Online Instructional Design Certificate Programs: The Ultimate Guide

Frustrated trying to find a comprehensive guide to 100% online instructional design certificate programs? Worried that you’ll miss a great opportunity?

Well, there is one ultimate guide available that contains the internet’s most extensive collection of certificates and you’ve found it!

Keep reading to explore over 85 graduate programs in instructional design, online teaching, e-learning, instructional technology and related fields in a free, sortable table. You will also discover 9 tips for choosing the best online instructional design certificate program and 8 benefits of a graduate certificate.

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What is a graduate certificate?

It’s a great opportunity for professional development or to explore a new career!

A graduate certificate is a short sequence of courses, normally at the master’s level, provided by a university. Certificates typically require between three and six classes. The courses will usually transfer to related master’s degree at the same university.

Graduate certificates focus on a specific subject and bridge the gap between a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. In fact, most certificates are simply a subset of required courses and/or electives that are part of a master’s program. Many schools allow students to earn a graduate certificate or two while pursuing a master’s degree.

A graduate certificate usually does not include the heavily academic courses found in a master’s program like research methods and statistics. Certificates generally get straight to the meat of the subject and avoid the master’s degree courses intended to make you “well rounded.”

In order to apply, you will need to have a four year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.

Many online instructional design certificate programs are part of the university’s department of education, along with related programs such as online teaching, e-learning and instructional technology. However, graduate certificates do not lead to a state teaching license or certification. In fact, graduate certificates do not typically confer any type of professional certification.

8 benefits of a graduate certificate

A graduate certificate demonstrates that you have successfully completed a formal course of study in a university setting. It’s a great way to explore a new career or advance in your current one.

You may not need or want a full master’s degree. Graduate certificates are great for anyone, including people who already hold a PhD or master’s degree.

Here are 8 benefits of a graduate certificate for you to consider:

Pursuing an online graduate certificate provides you with choices. It gives you the freedom to choose the right school, to pick the best program and to work on your assignments whenever the time is right for you.

Many instructional design certificate programs are available

There are many online programs to choose from. Additionally, there are plenty of related disciplines that incorporate instructional design into the coursework. With so many choices, you will find an online certificate program that fits your goals exactly. Some examples of the many certificate titles available are:

9 tips for choosing the best online instructional design certificate program

With so many choices available, how do you find the best instructional design certificate for your situation? Picking the right program involves a number of factors and each person weighs them differently. Here are nine essential elements to consider:

1. What do you want to learn? Coursework is the heart of the program

In addition to the name of the actual certificate program, you should thoroughly review the course titles and descriptions to get a sense of what you will be learning about and what interests you. Does the coursework address the skills you want to develop in order to meet your goals?

Many online certificate programs have similar titles, but the required courses vary a great deal. For example, is the program geared more towards theory or application, traditional classroom teaching or online instruction?

You may have to search the university’s website for the graduate school bulletin to learn more about individual courses.

Another consideration is whether you can choose any of the courses in the program (electives) or if the course series is fixed. Some online certificate programs allow you to pick electives from a list of approved courses. Don’t expect too many electives though, since the certificate will only include a total of three to six classes.

2. Never leave home? Required campus visits

Many universities advertise “online” programs and courses. However, you should double check to see if they are 100% online.

Some instructional design certificate programs require one or more visits to the physical campus. These are often referred to as “blended” or “hybrid” programs.

Campus visits can range from several times per year to just a single orientation session that lasts a few days at the beginning of the program.

3. In class “on time” or “any time”? Asynchronous vs synchronous classes

You should understand whether the program’s classes are synchronous or asynchronous.

An asynchronous class means you don’t have to be “in class” at a certain time. Your complete the coursework when it works best for you (as long as you turn in the work on time). There will be assignment deadlines to help keep you on track, but it’s up to you to schedule your time around work or family obligations.

Some asynchronous courses offer voluntary meetings once per week (or less). The instructor often records these meetings and posts them online for viewing when it’s convenient.

