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ONLINE TEACHING GRADUATE CERTIFICATE

Jan. 8, 2024

Next Start Date

5

Courses Required

$673

Cost Per Credit Hour

15

Total Credit Hours

Online Courses

Learning Formats

Gain the knowledge and skills you need to teach in an online settings

Online teaching has increased steadily over the past 20 years, and since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic an increasing number of educational institutions are transitioning to online delivery of traditional face-to-face coursework.

The Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching is for educators looking to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to design and deliver courses in an online setting. These skills are significantly different from many of those necessary in a traditional face-to-face setting. Proven competence in teaching online is a valuable asset for educators at all levels in the current environment.

This certificate will provide foundational training in the theory and application of tools and techniques needed to take content previously delivered via traditional classroom instruction, select and design corresponding learning activities appropriate for online settings, and deliver the content successfully online. Students will learn to describe the history and major theories of online education and explain current research underlying online teaching and learning. They will use principles of instructional design to modify course components for online course delivery, and also evaluate existing online systems and services for online instruction. In addition to implementing an online class in a current course management system, they will analyze external legal and ethical factors that affect online instruction.


Man wearing headphones, learning online.

The certificate can be completed in one year. All courses are available online to maximize flexibility for working professionals. The Online Teaching Graduate Certificate consists of five courses in Instructional Design & Technology and provides participants with hands-on experience in designing and creating a course within a Course Management System (CMS). The program includes a major project in which the student designs and creates a fully functioning online course in eCampus.

Enrollment coach, Gary Phillips.

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Gary Phillips, Your Personal Online Admissions Coach

"Being a WVU graduate and a first-generation college student, I’m happy to be back to help you navigate the WVU System. Something WVU Online wants to do is assist you in creating your sense of community and continuity, making sure you have the answers to any and all questions."

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Online Teaching Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

To be admitted into a graduate certificate program at WVU, a student must present evidence of a baccalaureate degree and a minimum 2.75 grade point average. This program operates under rolling admission deadlines. A completed application must be received at least two weeks prior to the beginning of any given semester, in order to allow adequate time for admissions processing, registration, and textbook purchase.

Admission Requirements

  • When starting a new application, designate your student type as Certificate. Under the program you are applying select Online Teaching. Then indicate your intended term of enrollment.
  • Provide a resumé or CV, a statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and either a writing sample or a GRE or GMAT score.
  • Pay the $60 non-refundable graduate application fee.
  • TOEFL or IELTS Scores for International Students. WVU requires international students to submit their TOEFL or IELTS scores directly to the central WVU Office of Admissions. Use the destination code 5904 to have TOEFL scores sent. Generally, applicants whose first language is not English must submit adequate TOEFL or IELTS results before an application can be considered for admission.
  • Request official transcripts from all institutions attended (other than WVU) and
    1. Mail to:
      WVU Office of Graduate Admissions
      One Waterfront Place
      PO Box 6510
      Morgantown, WV 26506-6510
    2. or Email to: GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu

For questions, please contact:

Dr. William Beasley
Program Coordinator
(304) 293-6634
William.Beasley@mail.wvu.edu

Dana Musick
Program Administrative Assistant
(304) 293-3879
dmusick2@mail.wvu.edu

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Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

Students enrolled in certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid. Visit Student Financial Support & Services for additional information.


The Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching requires 15 credit hours to complete. Cost per credit hour is $673.
$10,095 – Residents and Non-Residents

Credits Cost
1 $673
3 $2,019
6 $4,038
9 $6,057

Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies and living expenses. Please see the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage for how to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.

Courses and Curriculum


Online Teaching Graduate Certificate Curriculum Requirements

In order to earn the Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching, a student must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 while completing the required 15 graduate credit hours of coursework. The five required courses are as follows:

Course Title Credit Hours
EDP 640 Instructional Design 3
IDT 610 Distance Education 3
IDT 620 or IDT 650 Social Network Media or Multimedia Learning 3
IDT 675 Online Teaching and Learning 3
IDT 735 Technology Integration 3

Total Hours: 15

Your future in Online Teaching

Earning your Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching will give you the teaching skills you need to design and deliver an effective, efficient online course. Proven competence in teaching online is a valuable asset for educators at all levels in the current environment.

The Benefits to Choosing Our Program

The program provides participants with real-world experience in designing and creating a fully functioning online course within a course management system (CMS).

Individuals who successfully complete this certificate program will also have completed 6 of the 30 graduate credit hours required to earn a master’s degree in Instructional Design and Technology, which can be used to further enhance their professional credentials.

Career Paths

The Online Teaching Graduate Certificate is typically a supplement to a primary teaching credential at the K-12 level, or to a teaching assignment in post-secondary or professional development settings. It is intended to qualify an individual who is already in a teaching setting to teach online, which has become a highly desirable attribute in a pandemic era. The salary range for graduates with this certificate varies widely, depending on the primary teaching assignment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete a graduate certificate in Online Learning?

The certificate requires 15 credit hours and can be completed in one year. All courses are available online to maximize flexibility for working professionals. Since it is online, students can take their time with each course based on their availability.

What kind of jobs can I get with an Online Teaching Graduate Certificate?

Students who graduate from WVU Online with a Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching will prepare themselves for the following careers. These are only a few examples of some of the many opportunities open to you with this degree. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for some positions.

Education Professor
Projected Growth: 5-7% *Bright Outlook

Tutor
Projected Growth: 5-7% *Bright Outlook

Elementary School Teacher
Projected Growth: 3-4% *Bright Outlook

Instructional Coordinator
Projected Growth: 5-7% *Bright Outlook

Education Administrator
Projected Growth: 3-4%

Information about careers on this list comes from the Occupational information network (O*NET) of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Is a graduate certificate in Online Teaching worth it?

A Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching allows you to improve your teaching skills and expand your career opportunities by having the ability to design and deliver an effective and efficient course in an online setting.

Plus, pursuing your degree online gives you the flexibility to earn your degree while working full-time and/or managing family and personal responsibilities.

Is an online Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching respected?

The Online Teaching Graduate Certificate curriculum is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Our standards-based curriculum is centered on professional knowledge, practice, and leadership.

WVU Online

Be a decision maker. First, your degree. World-class academics at an exceptional value.

Occasionally a student will encounter an issue with an online course that he or she doesn’t know how to resolve. Should this occur, please visit the link below.

Internal Student Complaint Process

Contact Us

WVU Online
West Virginia University
PO Box 6800
Morgantown, WV 26506-6800


Phone: (800) 253-2762
Email: WVUOnlineInquiry@mail.wvu.edu

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