Devlin Peck
What are the best instructional design master’s degree programs?
You’ve come to the right place. Today, you’ll learn about the top master’s degrees in the field, whether you even need a degree, and much more.
Want to learn more? Read on!
A master’s degree in instructional design often covers a wide range of knowledge and theories. You can get the degree online or in person, and it’ll typically take between one and two years to complete. You can also choose a program with a specific focus, like technology or curriculum design.
Most programs require students to apply instructional design theories to real-life scenarios and produce a portfolio of work. So, if you don’t have a portfolio yet (or are struggling to put one together), this could be one route to building confidence and gaining credibility – legitimate reasons for getting a master’s degree.
But don’t get one just because you think you need one to become an instructional designer.
Because honestly? You don't need a master's degree to become an instructional designer.
You just need the right skill set and a portfolio to showcase your skills.
In fact, you can get my free checklist with the things you need to become an instructional designer:
Granted, there are some situations in which having a master’s degree may be required. This is particularly true for higher education positions and some government contracts.
But generally, there are no such requirements in the corporate world.
In this video, I explain more about what’s needed to land an instructional design job:
Typically, a bachelor’s degree and/or several years of professional experience are the only requirements for breaking into an instructional design career.
Having highly relevant work experience, like being a former K-12 educator, can also be beneficial – and that’s why more and more teachers are making the switch to instructional design.
The field is continuously evolving, too. In other words? Professional development is more critical than a degree. Some foundational instructional design competencies include:
● Articulate Storyline 360
● eLearning development
● Communication skills
● The ability to apply ID theory and science
● Learning Management Systems (LMS)
● Adult learning technologies
● Microsoft PowerPoint
● Writing learning objectives
● Managing cognitive load
● Visual design skills
● Project management skills
● Storytelling
● Problem-solving
● Critical thinking
● Creativity
That said, you might be wondering how you compare to your competition. That’s what we’ll look at next.
According to Zippia, 63% of instructional designers have a bachelor's degree and 25% have a master's degree.
In my own survey, I asked hiring managers what they look for in instructional designers. Here’s what they said:
In other words? Less than 10% of hiring managers require a master’s degree.
My survey shows that employers prefer to evaluate applicants based on other factors, such as:
● Professional experience (85.1%)
● Interview (69.3%)
● Portfolio (67.3%)
● Mock project assignments (56.4%)
● Education (12.9%)
● Cover letter (3%)
Those are skills you can build in other ways – such as with online resources, which I talk about more below.
But if you decide to go for a master’s, how long will it take? Let’s take a look.
With full-time enrollment in either an online, hybrid, or residential master’s degree program, you can expect to graduate in one to two years.
It really depends on the program you select and how many credit hours are required.
So, who benefits the most from these programs?
Anyone looking to gradually transition into the instructional design field rather than jump in feet first is a good candidate. Also, if you need help building your network (and confidence), getting a degree can be a great way to do that.
As I explain in this video, there are many free and paid online videos and resources that can be just as beneficial as a degree:
Online courses often make it far easier and affordable to become an instructional designer. And they’re flexible, too. To make it easy, I compiled a list of the 20 best instructional design courses.
I also have a bootcamp that’s completely dedicated to helping you learn the skills, create a portfolio, and land a job. Be sure to check out some of our bootcamp alumni and where they’ve landed since participating!
For example, our student Sean Anderson was able to land a dream job thanks to the bootcamp:
“As a result of the bootcamp, I was able to land an amazing opportunity as an instructional designer within just a few months. My flagship project started conversations, landed me interviews, and eventually helped me secure job offers. I was able to combine my theoretical knowledge with a practical deliverable that showcased my technical skills and passion for learning.”
But, as said, you might want to get a master’s degree for a specific reason. So, let’s take a look at the top master’s programs out there.
There are hundreds of master’s degree programs dedicated to instructional design. To save you time, I’ve narrowed the list down to the top 21 programs:
Program Name: M.S. in Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies
Online or On Campus: Both
Course Credits: 36
About: In this program (my alma mater), students gain the skills they need for in-demand instructional design careers. For example, they learn how to use technology and best practices to help improve learning and assist instructors and trainers.
Program Name: M.S.Ed. in Instructional Systems Technology
Online or On Campus: Both
Course Credits: 36
About: This degree provides an in-depth introduction to analyzing, developing, and evaluating educational tools, programs, and systems to be used in education or training settings. You get coursework, an internship, and a year-long studio project (conducted under faculty supervision) to test your skills.
Program Name: M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
Online or On Campus: Online
Course Credits: 36
About: If you choose this program, you’ll be required to complete the Curriculum and Instruction Core and the Educational Technology Core. You can then choose among several elective courses based on your career goals. Note that this program’s Practicum in Ed. Media experience is taken at the end of the program during the spring sessions only.
Program Name: M.Ed. in Learning, Design & Technology, Instructional Design & Development
Online or On Campus: Online
Course Credits: 36
About: This program takes a holistic approach to preparing students for success as instructional designers. In addition to courses focused on instructional design and different technologies, students also take courses in needs assessment, program evaluation, and program management, equipping them to lead and advocate for necessary resources.
Program Name: M.S. in Instructional Design & Technology
Online or On Campus: Online or Hybrid
Course Credits: 33
About: In this program, you get a hands-on, project-based approach to prepare you for a leadership role in the instructional design field. It integrates interactive technologies into educational and corporate learning environments. Students work individually and in teams to design and produce computer-based instruction based on sound learning and instructional theories.
