Mastering Instructional Design: Key Skills and Competencies for Success in an Instructional Design Program

*Updated 12/16/25

A Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology (MSIDT) degree, such as the one offered at Southern Nazarene University (SNU), cultivates a wide range of skills that will serve you well as an instructional designer. Training and Development Specialists can expect faster-than-average career growth over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Instructional designers have an average annual salary of about $79,000 in the United States. This career path is also versatile, offering a wide range of opportunities across government, nonprofits, higher education, elementary schools, corporations, and self-owned businesses.

But is an instructional design program right for you? That depends on whether designing quality instruction devices, programs, curriculum, and materials interests you and whether you’re invested in cultivating the necessary skills.

Here are the core competencies an instructional design degree fosters:

Understanding of Learning Theories

There’s more than one way to learn and dozens of ways to teach. Instructional designers need a solid foundation in various learning theories to design courses and instructional tools aligned with each theory. A good instructional designer can adapt to learners’ needs rather than impose their preferred style. 

Some of the styles you’ll learn about as part of your instructional design degree program include: 

• Behaviorism: a learning theory that focuses on observable behaviors, proposing that learning happens through interactions with one's environment. Behaviors are believed to be affected through conditioning, using rewards and punishments to shape responses. Essentially, the behaviorism learning theory holds that learners are shaped by external stimuli rather than by internal thoughts.
• Cognitivism: a learning theory that emphasizes the importance of mental processes in learning. This theory asserts that learners actively process information. It focuses on the use and development of internal cognitive processes, including knowledge, memory, attention, and problem-solving. It contrasts with behaviorism, which views learners as passive recipients of information rather than active information processors.
• Constructivism: a learning theory that views learners as active builders of their own knowledge and understanding through their experiences and interactions. It also assumes that learners build on their foundation of existing knowledge to learn new information. Learners construct knowledge and understanding as they experience and reflect on their experiences, rather than by passively receiving information. 
• Connectivism: an innovative learning theory more associated with the digital age. This theory views learning as the process of making connections across a network of information sources, rather than relying solely on internal knowledge. It is built on the premise that digital technology brings people and ideas together and hinges on knowing where and how to find and consume information, highlighting the ability to navigate networks, build links, and maintain connections to acquire knowledge. 

Problem-Solving

Instructional design is about identifying instructional challenges and designing solutions to address them. For example, you might build a course for learners with dyslexia or brainstorm strategies to keep students engaged during distance learning.

Problem-solving requires significant empathy to see things from the learner's perspective. You may need to review performance gaps, conduct needs assessments, and ask for feedback from learners. A wide range of design skills will expand your capacity to creatively and comprehensively respond to learners’ needs.  These skills may include visual design, multimedia development, storyboarding, assessment design, project management, communication, web and code basics, AI tools, and more. 

Critical Thinking 

Instructional design is not formulaic. There’s no such thing as a fill-in-the-blank approach, and one-size-fits-all learning leaves many learners out. Instructional designers must be able to think critically and flexibly. MSIDT students will practice these skills in school, but a sharp, critical approach is helpful from day one. If you are always asking if there’s a better way to do things or are keen to include learners who are left out, you’re a perfect fit for this exciting career. 

Commitment to Finding Solutions

Every learner deserves a chance to realize their full potential. However, the default methodology, whatever it is, will not work for everyone. Instructional designers have two choices: give up or learn more to do more to reach every learner where they are. 

During your career, you may experience a range of challenges. For example, how might you design an online course for blind learners, meet the needs of deaf students, or keep learners engaged when they’re distracted, overwhelmed, or anxious? 

The first, or even fifth, intervention you try may not always work. Instructional designers must be committed to finding solutions that work for everyone. The more willing you are to innovate and be flexible, the more successful you will be in your career. 

Multimedia Design and Development Skills

Multimedia design is the foundation upon which much instructional design is built. You must be proficient in a range of design tools and technologies to use video, audio, images, and text to create compelling courses and assessments. Creativity is key because it inspires learners. Some of the technologies you may need to use include: 

• File-sharing programs
• Slide-sharing programs 
• Graphic design software 
• Authoring tools 
• Video editing software 

Communication Skills 

Instructional designers must be effective communicators because their role involves understanding and conveying information to learners who may process it differently. Some of the skills you’ll need to cultivate and master include successful verbal and written communication that is efficient and succinct, as well as an overall understanding of visual, audio, and video communication.

In SNU's MSIDT program, you’ll gain experience practicing different ways to communicate information so you can adapt your approach based on results.

Instructional Strategies and Techniques

Learning takes many forms, and it doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, if you can make it fun. You can keep learners motivated even when they’re struggling. Familiarity with various instructional strategies and techniques enables instructional designers to select the most appropriate methods to engage learners and achieve desired learning outcomes. Some of the techniques you’ll learn about include: 

• Microlearning: an educational approach in which information is delivered in quick, focused bursts to teach a single objective. This usually takes place in digital formats such as videos, quizzes, flashcards, and infographics. 
• Scenario-based learning: an active learning method that immerses learners into practical, interactive situations in which they can practice problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills in a low-risk environment. Often described as learning by doing or compared to choose-your-own-adventure stories, scenario-based learning utilizes real-life events to practice essential skills and promote active learning.
• Gamification: helps learners stay engaged and motivated by applying game-like elements to the learning process. These elements may include badges, points, leaderboards, checkpoints, levels, and storytelling. This makes learning more entertaining and interactive. 
• Flipped classroom: this approach reverses traditional teaching and student roles by having students learn new information before coming into class. This is often done through video lectures or assigned readings. Students learn new content before class and then use class time for discussion, collaboration, and hands-on problem-solving. Considered a form of blended learning, this instructional strategy emphasizes student engagement over passive information consumption.

User Experience Design

Quality instructional design is about delivering an exceptional user experience. Instructional designers must master user experience design principles to build intuitive, learner-centered learning experiences. Some design skills you’ll focus on include: 

• Usability, accessibility, and inclusivity 
• User-friendly interfaces
• Engaging interactions 
• Intuitive navigation 

Collaborative Skills

Instructional designers rarely work alone. You will work with a team, so you will need to collaborate with a range of personalities, accept input, adjust your communication style to others’ needs, and give and receive feedback. People prefer to work with people who treat them well and make them feel valued. If you’re a people person, you may thrive in this career. Your graduate degree in instructional design can help you hone your collaboration skills. 

Project Management

Instructional design requires significant project management expertise. You may work on many long-term, complex projects with different stakeholders, timelines, and deliverables. Efficiency and effectiveness are hallmarks of proficient project management. Be prepared to establish project scopes, develop and implement project plans, manage resources, and be accountable for how you spend your time. 

Why the Right School Is Key

Whether you want to climb the corporate ladder, get ahead at work, or master entirely new skills, a career in instructional design can be inspiring and lucrative. However, it’s not enough to choose the first school you find.

The right school will help you navigate financial aid, provide academic and emotional support, and utilize flexible curriculum options to help you where you are now, while ensuring you reach where you hope to go. SNU is committed to helping each student realize their full potential. Are you ready to take the next step in pursuing your Master of Science in Instructional Design & Technology?