The Foundations of Instructional Design (FIND) graduate professional certificate provides foundational knowledge and skills in instructional design for educational and organizational professionals seeking to enhance their current positions. This includes K-12 teachers and higher education faculty as well as organizational trainers. The certificate program is grounded in SCPS’s well-established Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Instructional Design program, which prepares students to become generalist instructional designers equipped to work in a variety of fields and professional settings.
Curriculum
The 12-credit hour certificate includes courses offered in 8-week sessions in a fully online format with evening synchronous meetings. Upon completing the certificate, students can apply for admission into the MPS in Instructional Design program, where their four graduate-level FIND certificate courses will count toward that graduate degree’s requirements.
Certificate Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| CIEP 470 | Principles of Instructional Design | 3 |
| INDN 420 | Instructional Design Theories and Models | 3 |
| INDN 421 | Design & Development of Instructional Materials | 3 |
| INDN 430 | Performance Improvement in Organizations | 3 |
| or INDN 431 | Fundamentals of Learning Analytics |
| Total Hours | 12 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
Plan of Study Grid
| Year 1 |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| CIEP 470 |
Principles of Instructional Design |
3 |
| INDN 420 |
Instructional Design Theories and Models |
3 |
| | Hours | 6 |
| Spring |
|---|
| INDN 421 |
Design & Development of Instructional Materials |
3 |
INDN 430
|
Performance Improvement in Organizations
or Fundamentals of Learning Analytics |
3 |
| | Hours | 6 |
| | Total Hours | 12 |
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the MPS in Instructional Design candidates will be able to:
- Utilize instructional design processes and adapt appropriate theoretical approaches to a variety of professional settings (K-12 schools, corporate organizations, higher education institutions, etc.). while designing and creating effective and innovative learning experiences.
- Employ a variety of technologies and multimedia authoring tools to produce instructional materials.
- Apply culturally responsive and ethical practices while establishing collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders (e.g., administrators, faculty, students, technologists, project managers, public) and building a network of industry colleagues.
