Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design

Create solutions to improve learning and performance

When it comes to learning and performance, there’s always room for improvement. Moreover, the most forward-thinking leaders realize that highly skilled and productive employees are the foundation for organizational strength and growth. The work of instructional designers ties personal improvements to institutional gains by understanding how to maximize the potential of individuals.

Franklin University’s Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design is designed to equip you with the foundational, principles-based knowledge and skills needed to solve instructional and performance problems using a systematic, theory-based approach.

And because our program is offered completely online for ultimate flexibility, you’ll be able to complete all of your coursework in 8 months. Our accelerated format allows you to quickly earn a credential that highlights your expertise and complements your existing bachelor’s or master’s degree.

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Program Overview

Get a head start on your master’s degree at Franklin

All 16 credits earned during our Instructional Design Graduate Certificate Program transfer directly toward the 32 credits required for our M.S. Instructional Design & Learning Technology. This makes it a great way for you to become familiar with graduate-level courses and see if a master’s degree is right for you.

Apply learning theory to design instruction models

In this program you’ll gain insight into how people learn by studying various learning theories, like behaviorism, constructivism, and social cognitive theory. Meanwhile, you will design and develop e-learning instructional materials by applying concepts and principles of various systematic instructional design models, such as the Systems Approach Model for Designing Instruction (Dick, Carey & Carey), the Kemp Instructional Design Model (Morrison, Ross & Kemp), the Successive Approximation Model (Allen), and Backwards Design (Wiggins & McTighe)

As you create instructional materials, you’ll also learn to incorporate specific research-based instructional theories, on the order of Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction, Gagne’s 9 Events of Instruction, and Keller’s ARCS Model.

Tailor the Instructional Design Certificate to your ambition 

Once you complete the required foundations course, you’ll choose any three courses from the M.S. in Instructional Design & Learning Technology curriculum - except the capstone course (IDPT 670) - to create a professional credential that supports your desired career path. Because all courses are shared with our industry-aligned master’s program, you can be assured that this customized learning experience meets the standards set by ATD and ISPI. 

Choose to build your skills in a range of areas including: instructional systems design, educational technology, eLearning development, content development, project management, and performance improvement. No matter what topics you choose, you will be well-prepared to enter or advance in the dynamic field of learning and development. 

Earn your certificate completely online in 8 months

The four courses that comprise this graduate certificate program can each be taken online so you can learn whenever and wherever it is convenient for you. The accelerated format allows you to quickly get the knowledge you need to enter or advance in the instructional design field.

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Curriculum & Course Descriptions

16 Semester Hours
Major Area Required
IDPT 601 - Foundations of Instructional Design (4)

Learning theories and instructional design models are the two fundamental pillars for the field of instructional design. In this course, students will study the learning theories and philosophies that formed, influenced, and supported this field. Students will also study instructional systems theories, models, and systematic approaches to instructional design. In this course, students will apply these theories, strategies, and instructional models to create a learning, instructional design or training event in their chosen settings, including business, industry, government, healthcare, and classroom education. At the end of this course, students will make a plan on how to prepare for an instructional design career.

At least 3 of the following courses:

IDPT 620 - Principles of Human Performance Technology (4)

In this course, students will learn a framework for understanding human performance by working with scenarios and case studies to analyze performance problems, determine the level and type of intervention required, and make recommendations for a suite of solutions that will achieve the desired impacts.

OR IDPT 640 - Enhancing Learning With Technology (4)

In this course, students will apply design principles to create a learning event that includes the use of new and emerging technologies. Students will research collaboration and networking tools for their use and value in learning environments. Delivery platforms and software will also be explored for their impact on instructional strategies. Projects completed in the course will become part of the student's portfolio.

OR IDPT 645 - Learning Management Systems (4)

In this course, students will study the practices employed to manage and deliver instructional content in an online environment. Students will interact with a functional Learning Management System (LMS) to manage the design, development, delivery, and evaluation of reusable learning content.

OR IDPT 650 - Evaluation (4)

This course presents fundamental principles and practices for evaluating courses and programs, with a focus on formative and summative evaluation and criterion-referenced testing. Students will explore evaluation models and theories, create a learner satisfaction survey, create criterion-referenced tests, create grading rubrics, and work with a data set to interpret data and make recommendations to improve a course or unit of instruction. Projects completed in the course will become part of the student's portfolio.

OR IDPT 660 - Advanced Instructional Design & Performance Technology (4)

In this course, students will work in small teams to solve instructional or performance problems of substantial scope and complexity. Students will apply design theory and research as they make decisions to resolve systematically identified problems. This course will require the application of project management skills, analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation learned throughout the preceding courses. Projects completed in this course will become part of the student's portfolio.

OR IDPT 715 - Theories & Appl for Mging Proj & Relatio (4)

Be able to successfully managing projects and relationship are paramount skill in current workforce. In this course, students will study the project management theories, tools, and technologies and apply them in their own discipline. By the end of this course, students need to develop a project management process and a plan to resolve relationship issues.

Program Details

Career Opportunities

Instructional Designer

Instructional designers collaborate with educators to produce and develop software for educational, governmental, and professional use.

Training & Development Coordinator

Training & Development Coordinators manage logistical and administrative tasks to ensure training programs run successfully.

Performance Consultant

Performance Consultants design and establish goal-setting strategies to improve the productivity and efficiency of personnel.

Instructional Coordinator

Instructional Coordinators are responsible for the development and implementation of instructional programs.

Training Specialist

Training Specialists are responsible for designing presentations, job manuals, and other materials to needed to train employees.

Training Program Manager

Training Program Managers are responsible for implementing training strategies within an organization or company.