Get Certified as an Online Teacher in the Chicago Area

UPCOMING TERM DATES:

8/26/24 - 8/17/25

TUITION:

$368 x 18 Credit Hours + Fees

PROGRAM COORDINATOR:

Dr. Li-Wei Peng

Delivery:

Online

Entry Term: Fall Only! 2024 Fall Term Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 31, 2024

About ONTL

Increase your marketability in today's economy by advancing your skills in the growing field of online education and open the door to new online teaching and training opportunities. The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning (ONTL) is an online certificate program with significant job-embedded learning.

"ONTL has offered a flexible approach to empower our participants with the knowledge necessary to make meaningful changes to their own online course design practice, reflect on their experience with a friendly learning community, receive feedback from experienced facilitators, and further refine their practice. This kind of immediate application and impact is powerful." — Dr. Li-Wei Peng, ONTL Program Coordinator

Overview

ONTL provides you with an innovative online learning experience that develops a robust understanding of the complexities within online course design systems, while honing the leadership skills to create transformational change.

Led by GSU faculty members who are also experienced Quality Matters-certified Higher Education and K-12 online course master reviewers, ONTL offers 6 graduate-level courses entirely online in 7.5-week modules, respectively, enabling you to earn your certificate in 3 semesters. ONTL is perfect for busy working professionals like you, because it allows you to participate on your own time and you only need to focus on 1 course at time. You will enjoy the hands-on curriculum in which both your instructors and fellow classmates provide detailed feedback on every project. You will have a designated online learning facilitator to contact directly for support.

Schedule of Offerings

	Fall Semester	Spring Semester	Summer Semester
1st 7.5 weeks	ONTL 6101 (1st Course)	ONTL 6850 (3rd Course)	ONTL 7105 (5th Course)
2nd 7.5 weeks	ONTL 6201 (2nd Course)	ONTL 7101 (4th Course)	ONTL 7201 (6th Course)

Outcomes

Whether you are a professor, K-12 teacher, trainer, or facilitator in corporate, non-profit, business, and military settings, ONTL prepares you to effectively design, produce, and facilitate online courses. ONTL builds you with the confidence and high level skills to:

Design high-quality online courses aligning with Quality Matters K-12, Higher Education, or Continuing and Professional Education Standards;
Apply instructional design models and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) to provide high-energy, technology-enriched online instructional materials that enhance student learning and increase student retention;
Integrate a variety of learning management systems (e.g., Blackboard, Canvas, Google Classroom, and Seesaw) to deliver active learning that advances accessibility and fosters collaboration;
Engage learners creatively through online conferencing platforms (e.g., Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, Zoom, and Cisco Webex);
Create dynamic online learning activities and assessments to meet the diverse learning styles of all learners (e.g., visual, kinaesthetic, and auditory).

Textbook and Instructional Materials Affordability & Tuition Assistance

ONTL adopts open educational resources. ONTL offers entire courses at no cost for textbook and instructional materials. Financial aids are available for ONTL on a need- and application-basis. Requests for financial aids have no effect on an applicant's prospects for admission. You may access the financial aid application after you have submitted your program application.

Admission Requirements

A complete online application
(Please select "Fall" entry term, choose "Masters" for the Graduate Plan section, and then find "Online Teaching Certificate" in the Graduate Programs section.)
An official transcript showing your completion of Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2 or higher (undergraduate) 3 or higher (graduate)

Your official transcript must be directly sent by the Registrars of your degree-granting institution attended to the Governors State University Office of Admissions at apotranscripts@govst.edu or this address:

Governors State University
Office of Admissions
1 University Parkway
University Park, IL 60484-0975

If you have any question regarding the admission process, please feel free to contact the Program Coordinator Dr. Li-Wei Peng at ontladvisor@govst.edu or 708-235-7573.

Sean Word
“I am so grateful for GSU's ONTL, which strengthened my confidence in creating an online teaching platform to help effectively train, support, and teach my staff in the field of child welfare. Dr. Cheun-Yeong Lee and Dr. Li-Wei Peng are a supportive, dynamic team, guiding each student step by step through the program. Their style of teaching will ensure you truly understand every detail of each course. In addition, they will consult with you one-on-one to support your professional and career goals. I am not a classroom teacher, but they demonstrated ways where I can apply all the online learning tools and platforms to teach and train my team. I was able to create several online learning platforms for my staff and colleagues. I highly recommend taking the GSU ONTL Certification program.”
Paulette Mene-Okotie Grant
"I am impressed with the level of preparation the instructors demonstrate, along with patience, offering face-to-face Zoom meetings and conferences to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the material. They address questions promptly, for better clarity. ONTL is suitable for diverse learners because the instructors assist us with developing presentations and learning various standards for online teaching. This program has emphasized how important it is to adhere proper standards for a more impactful educational experience. Finally, the ONTL program goes beyond the usual Google Class engine. It introduces a variety of options for developing engaging lessons in an online class, expanding our methods, and allowing us to design classes that reach a larger audience."
Jennifer Reed, MSHI, MSN
Recently, I accepted a training specialist position and quickly realized I needed additional skills to be effective in the role. As a GSU alumna, I checked the website and immediately found a resource and enrolled! The Online Teaching and Learning, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program has provided active learning experiences, opportunities to apply new knowledge, and the confidence to excel professionally. The instructors are supportive and attentive. My scope and understanding has grown, and most importantly, I am enjoying the journey.