Are you aiming to discover the premier Learning Design Courses available?
This article presents a carefully curated list of top-tier online courses. These resources are designed to equip you with the essential skills to excel as a learning designer and secure a well-compensated position in this thriving field.
Keen to delve deeper? Continue reading!
Charting Your Path: Becoming a Learning Designer
Let’s begin with the fundamentals:
What exactly does a learning designer do?
Learning design is fundamentally the art and science of creating impactful learning experiences and materials. It’s a dynamic, multidisciplinary domain that integrates insights from learning theories, human-computer interaction, educational psychology, and systems thinking, among others.
This career path is not only intellectually stimulating but also highly sought after. The field of instructional design, closely related to learning design, is projected to grow by 11% through 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Furthermore, professionals in learning design often report high levels of job satisfaction, attributed to the role’s inherent variety and intellectual challenges.
Learning designers are the architects of effective learning. As a learning designer, you play a crucial role in facilitating knowledge acquisition, enhancing the learning process, and streamlining workplace efficiency by optimizing how individuals learn and perform tasks.
In simpler terms:
Learning designers bridge the learning gap, guiding individuals from their current skill level to their desired competencies.
Learning designers are employed across diverse sectors—from higher education and corporate environments (including tech giants like Apple and Amazon) to entrepreneurial ventures as freelancers, consultants, or eLearning developers.
Project types can vary based on your specific role, but common deliverables include interactive eLearning modules (such as corporate training programs), courses within Learning Management Systems (like university online courses), video-based learning content, and materials for both in-person and virtual instructor-led training sessions (including presentations and handouts).
Key competencies for successful learning designers include:
- Application of learning design theories and learning science principles.
- Proficiency in copywriting for scripts and storyboards.
- Expertise in eLearning authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline 360.
- Strong visual design acumen.
- Excellent communication skills.
For a more in-depth understanding of the learning design landscape, resources like this video explaining instructional design can provide valuable insights.
But the crucial question remains: How does one acquire expertise in learning design? Let’s explore the pathways to becoming a learning designer.
Educational Pathways in Learning Design
Embarking on a career in learning design is a promising and fulfilling choice. You can pursue learning design education through formal academic routes or independent study.
Regardless of your chosen path, a comprehensive learning design education should thoroughly cover learning objectives, effective learning activities, methodologies, and evaluation strategies.
Given the interdisciplinary nature of learning design, your educational journey may also encompass:
- Visual design principles
- Educational psychology foundations
- Performance improvement strategies
- Neuroscience insights related to learning
- User experience (UX) design principles
- Best practices in learning design
Understanding concepts like action mapping, behaviorism, and cognitive information processing is also fundamental to mastering learning design.
A deep dive into the psychological underpinnings of learning design, including its theories, design principles, and instructional methodologies, forms a vital part of your education.
Start by familiarizing yourself with the ADDIE model and Gagne’s nine events of instruction. To grasp objectives and instructional alignment, exploring Kirkpatrick’s Model of Evaluation and Mayer’s principles of multimedia learning is also highly beneficial.
For a more detailed walkthrough of the learning design process, resources like this video outlining the ID process can be very helpful.
However, is a formal learning design certification essential for a career in this field? Let’s clarify the necessary qualifications.
Essential Qualifications for a Learning Designer
Officially, there are no mandatory qualifications to become a learning designer. While many professionals hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees, it’s entirely possible to enter the field through a combination of high-quality online courses and practical, real-world experience.
That said, the level of qualification preferred can depend on the type of employer or clients you aim to attract. Institutions in higher education or governmental bodies might favor candidates with advanced degrees.
However, for the majority of corporate roles, neither a certificate nor an advanced degree is strictly required.
Choosing online courses over a traditional degree offers significant advantages, primarily in terms of cost and the duration required to complete your education.
