The VCU Online Excellence in Online Learning Certificate Program is designed to empower educators with the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to excel in the realm of online teaching and learning. This program comprises five courses, each focusing on key aspects of online course design, instruction, and leadership. It is structured as a cohort-based learning experience to foster collaboration and networking opportunities.

Complete all five courses in the program to earn your VCU Online: Excellence in Online Learning Certificate digital badge.  Each course in the program earns its own digital badge. culminating with an overall program badge upon successful completion of each course.

Who Should Attend

This non-credit certificate program is ideal for educators, instructional designers, administrators, and anyone involved in online teaching and learning in an educational setting. Whether you are new to online education or seeking to enhance your expertise, this program offers a comprehensive pathway to excellence in the digital classroom.

All courses are asynchronous with support and facilitation from VCU Online’s experienced and seasoned instructional design team with expertise in online learning and teaching with technology. 

The courses from VCU Online include:

• Designing Online Instruction

  Unleash your creativity and expertise in the virtual classroom with Designing in Online Instruction! Dive into this comprehensive course tailored for educators eager to master the art of crafting engaging online learning experiences. Explore principles of virtual instruction, set clear objectives, devise effective assessments, and create seamless course navigation in a collaborative environment – all at your own pace. You'll be able to complete the course in 15 - 20 hours and will earn a digital badge upon achieving an 80% or higher score on your final assessment. Join us now and transform your online teaching journey!

• Best Practices in Online Instruction

  Elevate your online teaching prowess with Best Practices in Online Instruction! Perfect for participants who are leading virtual courses, this dynamic journey empowers you to craft engaging online learning experiences for maximum student success. Dive into our flexible, asynchronous collaborative online course, dedicating just 12 - 15 hours to unlock a prestigious digital badge by completing the course with an 80% or higher score – your symbol of excellence in online instruction.

• Evaluating Quality in Online Courses

  Enhance your expertise in online course quality assessment with Evaluating Quality in Online Courses! This dynamic four-module asynchronous course immerses you in the adoption, utilization, and implementation process of the VCU Online Course Rubric and evaluation process. Whether you're seeking to explore the nuances of top-tier online course design or aiming to implement best practices, Evaluating Quality in Online Courses equips you with the knowledge and skills to become a leader in online course quality assurance. You'll be able to complete this collaborative course in 10 - 15 hours and will earn a digital badge upon achieving an 80% or higher score.

• Mentoring for Online Excellence

  Ignite your collaborative passion with this course in Mentoring for Online Excellence! Dive into this asynchronous course crafted to equip you with the expertise to guide peers in online course design and instruction. You'll uncover best practices and innovative strategies to empower colleagues toward success in online teaching in just 12 - 15 hours. After completing this collaborative course with a score of 80% or higher you'll receive a digital badge. Ready to spark a lasting impact as a mentor in online education? Enroll now and let your mentorship skills shine!

• Leadership for Online Programs

  Ready to lead the way in online education? Join this Leadership for Online Programs course and unlock your potential to shape the future of digital learning! This asynchronous course dives into the fundamentals of online education, empowering you to develop courses and programs while exploring the role of administrator. After completing this collaborative course work with a score of 80% or higher you will receive a digital badge. Propel your career forward in just 12 - 15 hours and enroll today to ignite your leadership journey in education!

   

   

2024 Course Schedule

Participants can register for a full cohort or can elect to register for a single course or for multiple courses. All courses are asynchronous with no required live meetings. Each course is supported and facilitated by VCU Online’s experienced and seasoned instructional design team with expertise in online learning and teaching with technology. 

Excellence in Online Learning Certificate Program (Cohort 1)

April 22 - November 4, 2024

April 22 - May 27: Designing Online Instruction

June 3 - July 8: Best Practices in Online Instruction

July 15 - August 19: Evaluating Quality in Online Courses

August 26 - September 16: Mentoring for Online Excellence

September 23 - November 4: Leadership for Online Programs

Pricing & Registration

The Excellence in Online Learning Certificate Program, comprising all five (5) courses totals $399 per participant. Each individual course is $99 each. Note: Participants can save $96 by registering for the certificate program cohort, instead of each individual course.

Participants can register to join a cohort to complete all five (5) courses, or participants can elect to register for a single course or multiple courses (up to 5 courses).

Questions?

For questions about the program, please contact ocpe@vcu.edu for assistance.