Online Professional Development
Building Relationships with Students
Building Relationships with Students 1 Graduate Level Credit
Course Description
There’s nothing more critical in the classroom than the teacher-student relationship. Building relationships in the classroom environment leads to better teaching outcomes and academic achievement. Building Relationships with Students course understands and centers on this approach. This course provides educators with a variety of strategies on how to better connect with students. Ultimately, improving their learning environment. By implementing these core strategies, teachers are more empowered. Educators can learn new approaches to interact with students that can be applied at any point during the school year. This course is appropriate for all K-12 educators of all content. The main goal of this course is to show educators that building stronger relationships with students not only helps the students. Stronger relationship building with students also helps educators enjoy their jobs that much more. When students know educators care about them, they begin to care about the content and that is when learning takes place. Because of this, this course inevitably helps improve student learning. This is an online course. Upon registration, your course materials will be emailed to you. Registration Open Year-Round
Starting at
$69
Credits
1 Graduate Credit
*Pricing may not include University Fees. Select an option below to see full cost breakdown.
View Pricing & Register Course Numbers
- Adams State: ED 589
- UMass Global: EDDU 9770
- Valley City State University: Click HERE for a list of course numbers
Course Learning Objectives
Our Building Relationships with Students course is designed with multiple concurrent learning objectives. Students will be able to:
- Learn different strategies on how to build a stronger teacher-student relationship. Numerous strategies for building better relationships with their own students will be learned.
- Understand the importance of building relationships with their own students. They will see how it positively impacts students and teachers.
- Identify social and emotional cues that serve as key opportunities for positive interactions.
- Apply strategies to build relationships with their own students to improve classroom community, enjoy time with their students more often, and ultimately foster a better learning environment.
- Develop skills to reflect on & improve their own teaching practices.
Relevancy to Practice: Building strong relationships with students starts with positive and effective teaching practices. This course provides educators with the following relevant information to help improve their practice:
- Strategies for making connections with and building stronger relationships with students all school year long.
- Providing a nurturing and positive environment where students feel cared about, safe and supported.
- Improving the classroom community for students and the teacher throughout the school year.
- Identifying and engaging with certain student behavior.
- Benefits of strong student/teacher relationships for both students and the teacher.
- Gaining energy through positive, reciprocal connections with students.
- Implementing different techniques to connect with students in and out of the classroom.
- Different strategies for communicating positive and constructive feedback to students that are both verbal and nonverbal.
Course Format
100% Online
This is a fully online, self-paced course. All course materials will be emailed to you within 24 hours of registration — no in-person attendance required. There are no set class times or live sessions.
6 Months to Complete
You have up to 6 months from your registration date to complete and submit your coursework. Work at your own pace, on your own schedule.
Self-Paced Learning
No set class times or deadlines within the 6-month window. Complete assignments when it works best for your schedule.
Need help? Contact us today
Want to see what’s inside before you enroll?
Course Syllabus
Building Relationships with Students
⚠ University Fee Paid Separately
Adams State University
University fee of $60 per credit is paid directly to Adams State after registration. CFT will send you instructions.
University of Massachusetts Global
University fee of $70 per credit is paid directly to UMass Global after registration. CFT will send you instructions.
✓ University Fee Included
Valley City State University
University fee is bundled into the CFT registration price — no separate payment needed.
Continuing Education
No university credit — no university fee. PD hours only.
University fees are subject to change. CFT is not responsible for university fee changes after registration.
Policies
No-Risk Guarantee
You can cancel a course registration within 30 days and receive a 100% refund, no questions asked. Have questions? Contact us today — we are here to help.
Refunds Policy
Students are able to request a full refund of any Credits for Teachers courses within 30 days of registration. In order to do so, please fill out the “Contact Us” form including your full name, the course you registered for and we will complete the refund.
NOTE: Each university partner has their own refund policy that may differ from Credits for Teachers.
Exchange Policy
Students are able to exchange one course for another within 30 days of registration as long as the course price is the same and the student does not change the University Partner. To exchange a course, please fill out the “Contact Us” form including your full name, course you have registered for and the course you would like to switch to.
Transfer Policy
Students that would like to transfer their course from one university partner to another have the opportunity to do so within the first 30 days of registering for a course. To transfer your course, please fill out the “Contact Us” form including your full name, the course you are currently registered for and the new University Partner you’d like to switch to.
Pricing & Registration
Cost Breakdown Per University
Prices vary by university partner. Select the option that works best for your district and career goals.
Have Questions? Contact UsAdams State University
University Fee Paid Separately
$129
Register CFT Registration Fee — Due at Registration$69
Adams State University Fee ($60/credit × 1) — Payable to Adams State$60
Total$129
University of Massachusetts Global
University Fee Paid Separately
$139
Register CFT Registration Fee — Due at Registration$69
UMass Global University Fee ($70/credit × 1) — Payable to UMass Global$70
Total$139
Valley City State University
University Fee Included in Course Fee
$119
Register CFT Registration + VCSU University Fee — All Paid at Registration$119
Total$119
Continuing Education
No university credit
$69
Register CFT Registration Fee$69
University FeeN/A
Total$69
Renew your Registration
$69
Register CFT Registration Fee$69
University FeeN/A
Total$69
Testimonials
What Teachers Are Saying
Google
S
Sarah M.
2 weeks ago
★★★★★
“The course was incredibly practical and immediately applicable to my classroom. The content was well-organized and the instructor feedback was timely and helpful.”
Google
J
James T.
1 month ago
★★★★★
“I’ve taken several CFT courses and they never disappoint. The self-paced format works perfectly with my busy teaching schedule. Highly recommend!”
Google
M
Maria L.
3 weeks ago
★★★★★
“Affordable, flexible, and genuinely useful. I was able to earn graduate credit while implementing new strategies in my classroom at the same time.”
Support
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific strategies will I learn to build stronger relationships with students who are disengaged or challenging? ›
This course will equip you with practical, evidence-based strategies for connecting with all students, including those who may be disengaged or present behavioral challenges. You'll learn techniques for understanding their perspectives, fostering trust, and creating a more inclusive classroom environment.
How will this course help me differentiate my relationship-building approach for students across different grade levels (K-12)? ›
The course provides adaptable frameworks and examples that can be tailored to various age groups, from elementary to high school. You will explore age-appropriate communication techniques, motivational strategies, and ways to foster positive interactions relevant to each developmental stage.
Will this course offer guidance on maintaining professional boundaries while building close relationships with students? ›
Absolutely. A key component of this course is understanding and implementing appropriate professional boundaries while fostering strong, supportive teacher-student relationships. We will discuss ethical considerations and best practices to ensure a healthy and productive learning environment.
Will my district accept these graduate credits? ›
Most school districts accept graduate credits from regionally accredited universities for salary advancement and license renewal. We recommend checking with your HR department or district office to confirm. You can also visit our District Credit Approval page for more information and tips on getting approval.
How long do I have to complete the course? ›
You have up to 6 months to complete the course after registration, allowing you to work at your own pace within that timeframe.
How is the course delivered and when do I receive the materials? ›
The course is fully online, and all materials are emailed to you immediately after registration so you can start right away. There are no set class times — you complete everything on your own schedule.
What are the university fees and how are they paid? ›
University fees vary by partner institution and are paid separately directly to the university after you register with CFT. Visit our University Partners page for a full breakdown of fees for Adams State University, UMass Global, and Valley City State University.
What is the refund policy? ›
We offer a 30-day, 100% refund with no questions asked, as long as you haven't submitted any coursework.
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