Certified Online Instructor COI

The leading designation for online faculty in higher education.

About the COI Online Course:

Faculty professional development is one of the most critical needs in today’s online and hybrid teaching environment. This course equips your faculty with a competitive edge and prepares them to meet the expectations of today’s Internet-savvy learners. Certified Online Instructors model best practices, mentor and train fellow faculty, and contribute meaningful insight to institutional planning and decision-making.

Unique benefits:

• Learn from leading experts: Your instructors are the foremost authorities in online learning, bringing deep experience and proven strategies to every session.
• Personal course critique: You’ll receive individualized feedback on your own online course, giving you actionable insights to strengthen design, engagement, and instructional quality.
• Student-driven improvement: Your students provide direct feedback and comments, helping you understand what works, what doesn’t, and how to continually enhance the learning experience.
• Professional recognition: Upon completion, you earn the right to include the COI initials after your name—an industry-recognized credential that signals expertise and credibility in online instruction.

Agenda:

Participants average six months to complete the COI but it can be finished in as few as three months. You have up to two years to complete the program.

To complete the LERN COI program, participants must pass a 40-question multiple-choice exam and one essay question. In addition, the Chair of the LERN Faculty Advisory Board will review and provide feedback on your online course, offering expert insights to further enhance your skills.

Who should participate:

This program is designed for anyone currently teaching online or preparing to do so. The Certified Online Instructor (COI) designation is valuable for faculty teaching fully online courses, as well as those leading hybrid or blended classes. While originally created for higher education professionals, the program is also open to instructors from other educational settings who want to strengthen their online teaching expertise.

Why you should participate:

Earning the COI designation allows you to demonstrate that your knowledge of online instruction meets a recognized benchmark established by leading experts and practitioners in the field. Participants gain not only professional credibility within their institution, but also the personal satisfaction of achieving a high standard of online teaching competency.

Registering for this certificate program will automatically enroll you in the three required courses: Advanced Teaching Online, Designing Online Instruction, and Fostering Online Discussionand Fostering Online Discussion