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How to Become an Instructional Designer with an Instructional Design Degree

Instructional design is the art and science of creating effective and engaging learning experiences for various audiences and contexts. Instructional designers apply learning theoriesinstructional design modelsinstructional design principles, and instructional design strategies to analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate learning solutions. Instructional designers work in various sectors and industries, such as education, corporate training, e-learning, healthcare, government, and more.

If you are passionate about helping others learn and want to pursue a career in instructional design, you may wonder how to become an instructional designer and what kind of education and training you need. In this article, we will answer these questions and provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to become an instructional designer with an instructional design degree.


Instructional Design Degree


 

What is an instructional design degree?

An instructional design degree is a formal credential that demonstrates your knowledge and skills in the field of instructional design. There are different types of instructional design degrees and certificates available, depending on your level of education and experience. Some of the most common ones are:

  • Bachelor’s degree in instructional design: This is a four-year undergraduate program that covers the basics of instructional design, such as learning theories, instructional design models, instructional design tools, curriculum design, assessment, and evaluation. A bachelor’s degree in instructional design can prepare you for entry-level positions in instructional design or for further studies at the graduate level.
  • Master’s degree in instructional design: This is a two-year graduate program that builds on your bachelor’s degree and provides you with more advanced and specialized knowledge and skills in instructional design. A master’s degree in instructional design can help you advance your career as an instructional designer or pursue doctoral studies in the field.
  • PhD in instructional design: This is a four-year doctoral program that involves conducting original research and contributing to the body of knowledge in instructional design. A PhD in instructional design can prepare you for academic or leadership positions in instructional design or related fields.
  • Instructional design certificate: This is a short-term program that focuses on a specific aspect or topic of instructional design, such as e-learning, gamification, microlearning, etc. An instructional design certificate can help you update your skills or specialize in a niche area of instructional design.



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The common curriculum and learning outcomes of instructional design programs vary depending on the type and level of the program, but generally include the following:

  • Learning theories: You will learn about the different theories and principles that explain how people learn and how to apply them to your instructional design practice.
  • Instructional design models: You will learn about the different frameworks and processes that guide your instructional design practice, such as the ADDIE model, the Dick and Carey model, the Rapid Prototyping model, etc.
  • Instructional design principles: You will learn about the different guidelines and best practices that inform your instructional design decisions, such as Bloom’s taxonomy, Gagne’s nine events of instruction, Kirkpatrick’s four levels of evaluation, etc.
  • Instructional design strategies: You will learn about the different methods and techniques that you can use to create effective and engaging learning experiences, such as storytelling, scenario-based learning, problem-based learning, case-based learning, etc.
  • Instructional design examples: You will learn from various examples of successful instructional design projects and portfolios that showcase the application of instructional design theories, models, principles, and strategies.
  • Instructional design tools: You will learn about the different tools and technologies that can enhance your instructional design process and outcomes, such as authoring tools, graphic tools, video tools, audio tools, etc.

By completing an instructional design degree or certificate program, you will gain the following skills and competencies that are essential for any instructional designer:

  • Analytical skills: You will be able to analyze the needs, goals, characteristics, and preferences of your learners and stakeholders.
  • Design skills: You will be able to create learning objectives, outcomes, content, activities, assessments, and feedback that align with your analysis.
  • Development skills: You will be able to produce high-quality learning materials using various tools and technologies.
  • Implementation skills: You will be able to deliver your learning solutions using various modes and platforms.
  • Evaluation skills: You will be able to measure the effectiveness and impact of your learning solutions using various methods and criteria.

 

How to choose the right instructional design program for you?

Choosing the right instructional design program for you depends on several factors, such as your career goals, interests, budget, time, location, accreditation, etc. Here are some tips and resources to help you make an informed decision:

  • Identify your career goals: Think about what kind of work you want to do as an instructional designer and what kind of skills and qualifications you need to achieve it. For example,
    • If you want to work as an instructional designer for a large company, focusing on things like corporate training or technology tutorials, you may need more practical and technical skills than theoretical and academic ones.
    • If you want to work as an instructional designer for a school district or a university, focusing on things like online classes or curriculum design, you may need more theoretical and academic skills than practical and technical ones.
  • Research your options: Explore the different types of instructional design degrees and certificates available and compare them based on their features, reputation, rankings, reviews, etc. You can use the following resources to help you with your research:
    • Instructional Design Central - A comprehensive resource for instructional designers and educators that provides a list of instructional design degrees and certificates offered by various universities and institutions around the world.
    • Coursera - A leading online learning platform that offers various instructional design courses and certifications from top universities and industry leaders.
    • LinkedIn Learning - An online learning platform that offers various instructional design courses and certifications from experts and practitioners in the field.
  • Apply for the most suitable program for you: Once you have narrowed down your options, you can apply for the most suitable program for you by following the admission requirements and procedures of the program. You may need to submit the following documents and materials as part of your application:
    • A resume or CV that highlights your education, work experience, skills, and achievements related to instructional design.
    • A personal statement or essay that explains your motivation, goals, interests, and expectations for pursuing an instructional design degree or certificate.
    • A portfolio or sample of your instructional design work that showcases your skills and competencies in the field.
    • A letter of recommendation or reference from someone who can attest to your academic or professional performance and potential in instructional design.
    • A transcript or diploma that shows your academic record and degree completion.
    • A test score or certificate that shows your proficiency in English or other languages required by the program.

 

What are the career opportunities and salary prospects for instructional designers?

