Learning and Performance Technology Certificates

LAPT certificates are designed for professionals working in business, industry and education who are in search of new and innovative strategies to meet the training needs of their organization. Each of the 12-credit certificates may be completed within a year. They also are an excellent way for career changers to break into the training field.

These certificates are ideal for working professionals and subject matter experts who are interested in enhancing their skills or gaining specialized knowledge in a particular area. They are also ideal for career changers who want to get started in the field quickly. Completed certificates can also be applied to a full master’s degree later.

  • Flexible Learning Options: All four certificate programs are offered completely online.
  • Earn Credentials in One Year: It is possible to earn the ISD Certificate in just two semesters. However, the eLearning, Instructional Technology, and LAPT certificates typically take three to four semesters to complete. Courses are offered during the fall, spring & summer sessions.
  • Distinguished Faculty: The faculty members are accomplished scholars and practitioners within the field of training and development, each bringing years of practical experience to the classroom.
  • Certificate Credit for Masters: Students may apply certificate course credits to Master of Arts program. Students who complete a certificate are almost half way (4 of 10 courses) of their way to earning a Master’s degree.
  • Approved by Maryland Higher Education Commission: Students receive an official certificate of completion from UMBC.

Graduate Certificates

Instructional Systems Development

This certificate provides the student with a systematic model for creating instruction. Students examine the various phases in the instructional design model and how it is used in developing and managing training and educational activities. The courses provide both theory and practical experience which are applicable to business and industry training, education and public service.

Learn more about the ISD Graduate Certificate

LAPT/EDUC 602: Instructional Systems Development

Online (Fall, Spring & Summer)

This course includes the elements of analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation. An emphasis is placed on micro-level design issues including analysis, design and evaluation. Learners work through the ISD process to assemble a training or education project that is ready for implementation. A design plan and lesson plan is constructed to allow learners real-world experience in the ISD process. The online section of this course is taught using an asynchronous delivery format.

Prerequisite: Consent of the LAPT department.

LAPT/EDUC 603: Analysis for Design and Evaluation

Online (Fall, Spring, Summer)

This course focuses on the assessment, design and evaluation stages of the ADDIE model of instructional systems design. It promotes a sequential process through which instructional designers define performance problems, analyze performance gaps, identify root causes, propose training solutions, design appropriate learning events and craft evaluation strategies to measure the efficacy of their recommended approaches. Students will prepare multiple project documents throughout this real-world, real-time applied learning event, culminating in a final project portfolio of professional-grade ISD work. The online section of this course is taught using an asynchronous delivery format. This course was formerly known as Instructional Systems Development II. Recommended: LAPT 602 is recommended to be completed first.

LAPT/EDUC 605: Adult Learner

Online (Fall, Spring and Summer)

This course covers adult learning theories, instructional strategies and other aspects of adult learning and human performance improvement, with a special emphasis on the implications for design, delivery, evaluation and the application of learning. Other selected topics include alternative methods to traditional learning/training, and the characteristics, motivation and learning preferences of adult learners. The online section of this course is taught using an asynchronous delivery format. 

LAPT/EDUC 671: Principles of Training and Development

Online (Fall and Spring)

This course examines key principles relevant to training and development. They include: the role of training in an organization, adult learning theory, needs assessment, training methodology, organizational support, resources and constraints, evaluation of training, and managing the training function. Issues that influence training implementation, such as ethics and interpretation, are also addressed. The online section of this course is taught using an asynchronous delivery format.

Prerequisite: LAPT/EDUC 602 and consent of the LAPT department.

eLearning

As it becomes more costly to deliver face-to-face instruction, trainers and educators are seeking technologically mediated environments to distribute training and development. With the eLearning certificate, students learn the theoretical principles and practical applications of designing effective online training and instruction for both corporate and educational settings.

LAPT/EDUC 602: Instructional Systems Development

Online (Fall, Spring & Summer)

This course includes the elements of analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation. An emphasis is placed on micro-level design issues including analysis, design and evaluation. Learners work through the ISD process to assemble a training or education project that is ready for implementation. A design plan and lesson plan is constructed to allow learners real-world experience in the ISD process. The online section of this course is taught using an asynchronous delivery format.

Prerequisite: Consent of the LAPT department.

LAPT/EDUC 641: The Online Classroom

Online (Fall only)

In this course, various aspects of computer-mediated communication and instruction are examined. A broad range of distance education issues and applications are explored from a theoretical and practical standpoint. This course is taught using an asynchronous delivery format.

Prerequisite:  LAPT/EDUC 602 recommended and consent of department.

LAPT/EDUC 643: Principles of eLearning Education

Online (Spring only)

This course provides students with a foundation in history, theory, organization, technologies and instructional procedures used in distance education. Students gain experience with several distance-education delivery systems. This course is taught using an asynchronous delivery format.

