SWAG��Ƶ

Designing Learning Experiences

The 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Designing Learning Experiences is designed to provide students with the instructional design methodologies and skills, informed by learning science, needed to design effective online learning experiences.

Teaching Online

The 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Teaching Online is designed to provide educators with a rigorous and practical introduction to the skills and knowledge needed to design, develop, deliver, and evaluate courses in engaging online formats, and understand the necessary components of the entire online learning ecosystem.

All programs at the SWAG��Ƶ are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Graduate Certificate in Designing learning experiences

This certificate provides students with the instructional design methodologies and skills, informed by learning science, needed to design effective online learning experiences including advanced elements of design.

Certificate Requirements

Graduate Certificate in Teaching Online

The 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Teaching Online is designed to provide educators with a rigorous and practical introduction to the skills and knowledge needed to design, develop, deliver, and evaluate courses in engaging online formats, and understand the necessary components of the entire online learning ecosystem..

Certificate Requirements

Course Drop and Withdrawal Policy

The last date to drop a course with no record is the first day of course. Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing (e-mail is acceptable) by the end of the fourth week of the course. Students will receive a “W” on their transcripts indicating withdrawal. Beyond the fourth week, at the faculty’s discretion, a “WP” or “WF” may be assigned if extenuating circumstances do not allow the student to complete his/her work. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course.

Minimal Grade Point Average

Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course and must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Students receiving a grade of F in any course will be immediately placed on academic probation. Any student who receives a grade of F in two courses is dismissed from the program.

Dismissal from the Program

Termination from the Program may occur when the Education Program Director becomes aware of one of the following:

• Surrender of a teacher license in any jurisdiction for disciplinary reasons.
• Documented academic dishonesty (Note this also includes course on-line postings and email communications with faculty and staff. Students are advised that their behavior while participating in the Program should exemplify the ethical behavior of a professional educator with respect to all communications.)

Graduation Requirements

To complete the program and receive a Graduate Certificate, a student must:

• Complete all program requirements.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Pay all tuition and fees.

Leave of Absence (Academic Stop Out)

Students may stop out of their program for up to two semesters. Students need to coordinate stop outs in advance with their assigned student support specialist, and stop out time is considered part of the time allotted to complete the academic program. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned. However, the student who does not return at the specified time or who exceeds two semesters of stop out will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Readmitted students are subject to the re-admittance term’s catalog (this may mean that policies and/or program requirements have been changed or updated since previous admission, and should be reviewed for potential impact on degree requirements, time to complete the degree, and degree planning).

Re-admission

Students who have withdrawn from the program, either self-initiated or administrative withdrawal, must reapply to the program if they wish to continue their studies. The application procedures, academic policies, and program requirements that are in effect at the time of readmission will apply.

Students who re-enroll following withdrawal will have their previous coursework evaluated for applicability to the existing academic requirements. Coursework that is more than five years old may not be accepted for credit in the program.

Graduate Certificate in Designing Learning Experiences

Students will learn to:

• Recognize and apply best practices in online course design, including designing for equity for all students and applying the principles of universal design for learning. 
• Design and create effective technology-enabled online learning experiences. 
• Evaluate and apply multiple strategies supporting virtual assessment. 
• Determine favorable methods to engage online learners and construct courses that incorporate such methods. 
• Analyze methods of providing meaningful feedback to online students.  
• Address authentic online learning challenges by researching and implementing appropriate technologies and methods such as asynchronous video, emerging digital narrative forms, simulations, and gamification. 

Graduate certificate in teaching online

Students will learn to:

• Recognize and apply best practices in online course design, including designing for equity for all students and applying the principles of universal design for learning. 
• Design and create effective technology-enabled online learning experiences. 
• Evaluate and apply multiple strategies supporting virtual assessment.  
• Determine favorable methods to engage online learners and construct courses that incorporate such methods. 
• Analyze methods of providing meaningful feedback to online students.  
• Navigate the online learning ecosystem and develop plans to implement emerging technologies. 

Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer one, 3-credit course into the Graduate Certificate in Designing Learning Experiences or Graduate Certificate in Teaching Online.

To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the College of Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to, and will be granted at the discretion of, the Program Director.

Transfer credit must be:

• Classified as graduate level
• Taken at a regionally accredited institution
• Three credits
• Taken within five years of application
• Completed with a grade of “B” or better
• Equivalent to one of the required program courses

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Financial Aid

Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office. Call (207) 602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid website.

Admissions Requirement

• A bachelor's degree or above from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See International Admissions for details regarding evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency. Applications are reviewed holistically as a determination of academic readiness. The admissions committee values previous academic performance as indicated on transcripts and considers it as part of the review process.
• A computer with internet connection, including hardware and software requirements described in our . Must also posses sufficient computer skills to navigate the internet as all classes are accessed 100% online.

Application Process

• Completed online application:
• Submission of the non-refundable application fee
• Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Goal Statement
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a bachelor's degree or above from a regionally accredited institution. All transcripts are to be submitted from the original institutions.

Note: Transcripts for any coursework appearing as transfer credit on the transcript of the conferred degree can be waived if the coursework is unrelated to the degree being sought. The program admissions committee defines all coursework not eligible for waiver.

Procedures and policies

• Applications for admission are accepted through SWAG��Ƶ’s online application only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
• Official transcripts, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the College of Professional Studies, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
• Students are admitted to the Graduate Certificate programs six (6) times a year: Summer A and B, Fall A and B, Spring A and B.
• Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration. Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
• Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited U.S. institution. See International Admissions.
• All applicants to SWAG��Ƶ must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university. SWAG��Ƶ accepts several methods to demonstrate English Proficiency, See International Admissions.
• If an applicant cannot prove English Proficiency in another way, scores from the  are required and must be submitted as a part of the completed application.

For additional information on the admission process and requirements, please access the .

EXCEPTIONS

The Graduate Certificates in Designing Learning Experiences and Teaching Online programs and the Education Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.