Note: The original list in this blog post included 41 courses. Since launching our first post we've updated the list with 4 courses that were suggested by our readers

Instructional designers often take a winding career path. Most professional IDs don’t start out as such; instead, they begin their careers as educators, trainers, or something else entirely.



There are many roads that lead to an interest in ID, and there is no single unified educational path to qualify to work in the field. Your work history and experience level will dictate whether you want to pursue a bachelor’s or a master’s in the field. Or you may be able to acquire the skills you need through a short course or certificate program.



We scoured the web, looked at academic ratings, and read numerous reviews to put together this list of good quality courses, ranging from free two hours introductory courses to full masters degrees.



Whether you’re just considering a career in instructional design, you simply want to sharpen some ID-related skills, or you’re fully devoted to choosing ID as a career path, we’ve got you covered with our extensive list of instructional design courses. For each course we will tell you a little about what makes it unique, how long it takes to complete, and the price point.





Free Online Instructional Design Courses

A free online instructional design course is a great way to see whether you’re interested in the subject matter. Or, if you are already pursuing a career in ID, these courses can help you brush up on skills or learn a new viewpoint.



Paid Online Instructional Design Courses

These courses are frequently more in-depth, have a participation element, and result in a professional certificate.



Instructional Design for ELearning : This course provides an introduction and overview of the instructional design field over the course of 34 lectures (4.5 hours of video total). It costs $39.99, and participants receive a certificate upon completion.

: This course provides an introduction and overview of the instructional design field over the course of 34 lectures (4.5 hours of video total). It costs $39.99, and participants receive a certificate upon completion. Introduction to Instructional Design: Online Course Creation : What is pedagogy? Why do different people learn in different ways? How do you deal with SMEs? This 1.5-hour course answers these questions and more, with the goal of helping you set yourself up as a freelance ID. It costs $39.99 for lifetime access.

: What is pedagogy? Why do different people learn in different ways? How do you deal with SMEs? This 1.5-hour course answers these questions and more, with the goal of helping you set yourself up as a freelance ID. It costs $39.99 for lifetime access. Instructional Design Pro ( Part 1 ) ( Part 2 ) ( Part 3 ) : These are three courses that build on each other to help advanced-level instructional design professionals create more effective and enjoyable curriculums. Combined, the three courses make up about 21 hours of video and include over 100 downloadable resources. The full series costs $65, separately each course costs around $22

: These are three courses that build on each other to help advanced-level instructional design professionals create more effective and enjoyable curriculums. Combined, the three courses make up about 21 hours of video and include over 100 downloadable resources. The full series costs $65, separately each course costs around $22 Instructional Design Essentials: Models of ID : While most ID courses are geared toward institutional settings, this LinkedIn Learning Course is directed at the business world of learning. Dr. Joe Pulichino, an ID at T-Mobile, walks through different frameworks for creating quality training materials. The course is $24.99, or you can sign up for a monthly subscription to LinkedIn Learning for $19.99 a month.

: While most ID courses are geared toward institutional settings, this LinkedIn Learning Course is directed at the business world of learning. Dr. Joe Pulichino, an ID at T-Mobile, walks through different frameworks for creating quality training materials. The course is $24.99, or you can sign up for a monthly subscription to LinkedIn Learning for $19.99 a month. Instructional Design Mastery Series : The Online Learning Consortium presents an asynchronous learning workshop focused on course design. The series consists of three weeklong modules, with time in between for solo work and reflection, the next cohort will start June 2020. The course costs $750 for nonmembers.

: The Online Learning Consortium presents an asynchronous learning workshop focused on course design. The series consists of three weeklong modules, with time in between for solo work and reflection, the next cohort will start June 2020. The course costs $750 for nonmembers. IDOL Courses Academy: The IDOL academy program will provide you with the knowledge and skills that will help you land your first ID job. This program is taught by Dr. Robin Sargent, instructional designer and online learning developer, in collaboration with other experts in the field. You will learn the different tools used in instructional design, learn how to build your own portfolio, and get training in instructional design. The academy consists of 30 modules for $1,497, upon completion you will have earned 4 verified credentials and can proudly call yourself a Master IDOL. As a bonus, you will be a part of an active community, and will have unlimited access to the IDOL academy materials.

The IDOL academy program will provide you with the knowledge and skills that will help you land your first ID job. This program is taught by Dr. Robin Sargent, instructional designer and online learning developer, in collaboration with other experts in the field. You will learn the different tools used in instructional design, learn how to build your own portfolio, and get training in instructional design. The academy consists of 30 modules for $1,497, upon completion you will have earned 4 verified credentials and can proudly call yourself a Master IDOL. As a bonus, you will be a part of an active community, and will have unlimited access to the IDOL academy materials. Introduction to Instructional Design : The Harvard Extension School offers this intermediate-level, project-based course on converting theory and framework of ID into practical applications. The 15-week course is $1840 for undergraduates, and can count toward degree credit. Applications for Spring Term 2020 are currently closed, orientation to Fall Term 2020 opens August 12 this year.

: The Harvard Extension School offers this intermediate-level, project-based course on converting theory and framework of ID into practical applications. The 15-week course is $1840 for undergraduates, and can count toward degree credit. Applications for Spring Term 2020 are currently closed, orientation to Fall Term 2020 opens August 12 this year. Instructional Designer Certificate Program : A series of four online courses, each 4 weeks long, that cover practical ID skills. The program costs $2,000, can be completed on your own timeline, and results in a PDF certificate.

: A series of four online courses, each 4 weeks long, that cover practical ID skills. The program costs $2,000, can be completed on your own timeline, and results in a PDF certificate. Instructional Design Certificate: The International Society for Education Technology offers this seven-module course on ID best practices. The course costs $99, and students receive a certificate or LinkedIn badge upon completion.

Instructional Design Bachelor’s Degrees

Instructional design bachelor’s-degree programs are beginning to crop up in universities across the United States. They can be a good option for students who are committed to the field early on, but it’s important to choose the right kind of program for your needs.



Higher-Education Certificates and MicroMasters

If you already have a teaching degree or experience in your field, you can save time and money by pursuing a certificate or mini-master’s program instead of an entire master’s degree.



Instructional Design Master’s Programs

Our latest research into ID salaries showed that a degree is generally a minimum job requirement, with 90% of survey participants reporting to having at least a bachelor's degree, and 71% having a master's degree or PhD. However, having a master's degree, compared to having only a bachelor's degree, did not show any significant increases in salary amongst IDs. You can sign up to our newsletter and access our report if you like to get more insight in whether an Instructional Design Master's Degree can further your career as an ID.



Taking your ID Career to the Next Level

We’ve created an interactive spreadsheet of the courses in this article, where you can find the right course for you based on price, number of hours, or type of degree. We will continue to update, if you know a course or program that should definitely be on the list, let us know here. We'd love to hear more about the path you are taking (or took) to become an ID!



Getting a career in the fast-growing field of instructional design is an exciting journey. Here at Eduflow we are committed to providing the resources you need to thrive as an ID. Sign up to our newsletter to stay plugged into our content.

