Teach Online

Online Instructor Certification

What is the OIC?

The OIC is a fully online four-week certification preparing USF instructors to teach online. The course includes strategies for planning instructor presence, active learning approaches for online presentations, assessment/feedback planning, and more. 

 

Where can I register?

You can register here for the OIC. 

Who is required to take the oic?

The OIC is required for those who are listed as the instructor of record for fully online courses (AD/PD). 

Is the OIC only available to those teaching fully online courses or is it open to all?

The OIC is required for those who are listed as the instructor of record. If you are not the instructor of record of an online course but would like access to the OIC, we offer the OIC Open. The OIC Open is a replica of the certification-based OIC, but it is self-paced and does not count towards certification. You can use this as an opportunity to preview the OIC and/or use it as a training resource to build your skills as an online instructor. 
Enroll in the OIC Open

Alternatively, if you do wish to acquire certification please email us at facultysupport@usf.edu and indicate that you are not the instructor of record of an online course but are interested in getting certified.

what is the required attendance? how much time is required? 

Participants will not be required to attend live lectures or meet at a specific time. However, online office hours will be available. The course is delivered over a four-week period and participants typically spend one to three hours per week reviewing presentations, engaging with peers, and completing assignments. Certification requires the completion of all assignments and participation within peer-review discussions. The OIC fosters a collaborative approach where you will connect with peer faculty through rich discussions. To ensure the best possible experience, each module will be rolled out weekly. 

I have never taught online. will i be able to do this?

Absolutely ! The OIC has been designed to accommodates everyone regardless of technical background or experience teaching online. We recognize the challenge of learning anything new (especially technology) and the OIC provides ample tutorials and instructor support to ensure you that you can complete the required assignments and master the skills. 

I previously taught online at another institution. Is it still required?

Yes. The OIC is required for anyone teaching a fully online course (instructor of record) at USF and previous experience teaching online or other certifications are not a substitute. To meet the goals set in the FLBOG 2025 Strategic Plan for Online Instruction, instructors teaching fully online courses (AD/PD) are required to complete a professional development activity for online teaching. The designated professional development platform for USF online faculty is the OIC.

For additional questions please email us.