Program Name: M.A.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction
Online or On Campus: On Campus
Course Credits: 30
About: The coursework in this program is designed to help students understand educational issues, theories, and practices related to Instructional Design and Technology. Plus, the program is affiliated with the Center for Instructional Technology Solutions in Industry and Education (CITSIE), which offers excellent research opportunities.
Here, the focus is on things like the design, development, and evaluation of learning experiences, distance learning, and innovations in technology.
Program Name: M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology
Online or On Campus: On Campus
Course Credits: 30
About: This program is designed for individuals who want to advance their skills and knowledge in the direct application of technology in teaching, training, education, and curriculum development. Here, the instruction is cohort-based.
Program Name: M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology
Online or On Campus: On Campus
Course Credits: 36
About: In this program, the emphasis is placed on theories of learning and cognition, multimedia design and development, systematic instructional design, technology, and open learning environments. The curriculum couples hands-on, technology-based coursework with theories of education, learning, and human performance. So, candidates learn to develop effective, cross-media curricula for diverse audiences.
Program Name: M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Technology
Online or On Campus: Online
Course Credits: 30
About: Taught by world-class professors (who are experienced instructional designers and technologists themselves), this program concentrates on a well-rounded, interdisciplinary educational experience. Here, courses are drawn from the fields of cognitive science, education, design, information technology, and computer science.
Program Name: M.S. in Instructional Design, Development, and Evaluation
Online or On Campus: Both
Course Credits: 30
About: In this program, you get a blend of technical and software skills, with transferable skills in theory, planning, instructional processes, and collaborative problem-solving. So, students gain the expertise to design, create, implement, and evaluate non-technology and technology-supported instructional solutions for various educational and professional settings.
Program Name: M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology
Online or On Campus: Online
Course Credits: 45
About: This program is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary for you to meet nationally recognized standards of excellence. With that in mind, courses focus on the design, development, and evaluation of educational and informational programs and instructional materials.
Program Name: M.S. in Learning Technologies and Media Systems
Online or On Campus: On Campus
Course Credits: 36
About: This program provides leading-edge approaches and skills to help students apply existing and emerging learning technologies in a variety of environments. So, the degree offers immediate career benefits – while at the same time preparing for anticipated industry needs.
Program Name: M.A. in Educational Technology
Online or On Campus: Both
Course Credits: 30
About: This curriculum focuses on using tools to increase student engagement, motivation, and active learning. Here, the program explores a wide variety of technology tools but emphasizes those that are low-cost or free.
Program Name: M.S. in Learning Design & Technology
Online or On Campus: Online
Course Credits: 36
About: This program details how to use emerging technologies, learning analytics, and learning theory to design adaptive and personalized online learning experiences. So, as a student, you’d explore, develop, and integrate digital media, new pedagogical approaches, and online interactive resources to set yourself up for success.
Program Name: M.A. in Education, Training, and Instructional Technology
Online or On Campus: Both
Course Credits: 30
About: In this program, students are encouraged to relate course content to their careers and specific areas of interest through a theory-to-practice approach. And, because the coursework is broad, it prepares students for careers in instructional design, education, and more.
Program Name: MPS in Learning Experience Design and Technology
Online or On Campus: Online
Course Credits: 45
About: This program provides an experience-based curriculum designed for learning designers, educators, trainers, and instructional technologists in higher education, pre-K-12, government, corporate, and nonprofit organizations. So, with this coursework, students can strengthen their design and instructional thinking to create educational experiences that are adapted to today’s demands.
Program Name: M.Ed. in Instructional Design
Online or On Campus: Online
Course Credits: 36
About: With this multidisciplinary academic program, students gain access to a dynamic learning process through a comprehensive course of study that gives equal importance to the planning and delivery of adult instruction.
Program Name: M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Technology
Online or On Campus: Online
Course Credits: 33
About: Here, the program focuses on developing leadership potential, creating new career paths, and enhancing existing employment opportunities. Interested in getting a leadership role in teaching or training settings? Then this is a good option to consider.
19. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Program Name: M.Ed. in Learning, Design, and Technology
Online or On Campus: Online
Course Credits: 30
About: This program explores best practices in the field of learning design using practical, real-life examples. So, as a student, you’d learn how to develop lesson plans and resources using contemporary theories of instruction.
Program Name: M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology
Online or On Campus: Online
Course Credits: 30
About: In this program, students learn industry-specific knowledge and skills while having the flexibility to customize their schedules. Here, courses include extensive exposure to research literature investigating the efficacy of media for educational applications. Why? Because the ability to understand and apply research is what allows instructional designers to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Program Name: M.Ed. in Learning, Design, and Technology
Online or On Campus: Online
Course Credits: 30
About: This program prepares students to design, facilitate, manage, and evaluate digital instruction in online, hybrid, and remote settings — the fastest-growing segments of education and training in the 21st century. So, coursework equips students to effectively use hardware/software, integrate technology into lessons, facilitate learner-centered activities, and develop interactive professional development programs in a wide range of learning organizations.
There you have it! Now you know what the top instructional design master’s degree programs are. Ultimately, you don’t need a degree. But if you want to pursue one, go for it!
Want to get started building your career right away? Grab my free checklist for new instructional designers:
