Online Instructional Design Degree Programs

Curriculum and Instructional Design Training by Distance Learning

Online instructional design degree programs and courses train professionals to work with learners and implement technology-supported training in a variety of environments, including business, industry, K-12 schools and higher education.

The skills you develop through an online instructional design degree or course will enable you develop high-quality education and training courses that use technology to accomplish the learning process.

Your degree will train you to use technology and multimedia tools effectively and efficiently to support the learning needs of the students, both in online and conventional formats.

To ensure that instructional materials are rigorous and effective, you will study the latest educational theory and research, and learn to apply your creativity and problem-solving skills to real-world applications of technology.

Curriculum and specializations for online instructional design degrees

The most common levels of online instructional design and technology programs are the certificate, masters and doctorate degrees. Specializations vary with the degree or certificate, but include:

• e-Learning
• Educational Technology
• Instructional Systems
• Online and Distance Learning
• Training and Performance Improvement

A master's degree is best suited for current or future educators or instructional designers, as well as people employed as training specialists. Some schools may offer a bachelor’s degree in instructional design that provides you with a broad undergraduate education in addition to the focused coursework in instructional design and technology.

Among other main courses, coursework for online instructional design degrees include trends in instructional technology, statistics, measurement and evaluation, research topics, and the design of instructional systems.

Featured Colleges with Online Instructional Design Programs

Walden University

• B.S. in Instructional Design & Technology
• B.S. in Instructional Design & Technology - Business & Organization Change
• B.S. in Instructional Design & Technology - Human Factors & Interface Design
• M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology
• M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology - Online Learning
• M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology - Training & Performance Improvement
• M.S in Education - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (Grades K-12)
• Ph.D. in Education - Mixed-Model - Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
• Ph.D. in Education - KAM-based - Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
• Ph.D. in Education - Course-based - Learning, Instruction, and Innovation
• Ph.D. in Education - Course-based - Educational Technology
• Ed.S. in Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development
• Doctor of Education - Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment (K-12)

Capella University

• MS - Curriculum and Instruction
• MS in Education - Instructional Design for Online Learning
• MS in Education - Training and Performance Improvement
• PhD - Information Technology Education
• PhD in Education - Curriculum and Instruction
• PhD in Education - Instructional Design for Online Learning
• PhD in Education - Training and Performance Improvement
• EdS - Curriculum and Instruction

University of Phoenix

• Master of Arts in Education / Curriculum and Instruction - Reading
• Doctor of Education / Curriculum and Instruction

Grand Canyon University

• M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading - Elementary Education (Does not lead to initial teacher licensure)
• M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading - Secondary Education (Does not lead to initial teacher licensure)
• M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction: Technology (Does not lead to initial teacher licensure)

Strayer University

• M. ED: Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment
• M. ED: Instructional Technology

Online instructional design degree puts technology in action

By taking an instructional design degree online, students are immediately immersed in the world of educational technology. You will learn first-hand how a school or university uses technology to foster and support an online learning environment. Your degree will expose you to a wide range of online tools, such as learning management systems, virtual classrooms, discussion boards, podcasts, and group chats and how they’re used to disseminate instructions and accomplish learning.

Who are instructional design and technology programs best suited for?

Online instructional design degrees are ideal for working professional interested in a career change. This includes technology professionals, such as those working in educational institutions--pre-K through higher education--private businesses, and the military. An online degree provides you with the skills and knowledge to apply technology in your current organization for teaching and learning.

What do you do after instructional design training?

Technology is rapidly changing how people learn. As businesses and schools realize the potential of emerging technologies to enhance learning and training, they will turn to qualified instructional design and technology professionals to develop educational materials that utilize various technologies.

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