Consider this cost comparison:
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, recognized as a popular institution for learning design studies, offers a master’s degree in Instructional Design at approximately $30,000, requiring at least 18 months to complete, as noted by Zippia.
In contrast, online courses typically range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the depth and breadth of skills covered. Crucially, they are often self-paced, allowing you to learn at your own speed.
More importantly than formal qualifications, your professional portfolio is paramount. This video discussing the importance of a portfolio further emphasizes this point.
Before you commit to learning design, it’s wise to consider the job market demand. Is it a career path with promising prospects? Let’s investigate the demand for learning designers.
Market Demand for Learning Designers
Indeed, learning designers are consistently in demand, with strong potential for career advancement. The average salary for learning designers is approximately $84,421, according to Northeastern University, varying based on education, geographic location, and specific job responsibilities. Coupled with an anticipated growth rate of 11%, the learning design field presents a relatively stable and growing job market, despite a healthy level of competition.
A noticeable gap exists between highly skilled and less skilled learning designers. There’s a significant demand for professionals who possess a robust skill set combining learning design principles with eLearning development capabilities. The most effective learning design courses often focus on developing both skill sets to maximize your career potential.
In summary, learning design is a field with strong demand and excellent career prospects. The next step is choosing the right courses to start your journey. Let’s explore how to select the ideal learning design courses.
Top 20 Online Learning Design Courses
Instead of the traditional academic path, you can accelerate your skill development and career entry by enrolling in some of the best learning design courses available online.
Below, we present a curated list of 20 exceptional online courses to consider.
How do you effectively choose a course?
The key is to align your course selection with your career objectives. If your goal is to become a proficient learning designer, prioritize courses that offer in-depth training and assist you in critical areas such as developing core learning design skills and building a professional portfolio. Also, consider the course’s outcomes and student success rates. For example, the success stories of students who have completed specific programs can be very informative.
1. ID Bootcamp
The ID Bootcamp is specifically designed to help you secure top-tier learning design roles. It provides hands-on experience with a proven learning design methodology and extensive practice using industry-leading tools.
A key feature of this bootcamp is its focus on portfolio development, guiding you to create a website that showcases your in-demand skills and establishes your professional credibility, thereby enhancing your job prospects.
What sets this bootcamp apart is its comprehensive support system, including weekly feedback sessions with Devlin Peck, personalized one-on-one coaching from Devlin’s team, and a collaborative community forum for ongoing support and feedback throughout your learning journey.
This intensive feedback mechanism ensures your portfolio is competitive, and the dedicated support for resume refinement, LinkedIn profile optimization, and interview preparation significantly boosts your chances of receiving attractive job offers.
Key benefits of the bootcamp include:
- Mastering Articulate Storyline 360
- Gaining a thorough understanding of the complete learning design process
- Developing skills to analyze real-world problems and apply learning design solutions
- Creating a story-driven, scenario-based eLearning project encompassing action mapping, storyboarding, visual design, and eLearning development
- Building a standout professional portfolio website
- Optimizing your resume and LinkedIn profile for maximum impact
- Excelling in job interviews and negotiating favorable employment terms
Expected outcomes:
Participants can expect to develop sought-after learning design skills and successfully land competitive full-time and freelance learning design positions.
Aleksandra, a graduate who secured a learning design role at Fidelity, shares her experience:
“The bootcamp challenged me to produce my best work and acquire a wealth of new skills. The supportive community was invaluable and made portfolio development enjoyable and motivating.
After launching my portfolio, I interviewed with several top companies in my target city. I received multiple offers and accepted a remote learning experience design position, which I am very happy with. This success would not have been possible without Devlin and the bootcamp community!”
Learn more about the ID Bootcamp here.
Price: Available upon request
2. The Storyline Project Lab
Articulate Storyline is a highly sought-after technical skill in the learning design field. Demonstrating proficiency requires a strong portfolio and confidence, which is exactly what the Storyline Project Lab provides.
