Online Program Design

A Jesuit Approach to Online Learning

At Seattle University, online education is more than just a mode of delivery—it is an intentional, student-centered experience grounded in Jesuit and Ignatian pedagogy. The Center for Digital Learning & Innovation (CDLI) ensures that online programs reflect the university’s values of care for the whole person (cura personalis), reflection, and academic excellence, while fostering engaging and transformative learning experiences.

CDLI brings deep expertise in online course design, instructional technology, and faculty development, supporting Seattle University’s commitment to high-quality, mission-aligned education across all learning modalities.

Our Impact on Online Learning

CDLI has been at the forefront of online education at Seattle University, providing end-to-end support for faculty and program leaders. To date, we have:

• Graduate: Launched 8 online master’s programs, with 3 more in development
• Undergraduate: Supported hundreds of faculty in designing engaging, high-quality undergraduate online courses
• Helped build, review and certify over 500 online courses across disciplines, ensuring instructional effectiveness and student success

Whether you're moving an existing program online or designing a new one, CDLI provides a space for thoughtful program ideation and insight into best practices based on our experience working with other programs.

Thinking about proposing a new Online Graduate Program? Let’s Explore Together!

Are you considering moving an existing graduate program online or developing a new hybrid or fully online program? The Center for Digital Learning & Innovation (CDLI) invites you to a Pre-Proposal Meeting—a space to step back, reflect, and explore key considerations as you shape your program vision.

What We’ll Cover

• Understanding your program’s background, audience, and curriculum needs
• Identifying potential challenges and opportunities in online learning formats
• Exploring best practices for online program design, from asynchronous to hybrid models
• What happens after approval? Learn from CDLI’s experience working with other programs and gain insight into course development, program mapping, and online teaching strategies

This session will provide expert insights, practical resources, and a space for exploration as you consider your program’s future. Whether you're transitioning an existing program or starting fresh, you'll gain valuable perspectives from CDLI’s experience working with other programs.

Contact the CDLI Director Luke Ware and let him know you’re interested in a new program consultation.

Considering a new in-person program? While this session focuses on online learning, many insights apply to face-to-face programs as well. Contact us for a consultation.