The 11 Best Instructional Design Courses for 2024

With high job satisfaction rates and annual job growth sitting at over 28% over ten years, instructional design is an attractive field to work in. But as the profession’s popularity grows, competition for top roles is higher than ever.

So, what can you do about this?

Well, in the words of the Beastie Boys, you need to develop the skills to pay the bills. Whether you’re a training manager, freelancer, or even an HR specialist, investing in instructional design courses can help you maintain your competitive edge.

We know you’re busy, so our experts have taken the bull by the horns to research a plethora of options and provide you with the 11 best globally recognized courses and certifications that can elevate your career in 2024.

Keep reading to discover the programs for all skill levels and budgets.

Short on time? Get the TL;DR below.

Next up: We break down the criteria we used to make our selection.

Our Evaluation Criteria

To make it as fair as possible, our experts used the following selection criteria to pick the top courses on instructional design.

• Duration – How comprehensive is the training? What is the time commitment? Can you work while you complete the course?
• Course format – Is the format flexible and engaging? Can you take it 100% online? Is there an instructor to guide the training?
• Price – Does it offer good value for money spent? Is there a free option available? Is it a good investment for your career?
• Certification – Does it offer a certificate that you can display on your resume or LinkedIn profile? Will the certificate verify your competency in instructional design? Will it grab employers’ attention?
• Credentials – Is the course accredited? Is it from a recognizable and respected organization? Will it stand out on your resume?

The Overview of 11 Instructional Design Courses That Will Skyrocket Your Career

Upskilling is a must in the eLearning world. With new tools, models, and best practices appearing on the scene all the time, instructional designers have to stay ahead of the curve.

Here are eleven of the best courses in instructional design to elevate your skills in 2024.

*Please note: these prices are accurate as of Feb. 15, 2024, and are subject to change.

1. How to Create an Interactive Online Course at the iSpring Academy

iSpring’s video course for instructional designers empowers you to master every phase of eLearning development.

Key features

Course overview

iSpring Solutions is one of the world’s leading eLearning providers, offering an award-winning content authoring tool and a top-rated LMS.

Their short and engaging training program is perfect for instructional designers, eLearning developers, HR specialists, and educators looking to build online courses that are both beautiful and engaging.

It consists of twenty video lessons and ten hands-on assignments that empower participants to apply their knowledge. 

iSpring’s senior course developer, Anna Poli, hosts the program, expertly guiding participants through each stage of the creation process. 

Each video lesson covers a new topic in fifteen minutes, keeping things fresh and avoiding information overload.

iSpring offers three plans:

• Free plan: Learn the fundamentals with the first three lessons.
• Standard plan: Gain six-month access to all twenty video lessons, extra resources, a chat with your trainer, and a certificate.
• Pro plan: Get all lessons and resources, a final project (create a short course), expert feedback, and a certificate.

One of the highlights of this program is the opportunity to create a final project. You’ll build an online course from scratch using the iSpring Suite authoring toolkit with the support of your instructor. 

This will make an excellent addition to your portfolio. It’s also an opportunity to showcase your proficiency with iSpring Suite, a leading tool used by 59,000+ clients worldwide.

This iSpring Academy course is hosted by one of the company’s senior course developers, Anna Poli.

Training content

This course takes you from total beginner to proficient in the award-winning iSpring Suite authoring tool. 

Over the twenty video lessons, you’ll master every step of the course creation process, from ideation to creation. That includes:

• Creating attractive courses without a graphic designer
• Storyboarding and scripting
• Building an interactive role-play
• Making quizzes and assessments
• Testing a training program
• Publishing an online course
• Evaluating training effectiveness

Credentials

You’ll earn a certificate of completion from a leading industry player that showcases your proficiency in both course creation and iSpring Suite.

Graduates will receive a certificate of completion that recognizes their achievements and newly acquired skills.

Course reviews 

Here’s what one course graduate had to say about the program.

