Texas State University requires all faculty members who instruct online or hybrid courses to successfully complete online teaching certification before assuming their teaching duties.
The Distance and Extended Learning Steering Committee Online has approved the following teaching certification options designed to meet SACSCOC and THECB requirements, as described in PPS 02.03.01.
This self-paced online course is offered using Canvas, the university’s learning management system. Faculty have eight weeks to complete a series of short, effective learning modules.
In these modules, faculty will learn and apply the best practices of online instruction to enhance their teaching effectiveness and student engagement. The course offers practical strategies to maintain a consistent instructor presence, foster a sense of community among learners, and promote meaningful interactions. Emphasis is also placed on the importance of accessibility and diversity in course content. Moreover, faculty will also learn to model digital citizenship and uphold academic integrity in their online classes.
For more information about this course, or if you have questions about registration, contact the Instructional Design Services team at IDTeam@txstate.edu.
The following trainings offered by Quality Matters (QM) and the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) are also approved options for faculty online teaching certification at Texas State University.
IMPORTANT: Faculty members who complete one of the following courses from QM or OLC are also required to complete Teaching Online at Texas State Supplemental, a brief course focusing on essential material specific to Texas State.
To enroll in Teaching Online at Texas State Supplemental, contact the Instructional Design Services team at IDTeam@txstate.edu
Note: OXP does not cover training costs with QM or OLC, including the certification options below.
| Course | Prerequisite | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| QM Designing Your Online Course | None | 2 weeks |
| QM Designing Your Blended Course | None | 2 weeks |
| QM Improving Your Online Course | An online course to improve | 2 weeks |
| OLC Online Teaching Certificate | Online teaching experience | 10 weeks for foundation course plus 3 electives |
| OLC Advanced Teaching Certificate | 3+ years teaching experience or OLC teaching certificate and 1-yr experience | 3 week foundation course plus 4 live synchronous sessions |
Instructors with prior training, extensive experience teaching online, and other qualifications may seek an alternative approach to meeting the professional development requirement by completing the Alternative Documentation Form.
To expedite the process, we recommend you assemble the following documentation before beginning the form:
Online teaching certificate copy (if applicable)
PDF examples of previously instructed online or hybrid course that demonstrate best practices in online teaching
Copy of syllabus from previously instructed online or hybrid course
The form and attachments will be evaluated by the Instructional Design Services team. If the submission passes review, the instructor will be provided with a waiver of Texas State's requirement for a professional development program.
NOTE: Faculty members who complete one of the following courses from QM or OLC are also required to complete Teaching Online at Texas State Supplemental, a brief course focusing on essential material specific to Texas State.
To enroll in Teaching Online at Texas State Supplemental, contact the Instructional Design Services team at IDTeam@txstate.edu
