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Should I Get a Master’s in Instructional Design?

M.S. - Instructional Design & Learning Technology Master's Degree Careers

One of the many lessons of the 2020 global pandemic was that online learning is here, and here to stay. Since then, there’s been a spotlight on the field of instructional design and its importance in both education and in the workplace.

As one of fastest growing careers for more than a decade, instructional design is still hot–and getting hotter. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the job outlook for instructional design is expected to continue its 7% annual growth rate.

How Much Does an Instructional Designer Make?

Instructional designers say the career gives them a high level of personal satisfaction, as well as plenty of built-in flexibility. Even better? Average pay is quite good with online employment site ZipRecruiter saying the average salary ranges from a low of $36,108, to a national average of $76,913, all the way to a top range of $121,578 a year.

What Can a Master’s in Instructional Design Do for Me?

If you’re looking to transform your career and do something really special and unique, a master’s in instructional design can give you the knowledge and skills needed to create both online and offline learning experiences.

From videos, instructional media and multimedia, to e-learning, educational technology and training courses, instructional designers are the behind-the-scenes makers who imagine, design and develop a wide variety of educational programs and learning solutions.

One of the really great things about instructional design as a career is that there are so many opportunities; opportunities that let you work with diverse groups of people in just about every industry.

Even if you’ve not been working in the field and you want to take your career in a new or different direction, a master’s in instructional design can open up plenty of exciting opportunities. For example, if you’re an educator, a master’s in instructional design could take you out of the classroom and into the boardroom, where instead of teaching students you’ll be instructing high-level executives on high-performance techniques.

Of course, that’s just one example. If you love teaching and have a passion for business–regardless of your job title–with a master’s in instructional design you could find yourself working in a rewarding career with any number of government, management, technology, science, corporate or educational organizations.

What matters most when choosing a master’s program? Compare features, benefits and cost to find the right school for you.

What Jobs Can I Get with an Instructional Design Master’s?

Instructional designers with a master’s degree who want meaningful work that contributes to outcomes, performance improvement and professional development have plenty of career options.

From writing online courses for students, to creating professional development training for corporate employees, to developing materials to support overseas call centers, here are just a few of the many job titles and career paths for graduates of an instructional design master’s degree program.

Instructional Coordinator
$63,740
Training & Development Specialist
$61,570
Instructional Designer
$78,218
Performance Consultant
$123,857
Training & Development Manager
$120,130

6 Things to Ask Yourself Before Getting a Master’s in Instructional Design

You’re now getting closer to answering the big question, “Should I get my master’s in instructional design?” Gathering enough intel is always a good idea before making a final decision. So, here are six questions you’ll want to ask yourself before you decide if a master’s in instructional design is right for you.

1. Am I a lifelong learner?
If the answer is yes, you’re on the right path. In general, people who like to learn have some natural aptitude for this career that a master’s degree can enhance. That’s because the best teachers are always students themselves. Being teachable and open to new ideas also can help you become better at developing presentations that not only inform, but actually transform.

2. Do I enjoy helping others improve?
Organizations need instructional design pioneers and leaders to help them continually develop the skills and performance of their teams. That means you’ve gotta like working with people and helping them develop their own skill set.

3. Am I willing to ‘go the extra mile’?
Instructional design is a challenging career. There’s a lot of pressure to improve performance and deliver on outcomes. Having the drive to deliver excellence in what you do can translate into excellence in what others do. Plus, going above and beyond in your work will help you stand out when it really counts: promotion time.

4. Can I think creatively and analytically?
No doubt, this isn’t easy. Most people consider themselves either creative or analytic. But instructional designers need to be able to do both. Instructional designers need to know how to bring concepts to life (creative brain) while simultaneously aligning instruction to learning goals (analytical brain).

5. Am I a good teacher?
You don’t have to be a teacher in the traditional sense to be an instructional designer. But you do have to be able to teach others so they understand and apply what they learn. Remember, an instructional designer is only as good as the information they present. So if you have the ability to move people towards their “lightbulb moment,” you’ll do well crafting engaging and beneficial learning experiences.

6. Do I want to grow in my career and as a person?
Odd question? Not really. If you’re going to invest in your future by earning a master’s in instructional design, there are going to be times when you’ll need to remind yourself of your “why”–and this is it.

More Things to Consider Before Deciding, ‘Should I Get My Master’s in Instructional Design’

As you get close to making your decision about which instructional design master’s program you’ll enroll in, you’ll also want to consider these rather practical matters:

How much does a master’s in instructional design cost?
Will I need financial aid to help pay for college?
How do I apply for a master’s in instructional design?
Should I get an instructional design certification or a master’s degree?
Is an online degree program right for me?
Can I earn my master’s while being a busy working adult and still have a life?

Whew! Lots to think about. With all this in mind, though, you’re ready for the next step.

If you need some help figuring out what the next step is, Franklin University’s admissions advisors can point you in the right direction and give you more information about whether an M.Ed. in Instructional Design is right for you.