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2. Instructional Design Foundations and Applications at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (via Coursera)

Hosted by Coursera, this comprehensive training program covers the fundamentals of instructional design. Source.

Key features

Course overview

Coursera is one of the world’s leading learning providers, offering training courses from top-class institutions and universities.

You can pay a monthly or annual subscription, giving you access to a huge catalog of eLearning courses and university degree programs. 

There’s also a free option. This allows you to access most of the training materials, but you don’t earn a completion certificate and might miss out on some lessons.

This ID program from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign provides learners with a solid overview of the field of instructional design.

Led by Eunjung Grace Oh, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership, it introduces participants to key topics.

Dr. Oh guides you through each lesson, providing clear definitions and interesting assignments that give you a sneak peek into what an instructional designer does.

The course contains five modules, including a final assessment. In each module, you’ll find a nice mix of video lessons, reading materials, and quizzes. 

Plus, it’s self-paced, so you can fit study time into your busy schedule.

One of the highlights of this course is the variety of highly qualified guest speakers. This offers learners an excellent opportunity to learn from the best in the industry.

It also provides a great gateway to Coursera’s Instructional Design MasterTrack Certificate.

Another big pro is that you can do this instructional design course for free. With the free version, you get access to the videos, in-video questions, and readings. However, you won’t receive a certificate of completion.

Nevertheless, if your goal is to gain foundational knowledge of learning theory, this is a worthwhile free resource.

This training is hosted by Eunjung Grace Oh, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Training content

This program provides a great introduction to the conceptual and theoretical foundations of the field. It’s a smart option for beginners who need to master the basics before they take on more complex concepts.

Over the course of the four modules, you’ll get a theoretical overview of core instructional design topics:

• An introduction to ID and the potential career paths
• Learning theories and instructional design models
• Conducting needs assessments
• Learner analysis
• Working with subject-matter experts (SMEs)
• Analyzing learning tasks
• Project management for eLearning professionals

Credentials

If you complete this course successfully, you’ll earn a digital completion certificate that you can add to your LinkedIn profile, portfolio, and resume.

Course reviews 

Here’s a testimonial from one of the course graduates.

View course

3. Instructional Design and Technology: Learning Theories at the University System of Maryland and University of Maryland University College (via edX)

Learn the foundations of learning theories, educational technology, and instructional design with this instructor-led course from the University System of Maryland. Source

Key features

Course overview

edX is a top-rated learning platform with more than 3,500 courses from leading organizations and universities. You can find a mix of self-paced and instructor-led courses on a wide range of topics.

There are two ways to take this course: free or paid.

With the free option, you receive limited access to the learning materials and don’t receive a final certificate of completion. 

On the other hand, the paid option gives you unlimited access to the content and a shareable completion certificate to add to your resume.

The eight-week program focuses on a current challenge instructional designers face: the growing demand for self-directed, anytime, anywhere learning experiences.

As you move through the modules, you’ll take an in-depth look at key learning theories, trends, and skills that modern ID professionals need to know.

This course is led by Brandie Shatto, Ph.D. She’s a Professor and Program Director for Educational Technology at UMGC with over 15 years of experience.

She specializes in instructional technology and is an active member of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

Dr. Shatto does an excellent job of putting you in the learners’ shoes to give you a comprehensive understanding of how to develop effective learning solutions.

One of the highlights of this program is the opportunity to practice applying these concepts to real-world problems. 

This course is part of edX’s Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters program.

This program is taught by seasoned UMGC Professor and Program Director, Brandie Shatto, Ph.D.

Training content

This course provides learners with a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of learning theories. 

It also shows participants how to build an instructional design portfolio framework and identify knowledge gaps.

Here’s what the syllabus covers:

• Copyright and the Creative Commons
• Behaviorism
• Cognitivism
• Constructivism
• Connectivism learning theory
• Andragogy
• Assessment learning models
• Microlearning 

Credentials

You’ll receive a certificate of completion issued by edX with the UMGC logo. This makes a great addition to your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Upon completion of the training, graduates on the paid plan will receive a certificate similar to this sample. Source.

