Course Design Institute (CDI & SPOT-CDI)

The Course Design Institute (CDI) Links to an external site., established in 2008, allows faculty to collaborate across disciplines in designing fully online courses, emphasizing pedagogy and student engagement. Participation is exclusive, requiring nomination by one's department based on the course being developed. Selected faculty, typically 14-18 per semester, receive reassigned time (course release) to dedicate to this intensive training.

In contrast, the Self-Paced Online Training (SPOT-CDI) program Links to an external site., introduced in Fall 2022, is open to all faculty on a voluntary basis, offering a flexible, fully online option for developing or reviewing online or hybrid courses.

For most folks, SPOT is the way to go! But, if you believe your course could fall within CDI's required criteria, speak to your department director. 

Explore the pathway diagram below to determine which is the best for your situation: