Do You Really Need an Instructional Design Degree?

What matters more than your diploma when building e-learning

You’re probably asking this question because you want to break into instructional design or you’re worried your lack of formal education holds you back. Here’s the reality: skills trump degrees every time, but the job market doesn’t always see it that way.

Let’s walk through both sides so you can make the right choice for your situation.

You don’t need a degree to build great courses

Most of what you need to know about instructional design lives outside university classrooms. You can learn course design principles from books, practice with authoring tools, and connect with experienced designers online. I’ve seen people with advanced degrees struggle to apply what they learned, while self-taught designers create engaging, effective courses. You see that every day in the e-learning challenges where people share what they can do.

Here’s how to build your skills without formal education.

Read and apply. Start by reading instructional design books and articles and applying what you learn immediately. Don’t just read about adult learning theory—use it in a mini-module you create. Build these practice projects and add them to your portfolio with explanations of your design choices.

Connect with other designers through online communities and social media. You’ll get exposure to new ideas and honest feedback on your work. The e-learning community is generous with advice, but make sure you contribute too. People notice when you only take without giving back.

Create a portfolio that shows your thinking process, not just your final products. Include a blog where you work through design challenges and share what you’re learning. This combination gives employers insight into how you approach problems and grow your skills.

Degrees open doors you can’t open yourself

Let’s be honest about the job market. Most e-learning positions require at least a bachelor’s degree, and many prefer master’s degrees in instructional design or related fields. That’s not always fair, but it’s reality.

HR departments often screen resumes before hiring managers see them. If the job posting says “degree required” and you don’t have one, your application might never reach the person who actually understands what skills matter. You could be the most talented course designer, but you won’t get the chance to prove it.

Formal education also pushes you in ways self-directed learning doesn’t. You’ll tackle projects outside your comfort zone and work with people who think differently than you do. These challenges help you grow beyond what you might choose for yourself.

University programs expose you to research and theories you might skip on your own. While not everything applies directly to your work, this broader foundation helps you make better design decisions and explains why certain approaches work better than others.

The skills gap between degree and practice

Here’s something universities don’t advertise: many graduates tell me their programs didn’t prepare them for real-world work because academic projects rarely match the constraints and politics of corporate training environments. You might spend months on a single course design in school, but at work you need to turn around projects in weeks.

Many professors have limited experience outside academia. They understand learning theory but haven’t dealt with stakeholders who want to cram everything into one course or executives who change requirements mid-project. This disconnect makes some degree programs less practical than they should be.

Self-directed learners often develop more relevant skills because they focus on what actually matters in their work environment. You learn the authoring tools companies use, study design examples from your industry, and practice skills that directly impact your daily tasks.

How to decide what’s right for you

Start by researching job postings in your area or target companies. Look for patterns in requirements and preferred qualifications. Make a list of desired skills and honestly assess where you stand. This gap analysis shows you exactly what to work on.

If most jobs require degrees and you can’t afford to wait years to build experience, formal education might make sense. But if you’re already working in a related field or have strong portfolio pieces, you might succeed with targeted skill building instead.

Consider your learning style and life situation too. Some people thrive with structured programs and deadlines, while others prefer learning at their own pace. Degree programs also provide built-in networking opportunities that take more effort to create independently.

Connect with working instructional designers and ask about their paths. You’ll find people who succeeded both ways, and their specific experiences can help you understand what route fits your circumstances better.