Program Overview

Want to create online courses that students thrive in? The Office of Academic Outreach offers training for online instructors to earn digital badges to demonstrate expertise in online course design. 

Over the course of one academic year, online instructors can complete three topic-based badges—Course Design PracticesDigital Accessibility & Universal Design, and Student Engagement Strategies—culminating in the UM Mastery of Online Course Design badge.

This optional advanced pathway builds on the required Online Teaching Endorsement.

Timeline

Complete the program within one academic year.

Time Commitment

Badge Program Time Committment
6 workshops 1 hour each
6 assignments 30-60 minutes each
Total 9-12 hours

Enroll in Badge Program

How to Earn the Mastery Badge

01

First Step

Enroll in the Online Course Design Badge Program.  
Sign-up to receive updates on assignments and the program. 

02

Second Step

Earn Three Topic-Based Badges.
Complete all three specialized areas of online course design: Course Design PracticesDigital Accessibility & Universal Design, and Student Engagement Strategies.

03

Third Step

Receive Your Mastery Badge.
Once you complete all three topic badges, you'll be awarded the UM Mastery of Online Course Design badge.

04

Fourth Step

Share Your Achievement!
Badges are verified through our credentialing partner, making them easy to share on LinkedIn, in courses, and other professional contexts. 

Earning a Topic-Based Badge

There are three specialized topic areas: 

  • Course Design Practices
  • Digital Accessibility & Universal Design
  • Student Engagement Strategies.

For each topic area, you'll: 

  1. Attend Workshops.
    Choose 2 out of 3 workshops offered for each topic. All workshops are hands-on and last about an hour each.
  2. Complete Follow-Up Assignment.
    Following each workshop, complete the follow-up assignment through Blackboard. This must be submitted by the end of the semester you attended.

Ready to Get Started?

Join us and start leveling up your team online course design!