Top 11 Course Developer Certifications

Certifications are an important way for course developers to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in a specific area. By obtaining certifications, course developers can show potential employers that they have the skills and expertise necessary to create effective courses. Certifications also provide recognition of a course developer’s proficiency in a certain field, which can be beneficial in terms of job security and advancement opportunities. Furthermore, certifications can help differentiate one course developer from another in the competitive job market.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Course Developers and explains how they can enhance career prospects in the industry.

What are Course Developer Certifications?

Course developer certification is a type of professional development certification that helps individuals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in designing, developing, and delivering effective online courses. This certification can help course developers prove their competency in developing interactive, engaging, and high-quality online courses. With this certification, developers can increase their credibility and show employers and clients that they have the necessary skills to design successful online learning experiences. Course developer certifications also equip learners with the latest trends in eLearning technology and best practices for creating meaningful learning experiences. By obtaining this certification, course developers can stay up-to-date on the latest trends in eLearning and ensure their courses are current and relevant to today’s learners. Additionally, having a course developer certification can increase job opportunities as well as salary potential for those who have it.

Pro Tip: When considering course developer certification, research potential certifications and the requirements for each to ensure you are choosing the best option for your goals. Additionally, make sure to review any prerequisites necessary to qualify for a certification program so that you can adequately prepare before enrolling.

Related: What does a Course Developer do?

Top 11 Course Developer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Course Developers today.

1. Certified Instructional Designer

Certified Instructional Designer (CID) is a professional credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and skills in the field of instructional design. It is awarded by the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction (IBSTPI).

The CID certification process requires applicants to complete a series of courses and assessments designed to evaluate their knowledge and skills in the areas of instructional design theory, practice, technology, and evaluation. Applicants must also demonstrate their ability to apply these principles in a variety of contexts.

The process typically takes about six months to complete. In order to become certified, applicants must first submit an application form and pay the required fee. After the application has been approved, applicants will be required to complete a series of online courses that cover topics such as instructional design theory, practice, technology, and evaluation. Once all courses are completed successfully, applicants must take an online assessment that tests their knowledge and skills. Upon successful completion of this assessment, applicants will receive their CID certification.

The cost for becoming certified varies depending on the provider offering the certification program. Typically it costs between $500 - $1,000 USD to become certified as an Instructional Designer.

2. Certified eLearning Developer

Certified eLearning Developer (CeLD) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to create, design, develop and deliver effective online learning experiences. CeLD demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the field of eLearning development and provides an industry-recognized credential for those who wish to demonstrate their expertise.

The Certified eLearning Developer program consists of a series of online courses that cover topics such as instructional design, content development, multimedia production, project management, and evaluation. The program also includes an assessment component that tests the learner’s understanding of the material covered in the courses. Upon successful completion of all course requirements and passing the assessment, learners are awarded the CeLD credential.

It typically takes approximately 6 months to complete all requirements for the Certified eLearning Developer program.

To get certified as an eLearning Developer you must first register with the International Association for Online Learning Professionals (IAOLP). Once registered with IAOLP you can then purchase access to their online courses which will provide you with all the material needed to pass your assessment and become certified.

The cost of becoming certified as an eLearning Developer varies depending on which package you choose from IAOLP but typically ranges from $150 - $400 USD.

3. Certified Learning Management System Administrator

A Certified Learning Management System Administrator (CLMSA) is an individual who has the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to effectively manage a learning management system (LMS). The CLMSA certification is offered by the Association for Talent Development (ATD), formerly known as the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD).

The CLMSA certification requires applicants to have at least two years of experience in managing a learning management system. Additionally, applicants must pass a three-hour exam that covers topics such as LMS architecture, user administration, content management, reporting, analytics, and more.

To get the CLMSA certification, applicants must first register with ATD and pay an application fee of $150. After registering, applicants can then purchase study materials from ATD or any other provider that offers CLMSA preparation materials. Once prepared, applicants can take the exam at any authorized testing center or online through Pearson VUE.

The cost of the CLMSA certification varies depending on whether you purchase study materials from ATD or another provider. If you purchase materials from ATD directly, it will cost approximately $1,000 in total including registration fees and study materials. If you purchase materials from another provider it may be slightly cheaper but could still cost up to $900 in total.