Course reviews 

Here’s a review from one satisfied graduate.

View course

4. Instructional Design with Orchestration Graphs at EPFLx (via edX)

This MOOC from EPFLx is a great introduction to the visual language needed to design inclusive and integrative pedagogical scenarios. Source.

Key features

Course overview

This advanced course on instructional design gives a detailed insight into what orchestration graphs are, their use in instructional design, and how to execute a graph.

It’s particularly valuable if you design team- and class-wide learning activities. 

Pierre Dillenbourg leads participants through the process of using orchestration graphs in instructional design. He uses his expertise in learning technology and computer-supported collaborative learning to explain how this visual model works in clear terms.

One of the major highlights of this program is learning how to use FROG, an online tool for fabricating and running orchestration graphs.

Throughout the five-week program, you’ll gain a clear understanding of how to use these design skills to build effective learning activities. 

Since the course content is quite complex, this MOOC is best suited to learners with experience in the field.

Pierre Dillenbourg leads this on-demand MOOC. He’s a Full Professor at EPFL who specializes in learning technologies.

Training content

This MOOC gives a hands-on overview of how to effectively use orchestration graphs in instructional design. 

Here’s what the syllabus covers:

• Overview of orchestration graphs
• Designing lesson plans that include multiple learning activities
• Maximizing the effectiveness of collaborative learning
• Graphically designing an orchestration graph
• Editing and sharing graphs in FROG
• Optimizing the transition time between activities

Credentials

You’ll receive a certificate of completion issued by edX with the EPFLx logo. This is a great addition to your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Learners on the paid plan will receive a certificate of completion when they successfully finish the five-week program. Source.

Course reviews 

There are currently no reviews for this course.

View course

5. The Instructional Design Bootcamp at Devlin Peck

Devlin Peck’s Instructional Design Bootcamp shows participants how to land high-paying instructional design roles in the corporate sector. Source.

Key features

Course overview

If you’ve been working in instructional design for even a short while, you’ve probably heard of Devlin Peck.

He’s a leading voice in the instructional design industry and uses his expertise to help people break into the profession and upskill.

As the job market gets more crowded, the instructional design bootcamp focuses on the practical skills you need to land your first ID role or get that promotion.

Unlike many master’s programs that focus on theory, the bootcamp is all about learning the tools and building a portfolio. After all, a strong portfolio is what potential employers and clients really want to see.

While this bootcamp is quite an investment, the results speak for themselves. It boasts a 94% learner satisfaction rating. Even more importantly, 100% of participants got a job within six months of graduating.

The biggest standout for this bootcamp is the personalized feedback that participants receive. You’ll work one-on-one with experienced instructional designers and gain in-depth feedback across various projects.

The bootcamp instructors all have at least a decade of experience and specialize in different areas of the field.

For instance, you’ll learn 360 Storyline with Scott Schmidt, who has 15+ years of industry experience.

And, of course, Devlin Peck will lead the charge.

Devlin Peck is the creator of this bootcamp and one of the instructors. He’ll offer support, feedback, and guidance throughout the process.

Here’s the best part of the program, though. 

You can get a full refund if you don’t land paid instructional design work after completing the bootcamp and applying the feedback.

Training content

Devlin Peck’s bootcamp gives you access to hands-on courses that are geared toward helping you build your skills and land a better opportunity. 

It’s ideal for beginners or those looking to break into the field.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to build a course in 360 Storyline
• Creating a flagship project
• Building a portfolio
• Writing an ID resume
• Getting leads on LinkedIn
• Improving your interview skills

Credentials

This ID bootcamp doesn’t provide certification or accreditation. That said, you will finish with an instructional design portfolio.

Bootcamp graduates finish the program with a standout portfolio showcasing their new skills. Source.

Course reviews

Here’s what one bootcamp graduate had to say about the experience.

