The certificate provides students with essential knowledge and skills in supporting student learning, instruction, assessment, teacher dispositions, and other aspects of the educational process in online learning environments.

The goals of the certificate are to:

• provide an employment advantage by supplying students credentials reflecting their skills as online teachers,
• give students an understanding of the unique challenges of teaching and learning online in their subject area, equip students to teach online courses with a focus on using web-based tools for education purposes, designing technology- based instruction, modifying teaching methods, and using multimedia and distance education based on strong theoretical and research foundations.

The objectives of the certificate are to:

• ground students in the pedagogy of online teaching and learning,
• prepare graduates to implement fully online courses starting from the current teaching or training materials they now use,
• give graduates the confidence and knowledge necessary to implement and teach effective online courses regardless of the course management system employed by their school district.

Students learning outcomes that will be assessed include:

• strategies for orienting students to the online learning environment,
• integration of technical skills necessary for the course management system,
• pedagogical approaches to facilitate online learning including best practices and next practices,
• establishing social presence in the online learning community,
• facilitating effective online discussions and collaborative work,
• managing assessment strategies and integrity in the online environment,
• understanding important legal issues such as FERPA, ADA, and copyright restrictions, and
• identification of relevant institutional policies, procedures, and support services.