Certificate in Online Teaching
 

The Certificate in Online Teaching program is designed to meet the needs of instructors in many different educational environments.  The curriculum is a competence-based, professional development program designed for individuals who teach in online environments outside the P-12 educational setting, or who teach in school setting outside of Georgia.  Educators teaching in higher education, training and development professionals in the private or public sectors, and others teaching in an online setting will gain knowledge and skills for instructional planning, design, and delivery. Experiential learning, application of knowledge, and the enhancement of professionalism are vital components of each class.  The program emphasizes mostly shorter, concentrated courses (7 weeks), taught on a professional development model, which are competency-based, and require self-evaluation and reflection.

Valdosta State University is the offering institution of the four-course sequence.  VSU also collaborates with Georgia Southern University for the delivery of a related, but independent M.Ed. Instructional Technology program, of which the courses in the Online Teaching program are electives.

Highly qualified graduate faculty members from Valdosta State teach the courses.  This 4-course, 12 hour program can be completed in two to three semesters – about 6 to 9 months. Courses are offered on a continuous basis allowing for part-time enrollment (e.g., one course per semester). No campus visits are required to complete the program. Successful completion of the program results in a professional Certificate in Online Teaching.  This program does not result in P-12 certification.

Students in the online program benefit from a highly interactive setting that promotes leadership, collegiality, and communication skills. Professional educators find that the Online Teaching Certificate emphasizes application of acquired knowledge and skills in their classrooms through the completion of a one semester online teaching practicum. Teachers in the program come from a range of classroom settings and subject areas. The expected increase in the number and type of online courses offered in higher education and other fields will provide a strong need for professional development in online teaching and course design.

Students enrolled in the program will use the online courses to conduct all work, including team functions, projects and discussion posts, and scenarios. Students also have access to academic resources, such as an online library. Courses are mainly asynchronous. Some face-to-face or group online meetings are required. Students will participate in IP videoconferencing/audio-conferencing for instruction, presentation, delivery of instructional modules, and field experience supervision. The courses combine text materials, scenarios, online team projects and assignments, as well as discussions and written project work. Grades may be based primarily on projects, lesson plans, scenarios, and participation in course and team activities.

Valdosta State University is accredited by National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and School (SACS). The Online Teaching Endorsement is available for professionals who have received a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. 

Teachers in the P-12 system who are seeking an endorsement should consider the Online Teaching Endorsement program offering by Valdosta State University. 

Admission deadlines are defined as the last day in which application materials will be accepted for admission review for that term. Applications which are incomplete (this includes an application submitted on the deadline without all required materials) at VSU close of business on the deadline, will not be reviewed for that term.

Applications are accepted only one semester in advance. Admission deadlines for each term are available on VSU GOML Calendar.

Applicants will be admitted to this program with the same criteria used for on-campus non-degree programs.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Applicants will not be admitted with a cumulative grade-point average of less than 2.50.
• Must have access to, or be able to gain access to, target learners for the CIED 7601 practicum.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

• Submit a Georgia ONmyLINE application for graduate admission to the VSU Graduate School for admission as an Online Teaching Endorsement student.
• Submit the $50 online application fee.
• Evidence of highest degree attained from a regionally accredited institution. This may be an official or unofficial transcript.
• VSU Medical Form.  Complete only the Student Information Section and Distance Learning Exemption sections of the form. (Access the form: http://www.valdosta.edu/gradschool/documents/209527A_GRS_coi-form1.pdf)

For additional admission information, please contact the VSU Graduate School 229-333-5694 or goml@valdosta.edu.

Program Retention, Dismissal and Readmission Policies

• The maximum time allowed for completion of the endorsement is seven calendar years. No work completed more than seven years prior to endorsement completion will be considered.
• Students must successfully complete the endorsement courses with an average grade of ‘B’ or better to be recommended for the endorsement.
• Undergraduate and graduate work completed prior to admission to the Online Teaching Endorsement program will not be counted towards the program requirements.

No campus visits.  All coursework and assignments are completed online.

APPLICANT PREREQUISITES:

• Students enrolling in the certificate program must be working in, or have access to, a professional development setting while enrolled in the CIED 7603 practicum course.
• Students must have access to Webcam software and hardware to enable remote classroom observation and conferencing.
• Students are required to purchase Live Text portfolio assessment software. Additional course specific software may be required.

The tuition and fees for courses is $350 per credit hour, or $1,050 per course, for both in-state and out-of-state residents. This cost excludes the purchase of textbooks or supplemental materials.

Costs are subject to change. The course management system can be accessed via the Internet without purchasing proprietary software.