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Instructional Design Courses

Instructional design courses can help you learn how to create effective learning experiences using educational theory, technology, and learner-centered strategies.

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Find the best Instructional Design course for your goals

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    U

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Instructional Design Foundations and Applications

    Skills you'll gain: Instructional and Curriculum Design, Needs Assessment, Instructional Design, Learning Theory, Diversity and Inclusion, Training and Development, Education and Training, Curriculum Development, Analysis

    4.1
    Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
    ·
    827 reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of Michigan

    An Introduction to Learning Experience Design (LXD)

    Skills you'll gain: Course Development, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Educational Materials, Multimedia, Instructional Design, Learning Theory, User Experience Design, Learning Management Systems, Design Thinking, Education Software and Technology, Professional Development, Brainstorming, Needs Assessment, Content Creation, Motivational Skills, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, User Centered Design, Prototyping, Design Strategies, Student-Centred Learning

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    99 reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: New
    New
    Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    P

    Packt

    UI Design, Localization & Capstone UIs

    Skills you'll gain: User Interface (UI), User Interface (UI) Design, Mobile Development, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Swift Programming, Responsive Web Design, Apple iOS, Application Design, Animations, Apple Xcode, Interactive Design, Application Development

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of Michigan

    Generative AI as a Learning Design Partner

    Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Responsible AI, Prompt Engineering, Education Software and Technology, ChatGPT, Instructional Design, LLM Application, Artificial Intelligence, Brainstorming, Needs Assessment, Data Ethics, Design Strategies, Content Creation, Creative Design, Emerging Technologies, Persona Development, Professional Development

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    66 reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    Status: AI skills
    AI skills
    G

    Google

    Google UX Design

    Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, Storyboarding, Wireframing, User Experience Design, UI/UX Research, Usability Testing, Information Architecture, Presentations, User Research, Figma (Design Software), Design Reviews, Persona (User Experience), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, User Story, Data Ethics, Usability, User Centered Design, Mockups, Interviewing Skills, Professional Development

    Build toward a degree

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    95K reviews

    Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of Michigan

    Learning Experience Design: Theories and Frameworks

    Skills you'll gain: Course Development, Instructional Design, Learning Theory, Brainstorming, Design Thinking, Needs Assessment, Motivational Skills, Prototyping, Student-Centred Learning, Creativity, Analysis, Communication

    4.9
    Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
    ·
    32 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

What brings you to Coursera today?

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    M

    Macquarie University

    Online Learning Design for Educators

    Skills you'll gain: Video Production, Infographics, Course Development, Multimedia, Peer Review, Discussion Facilitation, Content Creation, Constructive Feedback, Instructional Design, Education Software and Technology, Design Thinking, Pedagogy, Media Production, Learning Management Systems, Teaching, Design, Collaborative Software, Planning, Virtual Environment, End User Training and Support

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    398 reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of Michigan

    Learning Experience Design: Orientation to the Profession

    Skills you'll gain: Instructional Design, Learning Theory, User Experience Design, Design Thinking, Education Software and Technology, Professional Development, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, User Centered Design, Collaboration, Emerging Technologies

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    66 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    A

    Adobe

    Design Fundamentals with AI

    Skills you'll gain: Typography, Logo Design, Responsible AI, Digital Design, Creative Design, Visual Design, Graphic Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Color Theory, Content Creation, Generative AI Agents

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1.2K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    T

    The University of Edinburgh

    How to Create an Online Course

    Skills you'll gain: Educational Materials, Learning Strategies, Instructional Design, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Learning Management Systems, Web Content, Education Software and Technology, User Centered Design, Creative Thinking, Cultural Diversity

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    220 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of Michigan

    Learning Experience Design: Development and Evaluation

    Skills you'll gain: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Educational Materials, Multimedia, Instructional Design, Learning Management Systems, Education Software and Technology, Professional Development, Content Creation, Design Strategies, Quality Assurance, Constructive Feedback, Communication Strategies, Communication

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    29 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    E

    Epic Games

    Epic Games Game Design

    Skills you'll gain: Unreal Engine, Game Design, Video Game Development, Animation and Game Design, Ideation, 3D Modeling, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Software Documentation, Software Design Documents, 3D Assets, User Experience Design, Computer Graphics, Usability, User Interface (UI), User Experience, User Interface (UI) Design, Interactive Design, Virtual Environment, Version Control, Prototyping

    4.3
    Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
    ·
    514 reviews

    Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Instructional Design learners also search

design
educational technology
design thinking
beginner prompt engineering
beginner ux design
digital design
teaching
visual design
1234…487

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular instructional design courses

  • Instructional Design Foundations and Applications: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • An Introduction to Learning Experience Design (LXD): University of Michigan
  • UI Design, Localization & Capstone UIs: Packt
  • Generative AI as a Learning Design Partner: University of Michigan
  • Google UX Design: Google
  • Learning Experience Design: Theories and Frameworks: University of Michigan
  • Online Learning Design for Educators: Macquarie University
  • Learning Experience Design: Orientation to the Profession: University of Michigan
  • Design Fundamentals with AI: Adobe
  • How to Create an Online Course: The University of Edinburgh

Skills you can learn in Business Essentials

Analytics (37)
Presentation (33)
Modeling (29)
Business Analytics (27)
Language (26)
Microsoft Excel (26)
Writing (26)
Speech (18)
Plan (17)
Business Communication (16)
Decision-making (16)
Leadership (15)

Frequently Asked Questions about Instructional Design

Browse the instructional design courses below—popular starting points on Coursera.

  • Instructional Design Foundations and Applications: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • Learning Experience Design: Theories and Frameworks: University of Michigan
  • How to Create an Online Course: The University of Edinburgh
  • Learning Experience Design: Orientation to the Profession: University of Michigan
  • Design Fundamentals with AI: Adobe‎

Yes. You can start learning instructional design skills on Coursera for free in two ways:

  • Preview the first module of many instructional design courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available).
  • Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial.

If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in instructional design, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎

You’ll learn how to design learning objectives, structure courses, select appropriate media and tools, and evaluate learning outcomes. Many courses also include frameworks like ADDIE, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).‎

Not necessarily. While experience in education or training can be helpful, many courses are beginner-friendly and provide a strong foundation for anyone interested in creating effective learning experiences.‎

Yes. Instructional design is a growing field across education, corporate training, government, and nonprofits. Coursera courses can help you build job-ready skills, create a portfolio of work, and earn certificates that demonstrate your ability to design engaging and effective learning materials.‎

This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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