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Master Program
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ATD Master Instructional Designer® Program

Prove your ability. Elevate your design. Develop impactful learning solutions.

The ATD Master Instructional Designer® Program covers the entire process of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of learning programs across all modalities (face-to-face, e-learning, virtual, or a blend). Explore new design models and techniques, evaluate real-world projects, and work with expert facilitators in this eight week blended program.

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Blended
Credits: CEU 2.8 MORE
Level: Advanced
Role(s): Independent Consultant More
Language(s): English
Capability Area(s): Instructional Design More

Pricing

$3,295
Member
$3,545
Nonmember
Course Info

The role of an instructional designer is evolving, expanding, and more in demand than ever. Once seen as a planner of learning events for typical classroom programs with a short set of defined tasks (such as analyzing needs, writing learning objectives, and evaluating learning programs), instructional designers need an expanded skill set. These now- essential skills include business acumen, consultative approaches, design approaches based on learning sciences, and technology expertise.... Read More

The role of an instructional designer is evolving, expanding, and more in demand than ever. Once seen as a planner of learning events for typical classroom programs with a short set of defined tasks (such as analyzing needs, writing learning objectives, and evaluating learning programs), instructional designers need an expanded skill set. These now- essential skills include business acumen, consultative approaches, design approaches based on learning sciences, and technology expertise. Designers must pivot between designing for multiple modalities such as face-to-face, e-learning, and virtual as well as implement learning solutions via multiple media streams such as e-learning modules, learning management systems, podcasts, mobile apps, videos, infographics, and animated shorts. Armed with a broader skillset, instructional designers have the flexibility to be the jack-of-all-trades and a much-requested strategic resource for organizations.

Aligned to the Talent Development Capability Model™, this advanced-level program covers the entire process for designing learning solutions to ensure that you are a valued partner to stakeholders and align learning solutions to meet business objectives.

The theory is essential; so is learning the practical process of applying instructional design principles to workplace solutions. During this eight-week asynchronous and live online cohort experience, you will explore real-world projects and benefit from peer collaboration via discussion boards. You will have conversations about instructional design topics to demonstrate your ability to design for the modern learners’ needs and explore deeper dives on content that is most applicable to your work. Identify where you shine and where you have opportunities for growth within all aspects of the design process from the initial needs assessment, to designing and developing content, to implementing and evaluating your solutions.

Demonstrate your proficiency by creating a final project with a preferred modality of your choice for personalized facilitator evaluation and feedback to earn your ATD Master Instructional Designer® Program designation and badge.

Why You Should Attend:

  • Develop and demonstrate mastery of instructional design through a multi-part real-world project, including individualized feedback and analysis.
  • Gain access to tools, resources, and templates to use on the job.
  • Receive personalized feedback from your facilitator and peers.
  • Earn the industry-recognized ATD Master Instructional Designer designation and digital badge.
  • Accelerate your pathway toward achieving the APTD or CPTD Certification. Learn More .

How the Program Works:

  • Learn research-based best practices from across the Talent Development Capability Model to elevate your instructional design skills.
  • Engage in a flexible around-your-schedule program via ATD’s online learning platform. Attend four virtual facilitator-led sessions throughout the program, in weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7.
  • Benefit from the role- modeling, wisdom, and guidance of an ATD expert facilitator.
  • Learn with and from a group of peers through application-based discussions and reflections.
  • Personalize your Master Instructional Designer journey by assessing your current skills, taking a deep dive into content most relevant to you, and demonstrating success with a multi-part real-world project.

After the Program Ends

To support ongoing professional development, ATD master program registration includes a complimentary course elective. Take the ATD certificate program of your choice following successful completion of your ATD master program. Exclusions apply.

Learners cannot enroll in the following as their complimentary elective:

  • Other ATD master programs
  • Training Design & Delivery Certificate
  • APTD or CPTD preparation courses and preparation bootcamps
  • ATD on-demand courses

ATD Master Instructional Designer® Program is offered by the ATD Certification Institute. Read Less

What You Will Learn
  • Use instructional design models to develop learning solutions that change behavior and improve performance.
  • Assess factors that will shape your design.
  • Use research and evidence-based practices to make key design decisions.
  • Write measurable learning objectives that describe desired results.
  • Use a collaborative approach with stakeholders and subject matter experts for curating, creating and reviewing content.
  • Design learning solutions that leverage adult learning theories, incorporate brain science, and address the needs of the learners and the organization.
  • Use various modalities such as formal classroom training, virtual classroom training, blended learning, online learning, and informal approaches.
  • Make decisions to reach learning outcomes across all modalities.
  • Use storyboards, prototypes, visual representations, and design thinking approaches to illustrate your designs early in the design process to key stakeholders.
  • Manage training course production and quality assurance.
  • Create a plan to assess effectiveness for the course launch.
  • Identify appropriate evaluation techniques to effectively connect and communicate the business impact of your learning solutions.
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Get the Course Brochure Brochure

ATD Master Instructional Designer® Program Brochure

Download the brochure to learn everything you need to know about this course.

