Diane Filion Center for
Advancing Faculty Excellence

In accordance with UMKC policy and standards requirements for institutional accreditation, any for-credit course approved to be taught online must be certified and instructors must complete online teaching certification. UMKC faculty have expanded support for online, hybrid, and HyFlex teaching through CAFE’s Teaching and Learning area. From learning design to quality course review and accessibility guidance, we’re here to help you design with everyone in mind.

Design Better Online Learning with CAFE

Explore tools, training, and support for designing high-quality online, hybrid, and HyFlex courses. From accessibility and learning design to course review and Canvas strategy, CAFE is here to help you build engaging, inclusive learning experiences—one step at a time.

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Learning Design

Ready to enhance your online, hybrid, or HyFlex course but not sure where to start? Whether you're rethinking course design, improving the student experience, or aligning with accessibility standards, CAFE’s Learning Design team is here to help. Our instructional design experts can support you in building effective, inclusive, and engaging learning environments.

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Quality Course Review

Ensure your course is clear, engaging, and aligned with UM System quality standards. The QCR process provides expert feedback and certification for online, hybrid, and HyFlex courses—helping you design with confidence and meet federal accessibility expectations.

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Online Teaching Certification Seminar

The Online Teaching Certification Seminar at UMKC prepares faculty to design and deliver high-quality, student-centered online instruction. This facilitated, self-paced experience introduces best practices in online pedagogy, course design, engagement strategies, and accessibility. Completion of the seminar fulfills UM System's instructor certification requirement for teaching online and hybrid courses.

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Online Teaching Recertification

Online teaching certification is valid for five years. After five years, faculty who have previously completed certification—either through a Quality Course Review or the Online Teaching Certification Seminar—will need to recertify to continue teaching online or hybrid courses. Recertification ensures instructors remain aligned with evolving best practices, accessibility standards, and instructional technologies. CAFE provides multiple options for recertification, including updated seminar offerings and streamlined course review pathways.

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Online Learning with CAFE and Academic Technology

CAFE expanded its teaching and learning support to serve as UMKC's hub for online, hybrid, and HyFlex course design. From quality review and learning design to accessibility and certification, CAFE helps faculty navigate online learning at UMKC. We partner with Academic Technology to meet your needs! Learn more about how we can help you: