Overview
This program is intended for practitioners who are specifically interested in:
- applying learning theory to instructional design
- applying program evaluation concepts in distance education
- applying current Instructional Systems Design (ISD) models to distance education
- developing instructional materials in a project-based setting
The Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design is a 9-credit online graduate program. You must complete at least 6 credits through Athabasca University. All courses are online grouped study, with defined start and end dates.
As Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design courses are part of the Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education (MEd) program, you will take your courses with MEd students.
Why take the Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design?
As distance education and web-based learning grows and evolves, so too does instructional design. Professional instructional designers and educators with instructional design skills are in demand.
With the Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design, you can upgrade your skills to meet this demand and get a graduate-level credential in 2 years or less.
Application deadlines and start dates
| Application deadline | Start date |
| Jan. 15 | spring |
| May 15 | fall |
| Sep. 15 | winter |
Routes and options
Ladder to a master’s degree
Once you have completed the Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design, you may apply to the MEd program. If you’re admitted, your Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design credits may be applied towards the MEd degree.
Completion times
You can take up to 2 years to complete all requirements.
Tuition and fees
A non-refundable convenience charge will be charged when using Visa or Mastercard to pay student fees. American Express is no longer an accepted method of payment. For more information on the convenience charge, please visit the Financial Services website.
The following fees are effective for courses starting Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025. All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. Academic-related fees are exempt from the Federal Goods and Services Tax (G.S.T.). G.S.T. is added to all other goods and services, for example, workshops, some publications, self-help seminars, and Athabasca University promotional sales items.
program application and admission fees | Program application fee (non-refundable) required each time a person applies: | $197 |
| Program admission fee (payable upon acceptance into the program and non-refundable): | $255 |
| Non-program application fee (non-refundable) required only once and waived if previously an AU student: | $124 |
Course tuition fees (includes all required materials)
fees for students living in canada and out | Students living in Canada: | $1,9751 |
| Students living outside Canada: | $2,2201 |
1 Graduate Certificate – Instructional Design (GCID) Course Tuition fees now include a Course Administration fee of $167 and Course Materials fee of $37 per course, plus the Athabasca University Graduate Students Association (AUGSA) fee of $14 per credit.
Estimated program tuition cost (2024-2025)
The total tuition cost for a student living in Canada who takes all courses from Athabasca University, would be $5,925 ($1,975 x 3, three-credit course equivalents). The AUGSA fees, Course Administration and Technology fee, and Course Materials fee are included in the above calculation. Application and admission fees are not included.
Other fees
other fees | Transfer credit evaluation fee (one time): | $348 |
| Transfer credit evaluation fee (international)(one time): | $348 |
| Letter of Permission fee: | $100 |
| Western Deans' Agreement administration fee (non-AU visiting students) | $250/course |
| Course extension fee: | $334 |
| Course withdrawal processing fee1: | $453 |
| Continuation (program extension) fee. Same as course tuition fees (see above). | |
| AU Graduate Student Association Fee (per credit) | $14 |
1The course withdrawal processing fee is a mandatory administrative fee charged when a student withdraws from a course. For early withdrawal only, the student will be refunded the full course tuition fees (see above) less the course withdrawal processing fee. Refer to Course Withdrawal.
Continuation fees
Continuation fees are the same as course fees. Continuation fees are normally assessed when program students do not register in the required six credits per academic year of course work. Continuation fees may be charged to students that exceed the maximum completion time limit.
Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025.
Courses
The Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design program at Athabasca University offers a structured learning path that spans three 13-week semesters each year, giving you up to two years to complete the requirements. To keep your program status, you'll need to complete 6 credits each academic year, adhering to specific grade requirements in both core and elective courses. And don't worry, you have the flexibility to ladder your earned credits into higher-level programs like our Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education if you choose to continue your educational journey.
To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design.
Our program regulations plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program.
Program regulations
Courses to explore
Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program.
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Career options
Earning a Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design from Athabasca University can open doors to careers such as instructional designer, e-learning developer, or training consultant in various sectors including education, healthcare, and corporate settings. With the growing emphasis on online and distance education, your skills will be in high demand, offering you a versatile and fulfilling career path.
Depending on your experience and goals, careers may include:
- instructional designer
- e-learning developer
- training consultant
- curriculum developer
- learning and development specialist
- educational technologist
- content strategist
- project manager in educational settings
- online course coordinator
- user experience designer