Synchronous classes meet online at a specific time and day, likely once a week in the evening, and students are expected to take part in these sessions. Being “in class” could include attending a live video conference with the instructor, participating in an audio conference call or joining a live chat room.

If your time zone is significantly different from the school’s time zone, you should investigate when synchronous classes are likely to be scheduled to make sure you’ll be available.

There is nothing right or wrong with either asynchronous or synchronous formats. Some people want complete freedom to do their school work on their own schedule. If that describes you, then look for a certificate with primarily asynchronous classes.

Other students enjoy making a more personal connection with the instructor and their classmates. Synchronous classes with scheduled online meetings can provide the feeling of engagement and community that some desire.

4. How much is this going to cost? Tuition and student aid

One of the most important considerations when purchasing anything is the price. Determining the price of an online graduate school class can be a little tricky because of hidden fees. However, it is pretty straightforward to just find the tuition rate per credit hour on the school’s website.

Check to see if the tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state residents. Many certificate classes offer online classes at a single tuition rate, regardless of residency. This is a great benefit that could allow you to take classes at a reasonable price from anywhere.

Courses can cost as little as around $400 to well over $1,000 per semester credit hour. Since most classes are three semester credit hours, that‘s a range of around $1,000 to $5,000 per class. Some states offer ultra low in-state tuition rates that are significantly lower than $400, but you have to live in that state to qualify.

The total price you will pay for the certificate is directly linked to the number of required classes/credit hours. A certificate program that requires additional classes can add substantially to the final cost of the certificate. 

When checking the current tuition rate, be careful that you look at the graduate school rates and not the undergraduate rates (grad school is often a bit more expensive). Also make sure to check for additional costs (technology fees, student services fees, etc.) that may be added to the tuition.

And of course, you will have to pay for textbooks.

Financial aid - fewer options

Unfortunately, not all graduate certificates are eligible for federal financial aid because students only pursuing a certificate are not considered “degree seeking.” Schools have to apply to the U.S. Department of Education for each certificate program they want to be eligible for federal financial aid.

However, you may be eligible for private student loans.

Always check with the school to see what financial aid options are available. You can also ask about scholarship opportunities.

5. Can I finish in two semesters? Program length

Another consideration is how long it will take you to complete the coursework. Most programs require 12, 15, or 18 semester credit hours to earn a certificate. That equals four, five, or six classes at three credit hours per class. A certificate that only requires four classes will obviously be quicker than one that requires six classes.

Other programs use a more traditional four month long semester approach. Check the school’s calendar to see how many months it will take to complete the program.

The primary benefit of an accelerated format is that one class will end before the next one starts when you take two classes per semester. Therefore, you won’t have to divide your attention between two courses since they are not simultaneous. There will be more to do each week though, because an entire course is condensed into two months.

Likewise, if you take two classes per semester under the traditional semester format, they will occur simultaneously. You will have to divide your efforts and attention, but both classes will move at a slower pace.

6. Never heard of it! Institution and accreditation

The name and reputation of a university can be an important factor in picking the right certificate program. Is the school nationally known or is it a small regional school? How do you feel about for-profit schools? Do you want people to instantly recognize the name of the school or do you care?

There are many websites that rank schools. You can check several of these to get an idea of how a school is perceived. The rankings of best colleges by U.S. News and World Report is one of the most widely known.

You may pay more to attend an institution with a stellar academic reputation, but this may be a good opportunity to get a well-known school added to your resume.

Most people want their school to be fully accredited so that degrees and credits earned are universally recognized as legitimate. The most common form of recognition to look for in the United States is “regional” accreditation. For example, the “North Central Association of Colleges and Schools” is a regional accreditation authority.

Another type of accreditation is “national”, such as the “Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.” Surprisingly, national accreditation is not as widely accepted as regional accreditation.

It may be difficult to transfer any credits earned at a non-regionally accredited school (such as a nationally accredited university) to a regionally accredited one, so be careful! You should probably stay away from any school that is not regionally or nationally accredited.