Program Components
During the course of eight weeks, you will interact with your peers and facilitator on your own time. Your learning project will be created through four separate deliverables throughout the course of the program.
Week 1: (Self-Paced and Live Online): Introduction and Instructional Design Models
In the first week of this blended experience, you will assess your current knowledge and skill level of instructional design. Get to know your peers and your facilitator and become familiar with the course structure.

Complete your learning prioritization inventory and start key assignments to prepare you for your real-world project deliverables.

During this week you'll spend approximately two flexible hours online on the days and times of your choosing. You will also attend a 90-minute facilitator-led live online session.
Week 2 (Self-Paced): Needs Assessment Approaches
Determining the need is the first step in the instructional design process. The results of a needs assessment will guide the rest of the process. This week you will explore the factors that will shape your design as well as how to present the results of a needs assessment.

Topics covered include factors to assess, presenting findings, and early planning for summative evaluation. You will complete and deliver your first learning project deliverable to receive feedback from your facilitator.

During this week you'll spend approximately three-and-a-half flexible hours online on the days and times of your choosing.
Week 3 (Self-Paced and Live Online): Objectives, Outcomes, and Design Decisions
Instructional designers use the needs assessment results to define outcome statements, then ensure learning objectives align to them. Learn how to make good learning objectives great and leverage them to make design decisions.

Topics include leveraging models for writing learning objectives for the best results, design considerations, and how motivation and knowledge differ. You will receive feedback on your first learning project deliverable.

During this week you'll spend approximately two flexible hours online on the days and times of your choosing. You will also attend a 90-minute facilitator-led live online session.
Week 4 (Self-Paced): Collaboration and Visual Representations
This week you will go beyond the basics of course design to explore how you can promote collaborative partnerships to curate, create, and review content. Apply design thinking approaches to design innovative courses.

Topics include design thinking, visual style and representation, gaining buy-in, and collaboration with subject matter experts (SMEs) and stakeholders. You will complete and deliver your second learning project deliverable to receive feedback from your facilitator.

Throughout this week, you'll spend approximately three-and-a-half flexible hours online on the days and times of your choosing.
Week 5 (Self-Paced and Live Online): Formal and Informal Approaches
Instructional designers should have working knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of formal and informal modalities. Within this week you will consider how a blend of approaches will enhance your instructional design practice.

Topics include content development considerations such as cultural awareness, translation, and accessibility, writing content, and created blending experiences. You will receive feedback on your second learning project deliverable.

During this week you'll spend approximately two flexible hours online on the days and times of your choosing. You will also attend a 90-minute facilitator-led live online session.
Week 6 (Self-Paced): Technology Alignment
Instructional designers must have the knowledge and skills to curate and develop content and the ability to deliver that content through technologies that meet their learners’ needs. Explore how to stay current with technology, assess your organization’s readiness, and develop and deliver content accordingly.

Topics include tools selection, curating content, technological readiness, and building learning materials. You will complete and deliver your third learning project deliverable to receive feedback from your facilitator.

During this week you'll spend approximately three-and-a-half flexible hours online on the days and times of your choosing.
Week 7 (Self-Paced and Live Online): Quality Assurance
Quality assurance and testing instructional designs are important parts of the instructional design process. No matter what modality, learning solutions should include a comprehensive roll out plan that includes testing or piloting. Learn how to create a plan that manages the expectations and responsibilities of all stakeholders.

Topics include planning implementation, assuring quality, and managing stakeholders and SMEs. You will receive feedback on your third learning project deliverable.

During this week, you'll spend approximately two flexible hours online on the days and times of your choosing. You will also attend a 90-minute facilitator-led live online session.
Week 8 (Self-Paced): Impact Measurement and Future Readiness
Evaluation data is only useful if the instructional designer can act on to improve future efforts. Within this week you will examine data collections methods and tools, as well as how to interpret the data and present evaluation results.

Topics include models and methods to evaluate impact, data collection, and data interpretation. Additional topics include planning for future readiness and lifelong learning. You will receive feedback on your project deliverable within 72 hours after the close of the program.

During this week you'll spend approximately three-and-a-half flexible hours online on the days and times of your choosing.

Earn the ATD Master Instructional Designer digital badge and designation after completing all course work and passing your final learning project.

After completing the program, you will be invited to join the ATD Masters’ Collective, a private community of other ATD Masters' alumni where you will have the opportunity to continue to learn and celebrate accomplishments together.
Elective Course Offering
To support ongoing professional development, ATD master program registration includes a complimentary course elective. Take the ATD certificate program of your choice following successful completion of your ATD master program. Exclusions apply.

