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Graduate Certificate in Distance Education

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.

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At a Glance

Fall 2025

Application Due Date:
07/25/2025
Start Date:
08/25/2025

Spring 2025

Application Due Date:
12/13/2024
Start Date:
01/13/2025

Summer 2025

Application Due Date:
04/19/2025
Start Date:
05/19/2025

Credits and Tuition Cost (2024-2025)

Credits Required: 12
Cost Per Credit: $753.00

Format

Fully Online

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Graduate Certificate in Distance Education overview

Program format
Format
Fully Online
Total credits
Total Credits
12
Degree awarded
Degree Awarded

What You'll Learn

  1. Plan and design online/hybrid courses for a given curriculum.
  2. Publish and manage online/hybrid courses using learning management systems such as Canvas.
  3. Develop interactive e-learning content with multimedia tools like Adobe Captivate, Articulate 360, and Camtasia.
  4. 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
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Connect with a Program Representative

Schedule time to meet with a program representative one-on-one.

How to Apply

Application Requirements

Admissions Criteria

Standard graduate admission requirements apply.

  • Bachelor’s degree in any field, with a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher.

Program Contact

Dr. Kun Huang
Associate Professor of Learning, Design & Technology, Director of Graduate Certificate in Distance Education

Deadlines

Fall 2025

Application Due Date:
07/25/2025
Start Date:
08/25/2025

Spring 2025

Application Due Date:
12/13/2024
Start Date:
01/13/2025

Summer 2025

Application Due Date:
04/19/2025
Start Date:
05/19/2025

Distance Learning

Licensure & Authorization

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. 

AUTHORIZATION & LICENSURE INFO
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University of Kentucky has been approved to participate in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

Student Support

Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success. These services are available completely online to meet the needs of our online students.

Why UK Online

No GRE

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No test scores required.

One tuition rate

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Pay the same online tuition rate, no matter where you live.

Be Supported

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Access supporting services and success coaches to help you succeed.

Tuition Assistance

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Explore the many options available to help fund your education.

Testimonial

student Hannah Douglass
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 Douglas
Ph.D. student in Rehabilitation Sciences
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