Learn to design compelling educational experiences. Study tools, techniques and technologies that help people learn in training sessions, professional development and the classroom.
Upcoming offerings
January 12, 2026
Application deadline
Delivery model
Domestic tuition
International tuition
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January 11, 2027
Application deadline
Delivery model
Domestic tuition
International tuition
Related Schedules
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Program description
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
Program delivery
This program is delivered entirely online.
Online learning
Online courses consist of assigned readings, synchronous or asynchronous sessions, interactive discussions, and individual and team assignments.
You’re expected to meet deadlines and contribute meaningfully to your class. Your contributions are a big part of everyone’s learning.
Each 3-credit online course requires approximately 100 hours of work.
You'll start your program with a non-credit, but required, course focused on building community with your fellow classmates and learning about academic integrity.
Courses
Faculty
Transfer agreements
Refine results
All applications are assessed based on an integrated and consolidated examination of academic credentials, work experience, and personal experience.
Standard admission
- Completion of a four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree 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.
Missed your application deadline? While we can’t make any guarantees, we may be able to accommodate late applications if there's still space and enough time to process. If you're interested in an intake that is now closed to applications, apply for the next available intake and email Admissions with your preferred start date. Make sure you’re prepared to submit your program's required documents right away. We can't make an admissions decision without them.
Official transcripts
Applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts from ALL post-secondary (higher education) institutions currently or previously attended, for all credit courses and/or programs. Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.
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.
All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.
Personal statement
The personal statement should consist of (but is not limited to) a two-to three-page letter and must address the following four questions:
- What influenced your decision to apply to Royal Roads University?
- Why is this program appropriate for you?
- What do you hope to contribute to this program and the university?
- In five to ten years, how do you anticipate this program will add value?
If there is any other information that you feel might be of interest or relevance to your application, please include it in your personal statement.
Structured résumé
Your structured résumé should include the following:
- Work experience
- Training and professional development:List career related training and professional development programs completed within the past five years. Include the source of training, and the duration and year completed. List other training and personal development programs not already identified.
- Voluntary/unpaid work experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include name of the organization, length of service and a brief description of your duties.
- Leadership/change agent/trainer experience: Briefly describe any specific training and/or experience you have had as a group/project leader, coordinator of change initiatives, or trainer.
- 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.
- Innovative learning methods: Briefly describe any training and/or experience you have had in the use of innovative learning methods including distance learning, community and team-based learning, mentoring, etc. Include both your experience as a 'learner' and as an 'educator/trainer'.
- Professional memberships/affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, the 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. For example, electronic or digital copies (disk or flash drive) of business papers/documents/business plans, etc., might be useful. In certain cases we may require such documentation for individual candidates.
Reference letters
Your application requires two letters of reference. Ideally, these letters speak to your academic potential, your professional expertise and your personal attributes. One reference letter should be based on work experience and the other based on either academic performance or personal character reference.
- Professional reference: This letter should attest to your performance in the context of your current or previous work. The letter can address such areas as leadership potential, career commitment, human relations and supervisory skills, flexibility, communication, and technical skills.
- Academic reference: Academic letters of reference should attest to your academic achievement, study skills, teamwork, leadership potential, human relations, flexibility, communication and technical skills.
- Personal character reference: Your personal character reference should consist of a letter from someone who has known you for several years outside of the context of your work. Please ask the writer to indicate the length of time and context in which they have known you, and to consider the following attributes in their letter about you: honesty, integrity, responsibility, adaptability, concern and respect for others, sense of self-esteem and confidence.
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.