Skip Navigation
 Home Certificates Business, Management & Leadership E-Learning Instructional Design

E-Learning Instructional Design

Overview

Organizations are increasingly recognizing the value of providing learning online or via a learning management system (LMS) — especially when supporting remote or hybrid workforces. To that end, they need learning and development (L&D) professionals who have mastered both the theories and science of how people learn, and the technology to create effective learning experiences.

This real-world focused program — taught by industry experts who deliver practical knowledge derived from their own experiences — provides a solid foundation in the skills required to align e-learning strategies with business strategies and will prepare you for a successful career in instructional design.

You’ll acquire knowledge and expertise in planning and designing training, managing projects, selecting appropriate technology, and developing e-learning. You’ll also learn techniques to help you address the inevitable challenges brought on by organizational and industry demands.

L&D professionals must also keep pace with industry advancements. Our comprehensive curriculum is infused with discussions that focus on instructional design developments, methodologies, and new technologies to help keep you and your skills on the cutting edge.

Who Should Enroll

This program is designed to meet the needs of a broad array of professionals, including:

  • Instructional designers
  • Instructional technologists or education technologists
  • Training coordinators and managers
  • Human resource professionals
  • Teachers and other career changers

Learning Outcomes

  • Plan e-learning projects, identify and work with stakeholders and subject matter experts, and manage project scope
  • Analyze the management and cost issues associated with deploying online instruction
  • Develop and deploy an online lesson and incorporate e-learning technologies
  • Explore the features, benefits, and drawbacks of a range of rapid authoring and media development tools
  • Get hands-on experience building an e-learning module in the practicum course

Career Insight

Occupational summary for Training and Development Specialists in the U.S. Source: Lightcast™ 2022

354,232
Annual Job Openings
(2021)
10.5%
Projected Growth
(2021-2031)
$104k
Salary for Highly Experienced Professionals
(Median Salary $62k)

Program Benefits

  • Take advantage of an online learning format that provides the convenience and flexibility you need to balance your education with work and family commitments
  • Learn from a diverse pool of instructors who have decades of instructional design experience, provide one-on-one guidance and feedback throughout your program journey, and share a passion for helping you succeed
  • Build a lasting personal and professional network by making meaningful connections with instructors and peers
  • Earn your certificate and begin positioning yourself for career advancement in as few as 9 months
  • Enroll in as many individual courses as you wish with no obligation to complete the program
Graduate Kimberly Goh discusses how beneficial the education was to her career and how valuable the connections she made with instructors and fellow students were throughout the program and beyond.
Sign-in to LinkedIn to see what students are saying about their experience.

Course Schedule

Required Courses

TitleWinterSpringSummerFall
EDUC X416.18
Principles of E-Learning Instructional Design (2.50 Units)
EDUC X416.18
 to be scheduled Online Online to be scheduled
EDUC X417
Exploring E-Learning Development Tools (2.50 Units)
EDUC X417
 to be scheduled Online Online to be scheduled
EDUC X417.1
Designing and Developing Interactive E-Learning Courses (2.50 Units)
EDUC X417.1
   Online   to be scheduled
EDUC X417.2
Project Management for E-Learning Professionals (2.50 Units)
EDUC X417.2
 to be scheduled   Online  
EDUC X417.3
E-Learning Evaluation and Assessment (2.50 Units)
EDUC X417.3
   Online   to be scheduled
EDUC X417.4
E-Learning Instructional Design Practicum (2.50 Units)
EDUC X417.4
 to be scheduled   Online  

Elective Courses

TitleWinterSpringSummerFall
E-Learning Instructional Design
EDUC 817
Creating Your Online E-Learning Portfolio (1.50 CEU)
EDUC 817
 to be scheduled      

Course schedules are subject to change. Individual courses may be taken without enrolling in the full program.

Receive Customized Training for your Employees
×

Academic Calendar

Event Spring 2023 Summer 2023 Fall 2023 Winter 2024
Registration Begins (after 2pm PT) Jan 19 Apr 20 Jul 13 Oct 19
Courses Begin* (week of) Mar 27 Jun 20 Sep 25 Jan 8
Courses End* (week of) Jun 5 Sep 5 Dec 11 Mar 18
Administrative Holidays Mar 31, May 29 Jun 19, Jul 4, Sep 4 Nov 10, Nov 23-24, Dec 25-26, Jan 1-2 Jan 15, Feb 19

*Actual dates may vary by program.

×

Earn an Alternative Digital Credential

Successful completion of a qualifying assignment within select E-Learning Instructional Design courses offers you the opportunity to earn an Alternative Digital Credential (ADC). Also referred to as a digital badge, an ADC is a virtual record of specific skills and competencies you have acquired and provides a verifiable way for you to share your educational achievements with employers, colleagues and others via social platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Explore the criteria necessary to earn an ADC in:

Learn more about Alternative Digital Credentials and how they can help you demonstrate your commitment to professional development and distinguish yourself in a competitive job market.

*Courses completed prior to indicated dates are not eligible for a badge.

Learn How To Earn Your Certificate

Earn a Certificate

Apply to become a candidate for the program: A Declaration of Candidacy is required to establish candidacy in this program. Complete the application and pay the application and candidacy fee of $125 (non-refundable). Learn more about the benefits of becoming a candidate. Candidacy is not required to enroll into individual course in a program.

A candidate in the program is awarded a certificate upon the successful completion of six (6) required courses totaling 15 units, each with a letter grade of “C” or better. All requirements must be completed within five (5) years after the student enrolls in their first course. To receive the Certified Digital Certificate after the completing all the program requirements, students must submit the Request for Certificate to initiate the certificate audit process. Students not pursuing the certificate are welcome to take as many individual courses as they wish.

