Instructional Design Certificate Program
Tailored for professionals in higher education, this comprehensive 18-week certification program focuses on equipping participants with skills in instructional design, assessment development, course evaluation, and the utilization of assessment data and feedback for continual course enhancement. Participants will gain skills to design and develop engaging, inclusive, and effective learning experiences while mastering the creation of effective assessments. Furthermore, the program facilitates proficiency in conducting high-quality course reviews utilizing the OSQR rubric and acquiring communication skills essential for effective collaboration with faculty members, ensuring seamless integration of instructional design principles into diverse academic environments to support continuous course improvement.
There are 3 online asynchronous courses. The courses are 6 weeks in length each, and they contain approximately 3 to 5 hours of work each week. The courses are interactive with instructor feedback to participants and capped at 20 registrants.
Program Competencies
- Instructional Design Proficiency:
- Apply instructional design models, instructional approaches to learning, and educational frameworks to design engaging, inclusive, and effective learning experiences for diverse learners.
- Demonstrate advanced instructional design skills, including using contemporary educational technologies, to promote equitable and inclusive course design.
- Assessment Development Skills:
- Construct fair, valid, and reliable assessments that are varied and aligned with learning objectives and learners’ needs.
- Demonstrate proficiency in evaluating, implementing, and refining equitable and inclusive assessment strategies and methods, emphasizing the incorporation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to ensure a diverse and inclusive approach that accommodates the needs of all learners.
- Course Evaluation and Review Expertise:
- Conduct comprehensive course evaluations using assessment data and feedback for continual iteration.
- Utilize the OSQR rubric to conduct high-quality course reviews and implement enhancements for continual course improvement.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills to facilitate constructive dialogue and collaborative efforts with stakeholders for continual course improvement.
- Utilization of Assessment Data for Data-Drive Decision-Making:
- Analyze assessment data to inform instructional design decisions and enhance course development and learning experiences.
- Implement improvements based on data-driven approaches to continually enhance course offerings for optimal learning outcomes and promote equity and inclusion.
Target Audience
- New or existing instructional designers
- Librarians
- Faculty
- Any campus role that develops learning content for students
Program Completion Requirements
The recommended order is Course 1 followed by Course 2 and Course 3. A digital badge will be awarded for the completion of each course and the completion of the overall Certificate Program.
Course Details
Course 1: Foundations of Instructional Design
Course 1 Learning Objectives
- Compare and contrast design approaches to understand the evolution of the field of instructional design and the importance of meeting the needs of the modern learner.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of various instructional design models and theories, emphasizing their practical application to enable the effective design and implementation of tailored instructional strategies to enhance learning experiences.
- Analyze diverse instructional approaches to learning and proficiently apply them in designing and developing personalized and impactful learning experiences that address the unique needs and preferences of individual learners within varied educational settings.
- Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing a variety of needs assessment methodologies and analysis techniques, enabling effective identification of learning gaps and formulating targeted strategies to address these gaps for enhanced learning outcomes.
Course 2: Equitable Assessment Design and Course Evaluation
Course 2 Learning Objectives
- Select appropriate, equitable, and inclusive assessment strategies and methods for evaluating learners’ understanding and progress.
- Construct assessments aligned with learning objectives, ensuring fairness, validity, and reliability.
- Apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to develop content & assessments that accommodate diverse learner needs, ensuring inclusivity, accessibility, and equitable evaluation of learner progress within varied educational settings.
- Conduct thorough course evaluations, and clearly and constructively communicate this information to implement strategies for continuous improvement in future course offerings using the OSCQR Rubric and a growth mindset.
Course 3: Advanced Instructional Design and Course Enhancement
Course 3 Learning Objectives
- Leverage the application of learning analytics to enhance course design, refine learning experiences and assessments, and ensure optimization and inclusivity for learners through data-informed decision-making and continual iteration.
- Evaluate emerging technology trends in education, identify innovative educational tools, and adeptly integrate these technologies into instructional designs, fostering inclusive and engaging learning experiences.
- Demonstrate proficiency in designing, developing, and presenting an e-learning module while conducting a comprehensive peer review of a colleague’s e-learning module using the OSQR rubric, showcasing the ability to critically evaluate and provide constructive feedback on e-learning content and design principles.
- Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills with faculty members, employing a growth mindset approach to facilitate a positive exchange of ideas and promote a culture of continuous improvement within the instructional design process.
Meet the Instructor
Dan Barrancotta
Dan Barrancotta, Ed.D. is an educator and instructional designer with experience in Workforce Development, K-12, and Higher Education. Dan currently serves as an Instructor at Western Governors University in the Education Technology and Instructional Design graduate program and also an Adjunct Instructor at SUNY Genesee CC, Niagara University, and Bryant & Stratton College teaching courses in education, career development, computer skills, and computer programming.
Dan’s teaching philosophy is centered around transformative leadership and the belief that every learner is unique and brings valuable knowledge and experience with them that can benefit the group. He seeks to develop diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning experiences that foster a classroom community where all learners can learn with and from each other to accomplish their goals and drive change in the workforce.
Dan lives in Western New York with his wife, Alexa, and 2-year-old daughter, Ariana. He enjoys spending time with his family, running, playing sports, and watching the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, and New York Yankees.
Course Pricing
How to Pay
Available payment methods are:
- Credit Card (Mastercard or Visa)
- CPD General Points
- Campus Check
- Journal Transfer
CPD General Points: To pay with CPD General Points, your campus must be a CPD Member. Check if your campus is a member. It is the responsibility of the registrant to determine if enough points are available to use BEFORE completing the registration process. Please contact your Campus Points Contact to determine points eligibility. If points are denied, the registrant is responsible for the payment.
Campus Check: Prior campus approval is required. Make check payable to SUNY Center for Professional Development. Mail to SUNY CPD at the address below.
Journal Transfer (State Operated Campuses Only): Prior campus approval is required. An account number with authorizing signature for Journal Transfers is required within 48 hours. You must print and return the invoice that is included with the registration confirmation email.
Important: Full payment is required 30 days from the start date of each course.
Registration
2025 Course Dates
Spring 2025
- Course 1: Foundations of Instructional Design February 18 – March 31, 2025
- Course 2: Equitable Assessment Design and Course Evaluation April 1 – May 12, 2025
- Course 3: Advanced Instructional Design and Course Enhancement June 3 – July 7, 2025
Fall 2025
- Course 1: Foundations of Instructional Design August 25 – October 6, 2025
- Course 2: Equitable Assessment Design and Course Evaluation October 14 – November 24, 2025
- Course 3: Advanced Instructional Design and Course Enhancement January 6 – February 16, 2026
Contact Us
For programming questions, please contact Jamie Heron, SUNY Online Program Manager at jamie.heron@suny.edu. For registration questions, please contact Meghan Martin, SUNY CPD Program Coordinator at meghan.martin@suny.edu.edu.