Instructional Systems Designers: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of instructional systems designers about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for instructional systems designers to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of instructional systems designers expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for instructional systems designers.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Instructional Systems Designers?
Do instructional systems designers need a degree? What kind of experience do instructional systems designers typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for instructional systems designers to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Instructional Systems Designers
Jobs Postings for Instructional Systems Designers By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 32,576 (44%)
- Master's degree: 18,560 (25%)
- No Education Listed: 13,175 (18%)
- High School or GED: 6,130 (8%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 3,185 (4%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of instructional systems designers. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 44% of positions. In 25% of job listings a master's degree was required and in 18% of postings no education level was listed.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Instructional Systems Designers
Jobs Postings for Instructional Systems Designers By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 4,745 (13%)
- 2-3 Years: 16,858 (47%)
- 4-6 Years: 11,393 (32%)
- 7-9 Years: 1,776 (5%)
- 10+ Years: 1,316 (4%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for instructional systems designers. In 47% of job postings for Instructional Systems Designers, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 32% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience, while 0-1 years of experience was sought in 13% of job postings for instructional systems designers.
What Kind of Degree Do Instructional Systems Designers Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for instructional systems designers, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 7 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective instructional systems designers, and in 2023 a total of 100,768 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective instructional systems designers.
Top Degree Programs for Instructional Systems Designers
Top 5 Degree Programs for Instructional Systems Designers (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching. | 30,483 |
| Education, General. | 27,685 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | 20,347 |
| Educational/Instructional Technology. | 8,904 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other. | 6,310 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching. | 30,483 |
| Education, General. | 27,685 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | 20,347 |
| Educational/Instructional Technology. | 8,904 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other. | 6,310 |
| Education, Other. | 4,643 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other. | 2,396 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Instructional Systems Designers
Develop the knowledge and skills you need to become an outstanding middle or high school teacher in Ohio with Franklin’s Adolescent to Young Adult (AYA) Education program.
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Master the learning theories and models used in PK-12 education settings as a foundation for a variety of education-related careers.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Gain the expertise to help students learn and think in classrooms across Ohio with Franklin’s Middle Childhood Education (MCE) program.
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Achieve your goal of becoming a life-changing elementary school teacher in Ohio with Franklin’s Primary Education program.
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Focus your online doctoral program at Franklin University and earn an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction (Doctor of Education in Instructional Design Leadership).Focus your online doctoral program at Franklin University and earn an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction (Doctor of Education in Instructional Design Leadership).
- Years To Complete: 3
Focus your online doctorate in educational technology at Franklin University and earn an Ed.D. Instructional Technology degree (Doctor of Education in Instructional Design Leadership).
- Years To Complete: 3
- Class Type: 100% online
- Years To Complete: 3
Learn proven strategies for designing effective training materials and apply them in real-world case studies and projects.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 8
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Instructional Systems Designers Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by instructional systems designers to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for instructional systems designers, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Instructional Systems Designers
Based on 57,346 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Instructional Systems Designers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Design | 16,158 | 28% |
| Curriculum Development | 11,384 | 20% |
| Learning Management Systems | 10,120 | 18% |
| Project Management | 9,149 | 16% |
| Adult Education | 8,445 | 15% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Instructional Systems Designers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 26,003 | 45% |
| Teaching | 18,776 | 33% |
| Leadership | 15,595 | 27% |
| Writing | 15,495 | 27% |
| Management | 14,135 | 25% |
Based on 57,346 job postings related to instructional systems designers, instructional design was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 28% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for curriculum development, learning management systems, project management, adult education and educational technologies were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for instructional systems designers, followed by teaching, leadership, writing, management and research.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Design | 16,158 | 28% |
| Curriculum Development | 11,384 | 20% |
| Learning Management Systems | 10,120 | 18% |
| Project Management | 9,149 | 16% |
| Adult Education | 8,445 | 15% |
| Educational Technologies | 7,504 | 13% |
| Special Education | 5,206 | 9% |
| Marketing | 4,034 | 7% |
| Pedagogy | 3,974 | 7% |
| Lesson Planning | 3,401 | 6% |
| Student Services | 3,225 | 6% |
| Data Analysis | 3,169 | 6% |
| Camtasia Studio | 3,033 | 5% |
| Blended Learning | 3,022 | 5% |
| Articulate Storyline | 2,909 | 5% |
| Instructional Strategies | 2,876 | 5% |
| Adult Learning Principles | 2,863 | 5% |
| Individualized Education Programs (IEP) | 2,772 | 5% |
| Storyboarding | 2,717 | 5% |
| Continuous Improvement Process | 2,680 | 5% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 26,003 | 45% |
| Teaching | 18,776 | 33% |
| Leadership | 15,595 | 27% |
| Writing | 15,495 | 27% |
| Management | 14,135 | 25% |
| Research | 13,062 | 23% |
| Planning | 12,768 | 22% |
| Coordinating | 9,286 | 16% |
| Microsoft Office | 8,970 | 16% |
| Problem Solving | 8,879 | 15% |
| Presentations | 8,817 | 15% |
| Innovation | 8,751 | 15% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 8,028 | 14% |
| Customer Service | 7,820 | 14% |
| Operations | 7,810 | 14% |
| Detail Oriented | 7,553 | 13% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 7,242 | 13% |
| Organizational Skills | 7,198 | 13% |
| Microsoft Excel | 7,137 | 12% |
| Coaching | 6,751 | 12% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about instructional systems designers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for instructional systems designers.
What do instructional systems designers do?
How much do instructional systems designers make?
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