University of Kentucky®
Graduate Certificate in
Distance Education
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PROGRAM DETAILS
FORMAT
TOTAL CREDITS 12
CREDENTIALS Certificate
COST PER CREDIT
$753.00
- UK Online
- All Programs
- Graduate Certificates
- Distance Education
About this Program
Add a marketable dimension to your skills. Designed for working professionals, this online graduate certificate will help you develop high-quality distance education courses and programs. Graduates of our program work in education, public health, government, private business, and other settings. They create online and hybrid courses for colleges and universities, K-12 schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations, provide continuing education credits, and implement or deliver training. This program will also help those who teach online to hone their skills in online teaching, as well as the design and development of learning content and activities to engage online learners.
Designed For
This program is appropriate for educators, instructional designers, and administrators seeking to develop expertise in designing, delivering, and managing online learning environments. It also benefits professionals in corporate training and development roles looking to implement effective distance learning solutions within organizations.
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What You’ll Learn
- Plan and design online/hybrid courses for a given curriculum.
- Publish and manage online/hybrid courses using learning management systems such as Canvas.
- Develop interactive e-learning content with multimedia tools like Adobe Captivate, Articulate 360, and Camtasia.
- Evaluate online/hybrid courses using assessment tools such as Quality Matters.
Course Examples
- EDC 548 Instructional Technology Leadership OR EDS 651/GS 600 Distance Education Delivery
- EDC 605 Distance Learning Research & Design OR EDS 652/GS 600 Distance Education Management and Support
- 2 electives (6 credit hours) – Choose 2 from the following:
- EDC 543 Digital Game-Based Learning
- EDC 607 Instructional Design I
- EDC 611 Authoring Applications for E-Learning
GOT QUESTIONS?
Schedule time to meet with a representative from the Distance Education program to talk about your unique situation.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
- Must have obtained a baccalaureate degree, prior to the start of the admission term, from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
- An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work, if applicable.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
Application Requirements
- Resume
- Official transcripts
Program Contact
Deadlines
Fall 2025
Spring 2025
Summer 2025
As the climate of higher education seems to be shifting to an online environment, the Distance Education certificate is preparing me to instruct my students in a variety of modalities. The distance education classes have been some of my favorite in my degree.
Hannah DouglasWhy UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
No test scores required.
Pay the same online tuition rate, no matter where you live.
Access supporting services and success coaches to help you succeed.
Explore the many options available to help fund your education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
Do I need to have a master's degree to enroll in this graduate certificate?
The only degree needed to enroll in a graduate certificate program is a bachelor's degree.
Can I take this graduate certificate by itself?
Yes, graduate certificates can be taken by themselves. Our graduate certificate programs are designed to allow students to gain very specific skills and knowledge in a shorter amount of time than our degree programs in similar areas. Certificate programs can be useful to your career by itself, or when coupled with a degree-bearing program. This choice is completely up to the student.
What is the admission criteria?
Please view the Admission Criteria section, located under "How to Apply" on this page.
Tuition
Is financial aid available if this is the only program I enroll in?
Federal financial aid is not available to students who only enroll in a certificate program.
How much does the online program cost?
The tuition rate for this program is listed at the top of this page. If you still have questions, please reach out to the program representative.
I'm not in Kentucky. What's my tuition rate?
For our fully-online programs, it does not matter what state you live in. The rate is the same no matter where you live.
Online Learning
Will I have to attend class at a specific time?
No, all classes are asynchronous. This means that students complete the course requirements according to the syllabus and deadlines, but they have flexibility within their own schedule to complete coursework at times that work best for their schedule. We recommend students log in everyday to ensure they are staying on top of communication and assignments.
What should I expect in online classes?
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:
Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.
Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
No, there is no on-campus requirement.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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