What Can You Do with a Master's in Instructional Design and Technology?

Earning a master's in instructional design and technology, sometimes called an ITD degree, opens the door to a dynamic range of careers in education, corporate training, nonprofit organizations, and beyond. This advanced instructional design degree equips graduates to design, implement, and evaluate engaging learning experiences that leverage technology and instructional theory. The online Master’s in Instructional Design and Technology degree prepares you to shape how students, individuals, and organizations learn and grow.

Related reading: What Is a Master’s in Instructional Design and Technology?

My time at Bellevue University was one of the most extraordinary periods of growth in my life. As a working adult student, my education had immediate applicability in my work. It also helped me to learn how to balance many concurrent commitments, which has enabled me to continue to develop as a professional and a person while also doing the work that I love. It has been not only something I enjoy, but investing in myself–especially through education–has been a catalyst for me to achieve career goals that I never would have thought possible.

– Scott McCool, Bellevue University alum

Common Career Paths for Instructional Design and Technology Degree Graduates

With a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology, graduates are well prepared for mid- to senior roles such as:

  • Instructional Designer or Learning Experience Designer: Transforms learning materials into immersive experiences. Crafts the blueprints that turn educational content into engaging pathways to learning and discovery. Blends education, psychology, technology, and creativity into creative teaching materials.

  • E-Learning Developer or Multimedia Specialist: Has mastered the art of creating effective learning materials that help others learn. Assists learners in grasping new concepts, acquiring new skills, and growing in skill level.

  • Curriculum Developer: Sculpts comprehensive learning roadmaps that guides students toward success. Creates effective learning and training materials for all types of learners in multiple formats and styles.

  • Training Manager or Director: Takes the lead in developing training programs in corporate or nonprofit settings. Plans and conducts instructor training programs and conferences, and guides the direction of instructional materials and resources.

  • Educational Technology Specialist: Embeds innovation into education. As an instructional or educational technologist, you'll fuse technology and pedagogy to innovate the way knowledge is shared and absorbed.

  • Corporate Trainer or Training Consultant: Plans, delivers, and evaluates educational programs to help employees build skills, improve performance, and support organizational goals.

These positions often combine creativity, technology, leadership, and strategy to improve learning outcomes in diverse settings.

With a Bellevue University online Master's in Instructional Design & Technology, students can balance study with professional commitments, preparing for advanced roles without pausing their careers. Find out more about the online learning experience.

Discover careers that might best suit your personal goals by taking a career assessment through Bellevue University Career Services.

Industries That Value Instructional Design & Technology (IDT) Graduates

A master's in instructional design isn’t limited to one sector; graduates find opportunities in industries like:

  • Business--corporate training and professional development
  • Banking, banking technology and finance
  • Higher education and K–12 schools
  • Healthcare systems: education and patient training
  • Hospitality: Restaurants, food service, tourism, guest services
  • Government and military training programs
  • Nonprofit organizations, social and human services, and NGOs
  • Technology and software companies: develop learning tools, manuals, and technology training

These fields increasingly rely on specialists who understand what instructional design and learning technology is, how it benefits business, industry and education, and can apply it to real-world learning challenges.

Skills You’ll Develop in an Instructional Design & Technology (IDT) Degree Program

Students in a master's in instructional design and technology (IDT) program typically explore topics such as:

  • Learning models and instructional design and development
  • Multimedia design and development
  • E-learning authoring tools and platforms
  • Project management and applied leadership for instructional design
  • Data-driven evaluation and assessment methods
  • Emerging technologies like AR, VR, and AI in learning

These skills ensure graduates can confidently design, deliver, and evaluate educational and training materials in schools, businesses, nonprofits, and beyond.

Bellevue University’s IDT graduate program's goal is to enable professionals working in a variety of fields to enhance their educational and career goals by attaining the skills needed to analyze, design, and implement instructional design and technology projects. Bellevue’s program is designed to develop students into professionals who possess a unique blend of skills, including leadership, project management, collaboration, technical skills, and the ability to bring out the best in people.

I have been teaching online for [over] 13 years and have seen many advancements in that time. Today, we have an entire department of instructional designers who can enhance learning by creating a variety of interactive activities resulting in highly sophisticated courses. It is really pretty fun to think of something that will enhance student learning and watch as they create an outstanding activity. A recent example is having students view and listen to an online focus group, which the designers [then] embedded into the course.

– Dr. Julia Cronin-Gilmore, Professor in the Bellevue University College of Business

Further Education or Certifications

Beyond a master’s degree, professionals may choose to enhance their expertise with additional certifications or education, depending on their career goals. (Specific industry-recognized examinations and prerequisites may apply.)

Many graduates of the online Master's in Instructional Design and Technology enhance their qualifications with certifications like these:

  • Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP)
  • Adobe Captivate Specialist
  • Agile Project Management certification or others offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
  • Advanced credentials in e-learning development tools or learning analytics
  • ATD (Association for Talent Development) certification credential offered by the ATD Certification Institute.

Such certifications help deepen specialized knowledge and demonstrate commitment to professional growth.

Discover Where an Online Master’s in Instructional Design and Technology Can Take You

A Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) offers the flexibility to impact education and training in countless industries. Whether you’re passionate about corporate learning, higher education, or digital course design, this degree provides the foundation and specialized skills to lead and innovate.

Explore how Bellevue University’s online instructional design and technology master’s program can help you advance your career—and transform the way the world learns.

Related resources we think you’ll like.

What Is a Master’s in Instructional Design and Technology?

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Can You Be a Professor with a Master's Degree?

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