Online Instruction Endorsement Program

OVERVIEW 

As one of the first in the state approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to offer this program, the Online Instruction Endorsement Program at Neumann University prepares PK-12 teachers interested in blended and online course design, online teaching and program development, and assessment and evaluation practices in online and blended environments. Upon completion of this fully online program, the Online Instruction Endorsement is added to a current Instructional I or II teaching certificate. This program will help increase teacher’s ability to instruct in blended, hybrid, and fully online PK-12 settings, as well prepare them to leverage emerging learning technologies to provide PK-12 online students access to the curriculum guided by the Common Core State Standards. The Online InstructionEndorsement Program at Neumann University is guided by the standards set of quality online teaching and learning practices by National Association for PK-12 Online Learning (iNACOL), Quality Matters, and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The Online Instruction Endorsement Program at Neumann University is in line with the findings in a recent report published by The International Association for PK-12 Online Learning (iNACOL 2013) which found: “There were an estimated 1,816,400 enrollments in distance- education courses in K-12 school districts in 2009 - 2010, almost all of which were onlinecourses. Of these enrollments, 74% were in high schools. Online courses with the highest level of enrollment fall under the categories of credit recovery (62%), dual enrollment (47%), and advanced placement (29%). This enrollment estimate does not include students attending most full-time online schools; approximately 200,000 full-time students in 2009 - 2010 and 275,000 full-time students in 2011 - 2012.” (iNACOL 2013). There are four 3-credit courses required for the program to obtain the endorsement in K-12 Online Instruction.

PROGRAM CURRICULUM: 12 CREDITS 

This endorsement may be incorporated into the Master of Science in Education. 

Three of the four courses have 10 hours of required field experience in virtual classrooms which will be arranged by your course instructors.

• EDU 601 Emerging Trends and Professional Responsibilities for Online Instructors 3 credits  
• EDU 602 Designing and Developing K-12 Online and Blended Content 3 credits  
• EDU 603 Effective Teaching in K-12 Online Settings 3 credits  
• EDU 604 Authentic Online Assessment Practices for the 21st Century Learner 3 credits  
• EDU 625 Field Experience 0 Credits  

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS  

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited, degree granting institution.
• A completed Graduate Student Application online through www.neumann.edu/apply.
• Official Transcripts from each regionally accredited, degree granting institution attended.
• Letter of intent which outlines why you wish to pursue the endorsement.
• Names and telephone numbers of two professional references.
• Interview (as needed)
• Entry into this program may be done on a matriculated or non-matriculated basis.
• The candidate must hold a valid Pennsylvania Level I or Level II Teaching Certificate in order to have the endorsement added or can receive certificate of completion from Neumann University. The student can also earn Act 48 hours for the completed courses.