Top 10 Online Instructor Certifications

Certifications for online instructors are important for a few reasons. First, certifications can demonstrate that an instructor has the qualifications and experience necessary to teach in an online setting. They can also show potential employers that they have the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage a virtual classroom. Finally, certifications provide tangible evidence that an instructor is committed to their profession and is dedicated to providing quality instruction. In today’s job market, having certifications can be a major advantage for online instructors looking for employment, as it helps them stand out from other applicants.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Online Instructors and explains how they can help further an online instructor's career.

What are Online Instructor Certifications?

Online instructor certification is a form of professional development that involves taking courses and completing tests to become certified as an online instructor. This type of certification is designed to help educators develop the skills, knowledge, and expertise to effectively teach in an online environment. It can also give instructors a competitive edge when applying for jobs or promotions.

By becoming certified, online instructors can demonstrate their commitment to the profession and their understanding of best practices when it comes to teaching in a virtual setting. They will learn how to use technology tools such as video conferencing, webinars, and other digital platforms more efficiently and effectively. They will also gain a better understanding of how to create engaging content that is tailored for an online audience. Additionally, they will be equipped with strategies on how to manage their time more efficiently while working remotely.

Ultimately, online instructor certification can help educators stay ahead of the curve in terms of technological advances and provide them with the skills needed to remain competitive in today’s job market.

Pro Tip: When considering online instructor certification, make sure to look for courses that are accredited by a recognized organization. This will ensure that the course content is up-to-date and relevant to the industry and will help you gain the necessary qualifications to become an effective instructor.

Related: What does an Online Instructor do?

Top 10 Online Instructor Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Online Instructors today.

1. Udemy Certified Instructor

Udemy Certified Instructor is a certification program offered by Udemy, an online learning platform. It is designed to help instructors create and deliver high-quality courses on the Udemy platform.

The certification process takes approximately 6-8 weeks and requires instructors to complete all the steps in order to be certified. The steps include: creating a course outline, recording lectures, creating quizzes and tests, submitting course materials for review, and completing an instructor interview.

In order to get certified as a Udemy Certified Instructor, you must first create a free account on the Udemy website and then submit your course outline for review. Once your course outline has been accepted, you will receive an email with instructions on how to record your lectures. After you have recorded your lectures, you will need to create quizzes and tests for each lecture before submitting them for review. Finally, you will need to complete an instructor interview with one of Udemy's instructors in order to become certified.

The cost of becoming a Udemy Certified Instructor varies depending on the type of course that you are creating. For example, if you are creating a basic course that does not require any additional resources or materials, then the cost may be lower than if you are creating a more advanced course that requires additional resources or materials. Generally speaking, however, the cost of becoming a Udemy Certified Instructor ranges from $50-$500 USD depending on the complexity of the course being created.

2. Coursera Certified Instructor

Coursera Certified Instructors (CCI) are highly qualified professionals who have been certified by Coursera to teach online courses. The certification requires applicants to demonstrate their teaching abilities, knowledge of the subject matter, and an understanding of online learning best practices. CCIs are responsible for creating and delivering engaging course content, providing feedback to learners, and helping ensure a successful learning experience.

It typically takes 4-6 weeks to become a Coursera Certified Instructor. The process includes submitting an application with relevant qualifications and experience, taking an assessment test, completing a teaching skills interview, and successfully completing the instructor onboarding program.

To get the CCI certification, you must first create a profile on the Coursera platform. Once your profile is approved, you can apply to become a CCI. You will then need to complete an assessment test that evaluates your knowledge of the subject matter as well as your teaching skills. After passing this assessment test, you will be invited to take part in a teaching skills interview where you will demonstrate your ability to teach effectively online. Finally, if successful in both stages of the process, you will be required to complete an instructor onboarding program before being awarded the CCI certification.

The cost of becoming a Coursera Certified Instructor varies depending on the type of course you are applying for and whether or not you are already enrolled in it or not. Generally speaking though, there is no cost associated with becoming a CCI other than time spent completing the necessary steps outlined above.

3. EdX Certified Instructor

EdX Certified Instructor is a professional certification program offered by edX, the leading online learning platform. It is designed to help instructors learn how to effectively teach and assess online courses on the edX platform. The certification includes training in course design, assessment strategies, instructional technology, and pedagogy.

The EdX Certified Instructor program takes approximately 8 weeks to complete. During this time, participants will learn about the edX platform and its features, as well as best practices for teaching online courses. Participants will also have access to an instructor mentor who can provide guidance and feedback throughout the program.

