Earn your master’s degree from a 50-year leader in instructional design.
Highly engaging and personalized learning experiences are critical for acquiring new skills and knowledge. An MS in Instructional Design and Technology (Non-Licensure) from Walden can fuel your passion for helping people learn. During this program, you’ll develop skills at the forefront of instructional design and use the latest technology to create engaging, content-rich, multimedia instruction. You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of how and why people learn.
An online master’s in instructional design and technology program can help prepare you for a role as an instructional designer, curriculum designer, education coordinator, or instructional coach in education, government, corporate, military, and healthcare settings.
Why Choose Walden?
Learn from a leader
Experience a university with 50 years of experience designing learning experiences for working professionals.
Customize your learning.
Get support from faculty passionate about instructional design. Take advantage of on-demand, self-paced content and tutorials.
Apply your new skills.
For your capstone course, identify and help solve a real-world problem, while building a portfolio for potential employers.
Build software expertise.
Hone your skills with complimentary access to Adobe Captivate and Adobe Creative Cloud with applications.
Program Details
Curriculum - General Program Specialization
Minimum Degree Requirements
- 30 semester credits
- Core courses (27 sem. credits)
- Capstone (3 sem. credits)
View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN
Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
Admission Requirements
Program Admission Considerations: A bachelor's degree or higher.
General Admissions Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.
The progress you make now pays you back. You’ll receive your final courses tuition-free, depending on your program.
We believe you can achieve your goals—and we’re here to support you along your journey.
Request information to learn more about scholarships and financial aid.
*Tuition and fees are subject to change. See Tuition and Fees section and Scholarship Details for more information.
General Program Specialization
| CURRICULUM COMPONENT | REQUIREMENTS | COST | AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 30 semester credit hours | $680 per semester hour | $20,400 |
| Program Fee | Per semester | $230 | $1,150 |
| $21,550** | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION |
-$4,080 $17,470* |
||
*Represents minimum time to completion, General Program, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
**Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 15 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-517-1652.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,000 and $1,400.
Program Outcomes
Elevate and Expand Your Professional Options
Walden’s MS in Instructional Design and Technology is a career-focused program that prepares you for the field with job-relevant skills and credentials, including a post-baccalaureate certificate of proficiency when you complete your first six courses. This program’s capstone project and virtual student showcase gives you the opportunity to build your résumé and portfolio to share with prospective employers. Train on industry-standard software and develop the skills to assess, create, and manage learning materials—and prepare to build a career with impact.
Career Outlook
As more organizations adopt learner-centric models of teaching, the need for knowledgeable and skilled instructional designers continues to grow. With an online master’s in instructional design from Walden, you’ll benefit from our history of expertise and leadership in the development of targeted online instructional content.
Since 2004, demand for instructional designers has been on the rise—up by more than 20% nationwide.1 According to information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary range for instructional coordinators was $50,930–85,090 in May 2019.2
A master’s in Instructional Design and Technology can prepare you to pursue career options such as:3
- Instructional designer
- Curriculum designer
- Instructional coach
- Education coordinator
A master’s in instructional design and technology can prepare you to work in settings such as:
- Educational institutions
- Corporations
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit organizations
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of Walden’s MS in Instructional Design and Technology program will be prepared to:
- Design and implement conditions for learning by applying principles, theories, and research associated with instructional systems design, message design, instructional strategies, and learner characteristics.
- Develop instructional materials and experiences by applying principles, theories, and research related to print, audiovisual, computer-based, and integrated technologies.
- Use processes and resources for learning by applying principles, theories, and research related to media utilization, diffusion, implementations, and policy making.
- Plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise instructional technology by applying principles, theories, and research related to project, resource, delivery system, and information management.
- Evaluate the adequacy of instruction and learning by applying principles, theories, and research related to problem analysis, criterion references measurement, formative and summative evaluation, and long-range planning.
- Demonstrate the ability to facilitate equitable access to instructional materials for all learners.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply common technology tools to create innovative learning solutions and materials.
Meet Your Academic Team
Meet Your Academic Team
Testimonials
After finishing my certificate, my advisor told me I only needed a few more classes to get a degree in instructional design. I knew that with the way this profession is growing, the master’s degree might lead to a job in academia and mean so much more for my business.
April JonesMS in Instructional Design and Technology Graduate, Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design and Technology, PhD in Psychology Graduate
Without Walden, I would never have had the opportunity to move up in my company and work from home to start my own business.
Lisa WesleyMS in Instructional Design and Technology Graduate
I love the connections I’ve made through Walden and how alumni keep in touch through the alumni network and Facebook.
April JonesMS in Instructional Design and Technology Graduate
I was a Walden faculty member before I became a Walden student, and I found the experience challenging and rewarding.
Steven HoaglandMS in Instructional Design and Technology Graduate
Related Articles
FAQ About Walden’s Online MS in Instructional Design and Technology
What is instructional design and technology?
While the name may be unfamiliar to some, the expanding field of instructional design and technology lives at the intersection of technology and education and is ideal for those passionate about educating others. From online classes to corporate training, instructional design focuses on the development of technology-based learning—both the curriculum itself and the platforms through which it is delivered.
What will you learn in an instructional design and technology degree program?
Offered by many on-campus and online colleges and universities, an MS in Instructional Design and Technology will teach you not only about how people learn, but about the best, most effective ways to educate them. You’ll gain the skills necessary to assess, build, and administer technology-based learning experiences. A master’s in instructional design and technology will also equip you with the know-how to apply theory, research, creativity, and problem-solving tactics to a variety of technology-based learning applications in the corporate, education, and nonprofit sectors.
How do you choose the best MS in Instructional Design and Technology program?
MS in Instructional Design and Technology degree-seekers have many options when it comes to choosing the program that is right for them. However, a few key factors should always be considered before deciding. First, flexible scheduling can be key for working professionals, which is why online degree programs are such a popular choice. It’s also important to be able to connect with other professionals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, which can greatly enhance your educational experience. Lastly, be sure you choose a university with a strong support team that is invested in helping you succeed as you work toward earning your degree.
Why should you earn your MS in Instructional Design and Technology online?
The educational technology field needs instructional designers capable of creating materials and programs that deliver outstanding educational outcomes. With an MS in Instructional Design and Technology, you can put yourself in position to become just such a designer.
What do employers look for when hiring instructional designers?
When seeking out instructional designers, employers often look for candidates who hold a degree in the field. That’s because instructional designers with the right degree are far more likely to have the right skills, too. According to Dr. Mark Clauburg, MS in Instructional Design and Technology program director at Walden University, “Employers of instructional designers are requiring their employees to have knowledge of specific software applications, including Adobe Creative Cloud and Captivate. We know this because it’s listed in the majority of job descriptions. As a result, Walden now provides students in the MS in Instructional Design and Technology program with access to the Creative Cloud and Adobe Captivate, and students use this industry-standard software throughout their program.”
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1Source: Inside Higher Ed. The Hottest Job in Education: Instructional Designer (April 24, 2020).
2Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages (May 2019), Instructional Coordinators. National job salary projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, do not guarantee actual salaries, and are subject to change.
3Source: Burning Glass Technologies, Labor Insights™. Occupational Analysis, Active selections “Curriculum and Instructional Designer / Developer” and Skills Analysis, Active selections "nationwide" and "Instructional and Curriculum Design." Retrieved March 2020.
Note on Teacher Licensure or Certification
This program does not lead to teacher licensure or certification. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.