View course 

6. The Online Learning Design for Educators Specialization at Macquarie University (via Coursera)

Macquarie University offers this comprehensive beginner’s course via Coursera. It covers the practical skills you need to teach online. Source.

Key features

Course overview

Coursera offers this MOOC as part of a three-course specialization for educators looking to enhance their online teaching skills. 

During the series, you’ll gain foundational knowledge of how to design, develop, and deliver engaging online learning experiences for both school-age and adult learners.

In this first course, you’ll gain practical skills to help you create more effective and flexible study modes that go beyond traditional classroom teaching.

As such, this course is ideal for anyone who designs or delivers online learning experiences, or those who are looking to expand their classroom teaching skills.

Macquarie University School of Education created the specialization. It’s ranked in the Top 200 or 1% of universities worldwide. So, you’ll be getting a certification from a well-recognized, global institution.

Billy Bruce is the lead instructor. He’s an experienced Learning Designer at Macquarie University and an Educational Consultant with over twelve years of experience in the field.

He specializes in applying evidence-based pedagogical principles to online learning experiences and incorporating innovative digital tools and platforms. 

One of the biggest highlights of this MOOC is the opportunity to develop your skills with hands-on projects. Moreover, you’re learning from an industry expert.

Oh, and there’s a free version if you want to give it a try without the price tag.

This three-part specialization is led by Billy Bruce, an experienced Learning Designer at Macquarie University. Source.

Training content

Throughout this month-long course, you’ll cover the core subjects needed to teach effectively online. This includes:

• Investigating the challenges of learning in online environments. 
• Understanding the tools and technologies for online instruction.
• Techniques to improve online learning environments and synchronous lessons.
• Applying design-thinking principles to develop multimodal learning materials.
• Lesson planning techniques. 
• Pedagogical theories and principles.

Credentials

Participants who complete the MOOC will receive a career certificate from Macquarie University.

Course reviews 

This is a review from a recent course graduate.

View course

7. The Certified Instructional Design Practitioner’s Course at KPMG

KPMG offers this comprehensive instructional designer course for professionals who need to design digital learning content. Source.

Key features

Course overview

This instructional designer course is brought to you by the KPMG Academy.

KPMG is one of the Big Four, a name given to the four largest professional services networks on the planet. 

The KPMG Academy offers a range of learning programs run by internal SMEs and experts. You can find courses on everything from tax and advisory to instructional design, where you’ll learn industry best practices from top thought leaders.

This certified practitioner’s course will equip you with a solid foundation in instructional design, so you can create impactful and engaging learning experiences.

Some of the program highlights include 36+ hours of live sessions, 10+ hours of a capstone project, and the option to enroll in post-program coaching.

Moreover, you’ll be guided by three experienced practitioners from the KPMG India team. 

This includes Tarun Tomar (an Articulate 360 expert), Amrita Paul (an experienced learning designer), and Sachin Sharma (a seasoned L&D pro).

Throughout the program, you’ll gain hands-on experience through assignments and feedback from experienced facilitators.

We also like that the program provides opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, which is a great tool for deepening your knowledge and growing your network.

All in all, this is a very job-oriented course that sets you up with the core knowledge to succeed in this field.

The program is led by three members of the KPMG faculty in India, with years of experience in curriculum design, L&D, and Articulate 360. Source.

Training content

This comprehensive program consists of nine modules, as well as an expert talk on careers in instructional design. Here’s what you’ll cover:

• Fundamentals of Instructional Design
• Conducting learning needs analysis
• Designing a course curriculum
• Creating a design document
• Developing learning content
• Basics of authoring eLearning content with Articulate
• Effective assessment strategy
• Generative AI in ID
• Advanced authoring with Articulate (optional)

Credentials

Upon completion of the program, you’ll receive a certificate from KPMG to add to your resume.

A sample of the certificate of completion you’ll receive from KPMG. Source. 

Course reviews 

Here’s what one student had to say about the course.

