Workplace Training and Development Certificate

Are you interested in helping employees learn and grow in the workplace?

This certificate focuses on the development and implementation of successful employee training programs. Training and development professionals in all areas of business and industry, as well as those who are interested in future careers in the field, are encouraged to pursue this certificate.

The program is taught through a distance education format, making it easier for professionals to find time to fulfill the requirements of the certificate.

Program Details:

Application for admission to the Graduate School is made either online or on forms furnished by the Graduate School. All applicants for admissions pay a nondeductible, nonrefundable fee of $75. The application form and all supporting documents should be received by the Graduate School, Mendenhall Building, (252) 328-6012. Application deadlines can be found on the Graduate School’s Workplace Training and Development webpage.

Applicants are asked to furnish two official transcripts from each institution attended since high school, a statement of intent, and at least two references. Once the application is complete and has been forwarded to the Coordinator of the Adult Education program, it will be reviewed and an admission decision will be made.

General Admissions Requirements

  1. Academic Achievement – Applicants must first meet the requirements for the admission to the Graduate School. The junior and senior years of undergraduate study are particularly crucial. It is recognized, however, that some applicants have finished their undergraduate study some time ago and that work experience and motivation are also factors in success in graduate study.
  2. References – Applicants will be asked to provide the names of two references who can speak to their ability to perform graduate level academic work as well as their interest and experience in workplace training and development.
  3. Statement of Intent – All applicants to the program will be required to include a Statement of Intent with application materials. This statement should highlight applicants’ reasons for applying.

Program Requirements:

The Workplace Training and Development Certificate requires a minimum of 15 semester hours. A culminating portfolio is also required. Coursework is as follows:

Workplace Training and Development Core Courses (9 semester hours)

  • ADED 6461 Introduction to Training and Development
  • ADED 6481 Program Planning
  • ADED 6487 Instructional Strategies

Electives (6 semester hours)

Electives may come from adult education, business education, information technologies education or other related fields.

Portfolio

Purpose of Portfolio: The purpose of the portfolio is to give you the opportunity to synthesize and integrate the various elements of what you have learned in the Workplace Training and Development (WPD) certificate. This portfolio project is intended to be reflective and comprehensive – personal, practice-based, and developmental; it’s about you as an educator. The WPD portfolio is designed to demonstrate your new knowledge, skills, awarenesses, and beliefs, as well as document your instructional proficiency for current and prospective employers. Your portfolio is to be done electronically (web-based) with approximately 2500-3000 words, with appendices included for brief additional evidence you wish to share. Content should be embedded in the web pages themselves (not included as attachments). The portfolio should be put together using Canvas.

When complete, your portfolio will be reviewed by Dr. Kathy Lohr (lohrk@ecu.edu) and Dr. Steve Schmidt (schmidtst@ecu.edu). Recommended word counts are noted for each section. These recommendations are based on the common calculation that 250 words equal approximately one page of double-spaced text in a Word document.

Portfolio Components: Your WPD Certificate Portfolio is to include the following 5 elements:

  1. Effective Workplace Training and Development Practices (750 words maximum): This reflective essay should address your beliefs (not what you do but why) about your role as a workplace training and development practitioner. Also discuss training program development methods you use (or will use), why you consider them effective, and how your knowledge of workplace training and development has increased as a result of your participation in this certificate program. The basis for this essay should be content taught in ADED 6461 (Introduction to Training and Development), ADED 6481 (Program Planning), and ADED 6487 (Instructional Strategies).
  2. Training and Development Essay (500 words maximum): This essay should speak to the role and importance that workplace training and development plays in the success of effective organizations at the local, regional, state, national and international levels. Also consider the role it plays in the lives of employees. The basis for the essay should be content taught in ADED 6461 (Introduction to Training and Development).
  3. Two Elective Essays (500 words maximum each): This certificate program requires two elective courses. Consider each elective course you took (separately) and complete a reflective-type essay for each. The focus of each essay should be the content that course and how you related that content to the core courses in the WPD Certificate program (ADED 6240, 6453, and 6450).
  4. Overall Reflection Paper (750 words maximum): In this final reflective essay, please address the following:
    • Your most significant personal learning in this certificate pursuit;
    • Changes to your perspective on topics related to WPD and on the role of the WPD practitioner;
    • The role of ethics in WPD;
    • Ways in which you are reflective about your practice as a WPD practitioner;
    • Your future goals and continuing professional development (learning) plans.