How do the flexible credit option courses work?

You enroll in traditionally designed and delivered one-credit courses. Typically, there will either be three evening face-to-face class meetings or one evening and one Saturday (full day) face-to-face class meetings.

After you complete the one credit course, you may elect to continue your guided classroom inquiry for an additional two semester credits. Students would work with the course instructor who will serve as the instructional coach.

How would I register for the flexible course option?

If you know that you want to continue your inquiry from the one-credit course and continue with a three-semester credit course, then you will register for the designated section for the course. For example, instead of registering for GPDE 5116A for one credit, you would register for GPDE 5116B for three credits.

Can I change my registration after the face-to-face class meetings?

If you decide to continue your inquiry after the face-to-face class sessions have ended, you should discuss the option with your instructor and then contact the GPDE Program Office toll-free at 877-218-4755 to switch to the three credit section. If you decide not to continue your inquiry, you should contact the GPDE Program Office to drop the three credit section and register for a different section.

What is the latest I can decide to enroll in the flexible credit option?

You must be registered for the three credit section prior to the last class session. Simply contact the GPDE Program Office toll-free at 877-218-4755 or email gpde@smumn.edu to register.

What if the semester ends and I still want to enroll in the three credit section for additional credits? When a new semester starts and you decide you want to earn the additional credits, you can enroll in GPDE 5100 Conducting Classroom Inquiry course. GPDE 5100 allows you the chance to explore any subject related to your teaching through a guided classroom inquiry process.

How will the guided classroom inquiry course be delivered?

Your instructor and you will arrange class 'meeting' times on an individual basis. The meeting times may include face-to-face or online learning. The course instructor will review the guided classroom inquiry framework with you so that you understand the expectations for coursework and required assessments.

What technology will I need to participate in the guided classroom inquiry course?

You will need to access email and have Internet access to reach the GPDE program website at SMU. The GPDE program website links to online resources available through our library.

Can all one-credit courses be offered as guided classroom inquiry courses?

Courses coded as GPDE courses are offered as guided classroom inquiry courses. Dual-coded courses offered as both GPDE and EDUC courses are not available at guided inquiry courses.

What are the benefits of the flexible credit option?

You can identify concepts from the face-to-face class sessions and determine what area of inquiry you would like to more fully explore. With that choice to guide your inquiry, you will be able to deepen your knowledge about the course concepts and connect that understanding to your instructional planning. You also have the flexibility with regard to your time, and you have a highly qualified instructional coach guiding your continued inquiry.

Can I audit a GPDE course? UPDATED 5-21-09

No. Courses offered through the GPDE program are NOT available for audit.

Who can take GPDE courses?

The Graduate Professional Development for Educators (GPDE) program at Saint Mary's University offers courses for practicing educators seeking relevant, responsive, and research-based graduate courses for their professional development. Courses can also be used toward relicensure and/or for degree seeking students at Saint Mary's University.

What is the philosophy of the GPDE program?

The GPDE program designs and delivers graduate courses that are relevant, responsive, and research-based. The courses are developed to meet the most current needs and topics that challenge classroom teachers. Courses are research-based and invite teachers to integrate the course's learning outcomes with their instructional planning and own inquiry. Course participants design teaching strategies and plans that link their inquiry and research to their classrooms. The practitioner-led courses are designed to meet the demands of today's classroom teacher in a professional setting. Course participants incorporate research and practical applications to deepen their knowledge about their content area and current pedagogy. The courses follow an inquiry-based approach to learning in an environment that fosters community, collegiality, and collaboration.

Who teaches for the GPDE program?

GPDE course instructors are K-12 practitioners experienced with adult learning and facilitation. Instructors integrate their understanding and practice into the delivery of GPDE courses, guiding and challenging practicing teachers to examine their own practice and incorporate the course concepts into their instructional planning. GPDE instructors are recognized teacher leaders and educational leaders in K-12 schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Can courses be delivered at my school and/or in my town?

We welcome you to contact the GPDE Program Office if you are interested in learning more about having a course delivered at your school or in your town.

Where and when are courses delivered?

GPDE courses are offered in locations convenient to practicing teachers. Courses are offered in Minnesota and Wisconsin during the school year and summer.

Can I use my courses as elective credits toward my master's degree program at Saint Mary's?

Students in graduate programs at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota should consult their advisors as to the transferability of credits in the GPDE program.

Can I use my courses as elective credits toward a degree at another university?

Students enrolled in degree programs at other colleges or universities should consult with their program directors. Course syllabi are available to communicate the student learning outcomes and course requirements. Copies of course syllabi can be requested for other colleges or universities. Contact the GPDE Program Office if they are needed.

How do I contact the GPDE Program Office?

How do I contact financial aid, the business office, or the registrar's office?

If you want to reach someone in financial aid, the business office, or the registrar's office, please call 1-877-304-4273. Saint Mary's provides a centralized student services office, so you can receive assistance as needed. Student Services can be reached between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday during the school year. Summer hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

How do I find out more information about the course's starting date, location, and requirements?

How will I know if the course is confirmed?

How do I cancel my registration once I have registered for a course?

What happens if my class is canceled?

What requirements are there for the course?

