Online master’s in instructional design

Exciting technologies are reshaping the way we think about learning. An online master's in instructional design can teach you to integrate pedagogy with modern learning platforms to benefit modern-day students.

Explore the degree, research different career paths, and connect with accredited programs to help you reach your goals.

Online master's in instructional design degree overview

A master's in instructional design is a specialized graduate education degree. While every program is unique, most focus on:

• Multimedia technologies
• Program and learning material design
• Curriculum development
• Program evaluation methods

Master's programs in instructional design mainly appeal to students with bachelor's degrees who are interested in education careers that go beyond classroom teaching.

What jobs can you get with an online master's in instructional design?

An online master's in instructional design degree can lead to the following careers:

• Instructional coordinator: Instructional coordinators use pedagogical theory to develop, refine, and update educational programs. They also create learning materials and student assessments and evaluate their effectiveness.
• Training and development specialist: Training and development specialists typically work in corporate environments. They liaise with departmental leaders and executives to identify a workforce's skills gaps or developmental needs and create learning programs to fill them.
• Curriculum developer: Curriculum developers focus on designing and building educational programs that meet specific learning objectives. They also create individual lesson plans, activities, exercises, and assessments.
• Education technologist: Education technologists specialize in the purposeful application of learning technologies. They find innovative ways to deploy digital and electronic tools to drive student engagement.

With experience, you can also become an educational consultant and work with clients on a contract basis.

Salary expectations for graduates of master's in instructional design

However, your salary after graduation depends on many factors, including:

• Your position title and role
• Experience level
• Location

Career outlook for master's in instructional design

Instructional design specialist jobs show typical growth rates compared to the average 4% growth for all occupations.

The BLS cites a 2% employment growth for instructional coordinators from 2023-33. That works out to about 20,100 new positions each year.

Training and development specialists have a stronger outlook. The Bureau projects 12% job growth for these professionals from 2023-33, equal to 42,200 new positions annually over the decade.

Multiple factors may impact the demand for instructional coordinators and training specialists, including:

• Increasing emphasis on student achievement
• Broader use of internal training programs in the private sector
• Growing emphasis on culturally responsive curriculum design

Curriculum

Most online master's in instructional design programs focus heavily on digital and multimedia educational technologies and strategies.

You'll likely encounter courses such as:

• Principles of learning and instruction
• Educational technologies
• Program evaluation techniques and strategies
• Project management for educational settings
• Childhood, adolescent, and adult learning and development
• Student performance assessments
• Emerging issues in educational psychology

You can learn more by exploring courses or a in instructional design.

Types of master's in instructional design

Many schools offer instructional design as a concentration area within a graduate education degree. These programs may offer further specialization opportunities through concentrations and learning tracks like:

• Adult learning
• Instructional technology
• K-12 instructional design
• Learning experience design
• Online education design and delivery

Depending on your school's program structure, you may also use your elective courses to build a custom concentration.

Admissions requirements for a master's in instructional design online programs

Core admissions requirements include a and a strong academic record. Admissions officials will also look for compelling evidence of your commitment to the field and your ability to succeed both in the program and in your career.

You may need to submit:

• Academic transcripts
• A résumé or CV
• A statement of purpose or personal essay
• Letters of recommendation
• Writing samples

When applying to , some schools may require GRE or GMAT scores. If you're an international student from a country where English is not the official language, you must also submit TOEFL scores or an acceptable equivalent.