Should I get an MEd or just a certificate in Instructional Design?

May 26, 2011 7:58 AM

InstructionalDesignFilter: Already have a master's in another discipline, do I need to get one in Instructional Design to qualify for positions, or would a certificate be enough?

So I'm thinking about a new career path. Background: I was an English major undergrad, and I have a Master's in library science. I'm fairly tech-savvy. I taught an undergrad basic computing class for seven years, and I'm my department's trainer, holding firm-wide classes from time to time as well. I currently work in a Design department (of sorts), largely working with Powerpoint (at which I am quite expert) and Word and the like. I am mediocre at Adobe products, with my strongest being Photoshop.

With all that in mind, should I enroll in an MEd program, or would something like the certificate program at Umass/Boston give me enough background to get me started in Instructional Design? Any advice/experience you're willing to share is greatly appreciated!

posted by clone boulevard to Education (5 answers total)

Best answer: Relevant experience holds a lot of weight. A certificate in ID with a master's already should be enough if you have some work experience. I'd try and see if you can get experience to online learning platforms (Blackboard, moodle), even if in a teaching capacity. Also, you may be able to apply to some positions already (we have foot-in-the-door positions where I work, but it's Chicago not Boston).
posted by ejaned8 at 8:59 AM on May 26, 2011

ps. Get familiar with storyboarding, Captivate, Articulate, as well as LMS platforms.
posted by ejaned8 at 8:59 AM on May 26, 2011 [2 favorites]

Best answer: It depends on what you want to do. Take a look at the American Society for Training and Development's learning and performance competency model or the job bank to see what job roles are available in the industry. You can now do a basic ISD task -- gap analysis -- using the information gathered from those sources to gauge where you currently are, what you need to be to get a job, and how you're going to get there.

That said, I'd highly recommend getting industry certification. ASTD's brassiest ring is the CPLP, but they offer other certifications as well. The advantage to certificate programs offered by universities is that you can likely roll any credits you earn into a degree with them, so that's also something to consider.

Seeing as how you have a degrees in English and library science, you may want to consider technical communications, which is a sister discipline to ISD. This month's Society for Technical Communication member mag has a great piece titled "You May Be An Instructional Designer" that lays out the similarities between both fields. STC also has certifications and professional development programs available.

Feel free to MeMail me if you have any questions!
posted by evoque at 10:06 AM on May 26, 2011 [1 favorite]

Another consideration is what types of instructional design jobs are available in your region. here is corporate training (HR focused), corporate training (IT systems focused), online universities, associations (e.g., medical associations, etc), and roles that are blended (both e-learning and on-ground training). There's different skills that are more important for different areas so I'd research what job listings you see the most of to see what area you might want to try to start out in or specialize in.
posted by ejaned8 at 10:56 AM on May 26, 2011

Response by poster: Thanks to you both! Plenty to think about. And ejaned8, I did use an online learning platform when I was teaching; didn't think to include that. Thanks again.
posted by clone boulevard at 2:30 PM on May 27, 2011