The Chico State School of Education offers a fully-online Certificate in Educational Technology & Distance Learning to help K–12 teachers deliver effective online education. The health crisis has presented many challenges to our national education system’s service delivery model. The shift to digital learning has become essential to provide continued access to education for our students in the "new normal," but it is has not been an easy shift.

The goal of the online certificate program is to identify digital access barriers—geography, economics, infrastructure, experience with learning technologies, etc.—and potential solutions for both general and special education. You will learn how to create content, address the needs of all learners, and gain experience with assistive technologies.

Gain New Skills to be Successful in Online Teaching

The Certificate in Educational Technology & Distance Learning online coursework include presentations, highly interactive modules, podcasts, and technology use cases that will provide K-12 teachers, educational support personnel, and paraprofessionals with the knowledge required to improve their online pedagogy and successfully manage distance learning & teaching using evidence-based strategies.

Program Structure:

• Fully online for flexibility and convenience for working educators and professionals
• Primarily asynchronous lectures and coursework completed at your own time and pace. Fall and spring semester classes require 5-6 hours per week, while summer courses are condensed into fewer weeks and therefore may require more hours per week.
• Periodic live-online discussions with participants and faculty scheduled at the convenience of the cohort
• Learning as a cohort builds community, fosters creativity, enhances leadership skills, and encourages greater progress
• 6 of the 12 units earned in this program may be transferred into the MA program at Chico State

The culminating Certificate in Educational Technology & Distance Learning from Chico State that demonstrates mastery of the subject matter and your dedication to the academic success of your students.

Curriculum

Course #1: EDUC 504 Integrating Technology into Classroom Practice

This course provides opportunities for participants to develop and utilize knowledge about technology in designing and delivering content to learners in the public schools. (3 units)

Course #2: SPED 664 Instructional and Assistive Technology

This course addresses organization and management of differentiated reading and social communication instruction and interventions to meet the needs of the full range of learners. In this course, students demonstrate competence in administering, interpreting and utilizing the results of formal and informal assessments of the literacy and communication skills of students with disabilities for the purposes of developing and implementing academic literacy. Students conduct assessments, provide instruction, and special education services to individuals with academic language and/or communication needs in the areas of language and literacy development, including specific literacy's required to meet state-adopted content standards and student IEP goals. Students learn how to apply these literacy assessments and interventions in the context of Response-to-Intervention and other pre-referral intervention models. Students learn how to use assistive technology for purposes of enhancing literacy and communication and increase access to the general education curriculum. (3 units)

Course #3: EDCI 675 Digital Media & Online Learning

Examination of theoretical foundations and practical applications of digital instructional media for educators teaching face-to-face and/or online. This course addresses pedagogical considerations and best practices for using emerging technologies for professional development in teaching and instructing students. (3 units)

Course #4: SPED 671 Technology in Specialized Instruction

Principles and practices of the use of technology in the classroom including distance communication; selecting appropriate hardware and software for assessment and data collection purposes; instructional strategies, the enhancement of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and assistive technology to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Credit/no credit grading only. Classes will be held in both live-online and asynchronous formats. (2 units) 

Course #5: EDTE 631 Teaching with Technology

This course addresses the prudent, efficient, and appropriate uses of computer technology, communication tools, and electronic information management as they relate to the teaching and learning process in the K-12 setting. (1 unit)

Course Fees:

Fees are $300/unit. Total program cost is $3,600.*

Fees are paid on a per course basis at the time of registration, no later than two weeks before the start of a class.

Apply to the Program

Complete an application through Cal State Apply. The priority deadline is July 1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in your last 60 semester units of course work attempted, and a statement of purpose are required for admission to the program.

1. Go to the Cal State Apply Graduate Application page.
2. Select the Fall 2023 term.
3. Create your Cal State Apply account.
4. From the programs list, under Chico Extension, select Educational Technology and Distance Learning Certificate by clicking the + to the left of the name.
5. If you don't initially see the program listed, go into your Extended Profile and make sure that under Degree Goal the Second Bachelor's Degree and Beyond and the Certificate boxes are checked. 
6. Be prepared to submit an unofficial transcript(s) with your application. There is a $70 application fee.

For additional instruction on completing the application, visit the Chico State Graduate Studies website and review the Grad Application Quick Run-Through video.

Student Resources

• Special Session Add/Drop Policy & General Information
• Sallie Mae Loan Information  
• School of Education 
• Graduate Studies
• Student Records
• IT Support Services