Instructional Design Certificate

Instructional design is an essential element of effective training. The creation of learning experiences and materials is what results in the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills. Talent development professionals follow a system of assessing needs, designing a process, developing materials, and evaluating effectiveness. Instructional design requires the analysis and selection of the most appropriate strategies, methodologies, and technologies to maximize the learning experience and knowledge transfer. – TDBoK Guide

Yes, the program covers each phase of the ADDIE model for instructional design and gives you hands-on experience applying it, alongside key adult learning theories, to realistic workplace scenarios. 
 
The program also explores proven models for writing learning outcomes, including Mager’s Model for crafting effective performance objectives and Bloom’s Taxonomy for designing clear, measurable learning objectives.

What will I learn in this instructional design certificate program? 

After completing this instructional design certificate course, you will be able to: 

• Explain how instructional design decisions can drive performance improvement efforts. 

• Apply informed decision making to choose instructional methods and approaches. 

• Identify behavioral outcomes and create learning objectives for learning events. 

• Review various mechanisms for designing and developing learning experiences. 

• Implement and evaluate learning solutions using structured methods to enhance outcomes. 

• Explore how AI tools can support instructional design processes. 

Why should I attend this instructional design course? 

• Explore the breadth of the instructional design process from start to finish. 

• Apply the ADDIE model for instructional design to create effective talent development (TD) solutions for real workplace needs. 

• Address common challenges such as engagement, motivation, and retention through good design. 

• Close knowledge, skill, and attitude gaps by creating targeted, results-driven learning solutions. 

• Design with accessibility in mind, ensuring every learner can engage and succeed. 

• Access a ready-to-use toolkit of templates, resources, and course materials to support your ongoing design projects. 

• Earn an industry-recognized instructional design certificate, continuing education credits, and an ATD digital badge to share with your networks. 

Who should attend the program? 

 Developed for participants new to instructional design or for those who want to gain a comprehensive skill set for designing instructor-led learning, this certificate program covers the entirety of the Instructional Design Capability in the Talent Development Capability Model. 

 This program is appropriate for those who want a professional training certificate to verify their understanding of instructional design principles and practices. Applicable roles include instructional designers, independent consultants, professional trainers or facilitators, or training coordinators. 

If you design self-paced e-learning courses, consider our E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate instead. If you design learning events for a virtual classroom platform, such as Webex, Zoom, Adobe Connect, or Microsoft Teams, consider the Virtual Instructional Design Certificate. 

Yes, ATD offers two specialized professional development certificates in instructional systems design to address different educational settings and to maximize instructional technologies in those settings.  

• E-learning Instructional Design Certificate – Design asynchronous online courses and learning solutions. 

• Virtual Instructional Design Certificate - Develop online course designs for live, instructor-led virtual classrooms.  

As an organization dedicated to the talent development profession, our instructional design courses have empowered thousands of designers to successfully create outcome-based learning events.

ATD’s instructional design courses give you practical, immediately applicable skills to design effective workplace learning solutions across any industry. Unlike academic programs, you’ll work with expert facilitators who bring real-world talent development experience, ensuring every concept is grounded in the realities of creating learning that drives business results.

Yes, contact ATD’s Enterprise Solutions team to learn how you can bring this course and our other instructional design courses to your organization, either in person or virtually. Our team can customize any program to meet your team’s specific professional development needs.

Additional information to help you prepare for your instructional design certificate course: 

• Completion Requirements: Review the attendance policy before your course begins to ensure your successful completion. 

• Technical Requirements: Ensure your tech is ready for the first day of your program. 

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

• Terms and Privacy: Review our cancellation policy, health protocols for in-person courses, and more. 

• Have additional questions about ATD courses? Visit our ATD Education FAQ 

• The Purpose Behind the Practice 

• Human Performance Improvement 

• Instructional Design Models

• Conducting a Needs Assessment 

• Understanding the Adult Learner 

• Tuning Into Learner Experiences 

• Accessibility Considerations 

• Learning Outcomes  

• Performance and Learning Objectives 

• Selecting Modalities, Methods, and Assessments 

• Course Maps and Design Documents 

• Framing Instructional Flow

• Constructing Learning Material 

• Content Sourcing Strategies 

• Gathering Stakeholder Feedback

• The Power of Preparation 

• Kirkpatrick’s Levels of Evaluation 

• Creating an Evaluation Plan