Though not always the case, there are a number of public classroom management course alternatives that upon completion, provide graduate level credit. Others provide an option of graduate credit or hours toward professional development. These tend to include on-site instruction over successive weekends or in three- to five-day increments, and are state specific. This helps ensure each state educational requirements are met so you receive the appropriate credit for completion. Your local colleges or universities may also have courses available, should the schedules of independent classroom management providers not meet your needs.
Online options for classroom management courses generally do not offer graduate credit; however, the flexibility and cost make these a suitable option for some teachers. These courses may be ideal for teachers who want to sharpen their classroom management skills, not as a result of necessary continuing education requirements, but simply to become more proficient at what they do. As with in-person alternatives, reviewing the topics covered prior to beginning will help ensure you spend your valuable time addressing the specific areas of interest to you.
The curriculum of classroom management courses can vary widely, from those that emphasize addressing unruly behavior, to a more well-rounded course that reinforces classroom skills beyond discipline and classroom control. These may include courses on techniques to spark motivation in your students, leadership and developing productive relationships with both students and their parents. Time management and ideas on organizing the classroom are also available courses, in addition to managing student behavior.
Some classroom management courses go beyond the practical, hands-on strategies employed in the classroom to include background and theory. This curriculum entails understanding the theories and tactics behind some of the historical leaders in the field of classroom management. These courses will also address the shifting attitudes, and the impact of those shifts, of the public's reaction to school discipline. Certainly, attitudes have changed regarding this important issue, and these courses help participants to better understand how these changes impact the management of today's classroom environment.