The Poorvu Center supports faculty in creating dynamic online courses that make a difference. Interested faculty begin the process by completing a short proposal form. All proposals are rigorously vetted and aligned to our team’s strategic plan.
Propose an Online Course
Online Course FormPropose an Online Program
Online Program FormWhat steps are in the proposal process?
- Submit Proposal: Faculty email their online course proposals to Sara.Epperson@yale.edu. Expect a response within 10 business days.
- Discuss Proposal: Faculty discuss their proposal with members of the Poorvu Center.
- Review Proposal: Poorvu leadership reviews the proposal and contacts the Dean or appropriate administrative leader to assess their level of support for the proposal.
- Receive Decision: If approved, faculty are connected with a dedicated course manager and production specialist to kickstart the project! If rejected, faculty are given feedback on paths forward.

Creating a public course has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me in all my years at Yale.The team at Poorvu Center made it so easy and fun! They structured the process, made me feel comfortable and relaxed, and did an excellent job with filming, editing, and producing the content. I’m so proud of what we made together.
Teresa Chahine, Senior Lecturer, Yale School of Management
How does the course align with Yale’s mission to create, preserve, and disseminate knowledge?
Developing courses that address pressing social issues and make a positive impact on society aligns with the Poorvu Center’s goals and guiding principles.
How does the course level the playing field?
Providing introductory courses lowers barriers and increases access in hopes of promoting inclusivity and readiness for all students.
How does the course set Yale apart from its peers?
Featuring courses that emphasize what makes Yale exceptional showcases the university’s values.
How does the course engage Yale alumni?
Creating courses to meet alumni demand strengthens ties and boosts engagement with the wider Yale intellectual community.
How does the course capture global attention?
Offering popular, successful on-campus offerings are likely to attract a wide audience.
Does this course need to be a ‘course’ at all?
Creating engaging, medium-length video content keeps the Yale community connected and informed on fresh ideas.
What is a dedicated course manager?
Yale faculty are not alone in their course production journey. Once a course proposal is approved, a dedicated course manager from the Digital Education team is assigned and will kickoff the project. We’re here to support you every step of the way, ensuring your course reaches its full potential.
Your dedicated course manager takes on many roles throughout the course development process:
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Project Manager
Your course manager organizes every detail from start to finish. They handle all the planning so you can focus on delivering great content.
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Instructional Designer
Your course manager has a keen understanding of effective learning experiences, ensuring your course materials educate and captivate.
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Cheerleader and Fan
Your course manager roots for you! When challenges arise, they support and encourage you to keep going.
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IT Support
Your course manager handles all the technical aspects of course delivery, so you and your students have a hassle-free experience.
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Concierge
Your course manager might not have all the answers, but they know someone who does. They can connect you to experts around the university.
How long does it take to produce an online course?
There is no typical timeline but we aim to complete the project from start to finish between 6 to 12 months. In some cases, a faculty wishes to expedite the production process to coordinate a course launch with other professional priorities such as promoting a new book. Other times the faculty is experimenting with new ideas they have not taught in a classroom before and appreciate a longer time horizon to refine their material over time.
The goal is to match the pace of the instructor while balancing the various project deadlines of Poorvu Center initiatives.
Read Our Playbook
Much like in sports, where a playbook is a strategic guide used by teams to decide on the best tactics and plays, our Digital Education Playbook serves as a strategic resource for educators and administrators. It provides proven strategies, step-by-step instructions, and best practices to ensure your online educational offerings are successful and impactful.
CAS-access only.

Digital Education
Explore other aspects of teaching online.