To get EdX Certified Instructor certification, you must first complete an application process that includes submitting a resume and passing an interview with an edX representative. Once accepted into the program, participants must complete all of the required coursework within 8 weeks in order to receive their certification.

The cost of the EdX Certified Instructor program varies depending on whether you are taking it as an individual or part of a group. For individuals, it costs $1,500 USD; for groups of 5 or more people, it costs $1,200 USD per person.

4. LinkedIn Learning Certified Instructor

LinkedIn Learning Certified Instructor is a program that provides professionals with the opportunity to become certified instructors for LinkedIn Learning. It is designed to help individuals build their professional brand and gain recognition as an expert in their field.

The program consists of three parts: a training course, an assessment, and a certification exam. The training course covers topics such as instructional design, video production, and teaching best practices. The assessment tests the applicant's knowledge of the material covered in the training course. Lastly, the certification exam is a practical demonstration of the applicant's ability to deliver engaging content on LinkedIn Learning.

It typically takes around 4-6 weeks to complete the program from start to finish. To get started, applicants must register for the program and pay a fee of $499 USD (or local equivalent). Once registered, applicants will be given access to all materials needed for completing the program. Upon successful completion of all three parts of the program, applicants will receive their LinkedIn Learning Certified Instructor certificate and badge which can be shared on their profile page or website.

5. Skillshare Certified Instructor

Skillshare Certified Instructor is a program designed to help instructors create and deliver high-quality, engaging classes on the Skillshare platform. The program provides instructors with the resources they need to develop their skills, build their brand, and reach more students.

It takes approximately 4-6 weeks to complete the Skillshare Certified Instructor program. To get started, instructors must first apply for the program by submitting an application form and providing a sample lesson plan. Once accepted into the program, instructors will receive access to exclusive resources such as instructor training videos, best practices guides, and one-on-one mentorship from experienced Skillshare educators.

The cost of becoming a Skillshare Certified Instructor varies depending on the type of membership you choose. There are three options: Basic (free), Pro ($19/month), and Premium ($99/year). Each option includes access to different levels of support and resources.

By completing the Skillshare Certified Instructor program, instructors gain access to exclusive benefits such as higher visibility on the platform, increased student enrollments in their classes, and invitations to join special projects or events.

6. Khan Academy Certified Instructor

Khan Academy Certified Instructor (KACI) is a program designed to recognize and reward educators who are using Khan Academy in their classrooms. It is an online certification program that allows teachers to demonstrate their mastery of the Khan Academy platform, as well as their ability to effectively use it in their classroom.

The KACI program consists of two parts: an online course and a final assessment. The online course covers topics such as creating classes, assigning exercises, and tracking student progress on Khan Academy. It takes about 8-10 hours to complete the course, depending on the individual's learning style. After completing the course, participants must pass a final assessment before they can become certified.

To get KACI certified, teachers must first sign up for the program at khanacademy.org/certified-instructor. Once registered, they will be sent a link to access the online course and assessment materials. The cost of the program is $99 USD per person, which includes access to all materials and support from Khan Academy staff throughout the process.

7. Pluralsight Certified Instructor

Pluralsight Certified Instructor is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the ability to teach courses on Pluralsight, an online learning platform. The certification is designed to help instructors build credibility and increase their visibility in the industry.

The certification process takes approximately 4-6 weeks to complete. To become a Pluralsight Certified Instructor, applicants must first submit an application, which includes a course proposal and an instructor profile. Once approved, applicants will be invited to take an online assessment that tests their knowledge of the subject matter and teaching skills.

Once the assessment is completed, applicants will be asked to create a sample video lesson and submit it for review. After successful completion of the assessment and video lesson, applicants will receive their official Pluralsight Certified Instructor badge and certificate.

The cost of the Pluralsight Certified Instructor program varies depending on the length of the course proposal submitted by applicants. For shorter courses (less than 2 hours), the cost is $99 USD; for longer courses (2-4 hours), it’s $199 USD; and for full-length courses (more than 4 hours), it’s $299 USD.

8. Udacity Nanodegree Program Instructors

Udacity Nanodegree Program Instructors are experienced professionals who lead the Udacity Nanodegree program. They provide guidance, support, and feedback to students throughout their learning journey. The instructors have a deep understanding of the topics covered in the program and are passionate about helping students succeed.

The Udacity Nanodegree program generally takes between six to twelve months to complete, depending on how much time you devote to it each week. To get started, you will need to create an account and then select a Nanodegree program that best suits your interests and goals. Once enrolled, you will be guided by your instructor through the course material and projects.

