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Instructional Technology: Professional Learning

The 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

Professional Learning

Certificate - Instructional Technology and Design – Instructional Technology

Program Type

  • Part Time

Location

  • Online

Estimated Length

3-6 semesters

Application Deadline

Spring entry: November 1

Summer entry:

  • February 1 (priority deadline)
  • May 1 (final deadline)

Fall entry:

  • March 1 (priority deadline)
  • July 1 (final deadline)

Credits

18

About This Program

The purpose of the Instructional Design and Technology certificate is to prepare professionals across a range of settings that include PreK-12, higher education, corporate, government, and non-profit organizations to effectively design instruction and integrate technology to support learning and school or workplace performance.

Graduates of the certificate will:

  • Develop and lead all aspects of an instructional technology program within a school district, other educational agency, or business or government setting;
  • Design instruction and related courseware using a range of technologies, as informed by principles, theories, and research;
  • Design and plan online, blended, and technology-enabled instruction and develop multimedia instructional materials and products;
  • Plan, organize, and coordinate instructional technology across a school, district, or organization;
  • Evaluate the effectiveness and intended outcomes (both short- and long-term);
  • Leverage and design instructional technologies for diverse learner populations; identify critical ethical and legal issues; and prepare related written documents such as needs analyses, reviews, and data-based justification for instructional technology recommendations.

For students who may desire to pursue a master’s degree, this course series can contribute to the M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction.

Important Notice: This certificate program does not satisfy initial teaching licensure requirements. If you are seeking an initial teaching license, visit our Become a Teacher page.

Learning Opportunities

Certificate

This online graduate certificate is designed for educational technology practitioners across a range of settings including K-12, higher education, government, corporate, and non-profit organizations. The curriculum is designed to deepen students’ understanding of how to engage learners, improve the quality of online learning, and evaluate performance. Educators and practitioners will expand their skills in instructional technology to become more effective and innovative integrators of technology into the learning experience.

Over the course of the certificate, students develop a robust professional portfolio demonstrating creativity, competencies, and curiosity. The certificate also provides an official designation on your transcript that you have completed the instructional technology course series. 

ALL application materials, transcripts, and recommendations must be received by the deadlines below in order for an application to be considered complete. You may begin, or return to, your application here.

Courses must be completed within five years of being admitted to the program.

Professional Learning Admission

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

Professional Learning Admission

Professional Development

The Instructional Technology online course series is designed to equip educators and practitioners with the tools needed to become more effective and innovative integrators of 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. 
 

Application Due Date

Students interested in taking courses in this series 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.

Program Details

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

Any student who wishes to apply for the Instructional Design & Technology certificate must submit an online application (no TOEFL score reporting is required), two letters of recommendation, a statement of professional goals (1-2 pages), resume, and transcripts from prior post-secondary degree(s). Applicants may submit unofficial transcripts with their application; however, official transcripts are required prior to matriculation. The GRE is not required for admission.

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.

Applicants who wish to take courses for professional development must fill out the Non-Degree Student form at least a week before the start of the desired term (spring, summer, or fall). Early submission is recommended to secure spots in desired classes.

The Instructional Design & Technology 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.

Courses (required):

EDIS 7000: Introduction to Instructional Design (take as 1st or 2nd course)
EDIS 7010: Computer Courseware Tools (take as 1st or 2nd course)
EDIS 7070: Instructional Materials Design
EDIS 7072: Performance Improvement
EDIS 7076: Technology, Learning Systems & Culture
EDIS 5075: Online Instruction.

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Disclosures

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found at http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=55&poid=7418.