Graduate Certificate in Instructional and Learning Design

Graduate Certificate in Instructional & Learning Design Program

Participants seeking the certificate take a total of five courses (15 credits) which offer hands-on experience with software commonly used for face-to-face, online and blended educational materials; as well as studies relating to the place of educational technologies in instructional strategies, techniques of project management, and the proposal and design phases of technology-based instructional development.

Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program. Students are allowed to take up to two (2) Instructional Design courses before application to the certificate program. All credits earned under this graduate certificate may be transferred into the Instructional Design Master's Program.

The program is also open to students currently matriculated in any UMass Boston graduate program. Students may enroll in the program after consulting with academic advisors in their own programs, and should submit a statement of purpose to the director of the ID program. These students must complete INSDSG 601 as their first course in the program, unless a specific exception is sought by the program director.

Students complete a minimum of five (5) courses (4 required and 1 elective) for a total of 15 credits.

Required (Core) Instructional Design Courses (4):

• CORE: INSDSG-601, Foundations in Instructional Design and Learning Technologies

This course provides 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 are expected to complete an instructional design plan for a learning or training event. - Credits: 3

• CORE: INSDSG-602, Adult as Learner

In this course students research the practices and theoretical underpinnings of adult learning. An experiential process allows students to increase their understanding and ability to apply theories of adult learning, to set appropriate learning climates conducive to the characteristics of adult learners, and to become familiar with a variety of existing and emerging tools and techniques for facilitation the adult learning process. - Credits: 3

• CORE: INSDSG-642, Assessment and Evaluation in the Instructional Design Process

This course explores data collection and analysis in two key aspects of instructional design: the needs analysis phase and the evaluation phase. These two phases not only bookend the instructional design process but are also data-driven decision points by nature. Students explore methods and approaches of collecting, organizing, and analyzing data through the lens of these two instructional design junctures. - Credits: 3

Prerequisite: INSDSG 601 and 602

• CORE: INSDSG-684, Design and Instruction of Online Courses

This course is for instructors, teachers, trainers, or instructional designers who want to explore the critical success factors in designing and delivering online instruction. Through readings, discussion, and various activities, we will examine the pedagogical implications of technology-mediated learning, the dynamics of the virtual classroom, the elements of effective online course design, as well as the tools and technologies available to create and deliver online instruction design, and to assess student performance. Through group-based and individual project work, we will design and create online modules. This course will use a range of interactive and collaborative instructional techniques in an effort to provide current or potential online instructors rich firsthand experience of what it is like to be a student learning in an online environment. - Credits: 3

Prerequisite: INSDSG 601 and 602

Elective(s) Instructional Design Course(s) (select at least 1 of the following):

• INSDSG-604, Communication Theory and Practice

This course is based on communications strategies and practices as supported by current communications theory. Learners apply theory and strategies to their organizational environments and learning contexts. The course addresses theories of media communication and the study of communication as applied to instructional design. - Credits: 3

Prerequisites: INSDSG 601

• INSDSG-605, Collaborative Learning Design

This course is a hands-on introduction to the many web-based, digital tools used in teaching and learning. Students will have the opportunity to explore how these tools enable instructional designers to provide diverse learners with opportunities for both formal and informal collaborative learning. Students will also be reviewing mobile learning concepts and their implications for instructional designers. Moreover, students will investigate how online and social media tools have been adapted to the mobile environment. - Credits: 3

Prerequisite: Masters or certificate student in Instructional Design or permission of instructor.

• INSDSG-607, Using Primary Research for Evidence-Based Practice

This course examines how understanding data, research methodology and research reports can contribute to informed evidence-based practice. The course emphasizes research relevant to the field of instructional design. Students will be introduced to the processes and vocabulary of research designs, including the questions, methodologies and standards of validity and reliability. Students learn to formulate a unique research question and look to academic sources to answer that question. Students will learn to locate, critically read and evaluate research reports, and synthesize research findings to inform design practice. - Credits: 3

Prerequisites: INSDSG 601 and 602

• INSDSG-616, Design and Authoring of eLearning

This project-based learning course is designed to introduce students to key components of creating self-paced and technology mediated learning. Students have an immersive learning experience by exploring the development process of eLearning programs using current and emerging eLearning tools. Research-based techniques are examined and applied during the development process. Through hands-on assignments students address user interface design, the execution of effective instructional strategies and techniques of graphic production. Students work individually and in teams to create prototypes and produce eLearning portfolio-ready projects. - Credits: 3

Prerequisite: INSDSG 601 or permission of instructor.

• INSDSG-634, Project Management for Instructional Designers

Project management is an essential tool for instructional designers. Rarely will you be the only person on a project. The success or failure of the intervention depends on the work of many people and you will often be in charge of managing the process. Traditional project management methods can be used for building anything from buildings to software. In this course, we will explore strategic project management, including goal setting, diffusion of innovations, the interaction of social and technical interventions and the arc of project implementation. NOTE: There will be three REQUIRED synchronous online course meetings, at this point scheduled for Saturday, early afternoon East Coast time. - Credits: 3

Prerequisite: INSDSG 601

• INSDSG-640, Planning, Design and Development of eLearning

This course provides an overview of the process of designing and developing eLearning. Students define the characteristics of effective eLearning, and look at the implementation of sound instructional design principles in designing and developing digital learning experiences. Students will explore various activity types and their learning contexts. The course emphasizes development strategies, visual design and navigation. Throughout this course, students will examine the role of the instructional designer working in multidisciplinary teams involving diverse stakeholders. - Credits: 3

Prerequisite: INSDSG 601 or permission of instructor.

• INSDSG-646, Universal Course Design

This online elective course will investigate the principles and theories of Universal Course Design for Learning. The focus will be primarily on access tools for diverse learners with particular emphasis on learners with disabilities. The practical application of Universal Design principles to the discipline of Instructional Design will be explored. Some examples of instructional design tools that can be re-purposed to support universally designed learning are reusable learning objects and gaming. Reusable learning objects can be embedded into learning environments to support diverse learning styles and gamification is a useful resource for educating learners with learning and cognitive disabilities. The development of accessible multi-media and the use of on- line for the establishment of inclusive teaching practices will also be presented. - Credits: 3

Prerequisite: INSDSG 601

• INSDSG-696, Independent Study

The comprehensive study of a particular topic or area in instructional design, as determined by the needs of the individual student. The student works under the guidance and supervision of the instructor. - Credits: 3

Prerequisite: Program Director permission required.