Instructional Design

Learning powers every industry.

Traditional education prepares students for careers. Staff training ensures new hires are ready to do the job. And professional development helps employees keep skills up to date.

If you're interested in helping people learn, the Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design program prepares you to be an architect of learning.

You'll examine how to make learning experiences — in the workplace and classroom — interesting, productive and useful.

You'll study how people learn and explore how technology can facilitate learning.

You'll see how project management intersects with instructional design and learn how both enhance education.

And you'll benefit from Royal Roads' decades of experience as a leader in online learning.

Who it's for

This program is a good fit for professionals working in any industry in the following roles:

• training, education and development professionals
• training managers and directors of learning
• higher education faculty and instructors
• directors of teaching and learning centres
• K to 12 educators and administrators

You can build from here

You can transfer credits from this graduate certificate into Royal Roads' Graduate Diploma in Technology-enhanced Learning and Design and the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Program outcomes

Graduates of this certificate will have:

• expanded knowledge of educational theory
• practical skills in graphic design, project management and instructional design
• increased understanding of student characteristics and needs
• enhanced critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills

Our graduates find work such as:

• training and development professionals, e.g., in industry, Department of National Defense, NGOs
• education and development managers, e.g., in health care
• training managers and directors of learning, e.g., in corporate settings
• higher education faculty, instructors and teaching and learning centre directors
• K to 12 educators and administrators

All applications are assessed based on an integrated and consolidated examination of academic credentials, work experience, and personal experience.

Standard admission

• Four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree in a related field, from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• At least three* years of professional experience in a leadership** or management position that is directly related to the Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design program learning outcomes.

Flexible admission

To be considered for flexible admission, applicants would normally require a minimum of seven years of work experience, with a minimum of two years of professional experience in a leadership** or management position, that is directly related to the Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design program learning outcomes.

Notes

*Emerging leaders who have fewer than three years of leadership experience, yet have been in recent leadership or people management roles for two years or more, demonstrate exceptional leadership potential through their professional and life experiences, are preparing for further leadership roles, and otherwise meet the Standard Admission criteria, are encouraged to apply.

**Leadership experience could include one or more of the following:

• Roles in which you consult, negotiate with, or manage diverse interest groups through relationship, in a complex environment.
• Roles in which you lead others toward shared goals and outcomes.
• Roles in which you influence, organize, and coordinate groups of people.
• Leadership roles in volunteer organizations.
• Formal organizational leadership roles in which you directly supervise staff or complete performance-oriented work with individuals, groups, or teams.
• Overcoming a challenging life experience (for self or others), which involved navigating complex systems and resulted in positive community change beyond the individual.

English language proficiency

• If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.

Additional recommendations for admission

• Applicants should be educational professionals.
• Experience in instructional design or instruction is an asset.

All applications to this program require submission of the following information and supporting documents before your file can be assessed for admission:

Application form

In order to apply online, you will be required to create a log-in account using your email address. You will be required to list all credit courses and/or programs you have completed or are currently enrolled in. An application fee will be required. If your application fees are being paid by a third party, review sponsored student information. Once submitted, you may check the status of your application at any time.

Official transcripts

In accordance with RRU's admissions policy and practices, applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all post-secondary (higher education) institutions currently or previously attended, though exceptions may apply for some Graduate Certificate in Change Management applicants as outlined below:

• All applicants must declare all post-secondary studies (courses, programs, transfer credit, etc.) in their application.
• As part of the application process, applicants anticipating acceptance by standard admission will be required to provide an official transcript for the highest level, most relevant and/or most recent degree credential(s). Whenever possible, applicants are also encouraged to provide unofficial (or official) transcripts from all other institutions currently or previously attended. Additional documents may be requested at any time during the application process. Additionally, upon acceptance Admissions will determine which, if any, additional transcripts or documents will be required, and these requirements may be noted as a condition of admission.
• As part of the application process, applicants anticipating consideration under flexible admission must submit all official transcripts for all institutions currently or previously attended.

In all cases, applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts. Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in the institution's original, sealed envelope. If the envelope has been opened, the transcripts are no longer official and new (official) transcripts will be required to complete your application. 

Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.

All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.

Personal statement

The personal statement should be approximately one page in length and should outline your motivation for seeking entrance to the program. The statement should address the topic of how the Graduate Certificate in Change Management will contribute to your future career. Relate this to who you are, what you feel you will gain from the program, and what you feel you will gain from enrolling in the program.

Two reference letters

These documents can be written in a variety of formats. In essence, we expect the letters of reference to confirm that you are a suitable candidate for the program, why s/he feels you will succeed in the program, and describe how the program will benefit you. The context in which the referee has come to know you should also be mentioned (professional, academic, personal, volunteer, etc).

Detailed resume

Your detailed resume should include the following:

• Education: List all post secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
• Work experience: Please include name of organization, length of service and a brief description of duties.
• Voluntary/unpaid work experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include the name of the organization, length of service, and a brief description of duties. List positions you have held in this service.
• Information technology training and experience: Briefly describe your level of training and experience in the use of information technology including computers, software and telecommunications networks as tools for business, education, teaching and personal use.
• Professional memberships/affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, community/volunteer sector.
• Other relevant information: Provide any other information which you believe is relevant to your application and will be of assistance to the review committee.

If applicable:

• Applicants declaring permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada must submit a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR card) along with their application.
• Transcript evaluation fee or credential evaluation report, if submitting international transcripts.
• An official English Language Proficiency score report or other evidence of proficiency if English is not your primary language.
• Other information or documents as may be requested to determine your eligibility.

For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.