

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.
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 six-months of free access to ATD’s comprehensive Talent Development Body of Knowledge and receive 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.
ATD Master Instructional Designer™ Program is offered by the ATD Certification Institute. Read Less
- 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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ATD Master Instructional Designer® Program Brochure
Download the brochure to learn everything you need to know about this course.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
- Minimum of three years in the instructional design profession
- Solid understanding of instructional design principles and terms
- Demonstrated knowledge and application of various instructional design models
- 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
- Awareness of design considerations for a variety of modalities (for instance, traditional classroom, virtual classroom, and e-learning)
- Completion of a foundational ATD certificate program (preferred, not required)
"This [ATD Master Instructional Designer] Program is an excellent way to challenge yourself while solidifying instructional design concepts and theory."
"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."
"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."
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 Master® 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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