The online workshops are offered during the Fall and Spring semesters and must be completed within a 15 week time period. These workshops are taught concurrently to resident students who are meeting within a classroom setting. Instructors use online chats, online quizzing, homework assignments, and live and/or recorded lectures to enhance the online learning experience.

Online students must be able to devote enough time to keep up with course requirements. For every hour of lecture, budget 3 to 4 hours of additional time to keep pace with course assignments. Taking a workshop that meets for 3 hours of lecture per week may require 12 hours of time to read, study, and complete weekly assignments. It is highly recommended not to over extend oneself during this time period with additional activities and commitments.

Basic computer skills such as creating folders and downloading and uploading files are a basic requirement to be successful in an online environment. At the University of Maryland two software programs are used to deliver online course materials: Blackboard and Adobe Connect. These programs are user friendly and allow students to easily listen and participate in lectures, submit homework assignments, and complete online quizzes.

Online Training Modules

The training modules are structured as self pacing modules with access 24/7 to these modules throughout the year. However, each module will only be available for a period of three months from the date one starts a module. Students will need to budget 12 to 15 hours on average to complete a module. The modules are structured so that live lectures, which have been recorded earlier, are available along with lecture notes (power point notes).

Each module normally consists of four lessons with each lesson having an audio lecture, lecture notes, and linked reading assignments. There are pre-assessment and post-assessment evaluation and the post-assessment evaluation will need to be completed in order to meet various professional certifications and/or recertifications. Scores of 70% or higher are required to meet these industry standards. These modules utilize Blackboard and Adobe software programs which are user friendly and allow the online learner to easily access module information.