Courses
Online courses introduce learners to a topic and provide detailed content meant to increase individual awareness, capabilities, and/or capacity. Some courses are free; most have a fee ranging from $9 to $59.
Causes of the Civil War
This course discusses the political and social issues surrounding the American Civil War. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
Civil War to Civil Rights Interpretation: Best Practices for Heritage Interpreters
This course provides best practices for interpreters charged with developing programs where Civil War and Civil Rights stories intersect. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
Coaching for Interpretive Success
This course was developed for those who serve, or who wish to serve, as interpretive coaches. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
Design Elements in Interpretive Media
This course will teach you basic design principles that will help you put together a product that is both interpretive and eye-catching. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
Essential Elements of Interpretive Writing
This course explores the reasons we write and teaches the essential elements of effective interpretive writing. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
Foundations of Interpretation
This course provides the learner with the fundamental theories and practices of effective interpretation and is ideal for those new to the field or simply interested in a refresher on interpretation concepts. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
How to Prepare an Interpretive Program
In this one-hour webinar, participants will learn the components of a successful interpretive program, and how to formulate a meaningful interpretive talk that connects visitors to their site. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
Interpretation on the Move
The course discusses what guided interpretive programs require and how to develop and present them. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
Interpretive Talk
This course will walk you through practical steps for creating an effective interpretive talk. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
Introduction to Dialogic Interpretation
This course discusses two methods interpreters are using to present dialogic programs to visitors and guests. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
Knowing and Connecting to Your Audience
This course will help interpreters at all levels of experience manage audiences and interpret with sensitivity and respect for audiences with a wide variety of backgrounds. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
More Than Just a Field Trip: Interpretation for School Curriculum
This course is designed for park and public agency employees who are interested in developing curriculum-based programs for educational groups. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
Roving and Informal Interpretation
This course explores three types of informal interpretive contacts: orientation, information, and interpretation. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
Social Media and Interpretation
This course will instruct learners in the basics of social media and how to create posts that will engage their followers interpretively. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
Supporting Interpreters with Effective Training
Gain valuable skills that will help you train impactful interpreters. Interpretive trainers support interpreters in connecting people to parks, museums, zoos, and other places.
Interpretation Basics for Seasonals and Volunteers
This course covers some interpretation basics that new seasonal or part-time interpreters need to be familiar with.
Certificate Programs
Certificate programs are a series of 3- 5 related courses designed to expand individual capacity for detailed and complex processes. Learners taking individual courses complete a short assessment at the end of the course, but learners taking courses as part of a certificate program submit assignments, receive feedback from experts in the field, and, upon successful completion of all requirements, receive a certificate acknowledging their achievement. Certificate programs range in cost from $210 – $350.
Fundamentals in Interpretation Certificate
This certificate program explores the history of interpretation as a profession and provides knowledge in roving, informal interpretation, audience identification and engagement, and interpretive talks. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
History, Parks, and Interpretation: Civil War to Civil Rights Certificate
This certificate program is comprised of three courses: The History of the National Park Service, Causes of the Civil War, and Civil War to Civil Rights Interpretation. This program is designed for National Park Service interpreters, interpreters with other federal agencies, state park departments, or local offices that interpret historical themes, and college and graduate students in public history programs. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
Intermediate Methods in Interpretation Certificate
The Intermediate Methods in Interpretation Certificate is entirely web-based and consists of five courses each culminating with an applied assignment that relates to your organization or a case study organization. This course of study provides you with the opportunity to receive individualized feedback from knowledgeable instructors who review the elements of your portfolio. Click the blue box to learn more and enroll.
Certification
The National Association for Interpretation offers several certification programs for interpreters, including the Certified Interpretive Guide. Certification goes beyond online training; it’s a way to document that you possess skills and knowledge that allow you to perform effectively in the interpretive profession. To learn more about certifying with NAI, please visit their website here.