Online program and course development
Online program development, from idea to launch
I help colleges and universities plan, design and launch online programs and courses that adult and nontraditional learners can finish.
Good online programs are designed as programs, not as a pile of courses
Online enrollment is dominated by working adults, and they leave when courses feel inconsistent, workload is unpredictable or support is hard to find. My doctoral research produced a framework for improving retention, satisfaction and success among nontraditional online students, and it shapes every program I design.
Online program development starts with outcomes and the learner, then works down to course structure, assessments and a consistent experience in your LMS. Your subject matter experts supply the content. I supply the design, structure and quality process.
- Community colleges and regional universities launching online programs
- Online learning and distance education offices
- Continuing education and workforce units building short credentials
- Departments converting an on-campus program to online
- Teams preparing courses for Quality Matters review
What's included
- A development plan and milestone schedule, from preparation to launch
- Program outcomes mapped to courses, then to measurable module objectives
- Course structure, templates and a consistent layout in Canvas, D2L, Blackboard or Moodle
- Assessment, rubric and activity design matched to each objective
- A generative AI use statement for each syllabus
- Accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA), quality and AI-resilience checks before launch
- Data-informed improvement after the first term
Services and 2026 pricing
| Service | 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Program feasibility and curriculum mapMarket and learner fit, program outcomes, course sequence and a launch plan | $9,500–$18,000 |
| Online program design and launch managementDesign standards, development schedule, faculty coordination, quality review and launch support | $24,000–$48,000 |
| Full online course design and build3-credit course, about 10 modules, built in your LMS. Subject content from your expert | $14,500–$22,000 |
| Technology course, with or without labsTechnology ethics, computer forensics, programming, computer science or computer engineering | $18,000–$28,000 |
| QM Aligned Official Course Pre-ReviewUnofficial pre-review against the current QM rubric to prepare for an official QM review | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Course improvement reportData-informed review of grades, completion and evaluations, with a prioritized fix list | $2,800–$4,800 |
How it works
- PlanGoals, learners, outcomes and a milestone schedule.
- MapProgram outcomes to courses, modules and assessments.
- BuildTemplates, course structure and content from your experts.
- ReviewAccessibility and quality checks before launch.
- ImproveFirst-term data turned into a revision plan.
Common questions
Who writes the course content?
Your subject matter experts. They provide lectures, readings, examples and technical content for assessments. DMGS provides the program and course design, structure, objectives, alignment, assessment design and quality review.
How long does it take to launch an online program?
A feasibility study and curriculum map usually takes 6 to 10 weeks. Designing and launching the full program typically takes two to four terms, depending on the number of courses and how quickly content is delivered.
How long does one online course take?
A 3-credit course usually takes one to two terms from kickoff to a reviewed, LMS-ready build.
Which learning management systems do you work in?
Canvas, D2L Brightspace, Blackboard and Moodle.
Are courses accessible?
Yes. Courses are built to WCAG 2.1 AA, and separate accessibility audits and remediation are available.
Who you'll work with
Danielle Safonte, Ed.D., has spent more than 20 years in higher education as a university IT director, online instructor and course designer. She is a Senior Instructor with Oregon State University Ecampus, a Quality Matters certified peer reviewer, and received the 2024 Ecampus Excellence in Online Teaching and Student Engagement award. Her doctoral research produced a framework for improving retention, satisfaction and success among nontraditional online students.
Ready to talk it through?
Tell me about your goals and timeline. You'll hear back within two business days with next steps or a fixed quote.