Instructional Technology Design Certificate

UMass Boston’s Instructional Technology Design Certificate focuses on the creation of computer-mediated education and training programs for the adult learner in both professional and academic environments, and to make effective use of instructional technology in curriculum development. It’s designed for educational professionals, corporate training specialists, and other educational design mavens who want to hone their skills and add a certification to their résumé. Explore cutting-edge educational technologies in instructional strategies and develop a strong foundation in the corresponding design phases of technology-based instructional development. Apply these skills to virtually any field — from sales to engineering to professional development. You have the option to continue on for an additional two semesters to earn a full Instructional Design MEd.

The Instructional Technology Design certificate program is designed to meet the increasing challenges created by the high technology training needs of academic, corporate, and public educators. All courses in the graduate certificate program are offered online. This certificate program provides you with the opportunity to design and produce computer-mediated learning activities and interactive multimedia materials, and to make effective use of instructional technology in curriculum development.

Tuition

• This program consists of five 3-credit courses, or 15 credits.
• Online tuition is $575 per credit.
• Total estimated tuition cost to complete this program is $8,625.
• Estimate is based on completing program by minimum duration. Other fees may apply. Request Info to connect with a program representative for further details.

Deadlines

• July 1 for fall, November 1 (priority deadline) and December 1 (final deadline) for spring

Application Checklist

• A personal interview with the program faculty (email instructionaldesign@umb.edu for an appointment before applying)
• A statement of interests and intent (see requirements in Graduate Application)
• Two letters of recommendation from former teachers familiar with your recent academic work, or from employers familiar with your professional ability
• An updated résumé
• Official transcripts of all previous undergrad and graduate work

Required Courses:

• Foundations in Instructional Design and Learning Technologies (INSDSG601)
  Get an introduction to the field of instructional design. Various instructional design models are analyzed theories are introduced, and learning technologies are explored. As a final project, students complete an instructional design plan for a learning or training event.
• Planning, Design and Development of eLearning (INSDSG640)
  Get an overview of the process of designing and developing eLearning. Learn how to define the characteristics of effective eLearning, and look at the implementation of sound instructional design principles in designing and developing digital learning experiences. Explore various activity types and their learning contexts. Examine the role of the instructional designer working in multidisciplinary teams involving diverse stakeholders.
• Project in Multimedia (INSDSG655)
  Work with UMass Boston faculty, teachers in cooperating schools, or sponsoring corporations to make a prototype multimedia application or produce a planning document for multimedia implementation in the client organization. You may participate in projects pre-arranged by the instructional technology staff or may generate your own, working individually or in a team.

Electives (Pick Two):

• Information Design and Visual Literacy (INSDSG608)
  Explore principles of visual literacy and information design and apply them to instructional design and learning. Topics include the foundations of image processing and visual learning and their practical application to enhance teaching and learning experiences. The role of perception in communication and learning, visual cueing and communications, information design and presentation will be discussed.
• Video Principles for Instructional Design (INSDSG610)
  Get a comprehensive introduction to video production theory and technique, including the study of principles for analyzing and synthesizing information, and of some basic video instructional formats. The goal is to equip those responsible for developing instructional materials with the skills they need in order to work with video professionals in creating, designing, and producing instructional video programs.
• Universal Course Design (INSDSG646)
  Investigate the principles and theories of universal course design, focusing on access tools for diverse learners with emphasis on learners with disabilities. Explore instructional design tools that can be repurposed to support universally designed learning, such as reusable learning objects, multimedia, and gamification.
• Designing Your Professional Online Presence (INSDSG651)
  Learn the necessary web-literacy skills to create and maintain a self-hosted website on which to showcase your online digital presence. Produce items for a WordPress-based website such as digital stories describing your unique strengths and differentiators as an instructional designer and educational professional. Develop skills in blogging and publishing of thoughtful opinion; insights on how to build a professional network, how to select signature portfolio pieces to showcase on their website, as well as personal branding and design for learning considerations. Further, the course provides you with proficiencies in self-directed learning in order to support life-long knowledge enhancement.
• Design and Instruction of Online Courses (INSDSG684)
  Examine the critical success factors in designing and delivering online instruction. Through readings, discussion, and various activities, we examine the pedagogical implications of technology-mediated learning, the dynamics of the virtual classroom, the elements of effective online course design, as well as some of the tools and technologies available to create and deliver online instruction. Through group-based and individual project work, students design and create online modules.
• Special Topics in Instructional Design (INSDSG697)
  This advanced course offers you intensive study of selected topics in instructional design. Course content varies according to the topic and will be announced prior to registration.

At the end of this two-semester program, you’ll be awarded a graduate certificate in Instructional Technology Design. The certificate will demonstrate your expertise in the field on your résumé, as well as in interviews and workplace evaluations. The certificate program is designed to meet the increasing challenges created by the high technology training needs of academic, corporate, and public educators. You can also continue on for an additional two semesters to earn an Instructional Design MEd.

Recent Graduates

Employers include: