A graduate certificate in instructional systems development will prepare you for a career in instructional design, training and development, and learning and performance. Through applied learning and innovative and career-focused curriculum, UMBC’s instructional systems development (ISD) certificate is designed to help graduates meet the increasing need for trained professionals who can design, develop, and deliver effective learning products.
Instructional designers, instructional developers, trainers, instructional technologists, and performance improvement specialists are in high demand. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of training and development specialists, including instructional designers, is projected to grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.
The graduate certificate in instructional systems development provides students with a systematic model for creating instruction. Students examine the various phases in the ADDIE model and its application when developing and managing training and educational activities. The courses balance both academic theory with practical experience, resulting in a portfolio of professional work, applicable to business, education and public service.
The instructional systems design certificate is a 12-credit program, earned through four 3-credit courses that may be completed entirely online in one year. Designed for professionals working in business, industry and education who are in search of new and innovative strategies to meet the learning needs of their organization, the certificate is also an excellent way for career changers to break into the learning and performance field.
Courses completed in the ISD certificate program can also be applied towards a master’s degree if a student applies, and is admitted, to the graduate program in Learning and Performance Technology
Flexible learning options:
- Earn Credentials in One Year: It is possible to earn the ISD Certificate in just two semesters. Courses are offered during the fall, spring & summer sessions.
- Distinguished Faculty: The faculty members are accomplished scholars and practitioners within the field of instructional design, training and development, and learning, each bringing years of practical experience to the classroom.
- Certificate Credit for Masters: Students may apply certificate course credits to Master of Arts program. Students who complete a certificate are almost half way (4 of 10 courses) of their way to earning a Master’s degree.
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Instructional systems development (ISD), sometimes called instructional systems design, is the methodology and process used to analyze, design, develop, deliver, and evaluate learning solutions. Instructional designers commonly work in training and development, learning and performance, instructional technology, or education fields.
Required Courses for the ISD graduate certificate
LAPT/EDUC 602: Instructional Systems Development
Online (Fall, Spring & Summer)
This course includes the elements of analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation. An emphasis is placed on micro-level design issues including analysis, design and evaluation. Learners work through the ISD process to assemble a training or education project that is ready for implementation. A design plan and lesson plan is constructed to allow learners real-world experience in the ISD process. The online section of this course is taught using an asynchronous delivery format.
Prerequisite: Consent of the LAPT department.
LAPT/EDUC 603: Analysis for Design and Evaluation
Online (Fall, Spring, Summer)
This course focuses on the assessment, design and evaluation stages of the ADDIE model of instructional systems design. It promotes a sequential process through which instructional designers define performance problems, analyze performance gaps, identify root causes, propose training solutions, design appropriate learning events and craft evaluation strategies to measure the efficacy of their recommended approaches. Students will prepare multiple project documents throughout this real-world, real-time applied learning event, culminating in a final project portfolio of professional-grade ISD work. The online section of this course is taught using an asynchronous delivery format. This course was formerly known as Instructional Systems Development II
Prerequisite: LAPT/EDUC 602 (ISD Section) and consent of department
LAPT/EDUC 605: Adult Learner
Online (Fall, Spring and Summer)
This course covers adult learning theories, instructional strategies and other aspects of adult learning and human performance improvement, with a special emphasis on the implications for design, delivery, evaluation and the application of learning. Other selected topics include alternative methods to traditional learning/training, and the characteristics, motivation and learning preferences of adult learners. The online section of this course is taught using an asynchronous delivery format.
Prerequisite: LAPT/EDUC 602 and/or consent of department
LAPT/EDUC 671: Principles of Training and Development
Online (Fall and Spring)
This course examines key principles relevant to training and development. They include: the role of training in an organization, adult learning theory, needs assessment, training methodology, organizational support, resources and constraints, evaluation of training, and managing the training function. Issues that influence training implementation, such as ethics and interpretation, are also addressed. The online section of this course is taught using an asynchronous delivery format.
Prerequisite: LAPT/EDUC 602 and consent of the LAPT department.
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