Create solutions to improve learning and performance

When it comes to learning and performance, there’s always room for improvement. Moreover, the most forward-thinking leaders realize that highly skilled and productive employees are the foundation for organizational strength and growth. The work of instructional designers ties personal improvements to institutional gains by understanding how to maximize the potential of individuals.

Franklin University’s Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design is designed to equip you with the foundational, principles-based knowledge and skills needed to solve instructional and performance problems using a systematic, theory-based approach.

And because our program is offered completely online for ultimate flexibility, you’ll be able to complete all of your coursework in 8 months. Our accelerated format allows you to quickly earn a credential that highlights your expertise and complements your existing bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Program Overview

Get a head start on your master’s degree at Franklin

All 16 credits earned during our Instructional Design Graduate Certificate Program transfer directly toward the 32 credits required for our M.S. Instructional Design & Learning Technology. This makes it a great way for you to become familiar with graduate-level courses and see if a master’s degree is right for you.

Apply learning theory and instructional design models

In this program you’ll gain insight into how people learn by studying various learning theories, like behaviorism, constructivism, and social cognitive theory. Meanwhile, you will design and develop e-learning instructional materials by applying concepts and principles of various systematic instructional design models, such as the Systems Approach Model for Designing Instruction (Dick, Carey & Carey), the Kemp Instructional Design Model (Morrison, Ross & Kemp), the Successive Approximation Model (Allen), and Backwards Design (Wiggins & McTighe)

As you create instructional materials, you’ll also learn to incorporate specific research-based instructional theories, on the order of Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction, Gagne’s 9 Events of Instruction, and Keller’s ARCS Model.

Tailor the Instructional Design Certificate to your ambition 

Once you complete the required foundations course, you’ll choose any three courses from the M.S. in Instructional Design & Learning Technology curriculum – except the capstone course (IDPT 670) – to create a professional credential that supports your desired career path. Because all courses are shared with our industry-aligned master’s program, you can be assured that this customized learning experience meets the standards set by ATD and ISPI. 

Choose to build your skills in a range of areas including: instructional systems design, educational technology, eLearning development, content development, project management, and performance improvement. No matter what topics you choose, you will be well-prepared to enter or advance in the dynamic field of learning and development. 

Earn your certificate completely online in 8 months

The four courses that comprise this graduate certificate program can each be taken online so you can learn whenever and wherever it is convenient for you. The accelerated format allows you to quickly get the knowledge you need to enter or advance in the instructional design field.