GPDE courses follow an inquiry learning framework, inviting and challenging teachers to make practical connections between the course content and their instructional planning. Instructors design assessments that challenge students to demonstrate an understanding of the student learning outcomes in relation to the teacher's classroom and instructional planning. Students are required to develop a comprehensive implementation plan during the summer courses. The implementation plan can be incorporated into the teacher's classroom and instructional planning. During the school year, assessments are designed to link the course's content to the students' classrooms. Again, the focus of all GPDE course requirements is linked to a teacher's classroom and the practical applications between the course's content and a teacher's instructional planning.

If my course requires a textbook, how do I get my textbook before my class begins? UPDATED 3-31-08

Can I register for GPDE courses is I have a past due account?

If you have a past due balance on your student account at Saint Mary's University and want to register for a GPDE course, you will need to pay your account in full before your GPDE course registration can be processed. The online registration system will accept your registration, but the university will not process your registration if you have a past due balance. If you do not pay your account in full prior to the start of a GPDE course and have a balance on your account, then you will be assessed a $50.00 late registration fee when your registration is processed officially.

How and when do I pay for a course? UPDATED 3-31-08

Once your registration is processed, Saint Mary's will send a tuition statement for the full balance after the 10th of the month. If you want to pay for your course prior to receiving a tuition statement, send your payment to Student Services, 700 Terrace Heights #8, Winona, MN 55987. Direct questions about your tuition to student services at 1-877-304-4273.

What is the tuition for graduate credit through the GPDE program?

Tuition for the GPDE program is currently set at $230.00 per semester credit.

Credits used toward the Gifted & Talented certificate program will be charged the tuition rate set for the Gifted & Talented program. Credits used toward the Master of Arts in Education graduate program will be charged the tuition rate set for the Master of Arts in Education program. Credits used toward the K-12 Reading Teacher Program will be charged the tuition rate set for the K-12 Reading Teacher certificate program.

Are there any additional fees or textbooks?

Can I receive financial aid for courses in the GPDE program?

Financial aid is intended for students in degree programs. If you are part of a degree program at Saint Mary's and will be taking GPDE courses for your elective courses, then you may request additional aid. If you are taking courses toward relicensure and/or for your professional development, then you cannot request financial aid. Contact the financial aid office at 1-866-451-5296 with any related financial aid questions.

How do I request a transcript?

When will I receive a grade from Saint Mary's?

After you submit your course requirements and your instructor has evaluated them, your instructor will submit his/her grades for your course. Grades are processed and then official transcripts are mailed at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Students taking summer courses coded GPDE, GPDI, GEPP, or GEPO will receive transcripts per the following deadlines. Transcripts for courses that are completed in June will be sent by mid-July. Transcripts for courses completed in July will be sent by mid-August. Transcripts for courses completed during the first two full weeks of August will be sent at the end of August. Transcripts for courses that end after mid-August will be sent by mid-September.

What happens if I can't find the course I want to register for on the GPDE registration site?

If the course you want to take is not listed on the GPDE registration site, simply call the GPDE Program Office at 1-877-218-4755. We will process your registration over the phone.

How do I register for courses?

What do I need to know about registering online?

Our online registration process is a secure registration site, ensuring the confidentiality of the information you submit. Your current or most accessible email address is required, as all online registrants will receive an email verification of their registration. The GPDE website maintains the most current information about courses. We encourage you to register online.

What is the importance of providing an email address?

Your email address acts as a unique identifier that will allow you to login to the GPDE website and access your course information and course evaluation. Be certain you provide your most regularly accessed email account. We ask that you not share your email address with another learner when registering for courses.

Why do I need to provide my most accessible email address?

What happens if I can't access information about my course on the GPDE website?

One of the more common challenges that students have when using the GPDE website is related to the user's computer's date, time, and time zone settings. Not having your computer's date, time, and time zone set correctly will affect your ability to login, access your course documents, and complete the course evaluation. The most common solution for not being able to login is to adjust the date, time, and time zone on your computer.

In some cases the date and time are set correctly, but the time zone is not. If you are on a PC, choose Central Time U.S. and then make sure the box is checked that says, "Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving changes." If you are on a Mac, choose Minneapolis or Chicago for your time zone setting. When you are all done, double check your time and date as changing the time zone may have affected it. For Minnesota and Wisconsin residents, select the Central Daylight Time (GMT -6:00) time zone.

To set date/time/time zone on a PC, either click on the time display on your computer's desktop, typically in the lower right hand corner of the screen, or go to start, settings, then control panel, and finally date and time. To set date/time/time zone on a Mac, click on the time display in the upper right hand corner of your screen and click on open Date and Time.

What happens if I get a message about not being able to access or complete the registration process?

You will need to have a version of Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher to register online. You can also use a different web browser such as Safari, Netscape, or Firefox to access the registration page. The registration page is programmed so that students must complete the required fields to register. If the fields are not completed accurately, then the registration system will not process your registration. If you have difficulties with the online registration system, please call the GPDE Program Office at 1-877-218-4755 to register.

What if I am having problems completing the course evaluation online?

How can I get tech help beyond the tech pointers provided?

You may call the Help Desk at 1-800-635-5987 ext. 7800 or the GPDE program office at 1-877-218-4755.

Will my instructor see my comments and/or feedback on the course evaluation?

Your anonymity is guaranteed with the online evaluation process. Instructions are provided online that describe the course evaluation process. Instructors can only access tabulated feedback after they have submitted their grades.