4. Certified Online Course Developer

Certified Online Course Developer (COCD) is a professional certification program designed to help individuals develop the skills necessary to create and deliver effective online courses. The program covers topics such as instructional design, course development, assessment, online learning technology, and multimedia production. It also includes best practices for designing and delivering engaging online courses.

The COCD program consists of two levels: Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 is a self-paced online course that takes approximately 40 hours to complete. This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of online course development, including instructional design principles, best practices in creating engaging content, and how to use technology effectively in an online learning environment.

Level 2 is an instructor-led training program that takes approximately 25 hours to complete. This course focuses on developing advanced skills in creating effective online courses, including multimedia production techniques, assessment strategies, and using various technologies for delivering engaging content.

To obtain the COCD certification, you must successfully complete both levels of the program. The cost of the COCD certification program varies depending on your location and provider; however it typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

5. Certified Distance Education Professional

Certified Distance Education Professional (CDEP) is a professional certification program offered by the Distance Education Accreditation Commission (DEAC). The goal of this certification is to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of competency in the field of distance education.

The CDEP program requires applicants to complete an application and pass a comprehensive examination. The exam covers topics such as instructional design, technology, assessment, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. Applicants must also submit evidence of their professional experience in distance education.

The CDEP certification process typically takes 4-6 months from the time an application is submitted until the applicant receives their certification.

To apply for the CDEP program, applicants must submit an online application form and pay a $250 non-refundable fee. Once accepted into the program, applicants will be required to take an online assessment that consists of multiple-choice questions and essay questions. After passing the assessment, applicants will receive their certification within 4-6 weeks.

The cost of the CDEP program varies depending on the applicant’s location and other factors. Generally speaking, it costs between $500-$1,000 USD to become certified through DEAC’s CDEP program.

6. Certified Educational Technology Specialist

Certified Educational Technology Specialist (CETS) is a professional credential issued by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in the use of technology to enhance learning.

To become certified, individuals must complete an application process that includes submitting evidence of their experience with educational technology, passing an online assessment, and completing a professional development program. The application process typically takes about three months.

The cost for the CETS certification varies depending on the type of membership selected. ISTE members pay $150 for the certification, while non-members pay $300.

7. Certified Online Teaching Professional

Certified Online Teaching Professional (COTP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize educators who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to effectively teach in an online environment. The COTP certification is awarded by the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL).

The COTP certification requires completion of a comprehensive self-paced training program that covers topics such as instructional design, online learning best practices, technology integration, and assessment. The program takes approximately 20 hours to complete.

To get the COTP certification, individuals must first register for the program on iNACOL's website. After completing the coursework and passing the final exam with a score of 80% or higher, applicants will be awarded their COTP certificate.

The cost of the COTP certification is $295 USD.

8. Certified Mobile Learning Specialist

Certified Mobile Learning Specialist (CMLe) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association for Mobile Learning (IAML). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the design, development, and delivery of mobile learning solutions.

The CMLe program consists of two levels: Certified Mobile Learning Professional (CMLP) and Certified Mobile Learning Expert (CMLE). The CMLP level requires completion of an online course, which takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. The CMLE level requires completion of an additional online course and a final exam, which takes approximately 16-20 hours to complete.

To get certified as a CMLP or CMLE, you must first register with IAML and purchase the appropriate certification package. The cost for the CMLP package is $199 USD and the cost for the CMLE package is $299 USD. Once you have purchased your certification package, you will receive access to all necessary materials and instructions on how to complete each step of the process.

9. Certified Web Design and Development Professional

Certified Web Design and Development Professional (CWDP) is a certification that is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of web designers and developers. The certification is offered by the International Association of Web Professionals (IAWP). It is designed to demonstrate that an individual has the necessary skills to design, develop, maintain, and promote websites.

The CWDP certification requires that applicants have a minimum of two years of experience in web design or development. Applicants must also pass a series of exams which cover topics such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and MySQL. Additionally, applicants must complete a portfolio project which demonstrates their ability to create a website from start to finish.

In order to get the CWDP certification, applicants must first register with IAWP and pay the required fee. After registration is complete, applicants can begin studying for the exams by accessing study materials on IAWP's website or through other sources such as books or online courses. Once all exams have been passed and the portfolio project has been completed successfully, applicants will be awarded their CWDP certificate.