Learners cannot enroll in the following as their complimentary elective:
  • Other ATD master programs
  • Training Design & Delivery Certificate
  • APTD or CPTD preparation courses and preparation bootcamps
  • ATD on-demand courses
WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This program is ideal for experienced talent development professionals ready to boost their competency, capability, and confidence in instructional design.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To ensure you gain the most from this advanced-level program, you must have a:

  1. Minimum of three years in the instructional design profession
  2. Solid understanding of instructional design principles and terms
  3. Demonstrated knowledge and application of various instructional design models
  4. A strong background in traditional instructional design tasks which could include conducting needs assessments, writing effective learning objectives, structuring content, developing learning materials, implementing training solutions, and evaluating learning impact
  5. Awareness of design considerations for a variety of modalities (for instance, traditional classroom, virtual classroom, and e-learning)
  6. Completion of a foundational ATD certificate program (preferred, not required)
Level: Advanced
Roles: Independent Consultant, Learning Technologist, Instructional Designer
Language: English
WHAT OUR PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING
TK
Troy Kindle

"This [ATD Master Instructional Designer] Program is an excellent way to challenge yourself while solidifying instructional design concepts and theory."

DN
Deborah Fitzgerald

"I feel confident that I can produce an Instructional Design product for my company that is complete in all areas. I chose ATD because it is a leader in Talent Development and is well respected in my organization."

SO
Shane Jacques

"I've had too many professional development experiences that over-promise and under-deliver. I've become really cautious of training programs because of this. Being new to ATD, I was very impressed by the level of detail on the program's website. The course objectives and expectations were spelled out clearly and thoroughly. I knew I'd be getting my money's worth because there was no shortage of information or detail when it came to what was involved in this course."

Dates & Locations
Time Zone: Eastern Time
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  • Apr 01-May 24, 2024
    09:00 AM - 10:30 AM
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  • Apr 22-Jun 14, 2024
    12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
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  • May 06-Jun 28, 2024
    12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
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  • Jun 24-Aug 16, 2024
    12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
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  • Jul 29-Sep 20, 2024
    12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
    Blended
    Live Online
  • Aug 26-Oct 18, 2024
    12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
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  • Sep 30-Nov 22, 2024
    12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
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Facilitators
Rhonda Askeland
Karin Rex
Julie Patrick
Kimberly Devlin, CPTD

Things to Know

COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

ATD Master® Programs are blended learning experiences that take place over multiple weeks. Participation in all originally scheduled days of the program, including both face-to-face and online program components (if applicable), and all coursework is mandatory to earn the ATD Master designation and continuing education credits.

Face-to-Face Program Components (if applicable):
No more than two hours of the entire face-to-face program can be missed.

Live Online Program Components (if applicable):
ATD requires active participation throughout the program to receive credit. Active participation in live online sessions includes, but is not limited to, participating in virtual classroom activities, discussions, breakout sessions, and intersession work.

Make-up policy: You can miss and make up one session* by listening to a session recording. Instructions for reporting make-up sessions are posted on ATD’s learning platform.

*For full-day sessions, you can only miss up to 3.5 hours and make up the time by listening to the recording.

Asynchronous Program Components: New content will be made available on ATD’s learning platform each week. All activities, assessments, and project work must be completed the week they are assigned.

CREDITS

28.0 learning hours

2.8 CEUs awarded

This program is eligible for 28.0 professional development hours or recertification points from the ATD Certification Institute (ATD CI) for the APTD or CPTD credential. New! Earning the ATD Master Instructional Designer® designation fulfills the entire professional development requirement toward the APTD or CPTD Certification. See ATD CI eligibility criteria for details.

This program has been approved for 28.0 (General) recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR, and GPHR recertification through the HR Certification Institute.

This program is valid for 28.0 PDCs for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit shrm.org/certification.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

A laptop computer with Wi-Fi capability is required to participate in ATD Programs.

Face-to-Face Program Components (if applicable):
Please do not bring mobile devices (for example, phones or tablets) instead of a laptop. There will be no computers available on-site for participants. Note: You might not have an optimal experience using Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge to access your courses. Chrome is the recommended browser.

Live Online Program Components (if applicable):
You must log in to the learning platform to access course content and to join all live online sessions. Special software is not required. You only need a standard web browser and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capability to participate. Please join your session from a location with a strong internet connection and plan to use VoIP for your audio during the entire session.

ATD LEARNING PLATFORM

Enrolled in a program? To check your course status and enrollment details, launch your course, or download your certificate, go to MyATD.

TRANSFERS/CANCELLATIONS

Click here to review our cancellation policy.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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