For course writers
Develop Approved Course Writers support Minnesota’s early childhood professionals by creating content and courses for trainers to deliver. Whether you are an aspiring or experienced course writer, TARSS is here to support you! We offer a variety of services, from one-on-one help to online courses.
I want to be a course writer
For information about course writer approval requirements, see Achieve’s Resource for Resources for Develop’s Individual Membership and download the Individual Membership Companion Guide in your language of choice. Still have questions? We can help! Request more information.
First step to the Develop Course Writer Membership
You must complete Minnesota Course Writer Orientation before submitting your Course Writer Membership application. For more information on Course Writer approval requirements, see Achieve's Resources for Develop's Course Writer Membership.
Minnesota Course Writer Orientation Minnesota Course Writer Orientation
Explore the key elements in the Minnesota professional development system relevant to course writers and their role in instructional design.
- Questions about registration or need assistance? Email ceedregister@umn.edu. Responses may take up to two business days.
- To pay by check, email ceedregister@umn.edu.
- We are unable to process group registrations at this time. Please register each member of your group individually using a credit card.
- All online meetings are on Zoom.
- All online courses are on the Canvas platform.
- Develop is the online registry for early childhood professional development in Minnesota. After you complete a Develop-approved course, your attendance will be entered in Develop within three business days.
- We provide certificates for clock hours rather than continuing education units (CEUs) because our participants work in a variety of fields. Participants submit our certificates to the credentialing body relevant to their field, which determines the equivalent CEUs.
- To earn clock hours, you must attend the entire course.
- For multi-session courses, you must attend all sessions in full.
- We do not offer courses for academic credit.
- No cancellations or refunds are offered for on-demand courses.
- You have access to on-demand courses through May 31 the year after you enroll. For example, if you enroll anytime in 2026, you will have access to the course(s) through May 31, 2027.
- No transfers are allowed.
The TARSS Program offers a scholarship for 50% of the course fee for the following courses:
- Adult Learning 1
- Adult Learning 2
- Course Writer 1
- Course Writer 2
These scholarships are prioritized for potential trainers and course writers across Minnesota who meet any of these criteria:
- Live outside of the 7-county Metro area
- Deliver trainings in another language (example: Spanish, Somali, or Hmong)
- Identify with communities that have been marginalized
- Work in family child care settings
You must have a Develop membership to apply for a scholarship. If you do not have an Individual Develop Membership, please apply on the Develop website or see Achieve’s Individual Membership Resources Page.
Scholarship applications are due 48 hours before the registration deadline for the desired training event.
Email tarss@umn.edu if you need assistance completing the application form or have additional questions.
How do I register for a course?
Step 1: Click the “Register” button on the course page of your choice.
Step 2: Register for a University of Minnesota Guest Learner account.
- Go to the Registration for Professional & Personal Growth Opportunities website.
- In the upper-right-hand corner, click on the "Login" drop-down menu, and select "Learner Login."
- On the right-side of the page under "I'm new to the University," click on “Create Account.”
- Complete the “Create Guest Account” form and click on "Submit." NOTE: The email address you use to sign up for your Guest
- Account will be your username. Please remember to save the password you choose somewhere safe.
- Click on “Continue” at the bottom of the confirmation screen.
- Complete the checkout process.
NOTE: If you experience technical difficulties creating your account or have login issues, please contact UMN Learner Services and Support at 612-301-4357 or help@umn.edu, or use their submission form.
Step 3: An invitation to enroll in the Canvas course site will be sent to the email address you used to create your Guest Account. Open the email and accept the invitation to access the course.
Note: The email will originate from an email address ending in “@umn.edu”. If you do not receive the email, please contact ceedregister@umn.edu. Include the course name and start date in your email. Responses can take up to two business days.
How do I access the Canvas course I'm enrolled in?
Step 1: Visit the Canvas site and log in using the username (email address) and password you used when registering for a Guest Account.
Note: Your username is the email address you used to create your Guest Account. Log in using your username and the password you chose when you created your Guest Account.
Note: There may be a delay of 15-60 minutes before your new Guest Account is activated in Canvas. If you receive an “unrecognized guest ID” message when you try to log in, please wait and try again.
Step 2: A list of the courses you are registered for will appear. Click on the link to the Canvas course site to access a course.
Note: If you encounter any technical difficulties related to Canvas course sites, please email ceedregister@umn.edu. Include the course name and start date, and describe the problem you are having. Responses can take up to two business days.
Share your preferences
Share your preferences for in-person versus online learning to help us plan future offerings! Email tarss@umn.edu.
Required for the Develop Course Writer Membership
Designing and creating training content requires intention, organization, and clear communication. The Course Writer courses help participants learn the process for writing content that complies with Minnesota’s Develop system. You must complete both Course Writer courses to meet the membership requirements.
Course Writer 1 Course Writer 1
Discover your passion for writing courses for the early care and education professionals in Minnesota. This course introduces participants to tools and resources available to develop high-quality curriculum.
Course Writer 2 Course Writer 2
Engage in the course writing process by following the Course Submission Approval Requirements for Standard Course Writers and Higher Education Course Writers.
I am a Course Writer
On-demand courses
From Storytelling to Course Writing
Employ storytelling skills in structuring professional development courses. During this two-hour self-paced course, Course Writers look at instructional design through the lens of telling a story.
Course Design
Discuss the importance of course component alignment in this two-hour self-paced course. Participants explore how course content, learning objectives, and learning activities work together to create meaningful learning experiences.
Course Writer Workshop
Join us on the third Thursday of each month for the community-based Course Writer Workshop! This monthly virtual gathering allows course writers to share resources, get feedback on courses, and learn from each other. The time of day alternates monthly between daytime and evening to accommodate various schedules.
Here are our scheduled workshops:
- August 27, 2026, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
- September 17, 2026, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
- October 15, 2026, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
- November 19, 2026, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
- December 17, 2026, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
- January 21, 2027, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
- February 18, 2027, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
- March 18, 2027, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
- April 15, 2027, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
- May 20, 2027, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
- June 17, 2027, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Sign up to receive the Zoom link.