How to Earn a Graduate Instructional Design Certificate Entirely Online

How to Earn a Graduate Instructional Design Certificate Entirely Online
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List of Schools

Graduate Certificates in Instructional Design (or Instructional Technology) are becoming widely popular and are often the degree of choice for educators looking to further their education and gain the tools needed to succeed. Many universities are now offering Curriculum Design programs (see image) that can be fully completed online, thus giving teaching professionals the course objectives needed to helps them study around their busy schedule.

  1. Roosevelt University**:** Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design. This university is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), and offers a program that requires the completion of only five courses. The cost is $737 per hour, plus $150 for general fees each semester.

  2. George Washington University: Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design. This is a 15-credit certificate program offered by a university regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Tuition and fees are $1,118 for the 2009-2010 academic year.

  3. University of North Dakota: Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design & Technology with Emphasis in K-12 or Corporate Training. This university is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and is affordable with its $297.49 - $397.49 per credit cost.

  4. University of Wisconsin-Stout: Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design. This program requires the completion of only four courses; each is worth three graduate credits. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges & Schools (NCA), and the tuition is an affordable $360 per graduate credit for 2009-2010.

  1. University of Maryland University College (UMUC) and University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC): Joint Certificate: E-Learning and Instructional Design. This certificate program requires students to enroll in courses from 2 schools:

· UMUC - offers distance education and technology, and

· UMBC - offers instructional design and course development

Students are required to complete only four 3-hour courses. The university is regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSCHE). Tuition varies according to students’ residency: $428 per credit - for both active-duty military and spouses, and Maryland residents, and $659 per credit - for nonresidents to Maryland.

Alternative Certificates

Some universities don’t offer online certificates in instructional design, but they do offer programs that are closely related and can still be of interest for education professionals.

  • Penn State World Campus. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). In addition, the certificate in distance education carries the Pennsylvania State Education Association’s (PSEA) Seal of Recognition. The tuition is $644 per credit. Available online post baccalaureate certificates include a certificate in distance education and a certificate in educational technology integration.
  • University of West Georgia. The distance education certified trainer program degree consists of a five month professional program offered completely online. Students enroll in eight online modules with each module lasting two to three weeks. The course costs $695; the cost includes course materials, books, access to the online classroom, and a certificate upon graduation.
  • The Advanced Technologies for Distance Education Certificate Program. This degree is also offered through the University of West Georgia, but it’s a four months professional program that consists of ten online modules with each module lasting 1-2 weeks. The course costs $690 and includes course materials, books, access to the online classroom, and a certificate upon graduation.

Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the annual wages for online teachers and instructors ranges from $17,000 to $74,000. A professional graduating in instructional design can work not only as instructional designer but also as learning consultant, learning designer and development manager, as well as training manager and instructional coordinator.

A degree in this field can definitely help educators step ahead in their careers. For example, according to the BLS, instructional coordinators make anywhere from $31,000 to $93,000 a year.

Image credit: Curriculum Design and Objectives

Schools

References

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Teachers and instructors: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes253099.htm

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Instructional coordinators: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes259031.htm