• For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • For Universities
  • For Governments
Coursera
  • Online Degrees
  • Careers
  • Log In
  • Join for Free
    Coursera
    • Browse
    • Instructional Design

    Instructional Design Courses

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

    Skip to search results

    Filter by

    Subject
    Required
     *

    Language
    Required
     *

    The language used throughout the course, in both instruction and assessments.

    Learning Product
    Required
     *

    Build job-relevant skills in under 2 hours with hands-on tutorials.
    Learn from top instructors with graded assignments, videos, and discussion forums.
    Learn a new tool or skill in an interactive, hands-on environment.
    Get in-depth knowledge of a subject by completing a series of courses and projects.
    Earn career credentials from industry leaders that demonstrate your expertise.
    Earn career credentials while taking courses that count towards your Master’s degree.
    Earn your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree online for a fraction of the cost of in-person learning.
    Complete graduate-level learning without committing to a full degree program.
    Earn a university-issued career credential in a flexible, interactive format.
    Graduate level learning within reach.

    Level
    Required
     *

    Duration
    Required
     *

    Skills
    Required
     *

    Subtitles
    Required
     *

    Educator
    Required
     *

    Find the Best Instructional Design Course for Your Goals

    • G

      Google Cloud

      Reliable Google Cloud Infrastructure: Design and Process

      Skills you'll gain: Application Deployment, Cloud Infrastructure, CI/CD, Cloud Security, Service Level Agreement, Microservices, Service Level, Google Cloud Platform, Network Architecture, API Design, Site Reliability Engineering, Cloud Computing Architecture, Kubernetes, Restful API, Cloud Storage, Cloud Applications, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), DevOps, Data Storage, System Design and Implementation

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      7.2K reviews

      Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      C

      Coursera Project Network

      Building Digital Media using Graphic Design in PowerPoint

      Skills you'll gain: Animations, Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Digital Design, Content Creation, Multimedia, Photo/Video Production and Technology, Infographics, Video Production, Media Production, Data Import/Export, Data Sharing

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      68 reviews

      Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

    • T

      The Museum of Modern Art

      Teaching with Art: Using Inquiry, Activities, and Themes

      Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Art History, Liberal Arts, Lesson Planning, Literacy, Creative Thinking, Aesthetics, Learning Styles, Creativity, Teaching, Social Studies, Learning Strategies, Empathy, Critical Thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Instructional Strategies, Student Engagement, Self-Awareness, Curriculum Planning, Curriculum Development

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2K reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • U

      University of Minnesota

      Information​ ​Systems

      Skills you'll gain: Enterprise Resource Planning, Business Systems Analysis, Systems Analysis, Requirements Analysis, Cybersecurity, Business Requirements, Business Systems, Cloud Computing, Cloud Services, IT Management, Change Management, Information Technology, Organizational Change, Technology Strategies, Process Flow Diagrams, System Implementation, User Requirements Documents, Data Modeling, Enterprise Architecture, Portfolio Management

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.1K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • U

      University of California, Davis

      Google SEO Fundamentals

      Skills you'll gain: Search Engine Optimization, Web Analytics and SEO, Keyword Research, Content Strategy, Digital Marketing, Marketing Strategies, Content Performance Analysis, Content Creation, Artificial Intelligence, User Experience

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.7K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Toronto

      Human-Centered Design for Inclusive Innovation

      Skills you'll gain: Human Centered Design, User Experience Design, User Research, Design Thinking, Design Research, Product Design, Qualitative Research, Innovation, User Feedback, Diversity and Inclusion, Brainstorming, Ideation, Creativity, Needs Assessment, Product Testing, Interviewing Skills

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      170 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • C

      Clemson University

      Design and Analysis of Algorithms

      Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Algorithms, Computational Thinking, Theoretical Computer Science, Computer Programming, Computer Science, Probability, Design Strategies, Analysis, Performance Testing, Scalability

      Build toward a degree

      4.4
      Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
      ·
      17 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of California, Irvine

      Programming with Google Go

      Skills you'll gain: Go (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Algorithms, JSON, Programming Principles, OS Process Management, Functional Design, Data Structures, Other Programming Languages, System Programming, Development Environment, Software Design, Remote Access Systems, Software Installation, Operating Systems, File Management, Program Development, Computer Architecture

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.9K reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      Y

      Yale University

      Understanding Medical Research: Your Facebook Friend is Wrong

      Skills you'll gain: Probability & Statistics, Research Design, Medical Science and Research, Statistics, Data Literacy, Statistical Analysis, Scientific Methods, Clinical Research

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.2K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • N

      Northwestern University

      High Performance Collaboration: Leadership, Teamwork, and Negotiation

      Skills you'll gain: Leadership, Negotiation, Organizational Leadership, Teamwork, Leadership Development, Leadership and Management, Team Management, Team Building, Collaboration, Professional Development, Employee Coaching, Personal Development, Emotional Intelligence, Decision Making, Goal Setting

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.3K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University at Buffalo

      Digital Manufacturing & Design

      Skills you'll gain: Digital Transformation, Manufacturing Processes, Manufacturing Operations, Industrial Engineering, Business Transformation, Digital Design, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Product Lifecycle Management, Supply Chain, Market Dynamics, Safety and Security, Workforce Development

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.6K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Michigan

      Interactivity with JavaScript

      Skills you'll gain: Javascript, Web Development Tools, Interactive Design, HTML and CSS, Web Design and Development, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Event-Driven Programming, Web Applications, User Interface (UI), Debugging

