What is the Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning?

Our Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning prepares educators to become thoughtful and skilled online educators at a time when there is a pressing need for these skills in the educational marketplace.

The Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning is comprised of the following 3 courses (9 credits):
CEP 820: Teaching Online
CEP 813: Electronic Assessment for Teaching and Learning
CEP 817: Learning Technology Through Design

The Certificate can be completed as a stand-alone credential or as a part of the MAET degree program.

Why should I do it?

According to iNACOL, the International Association for Online K-12 Learning (2013):

• 27 States in the US have state-funded online schools.
• In 2006, Michigan became the first state in the US to require an online learning experience for graduation. Many other states have followed Michigan’s lead.
• In the US, there were 1,816,400 enrollments in distance-education courses in K-12 school districts in 2009 – 2010, almost all of which were online courses.
• Online enrollments continue to rise.
• Single and multi-district blended and online programs are the largest and fastest-growing segment of online and blended learning.

In K-12, online learning has become an important part of students’ learning options. In business, online learning has become a mainstream modality for professional development. In higher education, online course offerings have grown exponentially in recent years, as have options for massively open online courses (MOOCs). These trends raise important questions about instructional design, and the interactions of digital technologies and processes of learning. Our Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning prepares you to have answers.

In addition, the Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning is a complement to the MAET degree which signifies that the student has acquired advanced skills in the design, evaluation and creation of online learning environments.

Reference
iNACOL (2013). Fast facts about online learning. Retrieved from http://www.inacol.org/resources/publications/inacol-reports/#6275

What do students say about our programs?

“This course has helped me think deeply about online courses and the ways in which they should be structured. Additionally it has given me a deeper appreciation for the time it takes to put together a coherent and clear online course.”

– FS13 CEP 820 Student

“CEP 820 is the best class on this topic I have ever taken and I would highly recommend it to anyone considering designing an online course from scratch, or to anyone putting teaching materials online. The depth and breadth of the theoretical, intellectual, and design resources provided in the course, as well as the support and incisive comments from the professors are outstanding. I will be using what I learned and referring to the excellent reading/viewing list for years to come.”

– FS13 CEP 820 Student

How much is it?

Depending on the application path you choose and where you live, tuition rates differ. Please visit our Tuition page for a listing of all current tuition rates.

How long will it take me?

CEP 820, 813 and 817 are 16-week courses that last one full semester each. The length of time to complete the Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning will depend on the rate at which you take classes. Students typically complete the credential within one calendar year.

When can I start?

These courses are only offered online. CEP 817 is offered in spring semesters, CEP 813 is offered in fall semesters and CEP 820 is offered in the spring, summer and fall. Check schedule.msu.edu for updates on all course offerings each semester.

How do I apply?

To apply for the Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning, visit the Certificate Apply page. The Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning program code #6762.

Please note that you will need to have your undergraduate transcripts sent to us for review.

Also note: Michigan State University is obligated to comply with state authorization laws regarding distance education. Because of these laws, residents of some US states are not eligible to apply to online programs at MSU. For a full review of state-by-state authorization laws, please review this summary document before you apply to an online program at MSU. At present, MSU is not authorized to offer online programs/distance education to any residents of Arkansas or Maryland. Some restrictions apply to residents of other states as well.