The cost of the Udacity Nanodegree Program varies depending on which program you choose. Most programs range from $399 - $799 USD per month for access to all course materials, project reviews, mentorship from industry experts, personalized career coaching, and more.

In addition to the cost of enrolling in a Nanodegree program, there may be additional costs associated with any software or hardware needed for completing projects or accessing course materials.

9. ALISON Diploma in Online Teaching and Learning

ALISON Diploma in Online Teaching and Learning is an online course designed to help teachers and educators develop their skills in teaching and learning online. The diploma consists of eight modules that cover topics such as developing an effective online learning environment, using technology for teaching and learning, designing and delivering online courses, assessing student progress, and more. The course takes approximately 60 hours to complete.

To get the diploma, you need to sign up for the course on ALISON's website. Once you have registered, you will be able to access the modules and complete them at your own pace. You will need to pass a final assessment at the end of each module in order to receive a certificate of completion. Once all eight modules are completed, you will receive your ALISON Diploma in Online Teaching and Learning.

The cost of the ALISON Diploma in Online Teaching and Learning varies depending on where you take the course from. Generally speaking, it costs around $100 USD for the entire course.

10. OpenEdx XSeries Certification for Online Instructors

OpenEdx XSeries Certification for Online Instructors is a professional certification program that offers online instructors the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise in teaching and learning with OpenEdx. The certification is designed to recognize the knowledge, skills and abilities of experienced online instructors. It is an endorsement of an instructor’s ability to design, develop, deliver and evaluate high-quality online courses using the OpenEdx platform.

The OpenEdx XSeries Certification program consists of two components: a self-paced online course and an assessment. The self-paced course covers topics such as designing effective online courses, creating engaging content, using multimedia effectively, assessing student performance and more. The assessment tests the instructor’s knowledge and understanding of these topics.

The entire OpenEdx XSeries Certification program can be completed in as little as 8 weeks or up to 6 months depending on how quickly the instructor completes the course and assessment.

To get certified, instructors must first register for the OpenEdx XSeries Certification program by completing an application form on the OpenEdx website. Once accepted into the program, instructors will receive access to the self-paced course materials and assessment. After completing both components successfully, instructors will receive their certificate from OpenEdx verifying their successful completion of the program.

The cost for enrolling in the OpenEdx XSeries Certification program varies depending on which version of the course you choose (Basic or Pro). The Basic version costs $299 USD while the Pro version costs $499 USD.

Do You Really Need a Online Instructor Certificate?

The simple answer to this question is: it depends. If you are looking to become an online instructor, then the answer is yes. Having a certificate in online instruction can help you stand out from the competition and demonstrate your knowledge of teaching in an online environment.

However, if you are already an experienced teacher, then you may not need a certificate in order to teach effectively online. You may have already acquired the skills necessary for teaching online through experience or professional development courses. In this case, having a certificate might be unnecessary.

Ultimately, it depends on your individual situation and goals as an educator. If you are just starting out as an online instructor or if you feel that having a certificate would give you an edge over other applicants, then obtaining one could be beneficial. On the other hand, if you have extensive experience teaching in an online setting and don't feel that a certificate would help your career prospects, then it may not be necessary.

Related: Online Instructor Resume Examples

FAQs About Online Instructor Certifications

Q1: What is an online instructor certification?

A1: An online instructor certification is a credential that certifies an individual’s ability to teach online courses. It demonstrates the individual’s knowledge and experience in designing, delivering, and managing effective online learning experiences.

Q2: How long does it take to get an online instructor certification?

A2: The amount of time it takes to obtain an online instructor certification depends on the program and requirements. Generally speaking, most programs require at least 30 hours of coursework, which can be completed in as little as one month if you are self-paced.

Q3: What are the benefits of getting an online instructor certification?

A3: Online instructor certifications demonstrate your proficiency in teaching and designing effective online courses. This can help you stand out from other job candidates when applying for jobs or promotions that involve teaching or instructional design roles. Additionally, having a certification may make you more marketable and increase your earning potential.

Q4: Is there any cost associated with getting an online instructor certification?

A4: Yes, there are usually fees associated with obtaining an online instructor certification. These fees vary depending on the program and institution offering the program. Be sure to check with the institution for more information about their fees and payment options before enrolling in a program.

Q5: Are there any prerequisites for getting an online instructor certification?

A5: Most programs require applicants to have some background knowledge in teaching or education prior to enrolling in a program. Additionally, some programs may also have specific educational requirements such as a certain number of years of teaching experience or completion of certain courses related to instructional design or technology integration in education.