Prerequisite:  LAPT/EDUC 602 recommended and consent of department.

LAPT/EDUC 647: Corporate eLearning Training

Online

This course identifies how to maximize utilization of organizational technology to deliver distance training. Students will examine case studies to explore current practices and future trends in business application of distance learning. This course is taught using an asynchronous delivery format. There will be some optional synchronous sessions that will be recorded for later viewing.

Prerequisite:  LAPT/EDUC 602 and consent of department

Instructional Technology

This certificate is designed for multi-media developers, instructional technologists, instructional designers, K-12 teachers, and trainers interested in learning the latest multimedia and web-based development tools used to create computer and web-based instruction.

LAPT/EDUC 602: Instructional Systems Development

Online (Fall, Spring & Summer)

This course includes the elements of analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation. An emphasis is placed on micro-level design issues including analysis, design and evaluation. Learners work through the ISD process to assemble a training or education project that is ready for implementation. A design plan and lesson plan is constructed to allow learners real-world experience in the ISD process. The online section of this course is taught using an asynchronous delivery format.

Prerequisite: Consent of the LAPT department.

LAPT/EDUC 681: Survey of Instructional Technology Applications

Online (Fall and Spring)

First in a series of three Instructional Technology courses, this course exposes students to a range of multi-media tools used to design interactive instruction including computer-based training (CBT) and web-based training (WBT) products. Through analysis and hands-on experience with each tool, the students identify the properties of each tool, describe the strengths and limitations and evaluate their application for different learning events. This course formerly was EDUC 640. The online section of this course is taught using a synchronous delivery format.

This course requires the purchase of Articulate Storyline software.

LAPT/EDUC 682: Instructional Technology Design and Development

Online (Fall and Spring)

Second in the series of Instructional Technology courses, this course continues a student’s development process as he/she applies ISD principles to the development and delivery of instruction using a computer-based training model. This course formerly was EDUC 610. This course is taught using a synchronous online delivery format.

Prerequisite: LAPT/EDUC 640 or 681 required and consent of department

LAPT/EDUC 683: Multi-Media Project Management

Online (Fall and Spring)

The last of three Instructional Technology courses, this lab-based course allows students to apply project development and multi-media design skills by completing an industry-based design project. The course is divided into four or more discrete modules that teach specific multi-media development applications required to execute and complete the design project. By the conclusion of the course, each student possesses comprehensive knowledge of the applications and how to apply them to a multi-media design project. This course formerly was EDUC 620. This course is taught using an asynchronous delivery format. There will be some synchronous sessions that will be recorded for later viewing.

Prerequisite: LAPT/EDUC 640 or 681 required and consent of department

Learning and Performance Technology

The certificate integrates in- and out-of-classroom learning experiences to prepare graduates for careers in the private, public, and non-profit sector. With a focus on a variety of applied performance improvement techniques and strategies, this program allows for numerous ways in which students and graduates can work on performance issues at the campus, community, state and regional level.​

LAPT/EDUC 603: Analysis for Design and Evaluation

Online (Fall, Spring, Summer)

This course focuses on the assessment, design and evaluation stages of the ADDIE model of instructional systems design. It promotes a sequential process through which instructional designers define performance problems, analyze performance gaps, identify root causes, propose training solutions, design appropriate learning events and craft evaluation strategies to measure the efficacy of their recommended approaches. Students will prepare multiple project documents throughout this real-world, real-time applied learning event, culminating in a final project portfolio of professional-grade ISD work. The online section of this course is taught using an asynchronous delivery format. This course was formerly known as Instructional Systems Development II. Recommended: LAPT 602 is recommended to be completed first.

LAPT 610: The Business of Learning and Performance

Online (Fall)

Through exploration and application of interactive and iterative business development processes, this course blends the use of organizational development; best business principles and practices; and industry trends in designing, delivering, and evaluating classroom, Internet, blended learning, and self-directed learning. It integrates the traditional role of an instructional designer into a complementary, but new role of solving performance problems in an organization.

LAPT/EDUC 649: Trends and Issues in Learning and Performance Technology

Online (Alternating Summers)

This course provides participants with awareness of strategies, practices, and ideas concerning training and development issues. It is designed for students to explore “real world” applications for programs, services and operations in a training environment. Professionals in the training field will be featured as guest speakers. This course is offered in alternating summer sessions. This course is taught using a synchronous online delivery format.

Prerequisite: LAPT/EDUC 602 and consent of department.

LAPT/EDUC 796: Human Performance Technology

Online (Fall)

This course focuses on a synergistic examination of the current issues related to the design, development, delivery and evaluation of training systems for employee training in industry and business. Corporate organization, financial, social and political factors are analyzed in terms of their effect upon the efficacy and efficiency of such training programs. The students are expected to research such factors and their synergistic effect upon corporations’ internal efforts to respond to training needs.

Prerequisite: LAPT/EDUC 602 and consent of department.