Professional Certificate in
Instructional Design
Learning Style
100% Online Fully Online CoursesRegister By
9/13/26 No Application RequiredEarn CEUs
Earn 6 CEUs Finish in 8 WeeksSave Money
Get 25% off Alumni DiscountInstructional Design Certificate Program Overview
The Instructional Design Professional Certificate from the University of New England Online College of Professional Studies is an 8-week, 100% online program designed for educators, trainers, and professionals who want to create engaging, accessible, and effective online learning experiences. Whether you’re new to instructional design or looking to strengthen your existing skills, this certificate provides a practical foundation grounded in learning science and real-world application.
Participants learn how to design instruction using backward design, apply learning theory to structure meaningful experiences, and build courses that prioritize accessibility, equity, and learner engagement. Through hands-on design challenges, you’ll explore assessment strategies that measure learning effectively, create interactive activities that motivate learners, and evaluate digital tools to support student success in online environments.
The program emphasizes creation and iteration from day one—encouraging you to think like a designer, test ideas, and refine your work through feedback. By the end of the certificate, you’ll have the confidence and skills to design online learning that is purposeful, inclusive, and natively digital.
GET STARTED TODAY
How Can I Register?
Ready to take the next step? Getting started is simple, just follow the registration process to reserve your place and complete your program payment. With limited availability in each cohort, we encourage you to secure your spot early to ensure access to this experience.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your expertise or build new skills, this is your opportunity to move forward with confidence.
What is the Instructional Design Curriculum?
UNE Online’s Instructional Design Certificate combines applied projects, design challenges, and peer feedback to build practical skills for creating effective, engaging online learning experiences. The program is organized into three focused modules, each designed to strengthen a core area of online course design, assessment, and learner engagement.
The 8-week program includes three modules:
- Backward design and established course design models
- Online delivery formats (hybrid, synchronous, asynchronous, self-paced)
- Learner-centered navigation and course structure
- Quality course review using evaluation rubrics
- Alignment of assessments with learning objectives
- Formative and summative assessment strategies
- Rubric development and feedback practices
- Accessibility, authenticity, privacy, and ethical considerations
- Motivating learning activities and meaningful feedback
- Media and interaction design for online learning
- Evaluation of emerging educational technologies
- Digital well-being and ethical engagement practices
Advanced learning options allow participants to explore design thinking, educational technologies, and visual, web, and user experience design to support more complex online learning environments.
This structured, three-module curriculum prepares participants to design inclusive, engaging, and effective online learning experiences across educational and professional contexts.
What are the Learning Outcomes?
Designing effective online learning experiences is practical, highly transferable, and increasingly essential work. With the right foundation, you can create engaging, accessible environments that support meaningful learning across a range of settings.
UNE Online’s Instructional Design Certificate provides a research-backed approach to course design, assessment, and learner engagement.
What you’ll gain:
- Confidence designing learner-centered experiences grounded in learning theory
- Skills to create aligned assessments that measure and support learning
- Practical approaches to accessibility, equity, and inclusive design
- Strategies to increase engagement through interactive content and feedback
- The ability to evaluate and apply educational tools and emerging technologies
This certificate supports your professional growth by strengthening how you design, deliver, and improve learning experiences.
Important Dates
Register By
9/13/26Registration Deadline
Courses Start
9/14/26Start Courses Soon
Next Registration Deadline
1/10/27Explore the Program
What is the Tuition?
Tuition for our highly regarded Instructional Design certificate program is $350. This competitive tuition covers the comprehensive curriculum, expert instruction, and invaluable information provided throughout the duration of the program.
Alumni Discount Available: Contact ceonline@une.edu to claim your code for 25% off.
*Tuition is subject to change.
Why Choose UNE?
Flexible Online Formats
Flexible online formats designed for working professionals, career changers, and lifelong learners balancing goals, schedules, and responsibilities confidently.
Applied Learning
Applied, real-world learning focused on practical skills, clear outcomes, and immediate relevance across diverse professional contexts and industries.
Superior Faculty
Expert instructors, supportive advising, and intentional design ensure learners gain confidence, momentum, and meaningful progress through every program.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, students cannot withdraw. Students can be moved to a different session, but they will lose any submitted work. This offering is pass/fail. If you are not able to complete the course as intended, please let your instructor know.
The Instructional Design Certificate is offered 3 times per year, and will run for 8-weeks, starting in January, April, and September.
Upon the successful completion of the Instructional Design Certificate program, you will receive a certificate of completion as well as 60 contact hours or 6 CEUs.
While there are no required prerequisites for the Instructional Design Certificate, some experience teaching, leading, or training is preferable to maximize your understanding of the material and success in the course.
There are no refunds, but if you need to delay your start, we are happy to help you to do that for up to one year.
UNE Online’s Instructional Design Certificate is delivered 100% online and asynchronous, meaning there are no scheduled meeting times for class. You can complete the coursework when it is convenient for you.
The estimated weekly time commitment for the Instructional Design Certificate is 4-8 hours per week.
You will be assessed on your comprehension of course material via quizzes and application of new concepts and skills when you complete assignments. You must submit all the assignments as defined in the course and grading rubrics in order to receive a Certificate of Completion. Discussions, instructor support and feedback will be available to all participants. You will be encouraged to explore professional use of AI tools in the course of this training; all your submissions must be original work and any AI assistance must be fully disclosed.
You will be able to reach your instructor through the course. Courses are held in the learning management system, Brightspace, and there is easy messaging available to communicate with your instructor.
Please email ceonline@une.edu with any registration issues and our team can help to assist with your registration.
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