The Master Trainer Program consists of seven courses that provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools to assess performance shortfalls, design effective training, develop training materials, and deliver and evaluate training. During the courses, each participant will be designing and developing training specific to the needs of his or her organization.

The Management and Supervision of Training course provides an excellent overview of the Instructional Systems Design process and the necessary skills to manage training programs. After the Performance and Needs Assessment course, participants are asked to conduct a needs assessment to identify a valid training need in their organization. Participants then complete a task analysis that is used in the Instructional Design course to develop a Plan of Instruction that will be used in Course Development to develop training materials like instructor guides, student manuals, job aids, and visuals. These materials will be used in the Instructional Delivery course to present a unit or segment of the designed training. Additional presentations are also required in the delivery course. In Evaluation of Training, participants will develop items to measure the effectiveness of their course materials.

The Alternate Delivery Methods course (E608) is designed to train professionals in how to evaluate several non-classroom training alternatives and choose the most effective method(s) for delivering training.

Completion of a practicum is required as the culminating activity. The practicum requires the design, development, and delivery of training that should approximate 16 classroom hours. Practicum proposals will be reviewed and approved by the Master Trainer committee and mentors will be assigned to assist practicum participants.

To enroll in the first course or first two courses, complete the FEMA Form 75-5. The form, enrollment procedures, and the course schedule can be found by clicking here. If you have questions about the application process or the program, please send them to phil.mcdonald@dhs.gov.