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Online education established a new frontier for developing skills to advance one’s career. Yet, not all methods and lessons are identical. Users may end up engaged and stimulated—or find a course frustrating and tedious. Schools, health care organizations, government and workplace training programs have all started to harness the power of online and distance learning in some fashion, with instructors serving as guides and moderators.
If you have a bachelor’s degree and are involved in professional training and development to some extent, broaden your knowledge and adapt to increasing demand for eLearning specialists with the University of Missouri’s online educator graduate certificate. Our fully online certificate program prepares you to successfully lead students in all types of eLearning environments.
The foundation for the online educator graduate certificate rests on the long-time approach and beliefs of the School of Information Science and Learning Technologies (SISLT). A member of iSchools, SISLT strives to expand and elevate the possibilities of online learning and instruction. Reflecting its mission, the school began offering online learning technologies and design degrees in 2003 and, for current students, pioneers research- and evidence-based principles through this 12–credit hour program led by the co-authors of Meaningful Online Learning. Courses are offered in 8- or 16-week sessions.
About the online educator program
- Using, assessing, managing and creating eLearning technologies and processes.
- Designing effective online activities, assessments and content.
- Encouraging and monitoring online engagement, communication and discussions.
- Selecting and integrating appropriate tools and learning objectives — whether a Learning Management System, games or other resources — to support student success.
- Delivering engaging instruction and effectively facilitating online courses.
- Evaluating resources to ensure they enhance the online learning experience.
Quick facts
Official name
Graduate Certificate in Online EducatorCampus
Program type
Graduate certificateAcademic home
College of Education & Human Development | School of Information Science and Learning TechnologiesDelivery mode
100% onlineAccreditation
Higher Learning CommissionCredit hours
12Estimated cost
$7,078.80*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Career prospects
Between now and 2029, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 9% greater demand for training and development specialists and 6% growth for instructional coordinators. With Between now and 2033, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 12% greater demand for training and development specialists.
Outside of K-12 and higher education, positions requiring online instructional skills are emerging in corporate, health care, government and military training programs, museums and other instructional settings. Potential roles include:
- Learning strategy manager.
- Adaptive technology specialist.
- Training designer.
- Instructional coordinator.
- School technology coordinator.
- Online instructor.
What can you do with a graduate certificate in online teaching?
More and more learning environments are adopting online technologies, opening up opportunities for instructors ready to transform the virtual classroom. Between now and 2029, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 9% greater demand for training and development specialists and 6% growth for instructional coordinators.
Outside of K–12 and higher education, positions requiring skills in online instruction have started to emerge in corporate, health care, government and military training programs, museums and other learning settings. Potential roles include:
- Software designer or developer
- Learning strategy manager
- Adaptive technology specialist
- Training designer
- Instructional coordinator
- School technology coordinator
- Online instructor
Program structure
This graduate certificate program gets you closer to your objectives with 12 total credit hours. These are split among required courses (nine credit hours) and approved electives (three credit hours). The entire curriculum is online—no on-campus visits are required. Courses are offered in 8- or 16-week sessions.
The typical student attends the program part time, taking one course per semester, and finishes in just over a year.
If you’re interested in furthering your education beyond this certificate, the credits you've earned can be transferred toward one of several degree programs. Choose from the:
Coursework includes
Designed to propel your career and transform you into a more effective online instructor, this graduate certificate program exposes you to:
- The systematic design of online instruction, including analyzing, developing, implementing and evaluating learning systems and supporting technologies.
- Proven techniques for eLearning instruction, during which you’ll become familiar with strategies for supporting and assessing diverse learners, engaging students online and managing the virtual classroom.
- Current tools and technologies for building online learning environments, encouraging collaboration and problem solving and improving educational outcomes.
- Topics involving the use of digital media, Learning Management Systems, project management and tools for analyzing online learning progress.
Delivery
100% onlineCalendar system
8- or 16-week coursesTypical program length
1+ yearsTypical course load
1 class per semesterAccreditation
The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.