What are the best instructional design courses on Coursera?

Top courses include Instructional Design Foundations and Applications from the University of Illinois and An Introduction to Learning Experience Design (LXD) from the University of Michigan as well. These programs cover learning theory, course planning, digital pedagogy, and technology tools for designing engaging learning experiences.

Can I learn instructional design for free on Coursera?

Yes. Many instructional design courses offer a free audit option. You can access video lectures and readings at no cost. If you want to complete assessments or earn a certificate, you’ll need to upgrade or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in an instructional design course?

You’ll learn how to design learning objectives, structure courses, select appropriate media and tools, and evaluate learning outcomes. Many courses also include frameworks like ADDIE, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

Do I need a teaching background to start learning instructional design?

Not necessarily. While experience in education or training can be helpful, many courses are beginner-friendly and provide a strong foundation for anyone interested in creating effective learning experiences.

Can Coursera’s instructional design courses help me build a career?

Yes. Instructional design is a growing field across education , corporate training , government , and nonprofits . Coursera courses can help you build job-ready skills, create a portfolio of work, and earn certificates that demonstrate your ability to design engaging and effective learning materials.

Top Instructional Design Courses - Learn Instructional Design Online

Find the Best Instructional Design Course for Your Goals

Status: New
Coursera
Test, Learn, Evolve: Usability Testing in Figma
Skills you'll gain: Usability Testing, Usability, Figma (Design Software), User Experience Design, User Centered Design, UI/UX Research, User Research, Prototyping, Test Planning
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Create a Promotional Video using Canva
Skills you'll gain: Customer Engagement, Canva (Software), Selling Techniques, Video Production, Marketing Materials, Presentations, Promotional Materials, Social Media Campaigns, Promotional Strategies, Multimedia, Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Value Propositions, Content Creation, Animations
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
1K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: New
Coursera
Flow Forward: Mastering User Journeys & Wireframing in Figma
Skills you'll gain: User Experience Design, User Flows, Figma (Design Software), Usability, User Interface (UI), User Centered Design, Wireframing, User Research
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Power Electronics
Skills you'll gain: Power Electronics, Control Systems, Semiconductors, Electronic Systems, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Components, Basic Electrical Systems, Electric Power Systems, Electrical Power, Systems Analysis, Electronics, Simulations, Engineering Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Systems Design, Plot (Graphics), Technical Design, Engineering Design Process, Engineering Calculations, Matlab
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.2K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Coursera
Experience Essentials: Unlocking the UX Process with Miro
Skills you'll gain: User Experience Design, User Centered Design, Prototyping, Wireframing, User Research, Design Thinking, Collaborative Software
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera
Portfolio Power: Compelling UX Case Studies in Sketch
Skills you'll gain: User Experience Design, User Experience, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, User Centered Design, UI/UX Research, Storytelling, Usability Testing, Technical Design, Prototyping, Mockups, Wireframing
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera
Validate & Elevate: Usability Testing in Sketch
Skills you'll gain: Usability Testing, Software Design Documents, User Experience Design, User Centered Design, UI/UX Research, Prototyping, Test Planning, Design Software
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera
Blueprint the Experience: User Flows in Miro
Skills you'll gain: User Experience Design, User Flows, Wireframing, User Centered Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Mockups, Usability, Prototyping, Design Software
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera
Interaction Intelligence: Advanced Prototyping with Figma
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, Figma (Design Software), Prototyping, Mockups, User Interface (UI), Interaction Design, Usability, User Experience Design, User Flows, Animations
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera
Prototype to Success: Figma Prototyping Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Figma (Design Software), Prototyping, Mockups, Interaction Design, Design Reviews, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Wireframing, Collaborative Software, UI Components, Usability Testing, Animations
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera
User DNA: Crafting Personas & Journey Maps in Miro
Skills you'll gain: User Experience Design, Persona (User Experience), User Experience, Design Research, User Research, User Centered Design, Usability, User Flows, Persona Development, Research, Qualitative Research, Design Software, Graphical Tools, Prioritization
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera Instructor Network
Advanced UX Strategies for Product Managers
Skills you'll gain: UI/UX Strategy, User Experience, User Experience Design, Design and Product, Data Storytelling, Experience Design, User Centered Design, Usability Testing, Product Improvement, User Research, Human Centered Design, Design Research, Figma (Design Software), User Feedback, Wireframing, Customer experience improvement, Prioritization
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks