Instructional Design Certificate

Return to: Programs of Study

Online

Overview

The field of instructional design (ID) and educational technology is constantly evolving. As a result, employers in education (K-12 and higher education), businesses, and healthcare settings are continuously seeking employees who are able to demonstrate the ability to develop, design, and implement courses, trainings, and programs. More recently, the role of instructional designers has also expanded to include faculty consultation in areas such as pedagogy and course design and ensuring that course modifications are more inclusive of educational technology components. The Instructional Design Certificate Program offered through the Educational Psychology and Technology program at The Chicago School is designed to provide students with the theoretical and practical concepts, and expertise needed to design, develop, implement, and evaluate instructional interventions and programs for various learning contexts including higher education, K-12 school, and corporate institutions.

Given the variety of skills needed in the ID field, providing students with a wide range of competencies with in-depth knowledge is essential to certification programs. The EPT Instructional Design Certificate Program, as outlined below, not only promotes the essential ID skills but also provides choices for students to be specialized in areas key to the emerging nature of the field and to complete coursework that is relevant to their professional and academic interests. In the Instructional Design Certificate Program, students will develop expertise, knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are guided by the standards from the Association for Educational Communication and Technology (AECT), which reflect the knowledge base in the field. The domains of the field include design, development, implementation (utilization and management), and evaluation.

Students may complete the certificate in Instructional Design and apply the courses towards an EdD Educational Psychology degree, or the non-degree seeking student may take nine credits in order to enhance their knowledge and expertise in the field.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this certificate program students will be skilled in:

• Design: Design conditions for learning by applying principles of instructional systems design, message design, instructional strategies, and learner characteristics.
• Development: Develop instructional materials and experiences using print, audiovisual, computer-based, and integrated technologies.
• Implementation:
  • ​Utilization: Use processes and resources for learning by applying principles and theories of media utilization, diffusion, implementation, and policy-making.
  • Management: Plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise instructional technology by applying principles of project, resource, delivery system, and information management.
• Evaluation: Evaluate the adequacy of instruction and learning by applying principles of problem analysis, criterion-referenced measurement, formative and summative evaluation, and long-range planning.

Admission Requirements

For information on where The Chicago School is currently authorized, licensed, registered, exempt or not subject to approval, please visit https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/why-us/state-authorization/

Application to The Chicago School’s Instructional Design certificate is open to any person who has earned a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants will be judged on their overall ability to successfully complete graduate work.  

Factors and materials to be considered for admission will include: 

• Completed application and $50 application fee  
• Graduate GPA 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Official Transcripts  

• Students must submit official transcripts from all schools where a degree was earned.  
• It is recommended that transcripts are submitted from all schools where credit was received to enhance their applications. 

Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are required to submit additional documentation: 

• Resume/CV 

Applicant Notification

The Chicago School reviews applications on a rolling basis. Once review begins, complete applications will be considered by the Admission Committee and applicants will be notified regarding the admission decision. The Chicago School does not share information or provide any feedback regarding admission decisions.

If a student is offered admission, in order to secure a place in the incoming class, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $250 will be required by the deposit deadline indicated in the offer of admission. The non-refundable deposit will be applied in full toward the student’s tuition upon enrollment.

Policies

The following policies are located under Academic Policies and Procedures  : Academic Calendar, Admissions Requirements, Attendance, Satisfactory Academic Progress, Service Learning, and Transfer Credit/Course Waiver. Click the link above for detailed information.