Do Instructional Designers Need a Degree?

Many colleges and universities offer degrees in instructional design, eLearning, and instructional technology. Most of these are graduate level programs. Very few colleges offer an undergraduate degree in instructional design. There are also certificate alternatives for those who want to break into the field of instructional design quickly and without spending much money. While these programs equip learners with theoretical knowledge, most of them do not teach how to apply theory to practice. In other words, they do not teach real world instructional design.

As someone who holds a Master’s degree in instructional design, I believe that there are two sides to the coin. There are certainly excellent instructional designers out there who do not have any formal education in the field. However, potentials employers often ask for a degree.

In my humble opinion, having a portfolio is a much better proof that you are a good designer than your college degree is. 

With that said, earning a degree may help you get a job, but if you do not have extra money to spend or want to make a quick career change, other options exist.  First, learn as much as you can about theory and main contributors to the field. In addition to designing, many ISD specialists now also develop courses; therefore, knowledge of authoring tools will definitely help you move forward. I suggest starting with one or two most popular tools such as Articulate or Captivate, downloading free trials, and spending time to familiarize yourself with their interface and capabilities. I also suggest building prototypes with your free trial to get an even better feel for the tool.

While theories and tools play an important role in your career development, there is another piece to the puzzle necessary for getting a job. It is your portfolio. As you are transitioning to a career in instructional design, you need to work on developing your portfolio to showcase your knowledge, skills, and abilities. In the next post, we will talk about quick and easy ways to create these items.  Stay tuned to the next post.