Whether you’re new to the profession or an experienced professional, taking an instructional design bootcamp can provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.
Employers in a range of industries — not just instructional design — have started to accept bootcamps as a valid means of training. In fact, a recent report from the University of New Hampshire found that 80% of hiring managers surveyed in the tech industry have offered jobs to bootcamp students within their company, and 99.8% would do it again.
I’m a living, breathing testament to the power of instructional design bootcamps. Ever since the rise of eLearning technology caught my attention some 20 years ago, I’ve taken countless online bootcamps, courses, webinars, and other virtual training programs to gain knowledge and experience in the field. And it hasn’t slowed down my success in the field one bit.
From teaching you essential foundational instructional design principles to covering the latest technological breakthroughs, bootcamps are a great way to get the training you need on a short timeline.
I’ve put together this list of the best instructional design bootcamps online with picks from Emeritus, Devlin Peck, and more. I’ve taken into consideration factors like program length and cost, curriculum depth, student feedback, and instructor qualifications when ranking these programs (click here to learn about our entire Editorial Process & Methodology for product reviews).
What are the Best Instructional Design Bootcamps Online?
Here are our picks for the top ID bootcamps worth enrolling in right now…
1. Professional Certificate in Instructional Design (Emeritus)
Emeritus Professional Instructional Design Certificate | Online Certificate Course
Gain firsthand expertise in instructional design principles and methodologies through this unique Professional Certificate program. Create impactful learning solutions and improve people's ability to learn.
The next class kicks off on October 22, 2024, so don't miss your chance to enroll now! Take advantage of early bird discounts leading up to the kickoff date:
20% off until September 3
15% off until September 24
10% off until October 15
Price
$3,500 total (early-bird discounts may be available at certain times during enrollment; flexible payment options also available)
Duration
5 months
Pros
- Details, current instructional design training gets you career-ready fast
- This course is very new and is totally up to date with lessons on the latest technology, tools, and instructional design methods
- Hands-on, interactive instruction helps students learn more effectively
- Cohort-style learning lets you connect with other students for feedback and networking
Cons
- Class is only offered a few times a year
Overview
Want to build all the skills you need to confidently launch a career in instructional design? The Professional Certificate in Instructional Design from Emeritus is the bootcamp course you’re looking for.
This 5-month intensive program goes deeper than I expected into the foundational principles of instructional design, covering topics like learner engagement, developing content and assessments, recognizing learning objectives, accessibility, and more. It’s impressively comprehensive for such a quick program.
Led by experienced instructors teaching current best practices, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of instructional design theory and application.
Simply put, I really think this is the most comprehensive ID bootcamp out there, covering all aspects of instructional design in a single program.
You’ll learn along with a cohort of like-minded peers and have access to plenty of support throughout your journey.
Another thing I liked is that at the end of the bootcamp, you get to create a portfolio showcasing your instructional design work that you can share with prospective employers to help you land a job in the field.
This bootcamp is great for teachers and educators who are thinking about transitioning into a career in instructional design, recent graduates and early career ID professionals, human resources/learning development teams at businesses, and anyone else looking to expand their skillset and upskill.
Click here to learn more about the program and request a free brochure.
2. The Instructional Design Bootcamp (Devlin Peck)
Price
$9,400
Duration
5 months
Pros
- Get paired with a bootcamp pro for additional 1-on-1 support
- Bootcamp is led by a full team of seasoned pros
- Great networking opportunities
Cons
- The course is more expensive than others on the list
- Some students have said they feel it focuses too much on eLearning development as opposed to purely instructional design
Overview
This instructional design bootcamp from Devlin Peck promises to “help you transition from burnt-out educator to remote instructional designer” and says their graduates “land corporate instructional design roles where they can work from home and earn, on average, $85k per year.”
Devlin and I have both been blogging in this space for several years now. I love his work and can definitely say he’s the real deal.
His bootcamp is designed to make it easy for aspiring instructional designers to get the skills and knowledge they need to enter the industry while also helping them build portfolios that can help them stand out in the job market.
The 5-month program gives students hands-on experience with the tools used most in instructional design.
One of the things I really like about it is the lectures are presented in short, easy-to-follow videos, rather than long, drawn-out hourlong sessions. This makes it easier for busy professionals to stay on top of the course material.
The bootcamp also offers plenty of support throughout with one-on-one mentorship, feedback, and guidance from instructors who are experts in their fields.
They also provide a money-back guarantee that pledges they’ll offer “a full, 100% refund if you’re not able to land paid instructional design work after completing the bootcamp and applying our feedback.”
