Online Instructional Design Programs

Online instructional design programs are a growing area in education and training settings. This area of study includes instructional design certification courses as well as masters and PhD degree programs.

Instructional Design is also known as Instructional Systems Design (ISD). It is the practice of maximizing the effectiveness, efficiency and appeal of instruction and other learning experiences. It is the systematic process of creating or adapting instruction, Most institutions prepare students for graduate level programs in instructional design and technology. I.e. instructional design masters and instructional design PhD programs. Different schools use different titles for their programs, for example Computer Education, Educational Multimedia, Educational Technology, Instructional Design and Development, Instructional Technology, Instructional Systems, Instructional Systems Technology, Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation, Instructional Design and Technology, Instructional and Performance Technology, Learning Technologies.

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Selected Online Instructional Design Programs

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

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

Western Governors University

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

Jones International 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

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)

Saint Joseph's University Online

• Instructional Technology Specialist Certification

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

Strayer University

• M. Ed. in Technology in Education

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

Instructional Design Education and Training

Typically, instructional design programs are offered at the graduate level. This 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 programs have undergraduate or bachelors level programs. A few programs however do prepare students for instructional design certificate programs.

Below is a list of some instructional design programs offered in graduate programs in the United States. The universities listed here offer masters and/or PhD programs.

Instructional Design Careers

Graduates of instructional design and technology degree programs can work in many fields such as teaching, educational administration, and curriculum development. Educational technology graduates also work in the private sector, as corporate training specialists. In addition, the fields of businesses and health care employ instructional technologists to train personnel in the latest developments in their field.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics the incomes of graduates of campus and online instructional design programs vary widely depending on the job title. Curriculum designers earn a median salary of about $60,000 while corporate trainers earn around $92,000 a year. Teachers average about $53,000 annually while school administrators make over $82,000. In addition, many schools also provide salary bonuses for teachers or administrators who have completed a master's degree in educational technology.