Becoming an e-learning developer typically requires a combination of instructional design knowledge, technology competency and, increasingly, a graduate-level credential that prepares professionals for the competitive demands of the field. E-learning development spans public and private education as well as corporate training, professional development and organizational learning programs. The demand for skilled e-learning developers continues to grow as organizations across industries invest in online and hybrid learning solutions.
St. Thomas University (STU) offers the online Master of Science in Instructional Design & Technology program for professionals who want to build the skills e-learning development requires. No background in education or teaching experience is necessary to begin the program, making it accessible to professionals from a wide range of fields.
What Is E-Learning?
E-learning, often referred to as online learning (when using the internet), is acquiring knowledge using electronic technologies and media. In today’s internet-connected world, any course of study delivered and consumed via digital devices, such as a computer, tablet or phone, can be considered e-learning, even if conducted offline.
E-learning often applies to education and training using a hybrid model, in which students receive some instruction while attending class in person and some by remote or electronic means. Education or training may also be entirely online, where students start and finish a degree program or course without stepping into the classroom at all.
Corporate training is one prominent application of e-learning. Organizations employ e-learning to deliver training remotely at scale across distributed teams in business, nonprofit and government settings.
What Does an E-Learning Developer Do?
E-learning developers design systems and courses, creating content intended to meet specific learning and skill-acquisition goals via electronic interfaces and various media. E-learning course development requires attention to how course design, delivery, user interface and learner interaction serve the content learning goals and the participant’s learning style and pace.
The e-learning developer also ensures all components of a course engage learners and deliver content seamlessly. Developers work in academic, corporate and nonprofit environments, making the role highly versatile across industries.
The Intersection of Instructional Design and E-Learning
Instructional designers and e-learning developers frequently collaborate on projects, and the roles can overlap substantially. Each requires a breadth of skills, training, depth of knowledge and experience, much of which is transferable between the professions. There are significant advantages to incorporating both roles into a project, reflected in the course design and in the potential efficacy of the product.
When instructional designers understand e-learning authoring technology, they can better match content to the right delivery methods and build more personalized, differentiated learning experiences into each course. This aspect of course design is essential to educators in both the public and private sectors as they recognize the importance of serving students with diverse learning styles and needs.
Preparing for a Position As an E-Learning Developer
Earning a master’s degree that integrates instructional design and technology competencies helps professionals enter the field and land higher-level positions in the competitive e-learning development job market. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), instructional coordinators, an occupational category that includes many e-learning and instructional design roles, earned a median annual wage of $74,720 in 2024, with the top 10% earning more than $115,410.
Higher-level roles in the field may fall under the occupational group of training and development managers. BLS reports that these professionals made a median annual salary of $127,090 in 2024, with top salaries exceeding $219,990.
The e-learning development field continues to expand as organizations across education and industry invest in scalable, technology-driven learning. The online M.S. in Instructional Design & Technology program from STU prepares students for roles in this growing field, with coursework exploring theory and practice across academic and corporate learning environments. Working professionals can complete the degree program in as few as 10 months, entirely online, gaining firsthand experience with the same e-learning tools and environments they will use throughout their careers.
Learn more about STU’s Master of Science in Instructional Design & Technology online program.
