SUN Online Instructor Certification Guidelines
Part I. General Requirements
In order to teach a course on the SUN Online Seat Bank, an instructor must be a certified SUN Online Instructor.
Any course taught on the SUN Online Seat Bank must have passed, as a minimum, an internal QM Peer Review. In
order to schedule an internal QM Peer Review, the instructor/designer may contact a member of the SUN CTL
Advisory Committee or the SUN Site Administrator at his/her institution.
Part II. Application Requirements
SUN Online Instructor Certification may be awarded when any one of the following options has been met:
Option 1: Successful completion* of the SUN CTL Course 1 (Best Practices in Online Teaching and Learning) and
successful completion* of the SUN CTL Course 2 (Designing a Quality Course).
Option 2: Successful completion* of the SUN CTL Course 1 (Best Practices in Online Teaching and Learning) and
successful internal QM Peer Review**
Option 3: Successful completion* of a SUN CTL Course 1 Equivalent*** and successful completion* of the SUN CTL
Course 2 (Designing a Quality Course).
Option 4: Successful completion* of a SUN CTL Course 1 Equivalent*** and successful internal QM Peer Review**.
* Successful completion shall be defined as a grade of C or better.
** A Successful internal QM Peer Review shall be conducted by at least two QM-certified Peer Reviewers and shall
adhere to QM standards for a peer review. All three-point standards shall have been met, and the course shall have
received 85% of points possible.
*** A SUN Online Course I Equivalent is defined as any online instructor training course, workshop, or program
which includes the following minimum objectives:
1) Demonstrate of the ability to use LMS tools for teaching online (discussions, messaging, learning modules,
assignments, assessments, etc.)
2) Discuss of the importance of facilitator presence and identify ways to create a sense of community in the
online learning environment.
3) Provide feedback within a discussion forum.
4) Discuss the importance of timely, ongoing, and constructive feedback to support student learning.
5) Create a feedback and communication plan for online learning.
Part III. Applying for SUN Online Instructor Certification
An instructor who wishes to teach a course on the SUN Online Seat Bank must complete the application form (page 2
of this document), and possess a SUN Online Instructor Certificate (will be awarded within 30 days after application
process is complete).
Part IV. Supporting Documentation
Proof of successful course completion may be a certificate, unofficial transcript, or letter/memo from the
institution, organization, or instructor.
Proof of successful internal QM Peer Review may be a completed QM Peer Review Worksheet, signed by
the lead QM-certified Peer Reviewer, or a letter/memo from the lead QM-certified Peer Reviewer.
SUN Online Instructor Certification Application
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Name (as you would like it to appear on certificate):
Date of application:
Institution:
Email address:
Department:
Phone 1:
HOW DID YOU COMPLETE THE SUN ONLINE INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS?
Please indicate the option by which you have met the requirements for SUN Online Instructor Certification:
☐ Option 1
☐ Option 2
☐ Option 3
☐ Option 4
Enter Institution and/or Instructor where you completed SUN CTL Course 1 or
Equivalent:
Date of completion:
Enter Institution and/or Instructor where you completed SUN CTL Course 2, or Enter
Name of QM Reviewer:
Date of completion:
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
☐ Option 1: Check here if you are attaching proof of successful completion of SUN CTL Course 1 AND proof of successful
completion of SUN CTL Course 2.
☐ Option 2: Check here if you are attaching proof of successful completion of SUN CTL Course 1 AND proof of successful internal
QM Peer Review.
☐ Option 3: Check here if you are attaching proof of successful completion of SUN CTL Course 1 Equivalent AND proof of
successful completion of SUN CTL Course 2.
☐ Option 4: Check here if you are attaching proof of successful complete of SUN CTL Course 1 Equivalent AND proof of successful
internal QM Peer Review.
APPLICANT SIGNATURE
I have read and understand the SUN Online Instructor Certification Guidelines.
I understand that in order to teach on the SUN Online Seat Bank, I must be a Certified SUN Online Instructor.
I have attached proof of successful completion of SUN CTL Course 1 or Equivalent.
I have attached proof of successful completion of SUN CTL Course 2 or proof of a successful internal QM Peer Review.
I understand that any course I teach on the SUN Online Seat Bank must have passed an Internal QM Peer Review.
Upon approval of this application, I understand that I will receive a SUN Online Instructor Certificate.
Signature of Applicant:
Date:
TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT’S DEPT. CHAIR OR DIST. ED. COORDINATOR
I have reviewed the applicant’s supporting documentation, and I approve this application. I will forward this application and the
attached supporting documentation to the SUN Site Administration for this institution.
Signature of Dept. Chair or Distance Ed Coordinator:
Date:
TO BE COMPLETED BY SUN ONLINE SITE ADMINISTRATOR
I have received this application. Within 30 days, I will send or email the applicant a SUN Online Instructor Certificate.
Signature of SUN Site Administrator:
Date: