Cheapest Online Degrees in Instructional Design Starting At $218 Tuition Per Credit Hour

If you have a passion for teaching and technology, becoming an instructional designer is the perfect career for you. Earning an online degree in instructional design from a reputable, accredited school can help you learn the technical and creative skills necessary to establish yourself as an expert in this area.

Before we dive into the available Instructional Design degree programs, it’s essential to understand what instructional designers do.

What is Instructional Design?

Instructional design (I.D.) is a field that focuses on creating effective learning experiences for students. This typically includes the creation of digital and physical learning materials, as well as the development of effective teaching methods. This means that being an instructional designer requires a great deal of training as you are essentially learning to become a teacher. In addition, the job demands that you have excellent communication skills and the ability to work well with others in teams. Instructional designers work with educators to create an optimal learning environment for their students. They may also work with businesses to develop effective employee training programs.

Degrees Available in Instructional Design

Before you commit to any of these degree programs, you must first decide which career in Instructional Design you wish to pursue. Employment in Schools and Universities generally requires a higher degree (Master’s Degree or higher), while regular companies require a Bachelor’s degree level or internship and work experience in the field.

Degree Duration General Pre-requisites
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science degree4 YearsHigh school diploma or GED
Graduate Certificate1.5 yearsBachelor’s degree  
 Master of Science /Master of Arts 1-2 yrsBachelor’s degree from an accredited school/ internship may be required

Affordable undergraduate programs in Instructional Design

1. University of Arizona

Program: Bachelor of Arts in Instructional Design

Cost: $510 per credit hour

Duration: 120 credit hours.

Admission Requirements: An equivalent to a U.S. high school education at an international high school.

 The B.A. in Instructional Design at the University of Arizona prepares you to design training and instruction for online, place-based and blended learning environments. The program is based on the Instructional Designer Competencies of the International Board of Standards for Training and Performance Instruction (IBSTPI), which ensures that you are prepared to serve in the education economy on a global level where instructional designers are in-demand.

2. Louisiana State University

Program: Bachelor of Science in Learning Experience and Instructional Design

Cost: $379 per credit hour

Duration: 120 credit hours.

Admission Requirements: 3.0 Core GPA on the 19 college-preparatory high school course units.

The Bachelor of Science in Learning Experience and Instructional Design prepares students to be leaders and pacesetters in developing high-quality online learning and training programs for business; government; local, national, and international nonprofit organizations; and colleges and universities. Students learn to direct and manage learning experience design projects, work strategically with talent management professionals, and utilize learning analytics to create transformative online learning experiences.

3. University of West Florida

Program: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Instructional Design and Technology

Cost: $218.98 per credit hour (In-State) $341.67 per credit hour (out of state)

Duration: 120 credit hours.

Admission Requirements: Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all previously attempted college work, complete courses with a grade of C or better, must be a sophomore or higher

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Instructional Design and Technology at the University of West Florida provide students with a holistic perspective of human performance improvement based on foundations of instructional design, instructional technology, and human performance technology. Students demonstrate what they have learned throughout this program through classroom assignments, applied research, hands-on activities, and creative activities.

4. Asbury University

Program: Bachelor of Science degree program in Instructional Design

Cost: $399 per credit hour

Duration: 124 credit hours.

Admission Requirements: High school transcripts

The Bachelor of Science degree program in Instructional Design is designed to help you become a strong instructional designer and trainer in the 21st-century workforce. This is one of the best online instructional design programs that will teach you how to use new digital educational technologies to help students learn more effectively, which is essential for future success in our rapidly changing world.

University Of New Mexico

Program: B.S. in Instructional Technology & Training

Cost: $419.08 per credit hour

Duration: 120 credit hours.

Admission Requirements: High school transcripts, 2.75 cumulative GPA

The BS in Instructional Technology & Training at the University of New Mexico can help students create a path to a more secure career, focusing on providing students with the background needed to design and develop online and face-to-face training in various fields and disciplines.

What is the difference between BA in instructional design and BS in instructional Technology?

A BS in Instructional Technology is an excellent choice if you want to focus on the latest digital educational tools and technologies used to aid education. This degree will teach you how to use them effectively and efficiently while also focusing on learning and design theories. A BA in Instructional Design, on the other hand, places more emphasis on developing skills in approaches to planning and designing materials used to provide knowledge to learners.

What can you do with a Certificate in Instructional Design?

Several colleges offer online instructional design certificates that generally include 15-18 credit hours. Many of these certificate programs provide a practical look at how to develop eLearning courses, use instructional technology, and apply instructional design models or theories. An instructional Design Certificate is designed specifically for people looking to advance their careers or prepare for a master’s or doctoral program in Instructional Design.

Cheapest Online Schools for Certificate in Instructional Design

1. University of California Irvine

Program: E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate

Cost: USD 4205 for the entire course

Duration: 9-18 months with 15 credit hours.

Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

The E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate at the University of Irvine, California, provides the foundation for today’s instructional development that aligns skills and knowledge needed to achieve organizational strategic objectives and goals. The course also provides the knowledge and skills for planning and designing e-learning instruction in training areas to match today’s varied company business needs based on identifiable learning objectives, rapid authoring tools, content requirements, and outcomes.

2. George Washington University (GW)

Program: Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design

Cost: $ 895 per credit hour

Duration: 18 months;18 credit hours.

Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

The Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design at George Washington University is perfect for those who want to start their instructional design career but are still in the process of finding their own direction. This online certificate prepares you to lead instructional design from the beginning stages of defining your organization’s learning needs to determining the appropriate instructional format for designing and implementing materials. You will utilize theories, principles, models, tools, technology, and experience gained through coursework to lead instructional design in diverse organizational settings.

3. Florida State University

Program: Certificate in Instructional Design and Technology

Cost: $444.26 per credit hour (In-State) $1,075.66 per credit hour(out of state)

Duration: 15 credit hours.

Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

The Certificate in Instructional Design and Technology at Florida State University is a program that prepares you to design online instruction in various settings. In this program, you’ll study Designing for Online Collaborative Learning, Development of Computer Courseware, Development of Multimedia Instruction, and Design of Learning Games.

4. Boise State University

Program: Graduate Certificate in Workplace Instructional Design

Cost: $530 per credit hour

Duration: 12 months;18 credit hours.

Admission Requirements: GPA of 3.0 for all undergraduate credits

The Certificate in Workplace Instructional Design at Boise State University will give you the knowledge and skills required to create instructional programs that improve employee productivity. This program emphasizes the knowledge and skills needed to design, develop, and deliver learning programs for business and industry, government agencies, the military, and nonprofit organizations.

5. Indiana University Bloomington

Program: Certificate in Instructional Systems Technology

Cost: $513 per credit hour (In-State) $604.74 per credit hour(out of state)

Duration: 15 credit hours.

Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, GPA of 2.75

The Certificate in Instructional Systems Technology at Indiana University is the perfect way to get an in-depth introduction to analyzing, designing, developing, and evaluating new educational tools.

With this certificate program, you’ll learn about instructional technology and design concepts like evaluation and analysis of instructional materials, effective writing for instructional technology, strategies for computer-mediated learning, and more.

Why Do You Need a Master’s Online Degree in Instructional Design?

A Masters’s degree in Instructional Design provides a deeper understanding of the field and allows for more sophisticated design approaches. It also enables the designer to conduct research and participate in professional organizations that further develop their skills. Career-wise, a Masters’s degree in Instructional design is a minimum requirement for jobs in the government or education institutions.

Here is an overview of the most affordable online Master’s degree programs:

SchoolMasters ProgramEstimated Tuition
American College of EducationMaster of Education in Instructional Design & Technology$8,675 for the entire program
East Central UniversityMaster of Education in Instructional Design & Technology$9,232.00 in state/ $20,660.80 out of state for the entire program
University of Central Florida  Master of Arts in Instructional Design & Technology  $$369.65 per credit hour In-State / $1,194.05 per credit hour Out-of-State
Western Illinois UniversityMaster of Science – Instructional Design and Technology    $10,920.30 for the entire program/
Anderson UniversityMaster of Science in Instructional Design and Learning Technology$410 per credit hour

What Degree Is Needed For Working in Instructional Design field?

To start working in instructional design, you need a bachelor’s degree in educational technology or a related field. Instructional designers work with educators to create and implement effective learning experiences for students. In order to do this effectively, they need a deep understanding of how people learn and how best to help students achieve their educational goals. For this reason, they need at least a bachelor’s degree, but some may pursue graduate certificates, master’s, or doctorate degrees as well.

Should you pursue a doctorate in Instructional Design?

A Ph.D. in Instructional Design can give you the opportunity to work on more complex projects and research areas than a Master’s degree might. A Ph.D. holder in Instructional Design can work in research, administrative, or teaching positions at the University Level.

This is important because it allows you to become an expert in your field of study and develop a strong track record in the field. This is essential as it lays a foundation for you to design your own doctoral studies around your area of interest.

Do you need to Be Certified to work as an instructional designer?

Generally, Instructional Designers do not need to be certified or licensed in order to work with corporations or the government. On the other hand, Instructional designers who pursue careers with education institutions need to be licensed. Each state has its own licensing requirements.

The following certifications in instructional design can make you an attractive candidate to employers looking to hire in this field:

  1. Certified Instructional Technologist (CIT)– This certification is for individuals in technical or scientific specialties
  2. Instructor Certification (EPIC) This is an excellent certification for experienced vocational instructors.
  3. Certified Professional in Talent Development – This is a certification for professionals who are involved in teaching employees new skills to improve productivity and engagement.
  4. Certified Instructional Trainer – This is an excellent choice for I.D. professionals who design and implement health and safety training for businesses.
  5. Master Certified Web Professional – Designer (CWP)
  6. Certified Technical Professional (CTP) – This program services graduates from 2-4 year programs focused on technical studies.

Is Instructional Design a Growing Field?

The field of instructional design is expected to grow by 11% from 2020-2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with an increase of 35,200 each year for the next decade. Jobs with instructional design degrees are increasing rapidly and this is partly due to an increased need for online education and the urgency to re-skill employees with the constant advancement in technological systems. However, it’s also driven by a demand for more effective training solutions for employees at all levels within companies across industries. The need for learning and development that can help workers do their jobs better and more efficiently will continue to grow along with the economy.

 

What is the highest paying state for Instructional Design?

StateAnnual mean wage
Hartford, CT$84,573
Seattle, WA    $75,694
Sacramento, CA        $73,718          
Albany, NY     $70,801          
Boston, MA    $70,589

Source: Zippia career expert.

To sum up, instructional design is integral to the education industry and has found its place in many other sectors. With an online degree in instructional design, you can work remotely and have the freedom to choose a schedule that works best for you. Your experience, skillset, and credentials will help you to find a job in any industry that values instructional designers.

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