School of Education
Program/Course Action Request
Approvals & Notifications
Proposal No. 2010-203
Certificate of Graduate Studies on Online Learning and Teaching (COLT)
Department
Signatures
X Approved by Department Date: 11/23/2010
if appropriate:
Approved by Cross-Listed Departments/Schools Date ______________
Approved by affected Departments/Schools Date ______________
Arthur Applebee, Chair
Educational Theory and
Practice
SOE Academic Council
Signatures
X Approved as submitted Date 12/1/2010
Approved with changes (see attached)
Date _______________
Returned for additional information
Date _______________
Rejected
Date _______________
David Dai, Chair
Academic Council
SOE Dean
Signatures
X Approved as submitted Date 12/2/2010
Approved with changes (see attached)
Date _______________
Returned for further information
Date _______________
Rejected
Date _______________
Forwarded to:
Dean, Graduate Studies
Date _______________
Approved by Graduate Studies
Date _______________
Dean, Undergraduate Studies
Date _______________
Approved by Undergraduate Studies
Date _______________
Listed in Master File
Date _______________
School/Department Notified
Date _______________
Heidi Andrade
Associate Dean for
Academic Affairs
Program /Course Action Request
University at Albany, State University of New York
School of Education
To:
Chair, School of Education Academic Council
Proposal # 2010-203
From: Arthur Applebee
New Program: Certificate of Graduate
Studies on Online Learning
and Teaching (COLT)
Department: Educational Theory and Practice
Date:
11/23/2010
Re:
Request to (Check all that apply):
□
add new course (attach course outline and bibliography)
□
delete course (enter course # & title)
change existing course
□
change number from:
to:
□
change title (enter old title)
to:
□
change credits from:
to:
□
change description (see attached)
to:
□
change prerequisites from:
to:
□
change grading from:
to:
□
change cross-listing from:
to:
X new program
□ revise existing program
□ announce an institute course (687 or 887)
□ other: (describe)
Justification for Proposal: See attachment justifying a Certificate of Graduate Study in Online
Teaching and Learning, as a subset of courses applicable to the MS in Curriculum Design and
Instructional Technology.
This proposal was approved by the Department on 11/23/2010.
Do other Departments or Schools offer similar or related courses?
(If yes, attach memo from affected Depts or Schools certifying that this proposal does not overlap with
their offerings)
DESCRIPTION OF AMENDED / NEW COURSE:
Department:
Course Number & Title:
Cross-Listing:
Credits:
Grading:
Prerequisites:
Course Description to appear in catalog:
Certificate of Graduate Studies on Online Learning and Teaching (COLT) (15 credits)
Introduction
The Department of Educational Theory and Practice proposes a new advanced certificate of
graduate study beginning in the summer of 2011. This new program, the Certificate in Online
Learning and Teaching (COLT) will be open to who would like to be trained to develop
curricula and teach in fully online and blended learning environments.
The Certificate in Online Learning and Teaching may be awarded in conjunction with an
academic major at the graduate level, or to students holding a BA or higher degree. This
certificate shows a student’s concentration in theory and practice of online and technology-
mediated teaching and learning. All courses taken in the curriculum may be applied toward other
general and specific graduation requirements. All courses counting toward the certificate must be
completed with a grade of B- or better and with an over-all average of B.
Rationale
The Educational Theory and Practice Department offers an MS degree (30 credits) in CDIT
(Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology) for students who wish to extend their
expertise in curriculum and instructional design and in instructional technology. It is also useful
for students wishing to prepare for leadership positions in government, social service, health-
related fields, corporate training, and development of educational media products. The proposed
certificate complements the intent of our MS in CDIT degree because it caters to students whose
primary goal is to understand effective online curricular and instructional development and
design. This includes educators in a variety of settings including public and private schools,
higher education, and training sectors. (All courses in the proposed Certificate are applicable to
the MS in CDIT.)
Additionally, the market for teacher/professional development in support of online learning and
teaching continues to grow with online enrollments still expanding at more than ten times the
rate of classroom enrollments in higher education. Online and virtual schooling is now also
expanding rapidly into pre-college settings with virtual schools in 39 states. Together, in 2010,
the state virtual schools saw an increase of nearly 40% in enrollments over the previous year.
These growth rates are similar to those that occurred in the years in which online learning was
initially introduced into higher education. New York State is now poised to develop virtual
learning in pre-college settings. Clearly there is an opportunity for serving the needs of educators
in both higher education and beyond with the proposed program.
Currently a number of other institutions offer similar graduate certificates including but not
limited to the Penn State Certificate in Distance Education, Drexel’s Online Teaching
Certification, and the University of Wisconsin Madison Distance Education Certificate Program.
