Courses, Events, Tools and Resources to Develop Your Instructional Design Skills
ATD Education offers industry-leading professional development in the field of instructional design. Stay ahead of the game with these practical, hands-on learning experiences taught by leaders in the field. Choose from a variety of courses, offered online and in the classroom.
MASTER PROGRAM
ATD Master Instructional Designer® Program
Explore new design models and techniques, evaluate real-world projects, and work with expert facilitators.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Training Design and Delivery Certificate
Advance your career with this fast-paced program that combines content from both the instructional design and training delivery and facilitation capabilities of the Talent Development Capability Model™.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Writing for Instructional Design and Training Certificate
Master the art of writing clear, engaging, and credible content for your instructional design, e-learning, and training projects.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Instructional Design Certificate
Design and develop outcome-based learning using proven instructional design approaches, practical models and templates.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate
Use instructional design principles to design asynchronous e-learning courses that engage participants.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Virtual Instructional Design Certificate
Use intentional and thoughtful instructional design practices to design virtual learning events that engage and motivate learners to apply new skills and knowledge on the job.
Contact an ATD Enterprise Solutions Account Executive to learn more.
ATD TechKnowledge (TK) is a dynamic event for learning professionals to explore the latest tech, experiment with tools, and connect with industry leaders. Designed for both beginners and advanced tech enthusiasts, TK helps elevate skills and keep you ahead in the ever-evolving world of learning technology.
Instructional Design Events
ATD Core4
Attend Core4 Phoenix to learn how to design impactful solutions that create richer learning experiences and deliver more substantial results.
DECEMBER 3–5, 2024
ATD Core4
Attend Core4 Virtual to learn how to design impactful solutions that create richer learning experiences and deliver more substantial results.
FEB 12–13, 2025
ATD TechKnowledge
An immersive experience that blends learning and technology to discover new and practical approaches to L&D with the learner in mind. Learn more!
MAY 18–21, 2025
ATD International Conference & EXPO
This is the world's largest, most comprehensive talent development conference. Join the global community of L&D professionals in one place.
Get the latest insights from industry thought leaders to boost your knowledge in the field of instructional design and beyond.
Essential Books for Instructional Design
Introduction to Instructional Systems Design
The A–Z Resource on Instructional Systems Design
Modern, adaptable, flexible, timeless. Instructional systems design (ISD) is more relevant than ever and critical for organizational success. ISD is used by education...
By Chuck Hodell PhD on May 10, 2021
Learning Science for Instructional Designers
Ensure Your Instructional Design Stands Up to Learning Science
Learning science is a professional imperative for instructional designers. In fact, instructional design is applied learning science. To create...
By Clark N. Quinn on April 13, 2021
Virtual Training Tools and Templates
Are your virtual training tools ready for a tune-up?
You've discovered the best way to reach remote audiences without boarding a single plane. And you've learned that an effective virtual...
By Cindy Huggett, CPTD on June 27, 2017
Producing Virtual Training, Meetings, and Webinars
Master the Production of Virtual Events and Improve Engagement
Have you ever found yourself confidently delivering content for a virtual training session, webinar, or online meeting only to have a...
By Kassy LaBorie on December 29, 2020
Design Thinking for Training and Development
Better Learning Solutions Through Better Learning Experiences
When training and development initiatives treat learning as something that occurs as a one-time event, the learner and the business suffer. Using design...
By Sharon Boller, Laura Fletcher on June 9, 2020
Agile for Instructional Designers
Discover Agile for Better Instructional DesignTo serve business needs amid greater volatility and uncertainty in the workplace, learning and development professionals need project management methods that can keep up....
By Megan Torrance on August 27, 2019
Instructional Design Research Reports
Instructional Design Now: A New Age of Learning and Beyond
Instructional Design Now, a collaboration of the Association for Talent Development (ATD) and the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp), explores a learning landscape rich in emerging opportunities, populated by...
By ATD Research on March 3, 2015
Needs Assessments
In Needs Assessments: Design and Execution for Success—the latest research report by the Association for Talent Development (ATD)—results show that needs assessments are only used by a slight...
By ATD Research on April 24, 2018
E-Learning: The Evolving Landscape
E-Learning: The Evolving Landscape examines organizations’ use of e-learning, comparing the practices of high-performing organizations and other organizations. It explores the effectiveness of e-learning for different content areas, practices...
By ATD Research on August 11, 2020
For more than 80 years ATD has been the trusted resource for the talent development community. ATD supports those who develop the knowledge and skills of employees around the world. Our members and customers are professionals who help others achieve their full potential by improving their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the workplace.
Instructional designers make up a significant portion of ATD membership. Explore how ATD membership can enhance and transform your instructional design career.
ATD membership unlocks exclusive access to timely resources, templates, and tools, cutting-edge research, and a tribe of industry experts and peers. Members leverage ATD membership to elevate their skills, advance their knowledge, grow their networks, and create impactful learning experiences.
Are you interested in taking an ATD course or attend an ATD conference? Add ATD membership during checkout. Membership starts at just $299 and you'll get member pricing for your course or conference. Members save $300 on courses and $400 on conferences!
ATD’s two professional certifications—the APTD® and CPTD®—cover the breadth of talent development, including instructional design, performance improvement, and more. Earning one can validate your experience, show your professional growth, and help you stand out from the crowd.
Learn More About ATD Certifications
CREDENTIAL
Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD)
The APTD is for professionals with at least three years of experience. The exam focuses on application of foundational skills in talent development.
CREDENTIAL
Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD)
The CPTD is for more senior TD professionals with at least five years of experience. The exam focuses on skills application and decision making for enhancing employee talent development.
The Talent Development Capability Model
The Capability Model is a framework to guide the TD profession in what practitioners need to know and do to develop themselves, others, and their organizations. Both certifications are grounded in the model.
