Designing effective learning experiences for each student, grounded in proven methods, requires innovative strategies, inclusive practices, and ongoing professional development, which can be challenging. Neuroscience identifies that individuals learn in varied ways. The practical Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework provides educators with a lens to identify and reduce barriers that limit learning and create the opportunity for flexible instructional practices while maintaining rigor.
This introductory live course running from February to April 2026 is designed to empower educators with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to effectively implement UDL principles that cater to the diverse needs of each student. Gain insight into the UDL principles and guidelines and demonstrate a clear understanding of the UDL framework and practice, access resources, create lesson plans that integrate UDL principles and gain insight into your learning via opportunities for self-reflections.
After taking this course, you can continue your journey with the UDL Beyond the Basics Live Virtual Workshop which is offered in the spring and fall.
What you will learn
- The foundational concepts of UDL and the structure of the UDL Guidelines
- How to design using the UDL design process and identify UDL in practice
- Strategies to support students to become expert learners
- Cutting edge research from the learning sciences on UDL
Registration
Fee: $850 per person
Session Duration: February 2, 2026 to April 10, 2026. You will continue to have access to the course material for reference and review until July 10, 2026.
Register for the course on Canvas Catalog
Who should enroll?
PreK-12 Educators (general, special education, curriculum coordinators, administrators, instructional technology specialists, paraprofessionals, faculty and presenters, etc.) and teams of educators at all levels.
If you are enrolling a team of five or more from the same organization, please contact our Professional Learning team for information on group pricing.
This is a group-paced, facilitated online course with 10 digital modules. Participants are assigned one module per week that will include a mix of videos, readings, media, activities, discussion board posts, and deliverable assignments. The course facilitator is available for questions and feedback, and grades assignments. The course is the equivalent of 45 contact hours.
Course Modules
Module 0: Course Overview
Module 1: Foundational Concepts
Module 2: Design Process
Module 3: Introduction to the UDL Guidelines
Module 4: Engagement
Module 5: Representation
Module 6: Action & Expression
Module 7: Accessibility in Learning
Module 8: Learning Environment and Predictable Options
Module 9: Lesson Design
Participants who complete the course with a C- (71%) or better will receive an email that contains a printable PDF of an official CAST certificate.
For more information on the course content review the course syllabus.
This course is eligible for three graduate credits for an additional fee. For more information, please visit our Graduate Credit FAQ.
For individual and group registration using a Purchase Order and invoice, the PO must be submitted before registration can be completed. To pay with a purchase order, please upload your PO to our PO Upload Form and we will follow up with instruction for enrollment, or email our team at onlineofferings@cast.org for assistance.
Please see CAST’s Course Withdrawal Policy.
Withdrawals must be submitted via email to onlineofferings@cast.org.
For additional information about our PreK-12 courses, classes, or customized learning opportunities, please contact our Professional Learning team, or explore the different ways CAST’s Professional Learning can help support your professional development.
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