Instructional Design and eLearning Certificate
Bring online learning to life
Start with the ADDIE framework, learning theory, and the fundamentals of effective course design, then put it all into practice by building actual eLearning lessons with industry-standard tools. By the end of the certificate program, you’ll have a completed project, a digital certificate, and the confidence to design training that works.
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Certificate Pathway
Course 1:
Introduction
January 25, 2027 – March 22, 2027
Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Format: Online
Duration: 30 hours
Credits: 3
Cost: $849
Code: 0620-022
What you’ll learn
Using the ADDIE framework as your guide, this online course takes you from an initial training need to a thought-out, learner-focused program you can confidently put in front of an audience.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the five phases of the ADDIE model and their purpose in a systematic design process.
- Analyze instructional needs to establish clear, targeted learning goals.
- Apply learning theories directly to course content.
- Develop learning materials & assessments to create engaging instructional content.
- Write measurable learning objectives that align with corresponding activities and assessments.
Course 2:
Practicum
October 12, 2026 – December 7, 2026
Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Format: Online
Duration: 30 hours
Credits: 3
Cost: $849
Code: 0621-020
Requires prior completion of Course #1
What you’ll learn
This eight-week practicum turns theory into practice, guiding you from design brief to completed eLearning experience in the authoring tools of your choice, with a virtual showcase where you present what you’ve built.
Learning Objectives
- Apply foundational instructional design principles to the development of eLearning experiences.
- Identify key features of tools used for presentation development, text authoring, media production, and web development.
- Storyboard an eLearning module that sequences content, interactions, and assessments.
- Utilize industry-standard tools to design and build an interactive digital learning experience.
- Critique eLearning deliverables against usability, accessibility, and instructional quality criteria.
Instruction, Meet Design
ADDIE Framework
Learn how to create clear learning goals, build assessments, choose strong teaching strategies and develop engaging learning materials.
Hands-on Experience
Develop design briefs and build eLearning lessons using industry tools for media, web and course development.
Virtual Showcase
The Practium ends with a virtual showcase of your work so you can confidently design and deliver engaging online learning.
Our Learners
Whether you’re just getting started in instructional design or looking to sharpen your current practice, this certificate program will prepare you to design, develop, and deliver effective instructional materials for any audience or topic, giving you the foundational knowledge and practical skills you need to succeed. It’s ideal for:
- Teachers and professors
- Non-profit and corporate trainers
- Human Resources specialists
Additional Course Information
Continuing Education Information
Successful graduates of each course will earn 3.0 CEUs (Opens in a new window) for 30 contact hours. A digital Certificate of Program Completion and a digital badge are awarded upon successful completion of both courses, representing 6.0 CEUs for 60 contact hours.
Technology
Students should have access to a desktop or laptop computer running Windows 10 or higher. Participants using a Mac will need to run Windows 10 or higher through Parallels. Course 2 of this program incorporates software such as Articulate Storyline 360 (Opens in a new window), Adobe Photoshop (Opens in a new window), and Vyond (Opens in a new window). Students are responsible for obtaining the necessary software and covering any associated costs. Additional guidance regarding software requirements will be provided at the start of the course, so students should not download any software before the course begins.
Instructor
Liz Melendez, M.Ed., Instructional Designer, Content Creator
After a long career as a professional musician, instructor, and graphic designer, Liz made the career move into instructional design. She develops learning for leadership and change management for a Fortune 500 corporation and is a graduate of UGA’s Learning, Design, and Technology masters program.
Textbooks
Course 1:
Hodell, Chuck. ISD From the Ground Up: A No-Nonsense Approach to Instructional Design, 5th edition, 2025
ISBN-13: 978-1957157702
ISBN-10: 1957157704
Course 2:
Clark, Ruth C., and Richard E. Mayer. e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning, 5th edition, 2023
ISBN-13: 978-1394177370
ISBN-10: 1394177372
You may purchase the required textbooks from your preferred bookseller.
Cancellation or refund
We will issue a refund, minus a $75 processing fee, for cancellations made at least five (5) days before the course start date, if you have not accessed the online course. No refunds for cancellations after that date. If the program is canceled by the Georgia Center, we will refund the total enrollment fee. All cancellation and refund requests must be sent via email to gc-student@uga.edu.
Prices, course details, dates, and times are subject to change.
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