The COLT Graduate Certificate Program (15 credits) has been developed to meet the needs of
students who pursue degrees in education and related fields and who teach or plan to work in
public and private schools, administer online programs, support online faculty, develop online
curriculum, or deliver online training in a wide variety of settings. The program is designed for
students who wish to gain critical conceptual knowledge as well as advanced practical skills in
how to develop curriculum, instruction and assessment in fully online and blended learning
environments.
Course structure: All online courses in the COLT program are instructor led and cohort based.
Students in these "anytime, anyplace" (asynchronous) online courses log in on a regular basis
and interact with the instructor, classmates, and course materials throughout the duration of the
class. Instructors are regularly available to answer questions, facilitate online discussion, and
provide feedback."
Curriculum
Course requirements (15 credits)
ETAP 529 Introduction to Distance Learning (3)
Introduction to the methodology, history and technology of distance learning approaches to
instruction. This course will examine the use of a variety of media including video,
computers/Internet, and broadcast technologies that have been used in successful distance
learning programs. The course will also review research on the effectiveness of distance
learning.
ETAP 624 Teaching and Learning in Immersive Environments (3)
This course is offered online through the Blackboard Learning System. This course explores a
variety of 2D and 3D virtual worlds including those designed for children. Research and theory
about games and simulations, their pedagogical, social, interpersonal, cultural, instructional, and
technical implications.
ETAP640 Introduction to Online Teaching (3)
Introduction to Online Teaching provides foundational knowledge and hands-on practice in
developing fully online courses. A component of a series of courses in online teaching and
learning this course introduces students to both theory and practice and requires that learners
develop a significant online learning course or course module of instruction.
AND
ETAP 524 Integrating Technology Across the Curriculum (3)
This course is designed to enable educators to use technology to enhance instruction within and
across content areas. Theoretical and practical aspects of technology integration will be
discussed. Students will develop a thematic unit reflecting State and national standards.
OR
ETAP 623 Systematic Design of Instruction (3)
Promotes systematic, analytical approaches to curricular and instructional planning. Surveys
contemporary theories of learning, instruction, and instructional design, and requires application
of these theories to the preparation of educational materials. Although planning for classroom
activities and presentations is discussed, primary focus is on design of materials that support
independent learning.
AND
ONE of the following:
ETAP 655 Contemporary Patterns in Teaching (3)*
Curriculum projects, advanced techniques, specialized equipment and media materials,
examination of research findings in teaching academic disciplines. Implications for
individualizing instruction. Prerequisite: Provisional certification or equivalent.
*topic in the student’s subject area: language education, math and science education, or
social studies
ETAP 683 Seminar in Instructional Technology (3)
Examination of topical issues and current research in instructional technology. Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor.
ETAP 695 Master's Internship in Educational Theory and Practice (2-6)
Planned professional experience in a specialty area in Educational Theory and Practice. Faculty
guidance prior to registration, the student should prepare a proposal for approval by the
instructor.
Justification
The Certificate in Online Learning and Teaching is an option for students who seek a flexible
program of study to meet their career goals. Students who do not wish to pursue a full master’s
degree, who already have a master degree and/or teaching credentials, or who have career
objectives in online education will find that this certificate program a good fit.
COLT certificate course requirements comprise a solid foundation in online teaching and
learning broadly as well as in a subject area for practicing educators. For those outside of
secondary education, the COLT internship option places students in mentored positions in higher
education contexts. The COLT certificate provides focused specialization for those not seeking a
full masters degree in CDIT.
The COLT certificate does not require the introduction of any new courses. The curriculum
consists of courses that can be found in the graduate catalog and are currently offered by the
Department of Educational Theory and Practice.
All courses in the COLT Certificate Program are offered at least once a year, the majority
during the summer months to accommodate practicing teachers. Courses required for the COLT
certificate are also requirements or can fulfill requirements for ETAP’s MS in General
Education, MS ETP, MS TESOL, and MS CDIT programs.
Faculty credentials and course responsibilities
The certificate program does not require any new faculty. The courses are taught by full time
faculty and doctoral students under full time faculty supervision.
Student Information
Admissions requirements
Admissions requirements are the same as for the MS in CDIT Program. Students need to clearly
indicate that they are applying for the Certificate of Online Learning and Teaching Program,
and not for the full CDIT program.
International students need to submit TOEFL results of at least 250 (computer), 600 (paper) or
100 (new Internet-based).
Students in the COLT certificate program receive advisement services from the same faculty
who advise students in the CDIT Masters program
Switching from the COLT Certificate Program to MS in CDIT
If a student decides to continue studies in the MS in CDIT program, he or she will need to
formally apply to the master’s program. On admission, credits taken for the COLT Certificate
Program will be applied toward the master’s degree.
Resources
The implementation of the program does not require new resources because it relies on courses
that are already offered regularly in ETAP. There is no admissions cap for the certificate
program.