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      7.3K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Searches related to instructional design

    instructional design foundations and applications
    1…343536…379

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

    • Reliable Google Cloud Infrastructure: Design and Process: Google Cloud
    • Building Digital Media using Graphic Design in PowerPoint: Coursera Project Network
    • Teaching with Art: Using Inquiry, Activities, and Themes: The Museum of Modern Art
    • Information​ ​Systems: University of Minnesota
    • Google SEO Fundamentals: University of California, Davis
    • Human-Centered Design for Inclusive Innovation: University of Toronto
    • Design and Analysis of Algorithms: Clemson University
    • Programming with Google Go: University of California, Irvine
    • Understanding Medical Research: Your Facebook Friend is Wrong: Yale University
    • High Performance Collaboration: Leadership, Teamwork, and Negotiation: Northwestern University

    Why Learn Instructional Design?

    Instructional design focuses on developing educational content and experiences that help people learn effectively—whether in classrooms, online platforms, or workplace training. It blends learning science, curriculum development, and digital tools to support meaningful outcomes. Learning instructional design can prepare you to create engaging learning solutions across education, business, and nonprofit sectors.

    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

    Instructional design courses cover a variety of topics essential for creating effective educational programs and materials. These include the fundamentals of learning theories, instructional strategies, and curriculum development. Learners will explore topics such as needs assessment, learning objectives, and the use of technology in education. Advanced courses might cover e-learning design, multimedia development, and assessment techniques. Practical projects and case studies help learners apply these concepts to design and evaluate instructional materials for different learning environments.‎

    Choosing the right instructional design course depends on your current skill level and career aspirations. Beginners should look for courses that introduce the basics of instructional design, including learning theories, instructional strategies, and curriculum development. Those with some experience might benefit from intermediate courses focusing on e-learning design, multimedia development, and the use of technology in education. Advanced learners or professionals seeking specialized knowledge might consider courses on instructional design for specific contexts, such as corporate training or higher education, or preparing for certifications like CPTD (Certified Professional in Talent Development). Reviewing course content, instructor expertise, and learner feedback can help ensure the course aligns with your goals.‎

    A certificate in instructional design can open up various career opportunities in education, corporate training, and e-learning development. Common roles include instructional designer, e-learning developer, training specialist, and curriculum designer. These positions involve creating and evaluating educational programs, developing online courses, and designing training materials for various audiences. With the growing importance of effective learning solutions in both educational and professional settings, earning a certificate in instructional design can significantly enhance your career prospects and opportunities for advancement in fields such as education, corporate training, healthcare, and government.‎

    Yes, Coursera offers a variety of free courses across many topics, including instructional design. While you can access most course materials for free by auditing the courses, this does not include graded assignments or a completion certificate. For those looking to obtain a certificate to showcase their learning or enhance their professional profile, Coursera provides the option to purchase the course. Additionally, Coursera offers free trials or financial aid to learners who qualify, making certifications more accessible to everyone.‎

    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.

    Other topics to explore

    Arts and Humanities
    338 courses
    Business
    1095 courses
    Computer Science
    668 courses
    Data Science
    425 courses
    Information Technology
    145 courses
    Health
    471 courses
    Math and Logic
    70 courses
    Personal Development
    137 courses
    Physical Science and Engineering
    413 courses
    Social Sciences
    401 courses
    Language Learning
    150 courses

    Coursera Footer

    Technical Skills

    • ChatGPT
    • Coding
    • Computer Science
    • Cybersecurity
    • DevOps
    • Ethical Hacking
    • Generative AI
    • Java Programming
    • Python
    • Web Development

    Analytical Skills

    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Big Data
    • Business Analysis
    • Data Analytics
    • Data Science
    • Financial Modeling
    • Machine Learning
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Microsoft Power BI
    • SQL

    Business Skills

    • Accounting
    • Digital Marketing
    • E-commerce
    • Finance
    • Google
    • Graphic Design
    • IBM
    • Marketing
    • Project Management
    • Social Media Marketing

    Career Resources

    • Essential IT Certifications
    • High-Income Skills to Learn
    • How to Get a PMP Certification
    • How to Learn Artificial Intelligence
    • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications
    • Popular Data Analytics Certifications
    • What Does a Data Analyst Do?
    • Career Development Resources
    • Career Aptitude Test
    • Share your Coursera Learning Story

    Coursera

    • About
    • What We Offer
    • Leadership
    • Careers
    • Catalog
    • Coursera Plus
    • Professional Certificates
    • MasterTrack® Certificates
    • Degrees
    • For Enterprise
    • For Government
    • For Campus
    • Become a Partner
    • Social Impact
    • Free Courses
    • ECTS Credit Recommendations

    Community

    • Learners
    • Partners
    • Beta Testers
    • Blog
    • The Coursera Podcast
    • Tech Blog
    • Teaching Center

    More

    • Press
    • Investors
    • Terms
    • Privacy
    • Help
    • Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Articles
    • Directory
    • Affiliates
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Do Not Sell/Share
    Learn Anywhere
    Download on the App Store
    Get it on Google Play
    Logo of Certified B Corporation
    © 2025 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
    • Coursera Facebook
    • Coursera Linkedin
    • Coursera Twitter
    • Coursera YouTube
    • Coursera Instagram
    • Coursera TikTok