3. Instructional Design Bootcamp (24/7 Teach)
Price
$1,695-$6,695 for various programs
Duration
10 weeks or 10 months, depending on the program you choose
Pros
- Offers live 1-on-1 mentorship
- Helps you gain experience by doing real projects
- Comes with a job guarantee
Cons
- The short bootcamp probably isn’t comprehensive enough for those just starting out
- On the pricier side
Overview
Are you ready to kickstart your career as a professional instructional designer? Look no further than this bootcamp!
Through this program, you will gain the innovative skills needed to create engaging and effective learning experiences.
You’ll begin by mastering basic Instructional Design theories and frameworks, then move on to Project-Based Learning strategy and design.
With this foundation, you’ll learn how to analyze learning needs, define solid instructional objectives and goals, and create storyboards for your instructional projects.
From there, you’ll delve into writing effective and engaging content and incorporating interactivity and multimedia elements like graphics and video into your work.
And finally, you’ll learn how to evaluate learning and ensure your projects are making a real impact.
In this exciting and dynamic instructional design bootcamp, you will have the opportunity to collaborate and problem-solve with a team of like-minded individuals.
Together, you will put your heads together to complete learner analyses, develop learning goals and objectives, and devise engaging lesson scenarios using popular instructional design models.
Armed with cutting-edge instructional design tools, you will then set out to design compelling storyboards and formulate assessments and discussion questions that will put your learners to the test.
You will also have the chance to work alongside Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and get hands-on experience working with a variety of authoring tools and Learning Management Systems (LMS).
And when all is said and done, you’ll walk away with a stunning portfolio of real projects that will serve as a powerful testament to your skills and expertise in the field of instructional design.
4. The eLearning Freelancer Bootcamp (IDOL Courses)
Price
$150
Duration
8 weeks
Pros
- Great advice for those looking to launch an ID business
- Self-paced study offers flexibility
- Lots of helpful resources
Cons
- The community lacks substance
Overview
This instructional design bootcamp is aimed at those who already have ID skills and are looking to start their own freelance business as an eLearning professional.
Across 8 in-depth modules, you’ll learn how to identify your target audience, price your services, find clients, manage contracts and accounts, provide excellent customer service that drives repeat business and referrals, and more.
Led by 3 experienced eLearning professionals, this bootcamp offers 8 weekly workshops, coaching and mentoring from the instructors, and access to a private community (basically a Facebook Group) where you can connect with other freelancers.
At the end of this bootcamp, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of how to build and run your own successful eLearning freelance business.
Tips for Choosing the Right Instructional Design Bootcamp for Your Needs
While I’ve presented a short, curated list of what I believe are the top ID bootcamp programs available today, I realize that not everyone is the same. What’s best for one person might not be best for someone else.
To help ensure you enroll in the right bootcamp for your specific needs, consider the following:
- What are your goals? Are you looking to learn instructional design from the ground up? Want to land a corporate job in the field? Or do you already have a handle on instructional design theories and need info on how to build your own business? Understanding your specific goals will help you choose the right bootcamp for you.
- How much time and money can you invest? Different bootcamps require different amounts of commitment in terms of both time and money. Make sure to factor these into your decision-making process before committing to a particular program.
- Are there any prerequisites? Some bootcamps may require you to have prior experience with instructional design before enrolling. This is not the case for all bootcamps, but be sure to check each one’s prerequisites before signing up.
- What type of support do they offer? I highly recommend enrolling in a bootcamp that offers plenty of support throughout, such as one-on-one mentoring and feedback from instructors who are knowledgeable in the field. This can go a long way in helping you get the most out of the program.
Useful Resources
- What is Instructional Design?
- Instructional Designer Job Description
- Instructional Design Masters Programs
- Instructional Design Certificate Programs
- How to Write an Instructional Design Cover Letter
- Instructional Design Career Path & Roadmap
- Common Instructional Designer Interview Questions
- Where to Find Instructional Design Jobs
- Instructional Design Salary Statistics
- Instructional Design Resume Tips
- Instructional Design vs Curriculum Development
- Key Instructional Design Principles
- How to Create an Instructional Design Document
Final Thoughts
The right ID bootcamp program can help you quickly gain the skills and knowledge you need to become a successful instructional designer.
Before signing up for any program, however, I can’t stress enough how important it is to assess your own goals and needs as well as the program’s prerequisites and support offerings. While I’m a big proponent of bootcamps, they aren’t for everyone, and they’re not always some magic bullet that’s going to propel you to your dream job just because you worked your way through it. Taking all of these factors into consideration will help ensure that you get the most out of your investment in the bootcamp.
By learning from experienced instructors and collaborating with a team of like-minded professionals, you can build a strong foundation for your instructional design career.
Have any questions about our guide to the best instructional design bootcamps online? Let us know by commenting below.
Scott is also a contributor to numerous top industry publications, including eLearning Industry and the TalentLMS Blog, as well as a trusted expert source whose analysis has been quoted and referenced in the LA Times, Fox Business, Houston Chronicle, NEA Today, and others.
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