7 answers
Sophie
Student
2
Questions
Updated
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How important is M.S.Ed. program name recognition in Instructional Design?
I would like to get a Master's degree in instructional design, with the goal of getting skills for being hired.
How important would it be to pursue a program with a well-known, prestigious program, like Purdue? Are employers just looking for the presence of a Master's degree, or are they looking for degrees from specific universities?
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7 answers
Elena Chmil
Instructional Designer
2
Answers
Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Updated
Elena’s Answer
I don’t think the name of the university is a major factor in Instructional Design. I would focus on the quality of the program and whether you’ll get hands-on experience. Look for opportunities to build a portfolio and learn e-learning authoring tools. Being able to show what you can create can be more valuable than the name of the school.
Kumar Rishav
Engineer
48
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Kumar’s Answer
In Instructional Design (ID), program name recognition is secondary. Employers care about your portfolio far more than a prestigious university tag.
What Employers Look For: They want proof of skill. They check your portfolio for mastery of tools (Storyline, Captivate), visual design, and learning theories applied to real-world problems. The presence of an M.S.Ed. ticks the credential box, but the specific school rarely changes a hiring decision.
The Value of Prestige: Programs like Purdue or Indiana University don't just offer a name; they offer powerful alumni networks, corporate partnerships, and structured portfolio-building pipelines.
Choose the program that fits your budget and guarantees a robust, practical portfolio.
What Employers Look For: They want proof of skill. They check your portfolio for mastery of tools (Storyline, Captivate), visual design, and learning theories applied to real-world problems. The presence of an M.S.Ed. ticks the credential box, but the specific school rarely changes a hiring decision.
The Value of Prestige: Programs like Purdue or Indiana University don't just offer a name; they offer powerful alumni networks, corporate partnerships, and structured portfolio-building pipelines.
Choose the program that fits your budget and guarantees a robust, practical portfolio.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Sophie
J Huff
54
Answers
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Updated
J’s Answer
Good day,
The short answer is that employers want someone who can do the job well and make an impact in instructional design.
Program name recognition may help in some cases, but it will not replace a strong résumé, relevant experience, a solid portfolio, and the ability to communicate effectively. Colleges and universities, for example, often look for instructional designers who can work with faculty and staff, support students across populations, apply universal design principles, and adapt to new tools, including AI when appropriate.
As you plan your education, try to find ways to apply what you are learning. You might want to connect with a former high school, a local college, a nonprofit, or an online teaching platform to help with course design, workshops, or interactive learning materials. These experiences can help you build practical skills and strengthen your portfolio.
In short, the school name can matter, but your skills, experience, and ability to show your value matter much more.
I hope this helps.
The short answer is that employers want someone who can do the job well and make an impact in instructional design.
Program name recognition may help in some cases, but it will not replace a strong résumé, relevant experience, a solid portfolio, and the ability to communicate effectively. Colleges and universities, for example, often look for instructional designers who can work with faculty and staff, support students across populations, apply universal design principles, and adapt to new tools, including AI when appropriate.
As you plan your education, try to find ways to apply what you are learning. You might want to connect with a former high school, a local college, a nonprofit, or an online teaching platform to help with course design, workshops, or interactive learning materials. These experiences can help you build practical skills and strengthen your portfolio.
In short, the school name can matter, but your skills, experience, and ability to show your value matter much more.
I hope this helps.
Wendy Taylor Wampler
Human Resources
6
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Wendy’s Answer
Hi! I have a 20+ year career in L&D and have hired many IDs. Your skills matter most, not where you got your degree from. Employers want to see real assets that you've designed and deployed. Showcasing your work and your approach to your work is #1, having the degree/certificate would be #2, and where the degree is from is rather insignificant. As someone else said, bootcamps and academies are another option. A formal masters degree is not necessary.
Thank you so much, Wendy!
Sophie
Nick Omale
Instructional Designer
2
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Nick’s Answer
I would say the name of the university can help, but in Instructional Design, I wouldn't make it the deciding factor. Employers are often more interested in your skills, experience and portfolio. Look for a program that gives you opportunities to build practical skills and real projects that you can showcase to employers. If a well-known program like Purdue fits your goals and budget, that's certainly a plus, but a strong program from a less recognizable university can also prepare you well for the ID field.
James Washok, M.Ed., M.S. IDT
Instructional Designer
12
Answers
Hurst, Texas
Updated
James’s Answer
I have two Master's Degrees: one in Curriculum Development and Instructional Design, and another in Instructional Design Technology. Both have been key to my success and have helped me secure positions with companies like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, the Department of Homeland Security, other government contracts, D.R. Horton Homebuilders, and many more.
The school's names didn't factor in the equation; it was the experience and the final "piece of paper" that hiring managers and organizations were looking for.
These degrees provided essential knowledge in areas such as teaching methods, content development, and the application of theory. While they didn't focus much on specific tools that companies often seek, that's understandable since tools can vary. However, experience with popular tools like Articulate is often beneficial.
The capstone projects were great for preparing new instructional designers for real-world projects, though they could have included more on project management and working with subject matter experts. Adding these skills would be a valuable improvement to the programs.
There are many "boot camps" and "academies" claiming to prepare you for a career in instructional design, but they often don't deliver on their promises. Instead, accredited certificate programs might offer more value and help you get hired.
Research the university you are planning on attending and see what courses, exactly, they offer in an ID program
Don't waste money on "quick" fix programs, boot camps, or the IDOL Academy
Prepare your skills with tools...MASTER at the very least PowerPoint, as Storyline is built on that look/layout for a reason; don't skimp on graphic design and video editing
The school's names didn't factor in the equation; it was the experience and the final "piece of paper" that hiring managers and organizations were looking for.
These degrees provided essential knowledge in areas such as teaching methods, content development, and the application of theory. While they didn't focus much on specific tools that companies often seek, that's understandable since tools can vary. However, experience with popular tools like Articulate is often beneficial.
The capstone projects were great for preparing new instructional designers for real-world projects, though they could have included more on project management and working with subject matter experts. Adding these skills would be a valuable improvement to the programs.
There are many "boot camps" and "academies" claiming to prepare you for a career in instructional design, but they often don't deliver on their promises. Instead, accredited certificate programs might offer more value and help you get hired.
James recommends the following next steps:
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Sophie
Brian O
Instructional Designer
1
Answer
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Hi there, Sophie! In my experience, a portfolio and specific skills that you can demonstrate are just as important as a degree in terms of getting hired in instructional design.
Storyboarding, consulting, HTML, Adobe apps, Articulate Storyline, etc., depending on the role and the context, but being able to demonstrate that expertise is a game changer!
So my advice, whatever program you choose, is to start putting together a portfolio based on your course assignments and any internships, and document the thought process behind each project in terms of models like ADDIE, etc. so you can explain that to a prospective employer.
Storyboarding, consulting, HTML, Adobe apps, Articulate Storyline, etc., depending on the role and the context, but being able to demonstrate that expertise is a game changer!
So my advice, whatever program you choose, is to start putting together a portfolio based on your course assignments and any internships, and document the thought process behind each project in terms of models like ADDIE, etc. so you can explain that to a prospective employer.