Non-Credit Programs
Developing a Non-Credit Online Course, Series, or Certificate
We have worked with faculty at all 19 schools and colleges to create open online courses, series, and certificates. These non-credit-bearing learning experiences help break down barriers to learning by providing access to online education worldwide. We support approved projects with time, expertise, and financial resources to allow you to explore how to bring your project to life. Non-credit online learning experiences include:
Courses
Offered entirely online, courses range in duration and provide a space for learners to interact with course content, instructors, and other online learners.
Series and Certificates
Series and certificate offerings typically combine three or more courses from a given topic to create a deeper, more comprehensive learning experience.
Our Impact
280+
11M+
195
Courses, series, and certificates
Learners enrolled
Countries reached
By partnering with us to create a course, series, or certificate, you’ll get the chance to:
Develop Impactful Courses: Create dynamic courses that equip learners and organizations with essential skills, accelerating career advancement and fostering professional growth.
Foster Exploration: Offer learners the opportunity to delve into new subjects within a supportive, low-risk environment that encourages curiosity and lifelong learning.
Create Accessible Pathways: Design courses that provide clear, attainable routes for learners to achieve degrees or certificates, making education more accessible.
Engage in Pedagogical Innovation: Experiment with new and engaging lecture formats, leveraging tools, technologies, and methods not always used in traditional in-person teaching and learning settings.
Proposing a Project
The center has frequent calls for non-credit online courses, series, and certificates. U-M faculty and staff interested in working with the center are encouraged to consult with us regarding your idea to determine whether it aligns with the center’s current goals. Accepted proposals receive both financial support and team members’ expertise through the Academic Innovation Fund.
Want to work with us, but not sure where to start? Connect with our team to discuss a project or develop your ideas. You can also learn more about available learning experiences through our market research opportunities.
Working with Us
The center partners extensively with faculty and staff throughout the course, series, and certificate development process, using a collaborative and iterative approach to developing effective online learning experiences. We will work with you to determine which areas of our team’s expertise best match your experience’s goals.
Course and Certificate Strategy
Our partnership managers collaborate with you to establish a curriculum that aligns with the most in-demand skills in your field. They’ll help you identify the core elements of your course, outline goals, and explore external partnerships.
Learning Design
When developing a non-credit online course or series, you’ll have access to expert learning experience designers, design managers, copyright and accessibility specialists, and media designers who can help you translate your ideas into an online format.
Course Operations
Course operations specialists help ensure that content remains relevant to current trends and emerging industry standards by collaborating with you to update materials, integrate new research, and adapt to feedback from learners.
Marketing
Our marketing specialists, copywriters, designers, and content specialists will help develop tactics and materials to promote the launch of your course worldwide through social media, email, and other channels.
The Course Development Process
Every project’s duration is unique, and you will work with a dedicated design team to determine the major milestones and deadlines for each stage. Project timelines vary, but an average-sized course typically requires nine months to develop, from kickoff to launch.
Orientation
Get the chance to meet with online learning leaders in CAI, discuss project expectations, and outline the partnership.
Kickoff Meetings
Discuss the major goals of the program and meet key design team members.
Course Design
Work with the team to develop learning outcomes, create the course outline, and define target audiences.
Content Design
Design the content for your program, including scripting course content, identifying supporting articles, and designing assessments.
Content Creation
Begin filming course content with the support of media design, accessibility specialists, and copyright experts.
Course Build and Quality Assurance
Review course materials on the platform and provide feedback.
Launch 🎉
Your course, series, or certificate is out into the world!
Online Learning Resources
Interested in learning more about online learning and teaching? We’ve assembled a series of additional resources to support your pursuit of an online learning experience.
