Applied Professional Certificates in Instructional Design
The need for professionals who create powerful, flexible learning experiences is greater than ever. Join one of our online non-credit certificates to lead the change in K-12 systems, higher education, educational technology, corporate training settings and beyond.
Design the Future of Learning
Combine technology with a human-centered approach. You’ll be prepared to build engaging experiences in online, in-person, and hybrid settings all while keeping the learner at the core.
Apply your new skills through hands-on learning. Our program combines theory with real-world practice, and you’ll emerge with a comprehensive portfolio of course design plans, storyboards, module prototypes, learning activities, and more.
Be on the cutting edge. You’ll learn current and emerging practices in pedagogy, course design, educational technology, and interactive content development.
Prepare to meet a growing need. You can meet the growing demand for instructional designers, which is expected to have 20,900 openings each year, on average, over the decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Take the First Step
Interested in our Certificate?
Our team is prepared to answer all of your questions regarding our Foundational and Advanced Certificates in Instructional Design, and we offer various ways to connect with us.
At a Glance
Be at the heart of innovation in learning with these two stackable credentials.
Build a foundation in instructional design with our Foundational Certificate or
advance your skills to the next level with our Advanced Certificate.
Foundational Certificate: Instructional Design for Learning
Study everything from human-centered design to instructional systems models to create impactful learning experiences. Through four five-week modules, you’ll develop the workforce-ready, foundational skills required to coordinate and create online courses and curricula, and you’ll emerge with a portfolio, showcasing your new skills.
Program Start
October 2, 2023
Cost
$4,500*
Prerequisite
Bachelor's Degree
*BC students, faculty and staff, and alumni, contact the Professional & Continuing Education team to hear about our discounts.
Modules
Instructional Design Methods and Practices
Explore the practical use of Instructional Systems Design models and emergent practices in learning experience design.
Applied Learning Science and Human-Centered Design
Develop teaching and training strategies informed by theories of learning (cognivist, sociocultural, experiential) and related frameworks that include basic human-centered design principles.
Facilitating the Instructional Design Process
Learn to facilitate the design process, including design thinking, stakeholder management, supporting diverse stakeholders, and the project life cycle.
Authoring Interactive Learning Experiences
Leverage multimedia authoring tools and platforms to design for interactivity and learner engagement.
At the end of the Foundational Instructional Design for Learning certificate program, students will be able to:
- Utilize multiple instruction systems design (ISD) processes in appropriate contexts
- Apply core understandings of learning science and adult learning theory to design modalities
- Leverage human-centered design approaches in the development of learning experiences
- Design content, activities, and assessments that align with learning outcomes to develop effective digital learning experiences
- Use authoring tools to create engaging digital multimedia learning objects and resources
Advanced Certificate: Instructional Design for Learning
Build the leadership skills you need to evaluate and communicate the efficacy of interactive and impactful learning experiences that support learner-centered diversity and equity goals. This six month program consists of five five-week modules and culminates with a real-world capstone project aligned with your professional goals. You’ll complete the program with an impressive portfolio of work to show potential employers.
Program Start
Coming Soon!
Cost
$5,500
Prerequisite
Bachelor's Degree and
Either have completed the foundational certificate or have the knowledge listed on the foundational certificate under learning outcomes.
Modules
Evaluation of Design Efficacy
Develop evaluation and communication strategies to assess the efficacy of learning experiences that meet an institution's training or teaching goals.
Assessment of Learning in Digital Environments
Learn methodologies for assessing student-centered learning in digital learning contexts using a variety of formative and summative assessment strategies.
Accessibility and Inclusivity in Digital Learning
Develop accessibility, equity and inclusion framework for learning or training that meets the needs of learners in your organization.
Multimedia Production of Learning
Prepare to develop instructional multimedia, including video, audio, and animation for learning.
Capstone
Complete a real-world instructional design project that synthesizes everything you’ve learned and demonstrates your capacity. The learners will be encouraged to identify their project at the beginning of the advanced certificate. Capstone students will receive expert feedback from the instructor as well as input from their fellow certificate program students.
At the end of the Advanced Instructional Design for Learning certificate program, students will be able to:
- Develop assessment strategies based on needs and contextual analyses for a given learning experience, inclusive of the learning goals and environment.
- Curate and create applicable instructional multimedia based on student needs and context of learning environments.
- Develop guidelines for a digital learning experience that includes universal design for learning and accessibility criteria.
- Assess the efficacy and quality of design in digital learning contexts based on industry-accepted models.
- Develop a portfolio-ready online learning experience based on industry-driven design requirements.
Who is this program for?
- We welcome everyone from recent college graduates and career changers to experienced instructional designers. If you have an interest in creating exceptional learning experiences for K-12 students, higher education, or government and corporate learners, this program is for you. The only prerequisite is a bachelor’s degree in any field.
What does online learning consist of?
- Modules will be taken through Canvas Catalog, which is a learning management system that allows participants to submit assignments and interact with each other and their module facilitator. Work will primarily be asynchronous, with one live session per module with your facilitator and your cohort. There are four modules in the Foundational Certificate and five modules in the Advanced Certificate. Modules are taken on a consecutive basis and can not be taken outside of a certificate.
Where can participants build out their portfolios for the certificates?
- Participants will create their own account in Google Sites and utilize this platform to build their portfolio.
What is the deadline to register for the Advanced Certificate and the Foundational Certificate?
- The Foundational Certificate begins on October 2, 2023, and registration will close two days before the start date. The Advanced Certificate will relaunch soon. Inquire above for more information!
What is the difference between the Advanced Certificate and the Foundational Certificate?
- The modules in the first certificate will serve as the foundational set of skills required to communicate, coordinate and develop online courses and curriculum and the modules in the second certificate will focus on an advanced set of skills required to assess, evaluate, and build media. Both certificates will lead to a portfolio of work. The second certificate will also include a capstone project tailored to the participant’s interests.
Do I need to take both certificates?
- If participants have the knowledge listed on the Foundational Certificate under Learning Outcomes, they may self elect to register directly for the Advanced Certificate. Participants taking the Advanced Certificate directly should have some experience in the field. If you are unsure of which certificate is best suited for you, please contact us.
May I register for both the Advanced Certificate and the Foundational Certificate at the same time?
- Participants may register for both certificates; however, the Foundational Certificate must be completed prior to starting the Advanced Certificate.
Will I be awarded a certificate?
- To be awarded a certificate, participants must complete and pass each module. Modules are graded on a pass/fail basis. No letter grades or credits will be provided. In the event a participant fails a module, a facilitator will work with participants to provide a one-time extension of two weeks to resubmit work at that time. Extensions will not be granted at a future date.
What happens if I can’t complete the certificate due to extenuating circumstances?
- The university will work with participants to ensure they can complete the certificate when the program is offered again.
What is your refund policy?
- Refunds will only be granted up until the start of the certificate. No refunds will be available once the certificate has started.
I have a few more questions, who can I contact?
- Feel free to email us at lynchschoolpce@bc.edu with the subject headline as “Instructional Design''. Participants may also schedule a call with us.
Payment/Refund Policy
- Payment can only be completed by credit card for individuals. Groups who are interested in payment via purchase order can contact lynchschoolpce@bc.edu.
- Refunds will be granted only up until registration closes. No refunds will be granted for registration or technical errors on the participant's part (such as incorrect name/email, login failure, etc.).
Cancellation Policy
- The University reserves the right to cancel or postpone classes due to insufficient enrollment, instructor illness, severe weather or natural disaster. In the event of cancellation, registrants will be notified immediately and all fees will be returned.