Instructional Design and Adult Learning Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

An Instructional Design and Adult Learning major teaches you to design training and courses for adults in workplaces and online. Instructional design and adult education programs cover how adults learn, course design, e-learning development, assessment and training evaluation.

An Instructional Design and Adult Learning major includes coursework in adult learning theory, instructional design models, e-learning development, assessment and evaluation, and educational technology and more. You build skills such as course design, e-learning tools, facilitation, and writing. Typical degrees: certificate, bachelor's and master's degrees.

Typical courses include adult learning theory, instructional design models, e-learning development, assessment and evaluation, educational technology, and facilitation. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Instructional Design and Adult Learning is offered as certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s, and a doctoral or professional degree takes several more years beyond that. Part-time study takes longer.

Certificate, bachelor's and master's degrees. In the latest federal data, 135 colleges reported certificate awards, 12 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 254 colleges reported master’s awards, and 49 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to instructional design and adult learning include corporate trainer, instructional coordinator, training and development manager, adult education teacher, and technical writer. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include corporate trainer (typical training: 4 years or subject expertise plus training courses), instructional coordinator (typical training: Master’s plus 5+ years of teaching), training and development manager (typical training: 5+ years of experience), adult education teacher (typical training: 4 years plus certificates), and technical writer (typical training: 4 years or technical background plus writing training).

Instructional Design and Adult Learning majors build skills such as course design, e-learning tools, facilitation, writing, and project management.

Good pairings include Human Resources (connects training to workforce development), Graphic Design (helps you create engaging course materials), and Communications (strengthens presentation and writing skills).

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as corporate trainer, instructional coordinator, and training and development manager, and enjoy subjects like adult learning theory and instructional design models. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes adult learning theory, instructional design models, and e-learning development; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

319 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (22), Pennsylvania (22), Texas (18), New York (17), and Florida (14), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

310 of the colleges that offer instructional design and adult learning also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Instructional Design and Adult Learning teaches you to design training and courses for adults in workplaces and online. Elementary Education prepares you to teach children in kindergarten through the elementary grades. Instructional Design and Adult Learning leads to careers such as corporate trainer and instructional coordinator, while Elementary Education leads to careers such as elementary school teacher and kindergarten teacher.

Instructional Design and Adult Learning teaches you to design training and courses for adults in workplaces and online. Secondary Education prepares you to teach a subject such as math, science, English or history in middle and high school. Instructional Design and Adult Learning leads to careers such as corporate trainer and instructional coordinator, while Secondary Education leads to careers such as high school teacher and middle school teacher.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to instructional design and adult learning, such as Corporate Trainer Training.