# 2026-2027 Course Catalog

**Source**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/education/epol/learning-design-leadership-cert/
**Parent**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/certificates/

*for the Graduate Certificate in Learning Design and Leadership*

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The Certificate in Learning Design and Leadership, requiring 12 credit hours of coursework, explores innovative approaches to learning, with a focus on e-learning and technology-mediated knowledge communities. It is designed for educators and aspiring leaders in education at all levels, community educators, ed-tech developers, education writers, curriculum resource developers, instructional designers, trainers or anyone with a professional or personal interest in learning. Upon completing the CERT, students will be able to:

- Design and develop efficient, effective, and engaging learning systems and environments.
- Become autonomous knowledge creators and sharers to advance the practice of learning design.
- Implement alternative forms of assessment.
- Innovate teaching and learning through sound evaluations.

---

The Graduate Certificate programs in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership are designed to meet the academic and professional interests of individuals preparing for careers as academic professionals, adult educators, college professors, corporate trainers, educational policy analysts, governmental administrators, instructional designers/technologists, non-profit representatives, organizational development specialists, and university administration leaders.

## **Admission**

The Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership carefully considers all applicants for graduate study. Interested applicants should start at the [College of Education Graduate Programs website](http://education.illinois.edu/programs/grad). In addition to the application, the applicant is required to submit the following information: a statement of purpose, updated resume, official transcripts from all colleges attended, and three letters of recommendation. A scholarly writing sample in English (e.g., a master's thesis, article, or academic paper) is required for application to a doctoral program.

International applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency for admission. Please see the [English Proficiency Requirement for Admission](https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/instructions/04c) for additional information on this requirement.

## **Facilities and Resources**

To learn more about our faculty’s research areas, current grants, and recent publications, please visit our [department homepage](https://education.illinois.edu/epol) and/or visit the [Faculty Finder](https://education.illinois.edu/about/directory?displaytype=Profile+View&jobtypes=Faculty). Our faculty pursue a wide range of research interests, offering graduate students many opportunities to collaborate and participate in meaningful research projects. ​

## **Financial Aid**

Financial aid in the form of assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, and tuition waivers can be found throughout the [college](https://education.illinois.edu/current-students/graduate/financial-aid) and campus. Please note: Graduate students employed as staff by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are not eligible for a College of Education Fellowship. Campus opportunities can be found at the [Graduate College](http://www.grad.illinois.edu/financial-aid) and the [Office of Student Financial Aid](http://www.osfa.illinois.edu/).

*for the Graduate Certificate in Learning Design and Leadership*

---

#### **Graduation Requirements**

#### **Minimum Cumulative GPA:** 3.0

#### **Minimum hours required for certificate completion:**12 hours

Students who have successfully completed this 12-credit hour certificate may use the certificate to satisfy the following degree requirements, provided they apply and are admitted to the degree program:

- 4 hours of 500-level course required in Education for the EdM degree program at EPOL, and
- 8 hours of Concentration Courses or 400/500-level Courses approved by Advisor for the EdM degree program at EPOL

or

- 4 hours of 500-level course required in Education for the MA degree program at EPOL, and
- 8 hours of 400/500-level Courses approved by Advisor for the MA degree program at EPOL

or

- Up to 12 hours of Major Subject coursework (includes concentration courses) required in Education for the EdD degree program at EPOL, and
- Up to 12 hours of Elective Hours or 400/500-level courses approved by Advisor for the EdD degree program at EPOL

or

- Up to 12 hours of Major Subject coursework (includes concentration courses) required in Education approved by the Advisor for the PhD degree program at EPOL

or

- Up to 12 hours of 400/500-level Courses in Education approved by the Advisor for the CAS program at EPOL

Course List

     | Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Choose 3 from: | | 12 |
| [EPOL 481](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20481 "EPOL 481") | New Learning |  |
| [EPOL 486](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20486 "EPOL 486") | New Media & Learner Differences |  |
| [EPOL 534](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20534 "EPOL 534") | Assessment for Learning |  |
| [EPOL 580](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20580 "EPOL 580") | Ubiquitous Learning |  |
| [EPOL 581](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20581 "EPOL 581") | Knowledge, Learning and Pedagogy |  |
| [EPOL 582](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20582 "EPOL 582") | New Media and Literacies |  |
| [EPOL 583](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPOL%20583 "EPOL 583") | eLearning Ecologies |  |
| Total Hours | | 12 |

#### **Other Requirements**

Grad Other Degree Requirements

 | Requirement | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Minimum 500-level course requirement | 1 |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 |

*for the Graduate Certificate in Learning Design and Leadership*

---

## [Department of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership](https://education.illinois.edu/epol)

Head of the Department: Lorenzo Baber\
Director of Graduate Studies: Linda Herrera\
Graduate Admissions Information: Linda Stimson (on campus) and Jena Pfoff (online/off-campus)\
[Education Policy, Organization & Leadership faculty](https://education.illinois.edu/faculty-finder/epol)\
142 Education Building, 1310 South Sixth Street, Champaign, IL 61820\
(217) 244-3542\
[gradservices@education.illinois.edu](mailto:gradservices@education.illinois.edu)

## [College of Education](http://education.illinois.edu/)

[College of Education programs](https://education.illinois.edu/faceted-search/programs/)

## **Admissions**

[College of Education Overview of Admissions & Requirements](https://education.illinois.edu/programs/grad/how-to-apply?url=/programs/grad)\
[Graduate College Admissions & Requirements](https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply)