10 Best Instructional Design Certificates (Free & Paid)

An instructional design certification shows potential employers you have the skills to excel not only in the design space but also in the teaching and training environment.

In this post, we’ve reviewed a variety of courses from premium learning institutions to bring you the ultimate list of the best instructional design certificates.

10 Top Instructional Design Certifications

1. Online Learning Design for Educators Specialization
2. Learning to Teach Online
3. Online Course Creation: Introduction to Instructional Design
4. Become an Instructional Designer
5. Instructional Design for eLearning
6. Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters
7. Online Course Development: Planning and Implementation
8. Instructional Design for Active Learning
9. Learning design basics: pedagogy into practice
10. Instructional Design Video Series

1. Online Learning Design for Educators Specialization

Focused on the evolving landscapes of virtual and online education, the Online Learning Design for Educators Specialization teaches students the practical skills they need to connect with students online.

This instructional design certificate is split into three courses, exploring the foundations of online learning, content creation, and the use of common educational tools.

Students require no prior knowledge to get started, and the course includes hands-on projects where students can practice their skills in real-world scenarios. The certification was produced by Macquarie University, which is ranked among the top 1% of global educational institutions.

What You Will Learn

The Online Learning Design for Educators specialization focuses on teaching existing and would-be educators how to connect with students in the digital age. The course investigates the challenges students and teachers commonly face in online learning environments, and shows users have to design a variety of lesson plans and digital experiences.

Throughout the 3 courses, you’ll learn how to demonstrate a deep understanding of the learning trajectory, and adhere to the varied needs of digital students. There’s guidance on how to create multi-modal course content, from videos to podcasts and infographics to help enhance learning outcomes. You’ll even get a behind-the-scenes look at using tools like Zoom for online teaching.

Other topics include:

• How to design and deliver a Zoom lesson plan
• Choosing the right format for each lesson outcome
• Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of teaching techniques
• Blending real-life and online learning strategies.

Time Investment and Cost

This course will take approximately 4 months to complete with a study commitment of 4 hours per week. The course is 100% online, and available to access through a Coursera subscription of $49 per month, following a 7-day free trial. Financial assistance is available.

2. Learning to Teach Online

The Learning to Teach Online course is a highly-rated certification for instructional design, intended for those at the beginner level.

Whether you’re an educator already, or you’re keen to explore the opportunities offered by online teaching, this course will offer all the guidance you need. The lessons are based on a multi-award-winning set of educational resources.

This instructional design certificate is split into a series of 5 courses, each with its own selection of reading resources, quizzes, and videos to watch. The lessons are also available in a range of different languages for multi-national teachers.

What You Will Learn

This engaging certification teaches students how to develop a successful strategy for online teaching which can be applied in their own careers. The step-by-step instructions explore the challenges and opportunities you’ll encounter when incorporating online technologies into learning plans.

You’ll have the opportunity to boost your understanding of various tools and strategies you can use to enhance the design of each digital lesson.

Throughout the courses, students will have an opportunity to design their own online learning activities, assessments, and resources. The lessons begin with an introduction to the benefits and values of online teaching, complete with real-world case studies, and insights into tools like Google Sites. By the time you’re done with all 5 lessons, you’ll know how to:

• Plan engaging online learning activities and experiences
• Leverage digital resources with OER to create online assessments
• Engage and motivate students with digital tools
• Foster student interaction across a range of environments
• Overcome common challenges in the digital teaching world

Time Investment and Cost

This course is available with a monthly subscription to Coursera, priced at $49 per month, with a 7-day free trial. The lessons will take approximately 18 hours to complete, and can be accessed at your own pace. Financial assistance is also available.

3. Online Course Creation: Introduction to Instructional Design

One of the top instructional design programs for beginners, this Online Course Creation certification introduces would-be teachers to the concept of Pedagogy and the different ways people learn.

You’ll have access to a range of learning resources, which provide behind-the-scenes overviews of learning theories, action mapping, storytelling, and more.

Over a course of 48 lessons, totaling just under two hours of educational insights, this course provides students with the actionable skills they need to design amazing courses. You’ll even gain access to free images to make your courses look more professional.

What You Will Learn

Created for beginners, this instructional designing certification offers step-by-step guidance into everything teachers need to know to connect with their students in the digital world.

You’ll start with an introduction to “Instructional Design” and what it means in the modern age. There are also various case studies from real-world scenarios to help expand your education.

The lessons touch on a number of important concepts for today’s educators, including how to use authoring tools online, what a “flipped classroom” looks like, and even how to blend different Pedagogies. Some of the other topics covered include:

• How to use video, audio, and other media in education
• What to avoid when designing your lesson plans
• Creating storyboards and micro-learning opportunities
• Storytelling and how to engage your audience
• How to measure the ROI of your learning tools

By the time you’re done learning, you should have a complete understanding of your own learning and teaching style, as well as a deeper knowledge of how to immerse students in learning.

Time Investment and Cost

Depending on how quickly you can learn, it’s possible to access this course for free, using the 7-day free trial of Skillshare Premium. The course includes around one hour and 58 minutes of video content to consume, as well as various resources you can access at your own pace. Premium memberships are available starting at $13.75 per month.

4. Become an Instructional Designer

Built to empower educators with the resources they need to create engaging online courses, this instructional designing certification is ideal for beginners. Throughout 8 sections, students will discover downloadable resources and videos which teach everything they need to know to build a solid foundation for a career in online training and e-learning.

The course includes real-world case studies and scenarios for students to explore, as well as practical challenges, such as managing your own lesson plan with Microsoft Project.

What You Will Learn

The “Become an Instructional Designer” course is a step-by-step overview of instructional design for beginners in the educational space. The lessons cover topics associated with storyboarding, screencasting, and building powerful learning resources for online students.

You’ll begin with an introduction to the key models used in Instructional Design, and how you can choose the right methods to reach different types of students.

Your lecturers will walk you through the process of conducting a “Needs Analysis” to inform your instructional design process. There’s also helpful guidance on how to connect with adult learners and build storyboards for the most effective learning outcomes. Other topics include:

• Creating video training resources with modern technology
• Working with Subject Matter Experts on course design
• Implementing agile design models like SAM for instructional content
• Tracking learning metrics like ROI for each class
• Mastering task management with Microsoft Project

Time Investment and Cost

This course includes 7 hours and 52 minutes of learning content and can be completed in less than a week depending on your studying capacity. Students can access LinkedIn Learning and the resources for these classes for free for 1 month.

5. Instructional Design for eLearning

Created for beginners, the Instructional Design for eLearning course requires no prior knowledge of the educational environment.

Students gain a complete overview of all the methods, skills, and techniques necessary for designing their own eLearning solutions.

The certification is split into 4 sections, with 33 lectures to watch. There’s also a bonus eBook designed to answer any of the questions you may have about becoming an instructional designer.

The comprehensive course content is ideal for those who are stepping into the online educational landscape for the first time, and even includes definitions of the key terms you might encounter. You’ll learn about intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, asynchronous learning, and ISD design methods.

What You Will Learn

The 33 lectures included in this instructional design certification cover all of the key topics online teachers need to know. You’ll learn how to differentiate between computer-based and web-based training. There are insights into the principles of constructivism, behaviorism, and cognitivism in course design, as well as overviews of various popular educational models.

Students will discover how to apply concepts of andragogy and Malcolm Knowles’s six principles of adult learning to course design. You’ll also learn how to use the John Keller model of ARCS motivational design, and Ruth Clark’s six principles of effective learning.

Throughout the courses, students will gain behind-the-scenes insights into a number of valuable topics, including:

• Bloom’s Taxonomy and using learning domains
• Robert Gagne’s Nine Events of Instruction
• Utilizing appropriate data collection methods for analysis
• Designing and developing storyboards and prototypes
• Providing intrinsic and extrinsic feedback to learners
• Differentiating between different levels of course interactivity

Time Investment and Cost

This certification includes approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes of instruction divided into 4 sections, starting with industrial design basics. The course is available for a price of $69.99 and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and lifetime access to lesson materials.

6. Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters

The Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters is made up of 4 graduate-level courses, intended for would-be educators in the online world.

Students will need to successfully pass and receive a verified certificate in all four of the courses and complete a capstone project to complete the certification.

Learners who successfully earn the MicroMasters program certificate will also be able to transition into the Master’s program for Learning Design and Technology at the University of Maryland (available online). The program certificate will count as 12 credits towards the full master’s degree, which requires 36 credits to complete.

What You Will Learn

This high-level instructional design certificate teaches students the contemporary learning theories they’ll need to use when developing online learning experiences. You’ll discover how to apply instructional design models to your lesson plans, and evaluate different digital media options to support learning outcomes.

There’s step-by-step guidance on how to create an implementation process for online learning experiences, as well as tips on applying data mining techniques to evaluate learning outcomes.

The courses in the program begin with an overview of learning theories and instructional design models. Students also gain a behind-the-scenes look at various forms of digital media, tools, and learning technologies for the digital world.

By the time you’re finished with all four courses, you should know how to:

• Implement various learning theories and interactive technologies into online learning
• Evaluate and leverage the correct ID models for each learning pathway
• Create outlines and lesson plans for online courses
• Use digital media and emerging technologies to support online learning
• Design your own course and evaluation model

Time Investment and Cost

To complete all four certificates required for this program, users will need to dedicate around 8 months to study, with about 8-10 hours of lessons per week. The full program experience costs approximately $945 in total.

7. Online Course Development: Planning and Implementation

The Online Course Development certification is a fast-paced educational experience for budding teachers and training providers. The course was produced by the University of British Columbia Group and requires no prior experience to enroll. Successful completion of the course and its included assignments will allow students to claim a shareable online certificate showcasing their skills.

This course can also prepare students for associated programs in online education, such as the Online Teaching for Educators: Development and Delivery certificate.

What You Will Learn

This instructional design certification prepares learners for developing and planning their own online courses. You’ll discover how to conduct needs assessments and form strategic plans for your digital lessons. Students also gain a behind-the-scenes look at available learning tools, communication channels, and the systems they may use throughout their careers.

The lessons provide a comprehensive overview of key program development components, such as modes of delivery, scheduling, and pace. What’s more, you’ll also learn how to effectively manage a team when creating an online course in the competitive world. By the time you’re finished the lessons, you’ll know how to:

• Develop a supportive and effective online learning environment
• Plan for engaging lessons using a range of media
• Choose the right Learning Management Systems for your needs
• Create both asynchronous and synchronous learning content
• Train and support various team members in a group environment

Time Investment and Cost

This course is available to access for free and will take approximately 2 weeks to complete at a study pace of 5 to 7 hours per week. Students can take each lesson at their own pace. If you want to access the full shareable certificate, you’ll need to take the verified learning track for $39.

8. Instructional Design for Active Learning

This CPD accredited Instructional designing certification from NPTEL focuses on the concept of pedagogical course design. Students are encouraged to develop effective course curricula designed to keep learners engaged and stimulated.

The course begins by introducing key concepts like active learning, and how to conduct analyses to better understand students.

Throughout 2 modules and 8 topics, students will access step-by-step instructions highlighting the changing world of online teaching and training.

What You Will Learn

In this course, students discover the effective principles required to promote active learning among modern students. You’ll discover how to use different types of media and formatting to keep students productive and inspired. Students also gain a behind-the-scenes look at the Addie model for ID, which focuses on analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation.

The course describes the concept of instructional analysis, and how it can be applied to teaching opportunities to accelerate educational outcomes. The course will also explain why constructive alignment is so important in a teaching system, to facilitate achievement. Some of the topics covered in the two modules include:

• Instructional design for active learning
• The ADDIE model and how to use it in course design
• The meaning of outcome-based education
• How to design an outcome-based educational period

There’s also a final exam intended to put your skills to the test as you create your own online course experience from scratch.

Time Investment and Cost

This course is available to access for free and includes approximately 3 hours of course content, including the examination. Students are free to take each lesson at their own pace online. You may need to pay extra for a physical or framed version of your certificate upon completion.

9. Learning Design Basics: Pedagogy Into Practice

Certified by Open Learning Limited, the Learning Design Basics: Pedagogy Into Practice course provides educational professionals and beginners with tips and insights into how to keep students engaged and motivated. The course explores the principles of effective learning design, whether you’re producing online, in-person, or hybrid training resources.

Over a course of 5 modules, students are introduced to all of the steps they need to consider when designing a learning program intended to engage and enlighten students.

What You Will Learn

This instructional design certification provides students with a platform where they can design their own learning experiences from scratch. You’ll explore the Constructivist theory of education, and how it can inform your design of different learning resources. You’ll also burn an instructional design project which you can go on to use in real-world teaching.

The 5 core modules of the learning experience walk beginners through the process of building a learning program from start to finish. You’ll learn how to analyze how different students consume and absorb information with pedagogy concepts. There’s also a comprehensive insight into how to measure learning outcomes and track student results. Other topics covered include:

• Designing your own learning program structure
• Choosing the right content and activities for each course
• Evaluating and critiquing learning experiences based on situations
• Determining the needs, motivations, and interests of students
• Writing a learning plan that aligns with specific outcomes

Time Investment and Cost

The five modules of this course will take approximately 12 to 15 hours to complete. Students will also need to schedule a time to complete a full Instructional Design Project. While the lessons are available to take for free, you’ll be charged $50 for your certification.

10. Instructional Design Video Series

An immersive learning experience for beginners, the Instructional Design Video series is a step-by-step collection of engaging videos on ID concepts. There are approximately 80 videos to explore in total, each broken down into bite-sized components to introduce you to different subject matters. Students can explore real-life case studies and insights to see what Instructional Design is all about.

The course doesn’t come with a certification but does provide students with all the knowledge they need to prepare for an education in instructional design.

What You Will Learn

The 80 videos included in this collection answer virtually every question a student might have about instructional design, including what ADDIE is and how to use it, and what an instructional designer actually does. Ph.D. Ray Pastore uses his own experience to provide insights into the ID landscape, and shares various useful case studies and resources.

Throughout the course of the lessons, you’ll learn about the common principles used in Instructional Design, as well as how to teach, present, and design instructional resources. Some of the topics included in the series cover:

• Multimedia learning and how to use different educational formats
• Storyboarding in instructional design
• Usability guidelines for computer-based training
• How different people learn and how to perform a needs analysis
• Evaluating instructional design projects

Time Investment and Cost

The video series is free to consume on YouTube at your own pace. There are several hours of content to consume, split into small videos ranging from a few minutes long, to 20-30 minutes.

Are Instructional Certification Courses Worth It?

Currently, the online learning environment is evolving at an incredible pace. At present, the e-learning market is expected to reach a value of around $645 billion by 2030, growing at a rate of over 20% CAGR. This presents incredible opportunities for individuals who have the skills and knowledge to produce engaging online learning materials.

An Instructional Design certification can be a fantastic way to prepare yourself for a future in the e-learning market. You can show potential employers you have the skills to create powerful training experiences for each student, based on their own distinct learning preferences.

Additionally, these courses provide you with the insights and tools you need to build your own courses from scratch if you design to run your own online learning experience.

Methodology

To help you find the best instructional design certificates to take online, we’ve looked at courses prepared by reputable academies and universities. Our chosen certificates are globally recognized and most importantly they help you build job-ready skills to start a career in the eLearning industry as an Instructional designer.

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