Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science Degree in Instructional Design
Majors Overview October 20, 2014Receive information about a bachelor’s degree program in instructional design and its important information, coursework, career choices, and licensure and continuing education choices.
Many schools offer bachelor’s degree programs in instructional design, often through online studies that allow students to download video lectures and course materials at any time.
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma. Students usually take four years to complete these bachelor’s degree programs. Enrolled students have to augment the coursework in instructional design programs with general education coursework, such as English composition, science, and mathematics.
Students that complete a degree in instructional design are taught the communication, technical, and research skills necessary for developing training materials and curriculum. Students enrolled in many programs are allowed to opt for an area of specialization, such as multimedia, interface design, or online education. Coursework may cover topic areas such as instructional technology, performance analysis, and web design.
Those that successfully complete the program can choose from many careers. Aspiring public school teachers would need to satisfy the licensure norms of the state where they reside. They can also choose from other careers, such as designer of online education courses or corporate trainer. Many students also go on to pursue master’s degrees.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Programs in Instructional Design
Students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in instructional design are trained in developing training materials and curriculum for different audiences. Skills in education, publishing technologies, communication, and research are developed by students.
Students are also allowed to customize their program by choosing from numerous concentration options, such as online education, multimedia, curriculum design, videos, or interface design. Those that successfully complete the program can seek entry-level careers in different work settings, including educational instruction and publishing.
Coursework
Coursework covers various subject areas aimed at making students adept at creating textbooks and other instructional materials. Students are also taught the skills necessary to evaluate learning environments, developing learning materials, and assessing technical tools. Coursework may include the following topic areas:
•Instructional technology
•Electronic media
•Performance analysis
•Curriculum design
•Human development
•Web design
•Design of instructional products
Career Choices
Graduates of instructional design programs can choose from different job opportunities in the publishing, training, or education industries. Those that successfully complete the program can seek positions wherein the implementation of technology is important. They can seek career titles such as:
•Information architect
•Instructional coordinator
•Course editor
•Curriculum designer
Licensure and Continuing Education Choices
Those that graduate from an undergraduate program in instructional design may earn a master’s degree to enhance their grasp of many aspects, including analysis, research, measurement, and evaluation.
Students enrolled in master’s degree programs related to instructional design are offered a research-based approach and gain the skills they need to acquire expertise in instructional design by learning how to use technology in enhancing education.
Those that seek teaching opportunities would benefit by meeting licensure and certification norms in their respective states. Completing an instructional design program may, by itself, not suffice as qualification for such certification.
