
Instructional Design Professional Certificate
100% Online
Flexible learning to balance family, work, and school
Stackable for course credit
Earn academic credits that can be applied to a degree program
Self-paced
On-demand learning with interactive learning assessments

Take the first step in your National University Journey
Certificate Fee: $850

Kickstart Your Career in Instructional Design
Provide the knowledge learners need to succeed and do so effectively and engagingly with the new Instructional Design Certificate at National University. The Professional Certificate in Instructional Design will help you understand how to assess instructional design processes and apply them in various educational settings. You’ll get hands-on experience with the latest learning technologies, keeping you up-to-date and able to meet the needs of current and future learners.
You can complete this asynchronous program in 40 hours. The registration cost is $850.
Whether you’re an experienced educator, a corporate trainer, or a newcomer to the field, our meticulously crafted Instructional Design Certificate program offers the skills and knowledge to excel in creating impactful and inclusive learning experiences. With a focus on the latest instructional models, technology integration, and accessibility, this course equips you to thrive in diverse educational and professional settings.
Key Benefits of the Professional Certificate
- 100% asynchronous
- Stackable for academic credit
- Build a strong foundation in Instructional Design models and theories
- Complete in 40 hours, with 60 days of access to instruction materials
- No additional books are required for the program
Certificate Fee: $850
Program Description
The Online Instructional Design Certificate program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to create insightful, engaging, and impactful instructional materials.
As you assess theoretical concepts, you’ll gain knowledge through hands-on applications like case studies, real-world scenarios, and project-based assignments. Upon completion, you’ll be able to seamlessly create a complete instructional design project from start to finish and incorporate the concepts and techniques learned within the program.
The program is divided into five modules that cover various aspects of instructional design, including analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation, ensuring students gain the thorough understanding necessary to lay the foundation for a successful instructional design career.
Online Certificate in Instructional Design Learning Modules
Students will complete five modules, each spotlighting crucial aspects of instructional design. Topics include learning theories, needs assessments, learning objectives, instructional strategies, multimedia design, and assessment methods.
Unit 1: Introduction to Instructional Design
Unit 2: Design Learning Objectives
Unit 3: Universal Design for Learning and Accessibility
Unit 4: Assessing Learners and Instructional Design
Unit 5: Technologies for Instructional Design
Online Certificate in Instructional Design Learning Outcomes
After completing the Professional Certificate in Instructional Design program, students will be able to:
- Apply learning theories and needs assessments to design effective instructional materials
- Develop clear and measurable learning objectives
- Use instructional strategies and multimedia design principles to create engaging and interactive learning experiences
- Evaluate the effectiveness of instructional materials through various assessment methods
- Create a complete instructional design project from start to finish
- Build a strong foundation in instructional design models and theories
Contact Us
To speak to a Professional and Continuing Education program coordinator about this certificate, please email [email protected] or call 805-200-2332.
Certificate Fee: $850

Online Asynchronous Courses
Our class structure makes earning your certificate accessible and achievable so you can start sooner and finish faster.
FAQs
Students can register and start the certificate at any time. Click here to enroll now.
The Instructional Design Professional Certificate serves as a valuable credential that complements your educational path, offering the potential to earn 4.5 credit units of prior learning credit for EID610- Instructional Design towards the Master of Science in Educational & Instructional Technology. For more information about prior learning credit, email [email protected].
All learners are eligible to apply. There are no specific admissions requirements, but it’s recommended that learners have a high school diploma or GED.
The Instructional Design Certificate is designed to be completed in eight weeks (two months), with approximately 40 hours of completion time throughout the program.
Yes. This certificate program is asynchronous and self-paced.
The Instructional Design Professional Certificate program benefits individuals looking for an entry-level position in instructional design, ideally creating an opportunity to start a career path.
Certificate Fee: $850
Career Outlook for Instructional Designers
Another reason to pursue our Instructional Design Professional Certificate? The career potential. Currently, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates that employment for instructional designers is estimated to grow by 2% from 2021 to 2031. Even better: Another 19, 200 jobs are expected to join the field yearly. Choose from roles such as:
- Instructional designer
- E-learning developer
- Learning experience designer
Plus, professionals in this sector have a competitive salary range, with a median pay of $74,620.
Degree Pathway

The Google Project Management Professional Certificate serves as a valuable credential that complements your educational path, offering the potential to earn academic credits that can be applied to a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs at National University. Below is a list of degrees that are eligible for academic credit transfer:
- BS Manufacturing Design Engineering
- BS Construction Management
- BS Project Management
- BS Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- BS in Management
- BS in Business Administration
- MS Information Technology
- MS Technology Management

Why National University?
National University is the one online university that takes a holistic, whole-human approach to student well-being. It means we’ll be with you side-by-side, every step of the way, breaking any barriers you face in achieving your education. Our supportive ecosystem measures success across five support pillars, including academic, financial, social/emotional, career, and family life.
At NU, you’ll be part of a family: a connected, engaged, and inspired community of students from across the country and around the globe. From the day you start your first class, you’ll have the support of our faculty and staff, backed by a diverse community of students and alums, who can help you reach your educational and professional goals.

“National University has impacted my career. You can immediately apply what you learn in class to your business.”
Francisco R.,
Class of 2016
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