This course satisfies the Diversity & Inclusion requirement for the School Culture Advocate Certification. Learn more at www.safeschoolsacademy.org/csca.

Note: This course is recommended for GSA advisors or educators looking to start a GSA.

Course description: Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) are clubs run by and for students. These clubs would not be possible without the advisors who spend time every day with LGBTQ and Allied students. Advisors work behind the scenes with school administrators, facilitating trips, and empowering students to lead these important clubs.

Students need a faculty or staff advisor to start a GSA (school counselor, librarian, teacher, school nurse). This advisor needs to be supportive of LGBTQ students and have time in their busy schedule to attend meetings the students will have throughout the year. Advisors provide a critical role in continuity for an organization as student leaders will change from year to year. As the faculty advisor, your primary role is to empower these students.

In order to help GSA advisors learn from each other and gain ideas on how to support the role of student leaders throughout the year – Iowa Safe Schools in partnership with Iowa State Education Association is proud to offer an online class for GSA Advisors.

This is a one-credit course*

Click here to view the entire course syllabus.

Upcoming sections:
December 7, 2025 - December 27, 2025
March 22, 2026 - April 11, 2026
May 31, 2026 - June 20, 2026

Course Fees (🗝️🚪🔓 Key to Saving Big: $40 OFF License Renewal now through 10/28/25! Prices automatically applied—NO CODE REQUIRED! 🗝️🚪🔓):

License Renewal - $95 $55
Para credit - $95 $55
Audit - $35

If you have questions, check out our FAQ page! You can also email academy@iowasafeschools.org or call 515.381.0588 if you’d prefer to pay by check.

Cancellation/Refund Policy
Please review our Terms & Conditions for more information on our refund and transfer policy.

Transfer Policy
If a Safe Schools Academy course registrant does not complete their course within the section dates listed on their Safe Schools Academy Order Confirmation, or encounters personal circumstances that prevent them from completing their course, they are entitled to one (1) free transfer to an equivalent-credit course section within one (1) year of their original course registration date. If the transferred course section is not completed, the participant must re-register to be enrolled. Safe Schools Academy registrants are limited to one (1) free course transfer per paid course.

Minimum Registration Limit
Beginning 8/1/2021, the minimum registration limit for a class will be three (3) registrants. If your registered class does not meet the minimum registration limit one week prior to your course start date, our Registrar will contact you about future transfer options.

Transcripts
Please allow up to two weeks for transcripts to be processed following a course end date. Request your transcripts by going to http://www.safeschoolsacademy.org/transcripts.

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