instructional design

Join the growing field of online learning and instructional design

Course 1: Foundations of Instructional Design starts September 8

>> Register by June 17 for the lowest registration rate

What is an instructional designer? Instructional designers leverage learning theory and multimedia design to create engaging digital learning experiences.

Are you interested in learning how to design effective e-learning environments? Do you have a personal or professional online learning project you would like to develop? Are you interested in developing a career that involves developing digital training or teaching solutions?  The objective of this program’s courses is to gain the skills and experience to help you succeed in the instructional design profession.

Certificate program: three-course series

This online noncredit professional development program is designed for anyone who wants to become an instructional designer. The hands-on, applied training method focuses on providing the opportunity to build out a portfolio of instructional design projects. Estimated time to complete the full three-course program is 10 months.

  • COURSE 1: Foundations of Instructional Design — Focuses on foundational knowledge for instructional designers, including major learning theory principles applicable to instructional systems design, analysis of learner needs, and use of authoring tools.
  • COURSE 2: Curriculum Development for Instructional Design — Focuses on curriculum design, including alignment of learning objectives, practice, and assessments, and the evaluation of eLearning modules.
  • COURSE 3: E-learning and Course Development for Instructional Design — Focuses on developing eLearning modules and applying multimedia design principles, instructional design frameworks, project management for designers, and addressing feedback for continuous improvement.

Earn program badges and certificate

Earn a digital badge as you complete each course as well as a digital program completion certificate when you finish the third course. Click here for more details about digital badging.

UD PCS Instructional Design badges

 

REGISTRATION AND SCHEDULE

button: register nowInstructional Design Certificate – Noncredit Certificate

  • LOCATION: Online, asynchronous, with four optional live-online one-hour chats, 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursdays 
  • SCHEDULE: Next cohort starts September 8, 2025 (Course 1: Sept. 8-Nov. 14, 2025; Course 2: Jan. 20-April 17, 2026; Course 3: May 4-July 31, 2026)
  • PRICE (3-course series) $4,990 includes the 3-course Instructional Design Certificate; all materials included.
    • Super Early Bird discounted price, $3,750 — through June 17, 4:30 p.m., up to 15 discounted seats. Register with coupon code SUPEREB.
    • Early Bird discounted price, $3,990 — June 18-July 22, 4:30 p.m. Register with coupon code EBIRD.
    • Penalty-free refund through July 22, 4:30 p.m. — click here for more details.
    • CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE
  • PAYMENT PLANS: A payment plan is available, allowing for an estimated 26% down payment at the time of registration, and 7 remaining payments, approximately monthly, according to the payment plan schedule. Click here for details.
  • REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Registration closes September 3, 2025, 4:30 p.m.
  • FINANCIAL OPTIONS AVAILABLE: Payment plan, scholarships and potential discounts available, including: Early registration, Military, UD student/alum/employee.
  • CONTACT HOURS: 120 (12.0 CEUs)

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PROGRAM DETAILS

  • Individuals considering a career in instructional design
  • Anyone who wants to leverage instructional design principles to design an effective digital learning experience to meet professional or personal goals.
  • Anyone who wants to learn how to apply multimedia skills (graphic design, video production, web design, or others) to develop digital training and learning solutions and open the door to new career opportunities.
  • Instructional design applies to a broad range of fields and industries, such as healthcare, education, technology – any field or industry where internal or external training is needed or provided.

Course format — The Instructional Design Certificate program consists of three courses.

  • Course 1: Foundations of Instructional Design — This eight-week course is fully online with optional live-online sessions scheduled for course participants to connect with instructors or course facilitators, as well as fellow participants, to discuss coursework and challenges, share information and network.
  • Course 2/Course 3: Curriculum Development for Instructional Design / E-learning and Course Development for Instructional Design Course 2 and Course 3 are self-paced and fully online, with optional one-on-one meetings with a course facilitator. Course 2 and Course 3 have flexible start dates, and are typically completed in 10-12 weeks. After starting and accessing the course platform, will have access to all three courses and coursed materials through the completion of the program.

Time to completion — Each course can be completed within a 10- to 12-week timeframe. All courses must be completed within 12 months.

Design portfolio — As students progress in the program, they will have ample opportunities to add content to their professional instructional design portfolio.

Fall semester offering timeline

Spring semester offering timeline

The following learning objectives describe the learning objectives of the Instructional Design Certificate 3-course series:

Aviva Heyn is the program director and instructor for the University of Delaware Division of Professional and Continuing Studies (UD PCS) Instructional Design Certificate program’s three courses. Heyn, who serves as director of digital services at UD, has worked as both an individual contributor and manager of instructional design teams, contributing to the design and development of a wide variety of digital courses for industry, government and higher education. Her favorite aspect of the instructional design profession is the endless opportunity for continuous learning. 

Heyn earned her doctor of education in educational leadership at the University of Delaware. She also holds an M.A. in social anthropology and an undergraduate degree in art history, sociology and anthropology from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel.  

  • No prior knowledge of or experience with instructional design is required.
  • Multimedia design skills (graphic design, audio/video, web design, and others) are a plus, but not required.
  • Experience with teaching or training is a plus, but not required.
  • Completion of some undergraduate coursework is recommended.
  • Basic computer skills are required.

  • Technology requirements: A laptop or desktop computer (PC or Mac) is required, and a reliable internet connection.

For more information

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