Center for Teaching and Learning Faculty Certification Programs

Faculty Certification Programs

Today’s students thrive in classrooms that blend content expertise with digital fluency—regardless of whether that classroom is in-person, hybrid, or fully online. CSU’s redesigned certification programs reflect that reality. Our Learning Management System (D2L) is a powerful teaching tool for every CSU instructor—and these certifications ensure all faculty are equipped to use it confidently. What was previously a single three-module program for online instructors has been thoughtfully restructured into two distinct certifications, each tailored to a specific faculty role.

Effective July 15, 2026, the Center for Teaching and Learning will offer two distinctive Faculty Certifications: The LMS Certification, and Course Developer Certification. 

  1. The LMS Certification (formerly Module A) will be required for all Faculty, regardless of the modality in which they teach.  
  2. The Course Developer Certification (formerly Modules B & C) will be required only for faculty who are responsible for creating or revising the departmental master course shells. 

Faculty Certification Programs Description

Explore the accordions below, or download these helpful explainers for more information about the CTL Faculty Certification Programs. 

  • Today’s students thrive when their instructors are digitally fluent—whether the course meets in a classroom, online, or somewhere in between. D2L Brightspace is an educational technology tool, applicable to all types of course modalities, not just online courses. The LMS Certification equips every CSU faculty member with the hands-on skills needed to use D2L as a powerful teaching tool, regardless of modality. Mastery of the LMS means better-organized courses, stronger student engagement, and more confident instruction across all CSU courses.

    Who is Required to Complete:

    • All CSU Faculty

    What You'll Complete

    The LMS Certification Course features: 

    • Course Completion Options: 
      • Self-Paced Track
      • Fast-Track
      • Renewal Track (available only to those who have previously earned a Module A Certificate)
    • Faculty must demonstrate 80% mastery to earn certification and D2L profile badge.
    • The earned LMS Certificate of Mastery is valid for 5 years from date of issue. 

    Course Management and Enrollment

    • Course is managed and facilitated by the CTL team. While every effort will be made to enroll faculty through a list provided by HR, if a faculty member does not have automatic enrollment in the D2L course they may contact the CTL Director (Rita Thomas, rthomas@centralstate.edu ) to be enrolled in the LMS Certification course. 

    LMS Certification Completion Deadlines

    • All Central State University Faculty, with expired, or no current Module A certification, are required to complete the LMS Certification course by July 15, 2027. 
    • Completion date for Faculty new hires (hired after July 15, 2026), have one year from their start date to complete the LMS Certification course. 

  • The Course Developer Certification is a two-part program (formerly Modules B & C) built for faculty who are responsible for creating or revising departmental master course shells. It provides structured training in Quality Matters, design principles and practical course-building skills that ensure CSU’s shared course frameworks are consistent, effective, and aligned with best practices in course design.

    Who is Required to Complete:

    • Faculty Creating new departmental master course shells
    • Faculty revising existing departmental master course shells

    What You'll Complete

    Part 1 — Quality Matters (APPQMR)

    • Facilitated through the Quality Matters LMS
    • Learn QM Rubric principles and the course review process
    • Earn the APPQMR Certificate (prerequisite for Part 2)

    Part 2 — Course Design Capstone (D2L)

    • Facilitated in the D2L environment
    • Apply QM design standards to an actual course
    • Submit course for evaluation by facilitators
    • Demonstrate 80% mastery to earn the Course Developer Certificate of Mastery

    Both the APPQMR Certificate and Certificate of Course Developer Mastery valid for 5 years from date of issue 

    Course Management and Enrollment

    • Department Chairs will notify the CTL Director which faculty are required to complete this certification. Faculty will then be enrolled by the CTL team.

    Course Developer Certification Completion Deadlines

    • One year from date of completion of Part 1

    Professional Development Opportunity: 

    The Course Developer Certification is also open to any CSU faculty member as an optional professional development pathway—whether or not you are developing a master course shell. Faculty interested in strengthening course design skills and exploring Quality Matters standards are welcome to pursue this certification at any time. 

    To enroll, email CTL Director Rita R. Thomas at rthomas@centralstate.edu