Karen Stivers

Transfer Credit

Students who complete the E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate Program may be eligible to transfer credits into the following degree programs:

Career Advancement Network (CAN)

We are proud to provide our certificate students and alumni with newly enhanced career services that include one-on-one coaching, technology tools, webinars and workshops, networking events, mentorship/internship opportunities, and a rich collection of free online career resources. Learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does the program cost?
  • Each course costs $690 USD due at the time of enrollment (pricing subject to change). There is also a one-time candidacy declaration fee of $125, to be paid prior to your third class. Therefore, the entire program costs $4,265. Please keep in mind that this cost does not include textbooks, which some of our instructors do require. Textbook information for specific courses can be found on our website on the enrollment page. You may order books from a third party vendor such as Amazon.com. If you are an international student, be sure to order your textbooks well in advance of the start date of your online course to allow time for international shipping. Also, students may need to purchase an e-learning development tool which is an additional expense (see EDUC X417.4 E-Learning Instructional Design Practicum software requirements).
  • How long will it take me to complete the entire program?
  • Most students complete two courses per quarter and are finished in 9 months. You can take as many simultaneous courses as you wish, but we strongly recommend starting with one or two to ensure you have the necessary time to devote to the course(s).
  • Do I have to apply and be accepted before I start?
  • No. Since UCI Division of Continuing Education (DCE) is the continuing education unit of the university, there are no academic requirements needed to apply for the certificate program, however, the coursework is at a post-baccalaureate level.
  • What is the “declaration of candidacy”? When do I have to complete it?
  • The declaration of candidacy can be thought of as declaring your major for the certificate program. This lets our student services know that you intend to complete the entire program, and puts you on track for the certificate when you have completed all requirements. We strongly recommend that you complete the declaration of candidacy and pay the applicable fee prior to enrolling into your third class.
  • Where can I find the course schedule? Do I have to take the classes in order?
  • The course schedule can be found here. We recommend that students take courses in the sequence listed on the course schedule. We do not advise taking more than two courses per quarter. We highly recommend that individuals start with EDUC X416.18 Principles of E-Learning Instructional Design. The only course that follows a strict schedule is the Practicum course. In order to be eligible for that course, students must have already completed all required courses.
  • Can I complete the entire program online?
  • Yes, this is a fully online program.
  • I’ve never taken an online class. How does it work?
  • All of our classes run asynchronously, meaning classes are not in “real time” and you can access the content 24 hours a day. Still, each course has a specific start and end date and students must complete assignments by the deadlines listed in the course syllabus in order to earn credit. The courses are structured week-to-week, from Monday to Sunday, and you are expected to log in multiple times during the week to keep up with class discussions and assignments.
  • I am an international student / I am located overseas – am I able to enroll?
  • Yes. As an open-enrollment program, international students are welcome in the program. As listed on our website, all certificate programs at UCI DCE (classroom and online formats) require professional-level English language proficiency in listening and note-taking, reading comprehension and vocabulary, written expression, and oral presentation. We find that students cannot truly benefit from the online program without a strong command of verbal and written English skills. More specifically, non-native English speakers interested in our certificate program should score a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (100 for the Internet-based test). You are not required to have a student visa while taking online courses from your home county.
  • Do you offer job placement at the end of the program?
  • No. While UCI DCE does not offer placement services, our certificate certainly puts you in a good position to find employment. Additionally, the networking to be done in the class can also be invaluable. Our advisors, instructors, and a good number of our students, are current professionals in the e-learning instructional design field, and are an excellent resource for hiring trends and opportunities.
  • Is UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education an accredited institution?
  • Yes. We are affiliated with the University of California system of schools, and are accredited through WASC. DCE programs are all approved by the respective school within UCI. For more information, please see UCI Accreditation.
  • I can’t find the answer to my question.
  • If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Claire Alkire at alkiree@uci.edu or (949) 824-5592.

From AI to Social Learning: Instructional Design for Modern Learner Needs
Recorded on 3/6/23
Watch Now!

Instructional Design Tools to Create, Collaborate, and Inspire
Recorded on 11/2/22
Watch Now!

Additional On-Demand Webinars
Watch Now!


Advisory Committee

  • Tim Buteyn, President, ThinkingKap Learning Solutions, Inc.
  • William Corwin, Senior Manager, Online Learning and Instructional Design, Experian
  • Janet DiVincenzo, Instructional Designer, UCI Division of Teaching Excellence and Innovation
  • Ann Kwinn, Instructional Design and Quality Control Specialist, UCR Extension
  • Dawn J. Mahoney, CPTD, Learning Experience & Strategy Leader, Learning In the White Space
  • Dave Ragan, Senior Manager, Learning & Development, TikTok
  • Christy Tucker, Learning Design Consultant, Syniad Learning
  • Danielle Watkins, Chief Learning Experience Officer, Zenith Performance Solutions

On-site Training Available

Our Corporate Training specialists can deliver this program or customize one that fits your organization’s specific needs. Visit Corporate Training or call (949) 824-1847 for information.

English Proficiency Requirement
All certificate programs at UCI Division of Continuing Education (classroom and online formats) require professional-level English language proficiency in listening and note-taking, reading comprehension and vocabulary, written expression, and oral presentation.

ATD San Diego Chapter ATD Orange County Chapter ATD Los Angeles Chapter

Association for Talent Development Los Angeles Chapter, San Diego Chapter and Orange County Chapter members may receive a 10% discount.

For more information:
ATD-SD Chapter
ATD-OC Chapter
ATD-LA Chapter

Stay Informed