Academic Technology/Instructional Design Internship (Course Redesign & Migration Initiative)
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) | Remote or Yakima, WA
Summer 2026–Summer 2027 (Flexible Start) | Unpaid | Professional Development Opportunity
JOB DESCRIPTION
About PNWU
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) is a private, non-profit graduate institution in Yakima, Washington, offering programs in osteopathic medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, dentistry, and biomedical sciences.
Position Overview
This internship provides hands-on experience in instructional design, accessibility implementation, and change management while supporting PNWU’s transition from Moodle to Canvas (full implementation Fall 2027; early courses July 2027). Interns collaborate with the Academic Technology team on courses for graduate-level healthcare students.
Primary Responsibilities
Course Redesign & Development (Summer Priority)
· Assist faculty in rebuilding courses in Canvas using institutional templates
· Organize modules, assignments, quizzes, and learning materials
· Apply consistent navigation and design standards
· Support alignment of learning objectives, content, and assessments
Migration Preparation
· Review Moodle courses for migration readiness
· Identify outdated, redundant, or poorly structured content
· Assist with content transfer and restructuring in Canvas
· Document migration workflows and improvement opportunities
Template Implementation & Quality Assurance
· Apply university-approved Canvas templates
· Ensure formatting consistency and usability
· Apply accessibility best practices (headings, alt text, document structure)
· Test course navigation from a student perspective
Documentation & Project Support
· Create quick-reference guides and workflow documentation
· Track redesign progress and task completion
· Participate in pilot testing and sandbox validation
Professional Development & Learning Outcomes
Interns will gain:
· Practical experience in Canvas LMS configuration and course design
· Exposure to instructional design principles in health sciences education, with portfolio-ready examples of course design/development work
· Experience collaborating with faculty and academic leadership
· Insight into institutional digital learning governance and system migration
· Structured mentorship and performance feedback
Letters of recommendation are provided upon successful completion.
Minimum Qualifications
· Demonstrated interest in instructional design, educational technology, or course development
· Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
· Effective written and verbal communication skills
· Ability to manage assignments independently and meet deadlines
· Experience with common technology tools (MS Office Suite, email, file management systems)
· Ability to attend a required 1-hour weekly project status meeting (M–F, 8am–5pm Pacific)
Preferred Qualifications
· Experience with Canvas, Moodle, or another LMS
· Familiarity with universal design principles and accessibility best practices
· Enrollment in or completion of coursework in instructional design, educational technology, healthcare education, or a related field
Time Commitment
· Up to 15 hours per week (flexible schedule)
· Higher involvement expected during Summer 2026 (mid-May–early August)
· Remote or hybrid options available
—Supervision & Structure
Interns will:
· Receive structured onboarding and training
· Work under the supervision of the Instructional Designer and Director of Academic Technology
· Participate in weekly check-ins during active phases
· Receive guided feedback on deliverables
Compensation
This is an unpaid internship designed to provide structured professional development experience in academic technology and instructional design.
To apply, please submit:
· Resume
· Letter of interest
· Completed course list (no grades)
Materials should be sent to Camille Becker, Instructional Designer (cbecker@pnwu.edu).
Upon review, selected applicants will receive additional application materials. Processing time may take up to two weeks.