Completing an ATD Instructional Design Certificate provides skills in applying learning theories and the ADDIE model; conducting needs assessments; writing clear, measurable learning objectives; designing and developing course content and materials; selecting instructional methods and delivery technologies; using design thinking and rapid prototyping; creating learner-centric and accessible solutions; collaborating with subject matter experts; evaluating training effectiveness; and accessing a toolkit of templates for real-world instructional design projects.

An instructional design course in the field of talent development is a training program that teaches the systematic process of creating learning experiences and materials to support knowledge and skill acquisition in the workplace. These programs equip learning and development professionals with research-based models, templates, and step-by-step methods for developing outcome-based training, addressing real business and learner needs.

Instructional design programs typically provide guidance and hands-on practice in proven models such as ADDIE, Mager’s Model, and Bloom’s Taxonomy, as well as adult learning principles.

ATD’s instructional design course facilitators are highly experienced professionals with substantial backgrounds in instructional design, learning sciences, and performance improvement; they have practical expertise in applying leading design models, developing workplace learning solutions, and are recognized for their ability to provide actionable feedback and support throughout the learning process.

Instructional design courses are suited to both beginners and experienced professionals in instructional design, training, talent development, and related fields who want practical, research-backed skills and industry-recognized credentials. Individuals new to instructional design benefit from courses that offer a step-by-step foundation in creating training and learning programs. Experienced talent development professionals benefit from advanced or specialized courses that expand their competency and confidence in instructional design at a strategic level.

• Hands-on Projects and Application: Participants use real or simulated workplace scenarios to practice the full instructional design process, from needs assessment through evaluation.

• Tools and Templates: Courses supply ready-to-use templates, models, guides, and resources, enabling immediate application when learners are back on the job.

• Collaboration: Peer discussions and experienced facilitators help learners apply models to real-world challenges, ensuring theory is mapped directly to practice.

• Iterative Design: Rapid prototyping and design thinking activities are woven into curricula to reflect agile instructional design, focused on continuous improvement.

• Demonstration and Evaluation: In ATD’s Master Instructional Designer program, learners demonstrate proficiency by developing a capstone instructional product (e.g., a course design, storyboard, or module) and receive feedback from an experienced facilitator.

ATD’s instructional design courses are also valuable for teams or organizations looking to build internal capability in designing results-driven, accessible, and engaging learning solutions. Contact an enterprise solutions representative to discuss private team training options, including custom courses tailored to your teams’ specific needs

Different ATD programs address various learning modalities, so those designing self-paced e-learning or virtual instructor-led events may select specialized certificate options.

• The Instructional Design Certificate course provides a comprehensive, practical foundation in the instructional design process for creating engaging, outcome-based instructor-led learning using proven models, tools, and templates.

• The Virtual Instructional Design Certificate is designed to teach participants how to create effective, live instructor-led virtual learning experiences, with a focus on applying instructional design principles, needs assessments, and ADDIE steps for virtual delivery environments.

• The E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate equips professionals to design self-paced, asynchronous e-learning courses by practicing e-learning design planning, storyboarding, content curation, rapid prototyping, and leveraging learner-centric engagement strategies.

• The ATD Master Instructional Designer® Program is an advanced-level cohort experience in which participants design real-world projects across learning modalities, demonstrate mastery through personalized feedback and capstone work, and use research-based models to drive measurable business impact.

• ATD online course library courses on instructional design offer flexible, self-paced video-based learning options for developing specific skills or knowledge areas within instructional design, making targeted professional growth accessible at any time.

• The AI for Instructional Design Workshop explores how artificial intelligence can be integrated into the instructional design process, teaching participants to leverage AI-powered tools and techniques to enhance learning experiences and design efficiency.

Yes, ATD’s instructional design courses, including the Instructional Design Certificate, E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate, Virtual Instructional Design Certificate, and ATD Master Instructional Designer Program, are all available live online in the virtual classroom. The AI in Instructional Design workshop is offered in a live online format as well. ATDYou courses in instructional design offer self-paced online instruction.