeline and periodic reminders to encourage the timely completion of assignments. While we want to be flexible, we also want these learning experiences to be meaningful and we think timely and periodic work in the course will benefit participants more than trying to complete coursework at the last minute.

  • Coursework includes watching videos, reading articles, posting on public forums and Padlet boards, and writing/recording personal reflections.

  • The eeCourse is managed through Moodle - participants will be sent an invitation to access the course on the start date. 

  The course will be moderated by Amy Williams, Ed.D.

  One graduate unit is available upon completion of the course (the unit costs $79 and is purchased separately from University of San Diego). Note that you must also submit a certificate of competition in order to receive your transcript.

  eeCourse content was designed by Michelle Silvers of Silver’s Lining PLLC, Estrella Risinger with AEOE, Michelle Pearce and Lauren Pyle with the Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC), with contributions from Rebekah Jones and the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning.

  AEOE's eeCourses are offered in partnership with NAAEE and the Affiliate Network.

  
  

  Show details
• Save the Date: Statewide Conference 2027

  • Start
    May 07, 2027
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • End
    May 09, 2027
  •  
    1:00 PM
  • Location
    YMCA Camp Jones Gulch, San Mateo County

  Announcing the annual statewide conference for environmental and outdoor educators!

  May 7-9, 2027 | YMCA Camp Jones Gulch, San Mateo County

  Save the date for a weekend of learning, connection, and fun! 

  Find more details at aeoe.org/conference-2027

  
  

  Show details
• eeCourse: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Environmental Education

  • Start
    June 01, 2027
  • End
    July 15, 2027
  • Location
    Online - Moodle
  • Spaces left
    30

  Register

  eeCourse: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Environmental Education

  Description: This course is designed to provide a strong foundation in Traditional Ecological Knowledge and ways of knowing. It is meant to be an introductory course and spark interest in further learning around how we can more intentionally and respectfully incorporate traditional Indigenous ways of knowing into our environmental and outdoor learning programming.

  Through four modules, which incorporate a variety of readings, videos, and other interactive activities, you will: 

  • Identify some of the opportunities and challenges in using TEK to address environmental challenges
  • Develop your personal guidelines for integrating principles of TEK in your teaching which honor, acknowledge, and care take TEK and Indigenous people
  • Compare and contrast Traditional Ecological Knowledge & ways of knowing with Western science & ways of knowing 
  • Support your students in developing relationships with the world around them
  • Teach a lesson or a unit which integrates TEK knowledge and/or practices with your participants

  Timing: This roughly 6-week course takes approximately 15 hours to complete. The course runs from June 1 - July 15, 2027. This course is offered on a quarterly basis. 

  Format: This is an asynchronous online course, with an optional live session over Zoom (date TBD). 

  • All activities must be completed independently on your own time/schedule within the 6-week timeframe. 

  • We will provide a suggested timeline and periodic reminders to encourage the timely completion of assignments. While we want to be flexible, we also want these learning experiences to be meaningful and we think timely and periodic work in the course will benefit participants more than trying to complete coursework at the last minute.

  • Coursework includes watching videos, reading articles, posting on public forums and Padlet boards, and writing/recording personal reflections.

  • The course is managed through Moodle - participants will be sent an invitation to access the course on the start date. 

  The course is moderated by Jasjeet Dhanota, AEOE's Communications and Relationships Manager.

  One graduate unit is available upon completion of the course (the unit costs $79 and is purchased separately from University of San Diego). Note that you must also submit a certificate of competition in order to receive your transcript.

  Note that registration is open through June 30, however we encourage you to register earlier so you have the full 6 weeks to complete the course. 

  Show details