View course 

8. Certified Educator Program at OpenLearning

OpenLearning offers this series of instructional design courses for free, so you can get certified as an online educator. Source.

Key features

Course overview

OpenLearning is an Australian-based provider of on-demand training courses for professionals.

The Certified Educator program consists of five free courses that give learners the knowledge, skills, and resources to deliver engaging online learning experiences. 

That includes enhancing online teaching, course design, and assessment.

Upon completing the five courses, you will receive a certificate that showcases that you have mastered the basics of online course creation using the OpenLearning platform.

The program is ideal for educators, instructional designers, corporate trainers, and anyone who wants to learn how to make effective online courses.

Since it’s entirely self-paced, you can complete the modules at your own pace. This flexibility, and the topics covered, make it an excellent choice for beginners or entry-level professionals.

We like that learners can also attend live walk-through sessions to gain knowledge and insight from expert learning designers.

OpenLearning’s own learning design experts facilitate the course programs, using their expertise and experience to support you. 

The team of instructors has conducted workshops for educators around the world, supporting organizations and universities in creating impactful online learning.

Another plus with this program is that you earn badges after completing each course in the five-course pathway. This provides great motivation to keep learning and working your way toward the certificate.

Moreover, graduates will be featured in OpenLearning’s certified public directory.

OpenLearning has a large community of 8,000+ learners across 78 countries. Source.

Training content

You must complete five courses to complete the program and earn your certification. Here’s a closer look at your learning journey:

• Build an online course structure
• Develop an online course for OpenLearning
• Design engaging online learning activities
• Implement outcomes-based assessments
• Facilitate the building of your online community

Credentials

Graduates will receive a Certified Educator Certificate from OpenLearning.

This free program for educators is certified by OpenLearning. Source. 

Course reviews 

Here’s a testimonial from a course graduate.

View course

9. Online Certificate in Instructional Design at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies

Learn the fundamentals of creating online learning experiences with this online certificate of instructional design from Georgetown University. Source.

Key features

Course overview

This online certificate in instructional design gives you the fundamentals of online course creation. This includes designing, developing, and evaluating online learning experiences.

What makes this program stand out is that you’ll do this through the lens of social impact design, creating materials that engage learners in projects related to tackling social challenges.

You’ll learn from a team of expert faculty members and instructional design professionals, offering you a good mix of theoretical study and real-world practice.

As such, this program is ideal for entry- and mid-level professionals looking to elevate their instructional design skills.

By the end of the program, you’ll have the tools to integrate social impact frameworks into course design, align eLearning content with learning objectives, evaluate the quality of learning, and collaborate with multimedia experts to design video, audio, and infographics.

In addition, you’ll learn project management techniques to better oversee the full eLearning content development process.

The course consists of eight required courses, which equates to 117 credit hours. You must take the courses in order and complete them within two years.

We like the structure and format of this certificate program because it provides a nice combination of live online instruction and asynchronous learning. 

This certification program is led by three faculty members who specialize in instructional design and technology. Source.

Training content

To successfully earn your certificate, you must complete all eight courses for a total of 11.7 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Here’s what the curriculum looks like:

• Online Learning Design and Social Impact Framework 
• Content Outline: Integrating Social Impact Concepts into Learning Objectives 
• Integrating Relevant Technology in Online Instructional Design 
• Master Design Document and Syllabus 
• Multimedia Strategy and Social Impact Lens 
• Course Building: Planning and Implementation 
• LMS Build and Quality Review 
• Capstone: Presentation to Stakeholders 

Credentials

You’ll receive a certificate issued by the Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies when you complete this program.

Georgetown focuses on teaching you the skills to design purpose-driven education. Source. 

Course reviews 

There are currently no reviews for this course.

View course

10. Instructional Design at the University of Toronto (OISE)

If you choose to study instructional design at OISE, you’ll learn how to write learning objectives, select assessments, define learning design strategies, and much more.

