Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning

Learn how to teach online.

Worldwide, education has pivoted to online learning in a big way, dramatically changing how education takes place and how students learn.

Without proper training and experience, teachers are underprepared and undertrained to teach in an online learning environment. Teachers may face challenges such as disengaged, disconnected students and a lack of peer-to-peer and teacher collaboration. But teaching online doesn’t have to be hard.

Become an expert in education technology.
Effectively teach online courses and engage with your virtual classroom.

Are you a K-12 teacher, post-secondary instructor, or private sector educator?

Enrol in TRU’s Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning and gain the knowledge, skills, and experience you need to effectively teach and use technology in online education. Learn how you can provide students with the technology and guidance they need to comfortably transition from in-person to virtual learning and succeed in an online education environment.

Experts with decades of online learning experience will support you as you learn alongside other teachers and educators. Gain online teaching and learning theory while practising it directly using online teaching tools in an open platform that is adaptive and responsive.

Help fill the need

Online education continues to advance and a move to hybrid in-person and online education is on the horizon—prepare yourself to become the teacher of the future!

By incorporating new pedagogical approaches and technologies, online education can be more effective than in-classroom learning. As a teacher, you must therefore be able to incorporate technology in a fun and engaging way that supports student learning and collaboration.

  • 25-60% of students retain more material learning online vs 8-10% of students in a classroom. Source: The Research Institute of America.
  • Online learning required 40-60% less time to learn than in a traditional classroom setting. Source: Brandon Hall and Rosenberg Study (2001)
  • The e-learning industry is expected to grow beyond $200 billion by 2025 (increasing the demand for qualified online instructors).

Just five courses required. Become an expert in online teaching and learning.

Admission requirements

Complete the Program Admission Form and apply online if you have one of the following:

  • Bachelor of Education
  • Baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree in another discipline, along with teaching qualifications or experience
  • Permission of the academic director or designate

Residency requirements

You must take a minimum of six TRU credits (distance or on-campus)

Certificate requirements

You must complete 15 credits, with a GPA of 3.00 or higher over all of the courses required for this credential.

Required courses

  • EDDL 5101, Education Technology for Learning (3)
  • EDDL 5111, Learning Design (3)
  • EDDL 5131, Designing Multimedia for Curriculum (3)
  • EDDL 5141, Online Teaching and Learning (3)
  • EDDL 5151, Contemporary Issues in Technology Enhanced Learning (3)

Recommended course order

It is recommended that students take courses in the following order. You can complete the courses in a different order if you have consulted with a program advisor.

Recommended course order
Fall Winter Summer
EDDL 5101 EDDL 5131 EDDL 5151
EDDL 5111 EDDL 5141  

Student responsibility

You must maintain a GPA of 3.00 to remain in the program. One grade of ‘F’ may result in dismissal from the program. Students with B- or lower in two or more courses must withdraw—regardless of their GPA—unless the program coordinator recommends otherwise.

Consult with your program advisor to ensure the courses you select can be applied toward the program requirements of your chosen credential.

Before registering in a course that is not listed on the OL course and registration webpage, you must apply for a letter of permission. If you do not, it is possible that you may not be able to apply the course credits to your program or that you will have to pay a transcript reassessment fee.

Need help getting started?

Please choose from one of the following options:

  • For questions related to Admissions, contact: oladmissions@tru.ca
  • For more information about the certificate program, course planning, or program eligibility, please contact AdvisorC@tru.ca
  • Current TRU MEd students looking to complete one or more of these courses as an elective can contact edgradadvising@tru.ca