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Instructional Design & Technology: Professional Learning

The online Instructional Design & Technology Certificate is a stand-alone, graduate certificate for educational technology practitioners across a range of settings including K-12, higher education, government, corporate, and non-profit organizations.

At a Glance

Program Results

Certificate

Instructional Design and Technology

Program Type

  • Part Time

Location

  • Online

Estimated Length

3-6 semesters

Application Deadline

Spring entry: December 1

Summer entry:

  • February 1 (early notification deadline)
  • May 15 (final deadline)

Fall entry:

  • March 1 (early notification deadline)
  • July 15 (final deadline)

Credits

18

About This Program

The purpose of the Instructional Design and Technology certificate is to prepare professionals to effectively design instruction, training, and professional development opportunities to support learning and workplace performance across a range of settings that include K-12, higher education, corporate, government, and non-profit organizations.

Graduates of the certificate will:

  • Design instruction using instructional technologies, as informed by principles, theories, and research;
  • Design and plan online, blended, and technology-enabled instruction and develop multimedia instructional materials and products;
  • Evaluate the effectiveness and intended outcomes (both short- and long-term);
  • Leverage and design instruction for diverse learner populations.

Important Notes:

  • This certificate program does not satisfy initial teaching licensure requirements. If you are seeking an initial teaching license, visit our Become a Teacher page.
  • For students who may desire to pursue a master’s degree, coursework for this certificate program can contribute to the M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction.
  • Students will need access to a computer that meets UVA’s supported computing technologies. Chromebooks and Chrome OS devices are not supported, and some coursework cannot be completed on Chrome OS.

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Students may enter the program during the summer, fall, or spring semesters. 

Prerequisites 

An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution (or international equivalent) with an overall GPA of at least 3.00.

Admission requirements that apply specifically to this program are listed below: 

All applicants must submit the following as part of the online application: 

  • Two letters of recommendation
  • A statement of professional goals (1-2 pages)
  • Resume
  • Transcripts from prior post-secondary degree(s). Applicants may submit unofficial transcripts with their application; however, official transcripts are required prior to matriculation. 

Transferring Credits

It is possible to apply up to three (3) graduate credits toward a certificate, with advisor approval, and provided the coursework is no older than five years at the completion of the course of study. This includes any courses that are part of this program if completed prior to admission to the program. All other University of Virginia coursework must be earned after admission to the certificate program. Students are responsible for knowing the requirements for admission to, and completion of, the Instructional Design & Technology certificate and reaching out to the contact listed on this page for planning purposes.

Visit our Graduate Admission page for the full admission process.

Graduate Admission

Application for admission is made to the School of Education and Human Development Office of Admission & Enrollment. For more information about the graduate admission process, please visit our Graduate Admission page.

Graduate Admission

Coursework

The Instructional Design & Technology graduate certificate consists of 18 hours of coursework in required instructional design and technology areas. All courses are conducted online in an asynchronous with periodic optional synchronous class or program meetings / events. Courses have set deadlines for assignments and begin and end according to set schedules, generally coinciding with the UVA academic calendar. Candidates should contact their advisors to ensure courses are taken in the correct sequence.

Certificate in Instructional Design and Technology Courses

  • EDIS 7000: Designing Learning Technologies and Environments (take as 1st or 2nd course - 3 credits)
  • EDIS 7010: Educational Technology (take as 1st or 2nd course - 3 credits)
  • EDIS 7070: Multimedia Learning (3 credits)
  • EDIS 7072: Introduction to Learning Analytics (3 credits)
  • EDIS 7076: Technology, Learning Systems & Culture (3 credits)
  • EDIS 5075: Online Teaching and Course Design (3 credits)

Instructional Design and Technology Course Descriptions

Information on courses that are part of the Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design and Technology curriculum can be found on the UVA Graduate Record website.

Curriculum

Professional Learning Opportunities

Courses that are part of the certificate in instructional design and technology are available to be taken as a course series. Prospective students may also request permission to enroll in individual courses as a non-degree student seeking open enrollment.

Taking these courses as an online course series:

  • Educators and practitioners will be equipped with the tools needed to design effective instruction by integrating technology into the learning experience. Students will build on their previous experience and education to expand their knowledge and skills.
  • Courses can be used for professional development and licensure recertification points.
  • Students can transfer one course from this course series into the Instructional Design and Technology Certificate. 

Non-degree student seeking open-enrollment:

  • Not sure about committing to a graduate degree or certificate program? Sample our courses by enrolling as a non-degree seeking student. Most of our courses are fully online. Students should fill out the non-degree student application at least a week prior to the start of the desired term. Early submission is recommended to secure spots in desired classes.

Students interested in pursuing the course series or taking individual courses as a non-degree student must fill out a Non-degree Student form at least a week before the start of the desired term; no application is needed. Early submission is recommended to secure spots in desired classes.

Visit our Professional Learning page to learn more about course series or non-degree student admission.

Course Series and Non-degree Student Application

Students interested in pursuing the course series or taking individual courses as a non-degree student must fill out a Non-degree Student form at least a week before the start of the desired term; no application is needed. Early submission is recommended to secure spots in desired classes.

Non-Degree Application

Contact Us

Information Sessions

All Admission Events

The school hosts a variety of admission events including information sessions and open houses for prospective students as they explore our degree program offerings. View upcoming opportunities to engage with faculty and staff.

Online Graduate Certificate Programs - Virtual Information Session - October 7, 2026

  • - EDT
  • Virtual: Zoom
Register

How to Become a Teacher - Virtual Information Session - October 14, 2026

  • - EDT
  • Virtual: Zoom
Register

Disclosures

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)). Although California does not participate in SARA, it allows students to enroll in out-of-state programs.

The Instructional Design and Technology program at the UVA School of Education and Human Development does not lead to licensure in Virginia or any other U.S. state or territory.

Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))

Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).