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How to ApplyRequest Info
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Postbaccalaureate Certificate ine-Learning Design

Summary Courses Careers Costs and Aid

Learn to use course design and innovative technology to create and deliver impactful online teaching and learning experiences. This 12-credit e-learning design certificate program takes a project-based approach to instructional design.

100% Online

Complete your Penn State course work at your own pace and 100% online.

Apply by November 1 to start January 12

12 Credits$1,037 per credit

Gain Skills to Teach in an Online Environment

  • Instruct in fields such as K–12, higher education, professional development, health care, government, and the military.

  • Deliver rich learning experiences with instructional design techniques that benefit online learners.

  • Meet the evolving alternative learning needs of new generations of students.

  • Use e-learning software, educational technology, and course management systems to customize materials for educational settings.

Develop an understanding of instructional design principles utilizing industry best practices.

Learn to create engaging and impactful e-learning course material by: 

  • crafting learner-centered content
  • leveraging the features and functionalities of learning management systems
  • incorporating interactive multimedia elements
  • designing intuitive user interfaces

The e-learning design certificate comprises 4 courses totaling 12 credits. All courses in this certificate are transferable to the M.Ed. in Learning, Design, and Technology program.

Required Courses (12 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Application of a systematic learning design model relevant to all learning contexts and audiences for analyzing instructional problems, developing validated resources, and implementing practical solutions.

  • 3
    credits

    This course examines emerging web technologies and explores their application to learning and education.

  • 3
    credits

    Practical design of instructor-facilitated online lessons taking advantage of the affordances and within the constraints of course management systems.

  • 3
    credits

    In-depth study of the practices of designing courses taught by print, broadcast, and telecommunications media to adult distance learners.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

A group of educators collaborating as they review documents at a table

The demand is growing rapidly for e-learning designers who have skills that are unique to the creation of rich learning activities. You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.

Career Services to Set You Up for Success

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From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

  • Opportunities to connect with employers
  • Career counselor/coach support
  • Occupation and salary information
  • Internships
  • Graduate school resources 

Ready to Learn More?

Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.

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Learn more about this program

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?

Apply by November 1 to start January 12. How to Apply 

Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.

Graduate Tuition

Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2025–26 Academic Year Rates

Tuition Rates for the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026 Semesters
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,037 per credit
12 or more$12,448 per semester

Paying for Your Certificate

Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. A private alternative loan may be an option to consider.

Additionally, Penn State offers many ways to pay for your education, including an installment plan and third-party payments. Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan. Learn more about the options for paying for your education.

Students pursuing a degree and meeting all other eligibility requirements may qualify for financial aid.

Military Benefits

Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

Additional Cost of Attendance Details

To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:

Technical Requirements

Review the technical requirements for this program.

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Not only can this program help create opportunities in your career, it can also give you a solid head start toward a full master’s degree.

Degree Program Related to This Certificate

Some or all credits earned for this certificate can be applied to the following Penn State World Campus degree program:

Learn to evaluate the impact of technology on learning while you expand your skills in instructional design and instructional technology. This online master's degree program explores best practices in the field of learning design using practical, real-life examples.

Learn more
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Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.

Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall). If you plan to take a heavy course load, you should expect your course work to be your primary focus and discuss your schedule with your academic adviser. 

To Finish Your Certificate in One Year

  • Take 2 courses each semester 

To Finish Your Certificate in Two Years

  • Take 1 course each semester

Timelines may vary based on course availability.

 

Convenient Online Format

This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

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Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.

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Apply by November 1 to start January 12

Application Instructions

Deadlines and Important Dates

Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.

  • Spring Deadline

    Apply by November 1 to start January 12

  • Summer Deadline

    Apply by April 1, 2026, to start May 18, 2026

  • Fall Deadline

    Apply by June 15, 2026, to start August 24, 2026

Steps to Apply

  1. For admission to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

    GPA — All applicants are expected to have earned a junior/senior grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

  2. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

    Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If you are a Penn State alum, you do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history.

    In addition, you must send an official transcript directly to the program office. Please mail to:

    Edie Worley
    Academic Program Coordinator
    Learning and Performance Systems Department
    301 Keller Building
    University Park, PA 16802-1303

    English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

    Program-Specific Questions/Materials

    Vita or Résumé — Please upload a document that outlines your career experience and educational history, including the start and end dates of each job/experience, and a description of the work done as it relates to education.

    Essay 1 — In 200 to 300 words, please describe how completion of the Postbaccalaureate Certificate in e-Learning Design will prepare you for your current or future (or aspirational) job responsibilities.

    Short Responses — The online application will ask for brief responses to the following three questions:

    1. Have you already completed with Penn State University one or more of the courses required to earn the Postbaccalaureate Certificate in e-Learning Design?
    2. Describe how you currently utilize, or how you aim to utilize in the future, e-learning in your teaching practice. What role does digital/online courseware currently play in your work as a teacher or learning designer?
    3. Upon completion of the Postbaccalaureate Certificate in e-Learning Design, do you intend to apply for the Master of Education in Learning, Design, and Technology graduate degree program? If yes, discuss how studying for the M.Ed. degree would benefit you.

  3. To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.

    Create a New Penn State Account

    If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

    Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.

  4. You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.

    • Choose Enrollment Type: "Certificate Admission"
    • Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus

    Checking Your Status 
    You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form. 

  5. 5. Complete the application.

    Penn State Fox Graduate School Application

Admissions Help

If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

Customer service representative wearing a headset

Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.

To learn more about the Postbaccalaureate Certificate in e-Learning Design, please contact: 

World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
Email: [email protected]

Darlene Glab
Administrative Support Assistant
Learning and Performance Systems Department
303 Keller Building
University Park, PA 16802-1303
Phone: 814-863-9768
Email: [email protected]

One of the primary reasons Penn State is recognized around the globe as a distinguished university is its faculty. The Postbaccalaureate Certificate in e-Learning Design is offered in partnership with the Penn State College of Education and as a student, you will enjoy the opportunity to learn from the same instructors who teach traditional, face-to-face classes on Penn State's campuses across Pennsylvania.

Faculty

Ty Hollett

  • Ph.D., Language, Literacy, and Culture, Vanderbilt University
  • M.EdT., Education, University of Hawaii
  • M.A., English, Penn State
  • B.A., English, DePauw University

Dr. Ty Hollett's research examines the intersection of out-of-school learning, youth culture, and digital media. Specifically, he studies and designs informal, media-rich learning settings for youth in order to support innovative teaching and learning. As an effort to disrupt container-like models of teaching and learning, his research responds to the ongoing development of interest-driven learning opportunities for youth within — and beyond — such settings as home, libraries, schools, and city streets.

Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?

Apply by November 1 to start January 12. How to Apply 

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