Functional Course Design Endorsement Program
Whether you are designing or redesigning a course, consider collaborating with the Instructional Design team and other WMU faculty and instructors to:
- Examine ways to identify and address the needs of learners by employing an empathetic approach to design.
- Design an intentionally flexible, adaptable, concept-centered course that meets university, Department of Education, and research-based best practice standards.
- Create/curate accessible materials and activities that incorporate Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.
Registration for Spring 2026 is closed.
What is Functional Course Design?
Functional Course Design is a human-centered and systematic approach to course design that is focused on the creation of aligned, navigable, accessible, and interactive experiences for learners. Functionally designed courses are intentionally concept-focused rather than content-focused and, regardless of modality, use Elearning to support instructional flexibility, adaptability, learner engagement, and self-directedness.
Who can participate in the Endorsement Course?
This endorsement is open to any WMU board-appointed faculty member or instructor of record who is teaching, or plans to teach, a 7-week or 14-week course within the next year and is interested in enhancing course design for any instructional modality.
What can I expect?
Participants can expect to:
- Meet in person seven times throughout the semester to collaborate with instructional designers and peers to complete the course design and development process.
- Design and develop a course that addresses best practice standards for functional design.
- Use peer and learner feedback to develop an iteration plan.
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a WMU Endorsement Certificate in Functional Course Design.
When are the in-person sessions?
All in-person sessions for Spring 2026 Endorsement Course are from 9 am-12 pm
- Friday, Jan 23
- Friday, Jan 30
- Friday, Feb 6
- Friday, Feb 13
- Friday, Feb 27
- Friday, March 20
- Friday, April 24
