Master’s in Instructional Design Online
Master’s in Instructional Design Online
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The combination of skills taught throughout this graduate degree can help empower you to identify learning needs, determine desired outcomes and create effective learning interventions within both educational institutions and corporate training environments.
This master’s degree is designed for educators seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge. It does not require a license or practicum hours, making it an ideal choice for those looking to advance professionally without the need for student teaching or licensure. This program focuses on equipping instructors with the tools to deepen their expertise and foster career growth.
Skills covered in this degree program include the following:
Throughout this degree program, you’ll have opportunities to develop a strong background in incorporating technology into instructional design. You will collaborate within organizations through the use of digital and multimedia tools, informed by multimedia learning principles and visual graphics guidelines. This degree offers hands-on experience in creating, assessing and managing training materials using technology and multimedia tools. Instructional design courses include first-hand training in Adobe Captivate, an instructional design software that is a requirement for this program.
This graduate degree will teach you advanced concepts and core theories behind creating effective learning experiences. With efficient teaching techniques and curriculum development, you can inspire and engage students. By prioritizing quality learning experiences and the right contexts, you can help students achieve their learning goals. If you’re passionate about the impact of education and professional growth, you can join a community of like-minded learners at GCU.
Equip yourself to make a positive impact on students and professionals through effective learning and development strategies. The Master of Science in Instructional Design degree at Grand Canyon University can help prepare you to support organizations or educational environments. This instructional design degree online is focused on helping professionals who are looking to advance their skills in creating effective curricula and training programs for educational institutions and corporate settings.
The field of curriculum development encompasses many aspects of education, including the use of emerging technologies for teaching, evaluating learning interventions and applying effective instructional interventions to improve learning outcomes. This master’s degree goes beyond the scope of academic education, teaching you the instructional and training skills that can be used to help improve the performance of professionals in a variety of institutions and organizations.
Throughout the program, you will be taught to apply theoretical concepts and skills such as research, analysis and problem-solving in order to solve a wide variety of instructional issues. Coursework offers opportunities to build up your research skills and guides you in analyzing and interpreting appropriate data to make evidence-driven design decisions.
Courses are taught by knowledgeable faculty in their respective fields. Additionally, GCU’s curriculum encourages you to model principles of the Christian worldview by making ethical and empathetic design decisions that align with biblical values and create inclusive educational interventions.
GCU has prepared a list of your most frequently asked questions regarding the master’s in instructional design degree to help guide your decision-making process.
Are you passionate about the transformative power of education at every stage of life? If so, then pursuing a master’s degree in this area may indeed be worth it for you. This is particularly true if you are already a licensed instructor who is seeking to expand your career qualifications and opportunities. Beyond academic settings, however, continuing education is also important in professional settings. All types of organizations may discover benefits of professional development training courses delivered by instructional designers.2
Instructional planning involves creating effective educational materials and experiences by analyzing needs, defining outcomes, choosing strategies and developing and testing resources. The MS in Instructional Design degree aims to enhance learning and improve student outcomes through the application of instructional theories and methods.
Many instructional coordinators and designers have a background in education, training and instruction, instructional technology or a related field.3 Specific requirements may vary depending on the organization and the type of design work being performed. Ultimately, curriculum designers should have strong leadership and communication skills, as well as a solid understanding of learning theory and instructional design principles. Some employers may require or prefer instructional coordinators to hold a master’s degree.4
The difficulty level of instructional design courses can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as your academic and professional background. Students who may not be familiar with instructional technology options and multimedia tools may find this program to be more demanding compared to others. However, GCU faculty members are dedicated to supporting the progress of our students, who will help you look upon challenges as opportunities for growth.
This instructional planning degree program is conveniently offered online to accommodate the needs of all learners, regardless of schedule needs or geographical location. GCU strives to make higher education accessible to all through our intuitive e-learning platform. In our digital space, you can connect with your peers and instructors, and review course materials from almost anywhere.
GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968 and is proud to prioritize quality education and comprehensive instruction. The College of Education shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Start your journey toward creating effective learning experiences that engage learners and drive results.
1 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Instructional Coordinator as of May 2023, retrieved on Sept. 11, 2024. 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 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 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.
2 International Association of Outsourcing Professionals. (2024). Why Professional Development and Training are Essential for Individuals and Organizations. Retrieved Sept. 11, 2024.
3 Kurt, S., PhD. (2016, Dec. 9). What Is Instructional Design. Educational Technology. Retrieved Sept. 11, 2024.
4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How to Become an Instructional Coordinator. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Sept. 11, 2024.
Graduates of this MS in instructional design program have been taught to work in educational institutions at the K-12 or college level, as well as within business settings and organizations. With a solid foundation in instructional design competencies, you may be prepared to pursue the following career opportunities upon graduation:
As a GCU student, you’ll be challenged to reflect upon the curriculum using analytical reasoning. There are opportunities to develop soft skills, as well as field-specific skills, which may serve you well as you pursue your career in curriculum design. Emerge as a confident, work-ready graduate after developing a breadth of knowledge — from the history of course development to emerging methods of instructional delivery.
Median annual wage of instructional coordinators as of May 2023.1
This degree combines instructional coursework with hands-on experiential learning opportunities. At the end of the degree program, you will complete a capstone course to showcase your accomplishments and allow you to create a professional portfolio to demonstrate your skills to future employers.
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
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).