Key features

Course overview

OISE runs this instructional design course as part of its workplace learning and development initiative.

According to OISE, it introduces learners to a “methodology for designing performance-based learning solutions that are relevant, efficient, and grounded in adult learning principles.”

Throughout the program, you’ll gain hands-on practice writing learning objectives based on competency analysis and select assignments to measure how well learners have met those objectives.

One of the highlights is the opportunity to outline a learning design strategy while deepening your knowledge of ID practices and techniques to structure and sequence learning materials.

We also like that the program offers a variety of learning materials to engage learners. These include discussions, readings, research, and practical assignments.

You’ll complete both individual and group assignments, as well as a practical course project (designing and developing a unit of instruction). 

You’ll need to dedicate around three to five hours per week for the duration of this course to get the most out of it.

Josie DiVincenzo leads this program. She’s the President of JDV Training and Development Inc. and has over twenty years of industry experience. As such, you know that you’re in good hands.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a sample unit for your portfolio. You’ll also have a deeper understanding of how to set objectives and apply learning design techniques when building training materials.

This ID module is also part of OISE’s certificate in Adult Learning and Development, a comprehensive accredited program. 

This certification program is led by Josie DiVincenzo, the President of JDV Training & Development Inc. Source. 

Training content

Here’s the syllabus you’ll follow during this ID program:

• The process of designing learning solutions
• Writing measurable learning objectives
• Selecting learning assessment methods that align with objectives
• Learning methods and modalities
• How to structure and sequence learning materials
• Implementing learning solutions across different channels

Credentials

OISE’s Adult Learning and Development certificate programs are recognized by the Institute for Performance and Learning. 

Learners can put their completed modules toward their Certified Training and Development Professional certification (CTDP).

OISE’s Adult Learning and Development certification courses are recognized by the Institute for Performance and Learning. Source. 

Course reviews 

There are currently no reviews for this course.

View course 

11. Postgraduate Diploma in Instructional Design at the Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL)

This postgraduate diploma in instructional design provides a solid foundation of the core theoretical and practical skills you need for a successful career. Source.

Key features

Course overview

India’s SCDL runs this comprehensive postgraduate diploma program in instructional design. SCDL is a widely recognized center for higher education in India, boasting a twenty-one-year legacy. 

You can find a wide range of professional courses on everything from project management to blockchain.

The postgraduate diploma in instructional design is a year-long program that sets you up to pursue several related careers.

Over the course of the year, you’ll cover key principles of instructional design, preparing you for a career as an instructional designer, content writer, or e-content developer.

In terms of structure, it covers an excellent array of subjects that can help you build suitable skills. For instance, there’s a module on writing for an English-speaking audience, which could be valuable if this is new to you.

You’ll hone your communication skills, understand key educational psychology principles, and learn how to design a course from scratch.

We think the Course Design module is particularly useful, providing opportunities for hands-on practice in building an online training program.

One of the highlights of this PGDID program is the final project, which gives you a chance to consolidate everything you’ve learned. 

Since this is a postgraduate diploma, you must hold a Bachelor’s degree (or be awaiting your results) to apply.

The All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has approved SCDL’s postgrad courses for working professionals.  Source. 

Training content

Over the course of a year, you’ll cover a wide range of relevant subjects. These include:

• Principles and practices of management
• Instructional design
• Effective communication
• Advanced instructional design theories
• Educational psychology
• Course design
• Final project

Credentials

Graduates of this PGDID program will receive a diploma from the Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning, which is approved by AICTE, Government of India.

This PGID program is approved by the AICTE, Government of India. Source. 

Course reviews 

This is what one course graduate had to say about the postgrad program:

View course

Over to You

This selection of top-tier instructional design courses covers all the essentials for elevating your L&D career in 2024. From mastering leading eLearning software to becoming a successful freelance Instructional Designer.

Want to join the 72+ instructional designers already elevating their careers in the iSpring Academy? Get your free lessons now.