Teaching face-to-face and teaching in the online environment have similarities, but there are also significant differences requiring a broader set of skills to meet the challenges of the online environment. The Graduate Student Online Teaching Certificate was designed to develop your online teaching skills and competencies, making you a more effective online instructor and more competitive in the job market. If you are currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program at Penn State, you are eligible to enroll in the Graduate Student Online Teaching Certificate program.
Graduate Student Online Teaching Certificate Requirements
- A valid Penn State email address
- Complete OL 2050: Essentials of Online Teaching for Graduate Students
- Complete a group project focused on issues in online teaching and learning
- Complete course and instructor evaluation
The certificate program is noncredit, but it does indicate proficiency in effective online teaching with respect to best practices and competencies. The program is a fully online, asynchronous cohort set of experiences designed to simulate online teaching and learning. You can expect to spend approximately four to seven hours per week working on the course.
The program is offered during the spring and fall of each academic year. Access to the course space occurs approximately three days before the start date. There is no fee for the certificate.
For more information on the Graduate Student Online Teaching Certificate, please contact our office at 814-865-0406 or ofd@psu.edu.