Ever wondered who designs those engaging online courses that actually make learning fun? Or how companies create training programs that help employees quickly master new skills? That’s where instructional design comes in.

Our Instructional Design degree prepares students to be a learning experience architect — by blending psychology, technology and creativity to develop training materials and educational programs that really work. Imagine being the person who figures out how to break down complex information so that people not only understand it, but actually enjoy learning it.

Whether our students want to learn how to create corporate training modules, designing digital learning experiences or helping students learn more effectively in traditional classrooms, this degree opens up a world of exciting opportunities to transform how people learn and grow.

Core Disciplines in Instructional Design HCU Programs

These core disciplines provide students with a comprehensive toolkit to design effective, innovative learning experiences across diverse educational and professional contexts. Students pursuing an Instructional Design degree will focus on four fundamental disciplines:

Learn Theory and Cognitive Psychology

  • Understanding how humans acquire and process information.
  • Exploring psychological principles behind effective learning.
  • Studying diverse learning styles and cognitive processing models.

Educational Technology and Digital Learning Design

  • Mastering learning management systems and digital platforms.
  • Developing multimedia content creation skills.
  • Understanding emerging technologies and learning tools.
  • Learning Instructional Design software.

Curriculum Development and Instructional Strategies

  • Creating comprehensive curriculum frameworks.
  • Designing learning objectives and assessment methods.
  • Developing effective approaches for diverse learning environments.
  • Understanding curriculum mapping techniques.

Research Methods and Learning Analytics

  • Conducting educational research.
  • Analyzing learning performance data.
  • Using evidence-based approaches to design instruction.
  • Implementing strategic evaluation and assessment techniques.

What can are my career options with an Instructional Design Bachelor’s Degree?

A BA in Instructional Design degree opens doors to diverse and dynamic career opportunities across multiple industries. Here are the top 5 most promising career paths:

Corporate Training Specialist

Design comprehensive training programs that help employees develop critical skills. As a corporate Instructional Designer, you’ll create onboarding materials, leadership development curricula, and technical training modules for businesses looking to enhance their workforce’s capabilities.

E-Learning Developer

Lead the digital learning revolution by crafting interactive online courses and training content. Work with educational platforms, professional development websites, and companies to create engaging digital learning experiences that truly help people acquire new skills.

Educational Technology Consultant

Educational Technology Consultant: Advise schools, universities, and organizations on implementing innovative learning technologies. Help institutions modernize their educational strategies, evaluate new learning tools, and design effective digital learning approaches.

Curriculum Specialist

Develop educational frameworks and materials for schools, nonprofits, and government agencies. Ensure learning programs meet critical educational objectives and help shape effective teaching strategies across different sectors and grade levels.

Healthcare Training Coordinator

Create specialized training programs for medical professionals. Design continuing education modules, develop patient education materials, and support healthcare workers in staying current with the latest medical practices and technologies.

Return on Investment

An instructional design degree offers strong career prospects with average salaries ranging from $65,000 to $85,000 annually. With growing demand in corporate training, education, and technology sectors, professionals can earn over $100,000 in specialized roles. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady job growth, making it a valuable degree with excellent employability across multiple industries and opportunities for remote work and professional development.

Learn more about the benefits of continuing an education by pursing your Master’s Degree in Instructional Design at HCU.