Teach Online

Online Instructor Certification

What is the OIC?

The Online Instructor Certification (OIC) is a fully online four-week certification that prepares USF Tampa, St. Pete and Sarasota-Manatee 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?

Right here. 

Register for the OIC

 

OIC Boot Camp (One Week Version) 

We now offer an accelerated, live version of the OIC. In this format, attendees will participate in a comprehensive one-day training remotely facilitated through Microsoft Teams. Following this session, participants will have a week to complete all required assignments, which include the development of online teaching plans for each topic area and group-based peer interaction.

Requirements for OIC Boot Camp are as follows:

  • Attendance of the one-day training for the full duration of the session (excluding lunch and breaks)
  • Completion of all required assignments within the one-week timeframe
  • Evidence of participation within all group activities

We are excited to offer this version of the OIC, allowing you to enhance your online teaching skills in a shorter timeframe while maintaining the program's high standards of quality and effectiveness.  

Register for the OIC Boot Camp

 

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) at USF. Per 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 Tampa, St. Pete and Sarasota-Manatee online faculty is the OIC. Faculty from USF Health can inquire about certification through their college representative(s) who specialize in online course design and support.  

Is the OIC $500 stipend still available?

The stipend initiative expired in the June 2024 cohort. It has been our pleasure to offer this to support our efforts in reaching the FLBOG's 2025 Strategic Plan for Online Education. 

The OIC stipend payment aligns with the retention category of regulation 10.202. 

 

If I previously took the OIC, can I "recertify"?

Absolutely. We welcome anyone who was previously OIC certified and wishes to refresh their skills with a recertification. First priority in the OIC will be given to those who are still pending certification; however, space will be reserved in each OIC cohort for those wishing to recertify. Recertification enrollment will be granted based on cohort capacity and on a “first come first serve” basis. If space is not available, you will receive notification and you can register for a future cohort. 

WHAT IS THE REQUIRED ATTENDANCE? HOW MUCH TIME IS REQUIRED? 

  • In our traditional (four-week) OIC, 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. To ensure the best possible experience, each module will be rolled out weekly. 
  • In the Boot Camp OIC, participants will be required to attend a one day Teams session followed by one week in Canvas where participants will typically spend one to three hours 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. 

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

Absolutely! The OIC has been designed to accommodate 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 facilitator support to ensure 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 certifications from other institutions 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 Tampa, St. Pete and Sarasota-Manatee online faculty is the OIC.

What if I don't need to get certified but just want access to the OIC presentations and resources? 

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 toward 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