The cost for obtaining the CWDP certification varies depending on where you obtain your study materials from but typically ranges between $500-$1000 USD.

10. Microsoft Office Specialist Certification

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification is a globally recognized certification program that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in using Microsoft Office applications. It is designed to help individuals demonstrate their proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite of products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and OneNote.

The MOS certification process involves taking an exam that tests your knowledge of the various Microsoft Office applications. The exams are administered by Certiport, a testing center authorized by Microsoft. The exams cover topics such as formatting documents, creating tables and charts, working with formulas and functions in Excel spreadsheets, creating presentations in PowerPoint, managing emails in Outlook, and more.

The length of time it takes to get certified depends on how much time you have available to study for the exam. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from one month to six months or more to prepare for the MOS exam depending on your experience level with the Microsoft Office suite of products.

To get certified you will need to register for an exam at a Certiport testing center near you. You can find a list of centers online at https://www.certiport.com/locator/. Once you have registered for an exam you will be given access to practice tests and other resources that will help you prepare for the actual test.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on which version of Microsoft Office you are being tested on (e.g., 2016 or 2019). Generally speaking, each MOS exam costs around $150 USD per attempt; however there may be discounts available if you purchase multiple exams at once or if your employer pays for them.

11. Adobe Creative Cloud Certification

Adobe Creative Cloud Certification is a professional certification program that verifies an individual’s expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud products. This certification provides proof of the individual’s ability to use Adobe software and tools to create digital content, design websites, and develop creative projects.

The certification process typically takes between four to six weeks to complete. To get certified, individuals must first pass a series of exams that cover topics such as graphic design, video editing, web development, and more. Individuals must also demonstrate their proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud products through hands-on projects.

The cost of the certification varies depending on the type of exam taken and the number of exams taken. Generally speaking, it can range from around $100 to $300 for each exam. Additionally, some organizations may offer discounts or other incentives for those who are interested in getting certified.

Once an individual has successfully completed all required exams and projects, they will receive an official Adobe Creative Cloud Certification certificate. This certificate will serve as proof of their expertise in using Adobe Creative Cloud products and can be used to demonstrate their skills when applying for jobs or seeking promotions within their current organization.

Do You Really Need a Course Developer Certificate?

No, you do not need a course developer certificate to become a successful course developer. While having certification may give you an advantage when applying for jobs, it is not necessary if you have the right skills and experience.

In today’s digital world, there are plenty of free online courses and tutorials that can teach you the basics of course development. These resources can help equip you with the knowledge and tools to create effective courses on your own. Additionally, there are many books available on the topic as well as blogs and forums where experienced developers share tips and tricks.

If you want to stand out from other applicants when seeking employment in this field, however, having a course developer certificate may be beneficial. It will show potential employers that you have taken the time to learn about best practices for creating online courses, which could make you more appealing than someone without certification.

Ultimately, whether or not you decide to pursue a course developer certificate is up to you. If you feel confident in your ability to develop quality courses without any formal training or credentials, then go ahead and apply for jobs without one. However, if you think certification would give your resume an extra edge over the competition, then it may be worth investing in one.

Related: Course Developer Resume Examples

FAQs About Course Developer Certifications

Q1. What is a Course Developer Certification?

A1. A Course Developer Certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and skills in the development of online courses, including instructional design, multimedia production, and online teaching strategies.

Q2. How do I get a Course Developer Certification?

A2. To obtain a Course Developer Certification, individuals typically need to complete an accredited program or course offered by a recognized institution or organization. Additionally, some certifications may require passing an exam or portfolio review.

Q3. How long does it take to get a Course Developer Certification?

A3. The amount of time required to obtain a Course Developer Certification can vary depending on the type of certification and the requirements for completion. Generally speaking, most certifications can be completed within one to two years of study or training.

Q4. Is there an age requirement for getting a Course Developer Certification?

A4. No, there is no age requirement for obtaining a Course Developer Certification; however, programs may have specific prerequisites that must be met before enrolling in their coursework or program.

Q5. What are the benefits of having a Course Developer Certification?

A5. Some of the benefits of having a Course Developer Certification include greater job opportunities and higher salaries as well as increased credibility when developing online courses for organizations or institutions. Additionally, having this certification can help distinguish you from other candidates when applying for jobs in this field.