Instructional designers have a variety of career opportunities and instructional designer salary prospects in different sectors and industries. Some of the common roles and responsibilities of instructional designers are:

  • Curriculum designer: A curriculum designer is responsible for creating, developing, and evaluating curricula for various educational levels and settings, such as K-12, higher education, vocational education, etc.
  • E-learning designer: An e-learning designer is responsible for creating, developing, and evaluating online learning solutions for various audiences and contexts, such as students, employees, customers, etc.
  • Training designer: A training designer is responsible for creating, developing, and evaluating training programs for various purposes and outcomes, such as skill development, performance improvement, compliance, etc.
  • Instructional technologist: An instructional technologist is responsible for selecting, implementing, and managing the tools and technologies that support the instructional design process and outcomes, such as authoring tools, learning management systems, multimedia tools, etc.
  • Instructional consultant: An instructional consultant is responsible for providing guidance, advice, and support to other instructional designers or educators on how to improve their instructional design practice and outcomes.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for instructional coordinators (a category that includes instructional designers) was $66,970 in May 2020. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,150, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $104, 110. The median annual wages for instructional coordinators in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

  • Professional, scientific, and technical services: $73, 940
  • Government: $72, 590
  • Educational services; state, local, and private: $65, 500
  • Health care and social assistance: $63, 960

The BLS also projects that employment of instructional coordinators will grow 6 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for instructional designers will be driven by the need to improve the quality of education and training in various sectors and industries, especially in online learning.

However, the career opportunities and salary prospects for instructional designers may vary depending on several factors, such as your location, education, experience, skills, portfolio, network, etc. Therefore, it is important to keep yourself updated with the latest trends and developments in the field of instructional design and to showcase your value and potential to your employers or clients.

Some of the challenges and trends that affect the field of instructional design are:

  • The rapid changes in technology: Instructional designers need to keep up with the latest tools and technologies that can enhance their instructional design process and outcomes. They also need to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of using different technologies and how to select the most appropriate ones for their learners and contexts.
  • The increasing diversity of learners: Instructional designers need to consider the diverse needs, preferences, backgrounds, and characteristics of their learners and how to design learning solutions that are inclusive, accessible, and culturally responsive.
  • The growing demand for personalized and adaptive learning: Instructional designers need to explore how to create learning solutions that can adapt to the individual needs, goals, progress, and feedback of their learners and provide them with personalized and relevant learning experiences.
  • The rising importance of data and analytics: Instructional designers need to leverage data and analytics to inform their instructional design decisions, measure their learning outcomes, and improve their learning solutions. They also need to ensure the ethical and responsible use of data and protect the privacy and security of their learners.

 

How to succeed as an instructional designer?

To succeed as an instructional designer, you need to constantly improve your skills and performance in the field. Here are some practical advice and best practices on how to do that:

  • Keep learning: The field of instructional design is constantly evolving and changing, so you need to keep yourself updated with the latest theories, models, principles, strategies, tools, and technologies in the field. You can do that by taking online courses, reading books and articles, attending webinars and workshops, joining professional associations and communities, etc.
  • Keep practicing: The best way to improve your skills and competencies as an instructional designer is to practice them in real-world projects and scenarios. You can do that by working on your own projects or collaborating with others on theirs. You can also seek feedback from your peers, mentors, clients, or learners on how to improve your work.
  • Keep reflecting: The process of instructional design is not linear or static, but iterative and dynamic. You need to constantly reflect on your instructional design practice and outcomes and identify what works well and what needs improvement. You can do that by using various methods and tools, such as journals, portfolios, checklists, rubrics, etc.

Some of the tools and technologies that can enhance your instructional design process and outcomes are:

  • Authoring tools: These are software applications that allow you to create interactive and multimedia learning materials without requiring coding or programming skills. Some examples are Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, Lectora Inspire, etc.
  • Learning management systems (LMS): These are software platforms that allow you to deliver, manage, track, and report on your learning solutions. Some examples are Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, etc.
  • Multimedia tools: These are software applications that allow you to create or edit various types of media, such as images, audio, video, animations, etc. Some examples are Photoshop, Audacity, Camtasia, etc.

Some of the professional development opportunities and networks that can help you advance your career and knowledge as an instructional designer are:

  • Certifications: These are credentials that validate your skills and competencies in a specific area or topic of instructional design. Some examples are Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP), Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM), Certified Online Learning Facilitator (COLF), etc.
  • Conferences: These are events that bring together instructional designers and other professionals in the field to share their insights, experiences, best practices, research findings, etc. Some examples are DevLearn Conference & Expo, Learning Solutions Conference & Expo, ATD International Conference & Exposition, etc.
  • Communities: These are groups or platforms that connect instructional designers and other professionals in the field to exchange ideas, resources, feedback, support, etc. Some examples are Instructional Design Central, The eLearning Guild, Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT), etc.

 

Conclusion

Instructional design is a rewarding and challenging career that requires a combination of education, training, skills, and experience. If you want to become an instructional designer with an instructional design degree, you need to follow these steps:

  • Choose the right instructional design program for you based on your career goals, interests, budget, time, location, accreditation, etc.
  • Apply for the most suitable program for you by following the admission requirements and procedures of the program.
  • Complete the program by following the curriculum and learning outcomes of the program.
  • Seek career opportunities and salary prospects in various sectors and industries as an instructional designer.
  • Succeed as an instructional designer by constantly improving your skills and performance in the field.

We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive guide on how to become an instructional designer with an instructional design degree. 

Ahmed Shahen | E-learning Expert
Ahmed Shahen | E-learning Expert
Ahmed Shahen is an experienced Instructional Designer, with over 20 years of expertise in the e-learning field. With a solid 25 years of experience in technical writing and courseware development, he has authored 30 books in ICT. His current role includes creating course strategies, guidelines, and specification documents, designing and reviewing Instructor-Led Training (ILT), Computer-Based Training (CBT), and Web-Based Training (WBT) materials.