Online Graduate Instructional Design Certificate
Design Innovative and Effective Learning Experiences
GCU’s Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design online provides specialized coursework for professionals looking to advance their expertise in creating engaging educational experiences. Through a focused curriculum, students are taught to apply theoretical frameworks and research methods to solve challenges in education, training and organizational performance. This certificate aims to equip professionals with career-ready skills to navigate emerging trends in digital learning and instructional technology.
The University will accept one course of the total certificate requirements in transfer.
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
- Undergraduate Degree*
- 2.8+ GPA
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
- GMAT: 500
- GRE: 300 combined**
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
Develop Advanced Skills in Instruction and Performance
This online graduate certificate emphasizes evidence-based practices and covers essential topics such as learning theories, instructional design models and design thinking principles. At GCU, you can gain hands-on experience using technology and multimedia tools to develop, evaluate and manage instructional materials. Led by knowledgeable faculty, this certificate program offers practical strategies for designing impactful learning solutions tailored to diverse educational and corporate environments.
This certificate program is offered in an online format to provide greater flexibility for students who need to balance their education with other commitments. Online students have access to learning resources, including our Learning Management System, discussion boards and eBooks.
Earning a graduate certificate can help you further your education with a shorter time commitment compared to a full degree program. The streamlined curriculum allows you to focus on essential skills and specialized knowledge without putting your career on hold.
Graduate Instructional Design Certificate Online Coursework
The Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design teaches a comprehensive foundation in designing experiences that empower learners. The curriculum begins with core instructional design principles and the ADDIE model, then advances to hands-on multimedia development and exploration of emerging technologies.
This program covers topics including:
Systemic design processes
Instructional design models
Project management strategies
Ethical considerations and AI usage in education
eLearning tools
Organizational performance and communication
Career Paths for Instructional Design Graduate Certificate Holders
Graduates of the certificate in instructional design program are given the tools to design and implement effective learning experiences across diverse settings. These include educational institutions at the K–12 and higher education levels, as well as corporate and organizational environments.
This graduate certificate, paired with a master’s degree, can prepare you to pursue roles including:
Instructional coordinator
Training and development specialist
Librarian and media collections specialist
Median annual wage for instructional coordinators in May 2024(See disclaimer 1)
New openings expected for instructional coordinators each year from 2024 to 2034(See disclaimer 2)
Earn Your Graduate Certificate From an Accredited University
GCU has maintained institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission since 1968, reflecting our long-standing commitment to delivering quality education and comprehensive instruction. The College of Education upholds this commitment by aligning with the principles and standards set forth by our accrediting bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our frequently asked questions about earning your instructional design certificate online and determine if this is the right program for you.
Is an instructional design certificate worth it?
What can I do with a certificate in instructional design?
What’s the difference between a master’s in instructional design and a Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design?
Program Curriculum
Core Courses
Grow your skills in instructional design with advanced coursework offered through GCU’s graduate certificate.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Instructional Coordinators, as of May 2024, retrieved November 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as instructional coordinators, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Instructional Coordinators, retrieved November 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved November 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved November 2025.