Online Professional Development
Communicating with Parents & Families
Communicating with Parents & Families 1 Graduate Level Credit
Course Description
This course offers a variety of strategies to help educators communicate with and build positive relationships with parents and families of students being taught. Using these strategies makes communicating with students’ families more feasible and less overwhelming. By establishing valuable, consistent communication with students’ families, this course shows educators that they can help improve their students’ success and increase their own enjoyment of teaching at the same time. 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 9772
- Valley City State University: Click HERE for a list of course numbers
Course Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Students will learn strategies to communicate with and build relationships with parents and families of their own students.
- Students will be able to apply strategies to communicate better with parents and families of their own students and build better relationships with those families.
- Students will be able to use communication and relationships with families to work together as a team to improve their own students’ learning.
- Students will develop skills to reflect on & improve their own teaching practices.
Relevancy to Practice: This course provides educators with the following relevant information to help improve their practice:
- Strategies to increase communication with and encourage positive relationships with parents and families of students.
- Strategies to keep parents and families informed of student behavior and academics.
- Increasing enjoyment of teaching through greater student success and improved student behavior as a result of regular communication with families.
- Developing a partnership between teacher and family members in creative ways to support student learning, success and behavior.
- Conducting student-led conferences to empower students and encourage student ownership over their learning.
- Implementing a system for consistently making positive phone calls home.
- Overcoming potential barriers when it comes to connecting with parents and families of students.
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
Communicating with Parents & Families
⚠ University Fee Paid Separately
Adams State University
University fee of $55 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
$124
Register CFT Registration Fee — Due at Registration$69
Adams State University Fee ($55/credit × 1) — Payable to Adams State$55
Total$124
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 communication strategies will I learn in this course to improve parent engagement? ›
This course will equip you with a variety of practical strategies, including effective active listening techniques, proactive communication methods, and tips for tailoring your message to diverse family backgrounds. You will learn how to establish consistent and meaningful dialogue that fosters trust and collaboration.
How will this course help me manage challenging conversations or conflicts with parents? ›
The course provides guidance on navigating difficult conversations with parents and families, offering frameworks for de-escalation and finding common ground. You will learn techniques for addressing concerns constructively and maintaining a professional, solution-oriented approach.
Will this course address communication with families from diverse cultural or linguistic backgrounds? ›
Absolutely. This course emphasizes culturally responsive communication practices, providing strategies for understanding and respecting diverse family structures, values, and communication styles. You will learn how to bridge potential communication gaps and ensure all families feel heard and valued.
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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