What are the best instructional design courses on Coursera?

Top courses include Instructional Design Foundations and Applications from the University of Illinois and An Introduction to Learning Experience Design (LXD) from the University of Michigan as well. These programs cover learning theory, course planning, digital pedagogy, and technology tools for designing engaging learning experiences.

Can I learn instructional design for free on Coursera?

Yes. Many instructional design courses offer a free audit option. You can access video lectures and readings at no cost. If you want to complete assessments or earn a certificate, you’ll need to upgrade or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in an instructional design course?

You’ll learn how to design learning objectives, structure courses, select appropriate media and tools, and evaluate learning outcomes. Many courses also include frameworks like ADDIE, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

Do I need a teaching background to start learning instructional design?

Not necessarily. While experience in education or training can be helpful, many courses are beginner-friendly and provide a strong foundation for anyone interested in creating effective learning experiences.

Can Coursera’s instructional design courses help me build a career?

Yes. Instructional design is a growing field across education , corporate training , government , and nonprofits . Coursera courses can help you build job-ready skills, create a portfolio of work, and earn certificates that demonstrate your ability to design engaging and effective learning materials.

Top Instructional Design Courses - Learn Instructional Design Online

Find the Best Instructional Design Course for Your Goals

University of Michigan
Master of Applied Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Data Storytelling, Reinforcement Learning, Supervised Learning, Database Design, Experimentation, PySpark, Interactive Data Visualization, Pandas (Python Package), Network Analysis, Deep Learning, Proposal Development, Cloud Services, Database Management, Linear Algebra, Natural Language Processing, JSON, Data Mining, Qualitative Research, Applied Machine Learning
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of London
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Skills you'll gain: Process Design, Global Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Statistical Analysis, Organizational Change, Integrated Marketing Communications, Advertising, Innovation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Supply Chain Management, Training and Development, Virtual Teams, Diversity and Inclusion, Databases, Cost Accounting, International Finance, Research, Branding, Economic Development, Cultural Diversity
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Certificado en Toma de Decisiones Basadas en Datos
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Analytics, Business Analytics, Database Design, NoSQL, Statistical Reporting, SQL, Data Ethics, Digital Transformation, Query Languages, Data Mining, Databases, Data Analysis, R Programming, Big Data, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Predictive Analytics, Organizational Structure, Business Transformation, Business Strategy, Organizational Strategy
Credit offered
Mastertrack · 6 - 12 Months
University of London
Graduate Diploma in Computer Science
Skills you'll gain: Virtual Reality, Human Computer Interaction, Game Design, Full-Stack Web Development, React Native, Agile Software Development, Animations, Data Ethics, Git (Version Control System), Event-Driven Programming, Network Security, Web Applications, Data Science, Natural Language Processing, Unsupervised Learning, Combinatorics, Database Design, Web Development, Generative AI, Usability Testing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
O.P. Jindal Global University
MBA Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Operations Management, Design Thinking, Data Visualization, Active Listening, Sampling (Statistics), Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Working Capital, Database Management, Project Estimation, Financial Statements, Business Analytics, Global Marketing, Financial Accounting, Predictive Analytics, Big Data, Regression Analysis, Marketing, Business Economics, Emerging Technologies
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
O.P. Jindal Global University
M.A. Public Policy
Skills you'll gain: Econometrics, Surveys, Environmental Laws, Sampling (Statistics), Social Sciences, Public Policies, Political Sciences, Data Collection, Health Disparities, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Economic Development, Policy Analysis, Presentations, International Relations, Diplomacy, Economics, Complex Problem Solving, Immigration Law, Research Methodologies, Socioeconomics
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of London
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Skills you'll gain: Process Design, Global Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Statistical Analysis, Organizational Change, Integrated Marketing Communications, Advertising, Innovation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Supply Chain Management, Training and Development, Virtual Teams, Diversity and Inclusion, Databases, Cost Accounting, International Finance, Research, Branding, Economic Development, Cultural Diversity
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Certificado en Bases de la Salud Pública
Skills you'll gain: Epidemiology, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Health Disparities, Biostatistics, Health Policy, Health Systems, Healthcare Ethics, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Health Technology, Public Health, Infectious Diseases, Health Care, Scientific Methods, Health Equity, Community Health, Preventative Care, Statistics, Research Design, Research Methodologies
Credit offered
Mastertrack · 6 - 12 Months