Instructional Design and Technology, Certificate (Post-Doctoral)

Program Overview

The Certificate in Instructional Design and Technology program focuses on designing, developing, and delivering effective and engaging learning experiences using technology. This specialization prepares students to design, develop, and implement effective and engaging learning experiences that leverage technology to enhance learning outcomes. It combines the best practices from education and technology to create innovative and dynamic learning environments that meet the needs of diverse learners. Students also learn about the latest trends and best practices in online learning, educational technology, and instructional systems design. Graduates may work in various settings, including corporate training departments, educational institutions, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. They may serve as instructional designers, e-learning developers, training managers, or learning consultants. Some graduates may also choose to pursue careers in academia, conducting research on how technology can enhance learning and teaching. 

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Certificate in Instructional Design and Technology (Post-Doctoral) program will demonstrate the following:

• Goal I: Ability to interpret research, theoretical concepts, and cultural and organizational roles, and relate and apply them to organizational and higher educational leadership.  
• Goal II: Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.  
• Goal III: Demonstrated research knowledge and skills in the broad field of learning.  
• Goal IV: Ability to engage in and conduct a deep analysis from research and with existing data sets to formulate strategic improvement plans.  
• Goal V: Understanding of theories in andragogy as it relates to organizational and institutional learning.   

Student Learning Outcomes

• Communicate knowledge and understanding of EdTech theories and models, including Universal Design for Learning (UDL), to engage with subject matter experts and future learners. 
• Develop effective eLearning methods as they apply to best practices in andragogy. 
• Ability to understand and implement the principles and practices of creating effective online learning experiences. 
• Development of effective technology integration plans, the selection and evaluation of appropriate technology tools, and the design of technology-enhanced instructional materials and activities. 
• Understanding of why and how stakeholders (individuals, groups, educational organizations) adopt or fail to adopt an innovation or change within their practice.  

Admission Requirements

Applicants interested in the Certificate in Instructional Design and Technology (Post-Doctoral) program are required to meet individually in person or via telephone with an admissions representation to discuss the program and all requirements. Applicants must provide a completed South College application for admission and application to the program. Those selected for admission will provide evident of a completed doctoral degree from an accredited institution of higher education with a minimum grade point average (CPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Academic Participation and Withdrawal

Administrative Withdrawal Policy

If at the end of a term, at least 50% of one course has not been completed and the student has been inactive for more than 60 days, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the program. If a student, who has been administratively withdrawn (due to non-participation), wishes to continue with the program, the student must formally re-apply through standard admissions process. The request for readmission must be submitted to the Campus President for Competency-Based Education. Since such student did not complete at least one course within a 6-month term, if granted readmission, the student will be placed on academic probation upon re-entry into the program.

Withdrawal Policy (within term)

If a student withdraws after the end of the 4th month of any 6-month term, the student will be issued a W grade for any uncompleted courses, unless the student was on academic probation for not completing a course the prior term.  In this case, the student will be assigned a letter grade of F for the course.

If a student withdraws after the 5th month of any 6-month term, any course that is not completed will be assigned the letter grade of F.

Participation Policy

Students must participate within the first 14 days of the start of any term.  Failure to participate within this period will result in the student being withdrawn from the program. Additionally, students must complete one formative or summative assessment with the first 30 days of any term to remain active for the term.

A withdrawal is considered to be official when a student notifies the Registrar’s Office or the Dean of Academic and Students Services. No other college official has the authority to accept official withdrawals from the Certificate in Instructional Design and Technology (Post-Doctoral) program. Students are requested to submit a withdrawal request in writing via their South College email address.

Academic Standards, Candidate Progress, and Grading

Upon entering the graduate program, students are encouraged to confer with their Mentor as needed. Students’ academic progress is monitored each 6-month term to ensure satisfactory progression which is considered mastery of at least two courses per term. Students who do not complete the minimum requirement of two courses per term will be placed on Probation at the end of that term. 

Students on probation who do not complete the required two courses the following term are not eligible for progression to the next term and will be notified of dismissal.

If a student is dismissed or voluntarily withdraws from the program, a formal application for re-entry is required and program requirements in effect at that time must be met.

Student deficiencies that may impact academic standing, which may include probation or dismissal from the program, are monitored by the Mentor.

Categories of Academic Standing are:

• Good Standing: Status of a student who has met academic requirements in a satisfactory manner.
• Warning: Status of a student whose academic performance places him/her in jeopardy of falling below the minimum stated grade required or progression.
• Probation: Status of a student who has failed to receive master in at least one course within a 6-month term. Following a term of probation, the student will either return to Good Standing by satisfactorily completing at least two courses in the subsequent term or be dismissed from the program. A student who is dismissed must seek readmission to the program. A student is allowed only one readmission to the program.
• Dismissal: Action whereby a student is dismissed from the program due to failure to adhere to academic and program requirements and/or policies or procedures as specified in the South College Catalog, the South College Student Handbook, and/or the Graduate Program Handbook. The Program Director recommends dismissal and forwards the recommendation to the Dean of Academic and Student Services (CBE).

Grading

Course Instructors determine mastery of competencies and the resulting final grade in all courses. The requirements of each course are found in the course syllabus.

Letter Grade	Quality Points	Percentage Score Range
A (Mastery)	4.00	90-100%

Grievance Process

Students are encouraged to discuss any concern with their Mentor. If satisfaction cannot be attained at this level, and the students wants to make his/her concern official at the School of Education level, the student must complete a Grievance Form. Every effort will be made to resolve the concern at the School of Education level. If the grievance cannot be resolved at that level, the students should then follow the College’s grievance process outlined in the current South College Catalog and Student Handbook available on the institutional website and on the student portal.

Graduation Requirements

For a student to graduate from the Certificate in Instructional Design and Technology (Post-Doctoral) program, the student must be in a good academic and professional standing, have had satisfactory progress in all quarters of the academic program, and satisfactorily complete the following: 

• Successfully complete the required quarter credit hours of academic coursework. 
• Evidence a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above for the required coursework. 
• Achieve a designation of “mastery” for all course competencies.
• Complete all required South College and program documents in preparation for graduation. 
• Honor all professional and financial obligations to South College. 

South College reserves the right, and the student, by the act of matriculation, concedes to give South College the right to require withdrawal at any time the college deems it necessary to safeguard the standards of scholarship, conduct, and compliance with regulations, or for such other reasons deemed appropriate by South College as set forth in the South College Student Handbook and/or the South College Catalog.