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Educational Studies (Instructional Design), BAE

Design learning experiences and training solutions that prepare you to support learning across industries. Build expertise in digital learning, adult learning, educational technology and performance improvement.

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A group of professionals discusses instructional design in the BAE in Educational Studies (Instructional Design).

Quick facts

Courses

120 credit hours
Math intensity: General program math intensity general
First required math course: MAT 114 - College Mathematics
or MAT 117 College Algebra
View more details

Additional facts

STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Educational Studies (Instructional Design) BAE degree description

In the Bachelor of Arts in Education program in educational studies with a concentration in instructional design, you build critical competencies related to designing effective online learning to meet the needs of learners.

The curriculum is grounded in modern learning theory and design. Coursework addresses a variety of components within the field of education, including foundations of instructional design, theory and design of digital learning, and digital learning evaluation. All courses are taught online and combine a variety of resources and technologies to facilitate direct interactions between you, other students and program faculty.

This program culminates with an internship in which you create and present a project that is applied in a professional context, demonstrating your knowledge of instructional design. You work with an organization to identify an instructional need, problem or performance gap, and then you develop and deploy a solution to be delivered in an online or blended format.

An instructional design minor is also available.

This program doesn't lead to teacher certification. If you are seeking teacher certification, you should enroll in one of the other Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation undergraduate programs.

Why specialize in instructional design at ASU?

Whether you're just beginning your path or deepening existing expertise, MLFC's undergraduate offerings equip you to design inclusive, tech-forward learning experiences that make a real impact in industries across the professional spectrum.

Additional details

At ASU, you take part in every tradition and tap into the university's full range of resources, while also connecting with the closer-knit MLFC community, people who share your passions and professional interests.

Courses

Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.

Sample courses
EDU 301 Why Education?
EDU 302 Diversity in Learning Contexts
LSE 401 Designing Learning Environments for Inclusion
TEL 200 Social Embeddedness of Educational Endeavors
CIS 300 Web Design and Development
LDT 301 Foundations of Instructional Design

Course checksheet and curriculum archive

The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.

What If

Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).

Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.

If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.

See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)

What you'll learn

The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.

  • Conduct needs analyses to formulate evidence-based recommendations that inform instructional design decisions.
  • Design inclusive, learner-centered instruction using appropriate learning theories and instructional design principles.
  • Develop a fully functional prototype of a basic declarative or procedural instructional solution.
  • Design a comprehensive plan for evaluating the effectiveness of an instructional solution.

Admission requirements

Here are the admission and application details

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.


Explore expanded study opportunities

This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

Undergraduate advisor
Danielle Broderick
480-965-5555
MLFCThrive@asu.edu
Graduate advisor
Amber Mesko
602-543-9419
MLFCInnovate@asu.edu
General contact
480-965-5555
Learn more about this program

Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Global experience

Because of climate change, geopolitical instability or economic factors, the United Nations and other institutions predict that migration will increase globally for the foreseeable future. Learners will migrate to new communities. Increasingly, educators will be asked to meet the needs of students who speak languages other than English and who bring a variety of cultures into classrooms and learning environments. Education students who participate in study abroad programs can prepare for this reality by engaging in Global Education programs, where they can expand their notion of "normal" schooling and deepen their understanding of how to foster inclusive and inspiring learning environments.

Paying for college

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Get an estimate

Build the career and future you want

Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:

Career opportunities showing job titles, projected growth rates, median salaries, and links to detailed information
Career Growth Median Salary More Information
Corporate Trainer 10.8% $69,280
Employee Training Manager 6.4% $133,000
Instructional Specialist 1.6% $77,440

Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.

Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).


More about careers

Careers this instructional design concentration prepares you for

There is growing demand for online educators, including in companies that develop materials for online students and any organization focused on digital learning. Graduates are prepared for instructional design roles in K-12 and higher education, nonprofits and corporate settings.

Career examples include:

  • curriculum coordinator
  • curriculum designer or developer
  • distance learning manager
  • instructional designer
  • media center specialists
  • technology coordinator
  • training specialist, coordinator or manager

Contact information

Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.

Division for Advancing Education Policy, Practice | ED 102
ASUeducation@asu.edu
480-965-9995

Frequently asked questions about degree programs

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

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