Instructional Design Degrees
There are hundreds of instructional design related programs, degrees, and certifications to choose from. Currently, most institutions only provide instructional design degrees at the graduate level (MS MA, MEd, PhD). Many of the instructional design degrees can be completed entirely, or at lease partially online from a distance. Some of the instructional design programs and certifications focus courses on instructional design,instructional technology, instructional learning sciences, educational technology, eLearning, curriculum design, instructional psychology, library and media science, learning and development, educational psychology, and performance technology. Some of the instructional design and instructional technology degrees prepare students for industry while others prepare students for academia and research. Below is a list of multiple sites that provide access to specific instructional design degrees and programs:
USNews.com
This website ranks top instructional design and curriculum graduate schools. Among some of the top instructional design related graduate programs listed are: University of Wisconsin, Michigan State University, University of Georgia and University of Texas.
The eLearning Coach
Here are degree and certificate programs related to instructional design, elearning design and development, educational technology and educational media design. This list is not a recommendation of programs, but a place to start your research
GradSchools.com
Search for Instructional Design degrees & Performance Technology related degrees. The website allows potential students to visit degree program website, request information, view program detail, and compare various instructional design degree programs. Many of the programs listed are online instructional design degrees such as Kaplan University, St. Joseph's University, Devrey University, University of Phoenix, and Walden University.
about-elearning.com
Browse multiple accredited instructional design degree programs. This site features both on-campus and online instructional design degree programs. Instructional design degrees would be Master of Science (M.Sc.), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Education (M.Ed), Educational specialist (Ed .S) Doctor of Education (Ed .D), or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Very few instructional design programs have undergraduate or bachelors level programs. A few instructional design degree programs however do prepare students for certificate programs.
Universities.com
This site features several Master's degrees in Educational + Instructional Media Design. These programs focus on the principles and techniques of creating instructional products and related educational resources in various formats or combinations such as film, video, recording, text, art, CD-ROM, computer software, virtual reality technology, and three-dimensional objects, and that prepares individuals to function as instructional media designers. Includes instruction in the techniques specific to creating in various media; the behavioral principles applicable to using various media in learning and teaching; the design, testing and production of instructional materials; and the management of educational/instructional media facilities and programs.
DegreeDirectory.com
This site specifically features online instructional design degree programs. Earning a master's degree in Instructional Design online can lead to a career as an instructional designer, instructional coordinator or multimedia instructional designer, among other careers. Typical classes for Instructional Design curriculums include Instructional Design, The Adult as Learner, Assessment in the Instructional Design Process, Selection and Evaluation of Instructional Materials, Workplace Education: Theory and Practice, Production of Media Materials and Design and Instruction of Online Courses, among others.
Instructional Design & eLearning Certificates
Multiple universities and academic institutions, along with private organizations offer certificates in instructional design or eLearning development. Although an advanced degree in instructional design (MA, MS, PhD, etc.) is generally preferred over a certification by most employers, an instructional design certification can provide individuals with a solid introduction to the field along with practical skills and knowledge on topics such as eLearning course development, instructional development, curriculum design, instructional design design process (ADDIE), learning theory, etc. Below is a list of a few selected instructional design certifications along with other sites that provide access and information on instructional design certifications and programs:
Designing Learning Certificate ASTD
This three-day program follows a human performance improvement approach to designing learning and includes practice in needs assessment, job/task analysis, and course design using templates exclusive to ASTD. Participants learn to apply a structured step-by-step process toward designing learning programs and apply what they learn to their own work. This course is designed for practitioners new to the field of instructional systems design or those wanting to apply the principles of human performance improvement to their course designs. Participation in the ASTD Training Certificate Program is not a prerequisite.
Advanced Designing Learning Certificate ASTD
This two-day program teaches participants how to design and develop learning activities and refresh their existing work. Participants are given the opportunity to practice designing activities using real-time projects and exercises, including role plays, case studies, collaborative learning, stories, and games. Participants should already have experience in designing learning and have attended at least one basics of instructional design workshop. This course is for individuals that want to improve their competency in designing and developing complex learning activities.
Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design: The George Washington University
The graduate certificate in Instructional Design provides students from varied professional backgrounds with the foundational knowledge and skills required to design and develop effective instruction for delivery in either the classroom or numerous other learning formats.
Learning Solutions Magazine: Education for Instructional Designers: Picking the Right Program
This is a wonderful article authored in the Learning Solutions Magazine (sponsored by the eLearning Guild) that answers critical questions when determining which instructional design program, degree, or certification is right for you. It also provides information about specific instructional design programs, degrees, and certifications.
Education-Portal.com
Education-Portal.com provides potential students with information on instructional design careers and earning an instructional design certification. Potential students can also learn about and access multiple online instructional design degree programs.
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