For more than 50 years, Walden has been cultivating engaging learning experiences tailored to working professionals. Join a community of forward thinkers and help shape the future of educational technology and design.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR LEARNING
Get support from faculty passionate about instructional design. Take advantage of on-demandcontent and tutorials.
APPLY YOUR NEW SKILLS
For your capstone course, identify and help solve a real-world problem, while building a portfolio you can show potential employers.
BUILD SOFTWARE EXPERTISE
Hone your newfound instructional design skills with complimentary access to Adobe Captivate and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Curriculum and Completion Requirements
Walden’s MS in Instructional Design and Technology online program integrates advanced technology and contemporary design thinking. Develop the skills and expertise to craft dynamic, impactful educational solutions and transform how learning happens.
Featured MS in Instructional Design and Technology Courses
In this course, students learn the foundational principles and elements of the instructional systems development process, from analysis through evaluation. They explore commonly used instructional design models, such as ADDIE, Understanding by Design (UbD), Design Thinking Model, and Merrill’s Principles of Instruction, and they learn how to apply them in an education or training environment. Students will focus on incorporating sound instructional strategies into the design and development of instructional systems and into the development of prototypes in real-world instructional settings.
The use of technology for the creation and delivery of education and training is no longer a new concept. The field of instructional design, although rooted in various theories in education and psychology, has developed into its own discipline. In this course, students will examine the history, theories, and the related disciplines that have impacted the field of instructional design. Students will also examine various instructional design models, investigate technology and media’s effect on learning, and explore potential careers as an instructional designer across various education and training settings.
E-Learning has become an increasingly essential component of corporate training, human resources, and curriculum development in today’s world. In this course, students will explore e-learning design principles, strategies, and best practices in order to design and develop eLearning projects and training programs. They will also utilize planning documents, design goals and objectives, assessments, and evaluation tools. For the culminating project, students will incorporate Adobe Captivate into the development of a robust and engaging e-Learning experience for diverse learners.
Online education could be the driving force that transforms education and training practices in the 21st century. Through this lens, students explore the current trends impacting the field of distance learning and their implication for the design and development of distance learning programs. They examine various models, theories, and technologies used in the development and delivery of online education and training programs. They also explore the implications and considerations of designing instruction for blended, fully online, instructor-led, and self-paced learning environments.
A shift toward cloud-based web technologies is upon us, improving access to information, reducing time and cost, and streamlining the implementation of online and hybrid learning experiences for learners. In this course, education and training professionals will expand their web-based technology skillset through the use of virtual learning environments, collaborative cloud computing applications, and accessible learning materials that engage diverse audiences. As part of the culminating learning experience, students will create a robust toolkit that features various cloud-based technologies applicable to their learning environment.
Admissions
You’ll work one-on-one with an Enrollment Specialist who’ll guide you through every step—from finding the right program to funding your education.
Streamlined Admissions Process
Ready to take the next step in your educational journey and earn an MS in Instructional Design and Technology online? Walden has simplified the application process to include:
No application fee
Easy credit transfer
No essay or SAT/ACT requirement
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.
Tuition Breakdown
We want to help you reach your full potential. At Walden, you’ll find multiple ways to lower your MS in Instructional Design and Technology tuition, including:
Believe & Achieve Scholarship®
Partnership-based savings
Federal and state grants
Stay Inspired. Stay on Track. Save Money.
Discover progress-based savings that inspire you to stay on track to graduation.
General Program
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 45 quarter credit hours | $460 per quarter hour | $20,700 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $180 | $1,080 |
$21,780** | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$4,600 | ||
Effective 2/23/26
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 45 quarter credit hours | $470 per quarter hour | $21,150 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $185 | $1,110 |
$22,260** | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$4,700 | ||
*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 20 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 $300 and $500.
Career Opportunities
With an MS in Instructional Design and Technology, you’ll be ready to meet the need for future-focused instruction professionals.
Focus on Tech Future
Instructional Coordinators
Develop instructional material, coordinate content, and incorporate technology into instruction.
Expected growth: 2%1
Estimated annual wage: $46,540–$92,2301
In demand
Training and Development Specialists
Plan and administer programs that train individuals and improve their skills and knowledge.
Expected growth: 12%2
Estimated annual wage: $36,050–$87,8902
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
2Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the MS in Instructional Design and Technology program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Percentile wage estimates are based on the 10th-75th percentile
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this program, all graduates will be prepared to:
Demonstrate the knowledge necessary to create, use, assess, and manage theoretical and practical applications of instructional technologies and processes.
Demonstrate effective implementation of instructional technologies and processes based on contemporary content and pedagogy as reflective practitioners. instructional materials and experiences by applying principles, theories, and research related to print, audiovisual, computer-based, and integrated technologies.
Facilitate learning by creating, using, evaluating, and managing effective learning environments.
Design, develop, implement, and evaluate technology-rich learning environments within a supportive community of practice.
Explore, evaluate, synthesize, and apply methods of inquiry to enhance learning and improve performance.
Meet Your Academic Team
Get to know some of our outstanding faculty members who enrich the Walden community with their extensive industry experience and dedication to teaching.
You Might Also Be Interested In
Explore other programs at Walden that reflect your professional interests and goals.
MS in Instructional Design and Technology FAQ
While the name may be unfamiliar to some, the expanding field of instructional design and technology lives at the intersection of technology and education. It’s ideal for those who are 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.
Offered by many on-campus and online colleges and universities, an MS in Instructional Design and Technology program 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. An online master’s in instructional design and technology will also equip you with the know-how to apply theory, creativity, and problem-solving tactics to a variety of technology-based learning applications in the education, corporate, and nonprofit sectors.
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.
The instructional 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.
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, associate dean for the MS in Instructional Design and Technology and MS in Higher Education programs 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. Students in Walden’s MS in Instructional Design and Technology program use industry-standard software throughout their program.”