Digital Learning Design
Graduate Certificate
About this program
Graduate Certificate in Digital Learning Design at San Francisco State University prepares educators, trainers, and professionals to design engaging, inclusive, and technology-enhanced online learning experiences. Grounded in learning sciences, design thinking, and digital pedagogy, the program emphasizes innovative use of emerging tools including artificial intelligence (AI) to improve learner engagement and outcomes. Participants gain practical skills in instructional design, multimedia development, and online teaching strategies applicable across K–12, higher education, corporate, and nonprofit settings. Offered fully online, the certificate supports both career advancement and pathways into instructional design, educational technology, and learning innovation roles.
Program Curriculum and Requirements
Program Scope
The Graduate Certificate in Digital Learning Design is a short, skills focused program for students who want practical training in instructional design, e-learning and learning technologies. In a 12 unit sequence, you learn how to assess training needs, analyze performance problems and design modern learning solutions using current instructional design approaches and development tools.
This certificate works well if you want to upskill for a new role, strengthen your current job, or use it as a stepping stone toward the MA in Instructional Design and Technology. You can apply through Cal State Apply as a new student or submit a certificate admissions application if you are already an SF State graduate student in an eligible program, and you will finish by submitting the approved program form after you complete all coursework.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students design educational solutions to address knowledge or performance gaps by following a systematic instructional process and using industry-standard tools to develop effective, multimedia-based instructional materials.
- Students plan and conduct effective formative and summative evaluations for a variety of instructional settings. Students develop and use data-gathering and assessment instruments effectively throughout the design process.
Additional Program Information
You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 grade point average in the last 60 units of college coursework.
If you are a new applicant to SFSU, you must apply to the Graduate Certificate through Cal State Apply.
In your application, you must include:
- Two letters of recommendation,
- Transcripts of all college-level coursework, a résumé/curriculum vita
- Statement of purpose documenting your interest in this Certificate program.
If you are currently enrolled as a post-baccalaureate credential student or graduate student at SFSU, you only need to submit the Certificate Admissions Application for admission to the Graduate Certificate program.
When you have completed all coursework in the Graduate Certificate, you will submit the Certificate Approved Program Form, along with a copy of your unofficial SFSU transcripts, to the ELSIT Department Chair for approval.