The Storyline Project Lab is a comprehensive resource for mastering Articulate Storyline. This course is structured to rapidly enhance your skills and enable you to create portfolio-ready projects, increasing your prospects for higher-salary job offers.
Beyond learning design theory, the course emphasizes practical, real-world development projects. You’ll gain hands-on skills in creating interactive videos, software simulations, and scenario-based learning modules.
A dedicated private community is also part of the course, offering a platform to receive project feedback and network with peers. Students can engage in discussions, support each other, and collaborate in teams, fostering a rich learning environment.
This course serves as the foundational module for the ID Bootcamp and is an excellent starting point for those new to learning design.
Lisa, a student of the Storyline Project Lab, shares her experience:
“Before joining, I had years of experience as a learning designer but limited expertise with advanced Storyline features like variables and conditions.
I enrolled in this program to enhance my skills and delve into these advanced features, along with learning efficiency tips.
The program has significantly boosted my confidence, and I’m already applying my new skills to real client projects. I’m now more confident in my Storyline programming abilities, which allows me to be more creative in designing eLearning solutions.”
Explore the Storyline Project Lab here.
Price: $999
3. Introduction to Instructional Design
Harvard’s Introduction to Instructional Design course focuses on agility and adaptability in learning design. It addresses the need for learning designers to quickly understand new content, adopt emerging technologies, and develop learning solutions for diverse audiences.
While offering numerous benefits, this course is introductory, so further training may be necessary to secure a position in the learning design industry.
Price: $3,100
4. Instructional Design Principles for Course Creation
Instructional Design Principles for Course Creation adopts a practical, problem-solving approach, encouraging students to develop a course concept over three weeks. It’s beginner-friendly, though having a learning project idea in mind is recommended.
A key advantage is the peer feedback and collaborative support, along with the hands-on experience of building a learning intervention from scratch. However, its brief duration might limit the depth of coverage in learning design theories and best practices compared to more extensive programs.
Price: Free, application required due to limited seating.
5. Learning Experience Design
Learning Experience Design is SHRM-certified, emphasizing training, practical assignments, and peer learning with global colleagues. The curriculum includes vision creation, techniques for understanding client and audience needs, and rapid prototyping, culminating in a design blueprint for future projects.
No prior experience is needed, making it suitable for training and business professionals seeking to broaden their skills. While it may not delve deeply into ID methodologies or job-seeking strategies, it offers insights into current industry trends and research.
Price: Free
6. Instructional Design Foundations and Applications
Instructional Design Foundations and Applications, as its name suggests, introduces the theoretical underpinnings of instructional design. It’s a focused, beginner-level course covering core concepts, learning and instructional theories, design models, and analytical activities relevant to instructional design.
Price: Included with Coursera subscription, $39.99 monthly.
7. Online Learning Design for Educators
Online Learning Design for Educators is an introductory course highlighting the challenges in online learning environments. While open to all, it is specifically tailored for educators aiming to enhance their learning design skills for school-age to adult learners.
Price: Included with Coursera subscription, $39.99 monthly.
8. Become an Instructional Designer
Becoming an Instructional Designer is a learning path on LinkedIn Learning, focusing on essential skills. It covers information management, delivery strategies, and project organization.
You will learn about creating video training and designing for adult audiences. However, the course is somewhat general and lacks a strong focus on project creation or portfolio development.
Price: LinkedIn Learning offers a one-month free trial, then $39.99/month or $26.99/month annually.
9. Course Design 101: Teach Anything in the Workplace
Course Design 101 explores key concepts in creating learning experiences, including gap analysis, persona development, and summary creation. This course provides 30 minutes of video content, downloadable resources, and articles.
It offers basic knowledge at an accessible price but requires supplementary courses for deeper skill development. Ideal for addressing workplace training challenges and gaining initial insights.
Price: $34.99, with frequent Udemy discounts and promotions.
10. Online Certificate in Instructional Design
Georgetown’s Online Certificate in Instructional Design introduces the fundamentals of online learning experience creation, with a focus on integrating social impact concepts for global change. Graduates gain skills to help mission-driven organizations develop professional online learning solutions.
Price: Varies, certificate courses around $4,990.
11. MicroMasters® Program in Instructional Design and Technology
The MicroMasters® Program in Instructional Design and Technology reviews contemporary learning theories for online learning design. It covers best practices for selecting and evaluating digital media for online learning, and includes designing and implementing online learning processes, along with data mining techniques for enhancing learning experiences.
Price: $1,196 or a discounted price of $1,076.40.
12. Online Course Creation: Introduction to Instructional Design
The Online Course Creation: Introduction to Instructional Design on Skillshare explores pedagogy, the theory and practice of learning, including how social, political, and psychological factors influence learning. It also includes lessons on student immersion and access to free visual resources for course design.
This course provides concise, general learning design information, requiring supplementary learning for mastering comprehensive learning design and eLearning development.
Price: Skillshare is $168 annually for access to numerous classes.
13. Instructional Design Course: Articulate Storyline Training with Rise
Oregon State University’s instructional design course is based on constructivist learning theory, emphasizing learning through experimentation. Despite being asynchronous, it offers instructor guidance and peer feedback, focusing on Articulate Storyline and Rise training, and eLearning best practices including accessibility, mobile-friendly design, gamification, and audio integration.
Price: $469 plus a $60 non-refundable registration fee.
14. Articulate 360 Training
Articulate 360 Training provides online and in-person classes from beginner to expert levels on Articulate software, through Yukon Learning in the U.S., Canada, and online. This course is excellent for learning Articulate software but primarily covers the basics, lacking depth in learning design principles and theories.
Price: $595
15. Mastering Design Thinking
Mastering Design Thinking is designed for individuals and teams seeking a structured approach to product development. It’s beneficial for roles in product management, marketing, UX design, and executive leadership.
Enhance your learning design skills through 128 video lectures, live sessions, group projects, real-world applications, and a capstone project.
Price: $2,805
16. The ADDIE Model for Instructional Design
The ADDIE model is foundational to learning design. ATD’s ADDIE Model for Instructional Design course teaches the five phases of ADDIE and their real-world application, perfect for reinforcing learning design fundamentals.
Price: $295 for non-members, $195 for members.
17. Get Started with Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator skills are valuable for learning designers. Get Started with Adobe Illustrator is a concise 1.5-hour Coursera course that guides you through creating your first design.
Price: Included with Coursera subscription, $39.99 monthly.
18. Dash
While not essential, programming skills can distinguish learning designers. Dash by General Assembly is a free course teaching HTML, CSS, and Javascript for web design.
Price: Free
19. Visual Design Principles
Visual presentation significantly impacts content consumption. Visual Design Principles from UC Berkeley teaches fundamental design principles. Note: this course has fixed dates.
Price: $990
20. Learning Video Production and Editing
Video content creation is crucial for learning designers. Learning Video Production and Editing on LinkedIn Learning is a short course for basic video production and editing skills.
Price: LinkedIn Learning is $39.99/month.
21. Adobe XD UI/UX Design, prototype, and handoff from scratch
Adobe XD is useful for rapid eLearning prototyping, offering a more user-friendly interface than Storyline for initial design iterations. Adobe XD UI/UX Design, prototype, and handoff from scratch on Udemy can help you start using Adobe XD effectively.
Price: $109.99, with frequent Udemy discounts.
Taking the Next Step
This guide offers a comprehensive overview of the top learning design courses currently available.
The best course choice depends on your individual objectives. For skill enhancement, a shorter, general course might suffice. For a career transition into learning design, prioritize courses that specifically aid in job placement.
Thank you for exploring this guide! To learn more about launching your career, explore the portfolios and achievements of students from the ID Bootcamp.
