Online Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design — FAQs

No, unfortunately graduate certificates at Purdue DO NOT qualify for financial aid.

All three courses for the Instructional Design Graduate Certificate can count toward MSED in Learning Design and Technology as well as the MSED in C&I Ed-Tech concentration. Two elective courses, EDCI 56900 and EDCI 5770 can be applied to the Master’s in Corporate Training and Communication.

No. While computers and other new technology are often used as instructional tools, and their use and integration in learning and teaching is an important aspect of this program, the focus of the graduate certificate in Instructional Design is on learning systems design, learning theories, development and management of technology and more.

No. Learning design and technology has a wide variety of applications, not just in education. Our students come from all different educational and professional backgrounds. We do require students to hold a bachelor’s degree in order to be considered for admission. Learn more about application requirements by visiting the program overview page.

A maximum of 3 credit hours may be transferred from other institutions toward the online Instructional Design Graduate Certificate. Transfer credits must be from a graduate level course with a grade of B or higher and cannot come from another conferred degree. Students should discuss any potential transfer credit with their enrollment counselor as soon as possible during the admissions process. A final decision on eligibility of transfer credit is made after review by program faculty.

The faculty of the Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design at Purdue all hold doctoral degrees and contribute to ongoing research in the field of educational technology and learning design. You can learn more about them by visiting the faculty page.

Most of the coursework is asynchronous, meaning that there are not specific times that you need to be in the course. However, interaction with your instructor and peers is a major component of our classes. As an online student at Purdue University, you’ll log into a virtual online classroom interface that includes areas for assignments, discussion boards, e-mail, and more. Just like in a traditional classroom, you’ll complete coursework and exams and interact with your instructor and classmates, but it will all be online. You can access and work on your coursework at any time. You are generally required to post assignments and check in several times per week and then you just need to complete your assignments according to the schedule posted by your professor.

The online Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design at Purdue University requires a total of 9 credit hours.

The academic experience varies by student; however, we recommend that students plan to spend 15-25 hours per week for each course they take.

As an online student, you will have access to a multitude of support resources when you need help or guidance, starting with new student orientation to familiarize yourself with the online learning environment. Other services include a help desk for technical issues, a student services coordinator and more.

Purdue University’s online programs are just as rigorous and challenging as their on-campus counterparts. The main difference is the online format, which allows you greater convenience as to when and where you learn.

Yes. Students are always encouraged to visit campus and experience all that Purdue has to offer. For visitor information, visit www.purdue.edu/visit