Online Instructional Design Courses

Online instructional design courses vary depending on various factors such as the particular university and the focus of study (i.e. concentration).

Most institutions prepare students for graduate level programs in instructional design and technology only. I.e. instructional design masters and instructional design PhD degree programs. These disciplines are Master of Science (MSc.) Master of Arts (MA), Master of Education (M.Ed), Educational specialist (Ed.S) Doctor of Education (Ed .D), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Only a few programs have undergraduate or bachelors degrees but some programs have a Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology Online. Below is a sample of typical instructional design classes and courses that you can expect from various programs. Names or titles of the instructional design course will vary by program.

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Selected Programs Offering Online Instructional Design Courses

Capella University - Online

• PhD - Instructional Design for Online Learning
• PhD - Postsecondary and Adult Education
• PhD - Training and Performance Improvement
• MS - Instructional Design for Online Learning
• MS - Postsecondary and Adult Education
• MS - Training and Performance Improvement

Walden University

• Instructional Design Certificate
• B. S. in Instructional Design and Technology
• Education Specialist (Ed. S.) in Educational Technology
• M. S. in Instructional Design and Technology
  • General
• Training and Performance Improvement
• Online Learning
• Masters in Education Integrating Technology in the Classroom (Grades K–12)
• Ph.D. in Education - Adult Education Leadership
• Ph.D. in Education - Educational Technology

Western Governors University

• M. Ed. Instructional Design
• M. ed. Learning and Technology

Kaplan University

• MEd in Adult Education
• MEd in Corporate Training and Knowledge Management
• MEd in e-Learning Technology and Design
• MEd in K-12 Instructional Technology

Ashford University

• Masters in Educational Technology Leadership
• Masters in Teaching and Learning with Technology

American Intercontinental University (AIU)

• Master's of Education (M. ed.) in Instructional Technology

DeVry University

• Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology
• Master's - Educational Technology (Online Only)

Strayer University

• M. Ed. in Technology in Education

Saint Joseph's University Online

• Instructional Technology Specialist Certification

Nova Southeastern University

• Doctor of Philosophy in Computing Technology in Education
• Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (M.A.T.L.) - Curriculum and Instruction
• Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (M.A.T.L.) - Elementary Math
• Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (M.A.T.L.) - Elementary Reading
• Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (M.A.T.L.) - K-12 Technology Integration
• Master of Science in Information Technology in Education

Educational Technology Training and Education

Online instructional design courses are based on learning theories and instructional design models such as ADDIE. Coursework varies depending on the actual degree programs’ focus. For example, some programs may have more of a teacher education focus, while others may cater to corporate instructional design, a Human Performance Technology (HPT) or training. Additionally some of the online instructional design courses will be required or mandatory but students would have some electives to choose from. Again, this will vary from school to school and program to program, and whether the course are masters or doctoral level. In some cases some of the colleges offer instructional design certification. The important thing to ensure is that the college or university is accredited.

Typical Online Instructional Design Classes

These courses listed below are generic names of courses but typically they form the core, foundational, or cognate area courses. Actual names of the courses vary by the degree program offerings.

• Trends and Issues/Survey of Instructional Design
• Foundations of Instructional Design and Technology
• Technology-Based Instruction
• Computer-based Instruction
• Needs assessment/Needs Analysis
• Media production and development
• Instructional simulations and gaming
• Instructional Theories and Models
• Design of Performance and Instructional Systems
• Instructional Design Consulting
• Human Performance Technology
• Training Intervention
• Managing Instructional Projects (Project Management)
• Analysis of Instructional Systems
• Authoring Technologies
• Evaluation of Instructional Systems
• Educational psychology
• Research Methods
  

The following online instructional design courses vary depending on the individual program. Typically, students select a few courses and some of these may be repeatable.

• Special Topics in Instructional Design and Technology
• Readings in Instructional Design and Technology
• Research in Instructional Design and Technology
• Directed Studies in Instructional Design and Technology
• Scholarly Project or Research Project
• Independent Study
• Internship
• Educational psychology
• Research methods
• Thesis

Instructional Design Careers

Instructional technologists help to enhance their own teaching, in addition to helping other educators and trainers learn about current technology trends. Many professionals who become experts in instructional technology are already involved in the area of training and education, and they then go on to gain educational technology expertise. Some educational technologists who gain expertise in instructional technology work in library and media resources as well technology administrators and corporate trainers, and e-learning experts.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, most professionals who go on to complete a masters in education and instructional technology degree or related field are already in the field. Hence, the salary for most are based on a teaching salary, whereby the average teaching salary for a professional with a bachelor's degree is anywhere from $26,000 to $50,000 annually. After taking campus and online instructional design courses and completing instructional technology degree requirements, instructional technologists often earn an additional $10,000 a year above teacher with just a bachelor's degree.