Accredited institutions usually make it readily known on their website. You can also check a school’s current accreditation status on the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

7. How hard is it to get started? The application process

Some schools require that you formally apply to the graduate school before you are admitted into a certificate program. Are you prepared to write an essay and get professional or academic references?

Many students are concerned about taking an admissions test such as the GRE or MAT. Perhaps you’ve been out of school for a long time or you’re just not good at standardized tests.

Many institutions look at certificate programs somewhat differently from their traditional graduate school degrees and minimize the application requirements. It’s pretty easy to find an online certificate program that does not require traditional admission to the graduate school.

All graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree, but most don’t require any specific undergraduate major. Universities generally want their e-learning instructional design certificates to be accessible to people from all types of educational backgrounds.

However, you should be on the lookout for any mandatory prerequisite classes. A few programs require previous specific coursework in the subject, but most do not. It’s something to keep an eye out for.

8. Will the certificate courses transfer to a master’s degree program?

A consideration for some prospective students is how the graduate certificate fits into the university’s master’s degree program(s). If you believe you may want to pursue a master’s degree, an online certificate can be a stepping stone to a full graduate degree.

Most instructional design certificate programs require that students take several of the core courses found in the master’s degree curriculum. Schools often encourage students to transfer all of the credits earned for the certificate to a related master’s degree, but some will only allow a limited number of hours to transfer.

Many of the classes will likely transfer to a master’s program at another school. However, most institutions limit the number of credits they will accept from other schools to around six or nine semester hours.

A few schools will not allow any credit hours to transfer, even within the same institution!

If you think you may eventually want a master’s degree, it would be a very good idea to understand how the certificate’s and master’s courses work (or don’t work) together.

The extensive list of instructional design certificate programs at the end of this guide also identifies any related master’s degrees at the same school. For more information on master’s degrees, visit the ID Hunter’s guide to online master’s in instructional design degree programs.

9. What do students think? Check online reviews

What do actual students think about a program you’re interested in? You can search the internet to see what current or former students feel are the best online instructional design certificate programs available.

One idea is to search subject related forums for a little insight. For example, students interested in a variety of subjects including e-learning, instructional design and online teaching can check out the lively community at the Articulate forums. Just conduct a search for the certificate or school that interests you to see what others may be saying about it.

A unique and in-depth review of the University of Wisconsin – Stout instructional design certificate program is available from the ID Hunter here.

You can also search the internet for resumes or personal websites that mention a particular school’s graduate certificate. Many former students enjoy discussing their experiences with a program. Just send an email and let them know you are trying to get an inside view of the certificate program.

Search certificates - Are you ready to search 100% online instructional design certificate programs?

You can browse the extensive table below to look at a variety of online certificate programs. These programs only include courses that provide official graduate school credit. Courses that simply provide continuing education or professional development credits are not included.

Each column can be sorted and filtered. Are you specifically looking for an instructional design certificate? The “Certificate Title” column is already sorted alphabetically, but you can click any column header to rearrange the list.

There are some important notes after the table!

Table last updated April 2019

Notes

All of the certificates programs listed above should be 100% online. However, the associated master’s programs may not be 100% online. There are master’s degrees listed on this table that are not found on the master’s degree table because the full degree is not available 100% online. Check carefully if the possibility of obtaining an online master’s degree at the same school is important to you.

Some institutions are restricted from offering online courses to residents of certain states. Check to see if your residency impacts your admissibility.

Many schools offer a special tuition rate for online courses. Check with the school to see if you qualify for lower in-state tuition.

A few programs use quarter hours and they have been converted to semester hours for easier comparison.

Some schools listed as not requiring an admissions test (GRE, MAT) will require one if your undergraduate GPA is below a certain level.

Listings do not include certificates specifically intended for K-12 teacher licensing or programs in some related, but different fields such as Human Performance Technology. The tables does include certificates not called “Instructional Design” as long as they have an instructional design component. Be sure to determine the focus of each certificate so you can decide if it is right for you.

All information is subject to change at any time so check the school’s website to ensure you have the most recent information.

Check back periodically to see if there are any new online instructional design certificate programs available!