Apply for the June 15 Founders Cohort
A 24-week, cohort-based professional certification in Learning Design & Technology focused on real-world instructional design capability through applied work, feedback and professional practice.
This is not a self-paced course or a short workshop. It is a structured learning experience for people who want to learn how to design effective training and learning experiences and apply those skills in real-world contexts.
Why the Academy was created
The Academy was created in response to a clear and recurring need expressed by hiring managers and L&D leaders: instructional designers who can do more than operate tools.
Organizations are seeking professionals who can analyze learning needs, design effective solutions, work across delivery formats, and make informed instructional decisions, not just build assets.
The Academy focuses on developing this full professional skill set, preparing learners to approach instructional design work with clarity, confidence, and professional judgment.
What the learning experience looks like
Over 24 weeks, learners engage in guided learning that emphasizes:
- Designing learning experiences grounded in professional practice
- Applying concepts through hands-on projects and milestone-based work
- Developing instructional design decision-making skills
- Receiving feedback to support growth and refinement
All learning takes place online and is designed to fit alongside work and life commitments, with flexibility in how and when learners engage.
Program Snapshot
- Start date: June 15, 2026
- Length: 24 Weeks
- Time Commitment: 5–10 Hours Per Week
- Format: Online, Cohort-Based
- Pathway: Digital Learning Systems Design (Founders Cohort)
- Cohort Size: 20 participants
- Mentor Ratio: 1:7-10
The program is paced to support steady progress over time rather than high-pressure acceleration.
Tuition
Founders Cohort Tuition Early Enrollment: $4495 through May 30.*
Founders Cohort Tuition May 30 – June 13: $5195*
(Standard Program Investment: $5695)
*This reflects a reduced rate in recognition of participation in the Academy’s inaugural cohort. Payment and financing options are available after application approval.
What “Founders Cohort” means
As the inaugural cohort, Founders Cohort participants help shape the Academy by providing feedback on curriculum flow, learning activities, and the overall experience.
The program itself is fully designed and supported. This is not an experimental or unfinished offering.
In recognition of early participation, Founders Cohort learners receive special benefits not available in future cohorts, including reduced tuition and continued access to Academy courses as they are developed.
Learning beyond the initial program
Founders Cohort participants receive lifetime access to additional Academy courses as they are released, at no additional cost, as a thank-you for helping shape the Academy during its inaugural launch.
Featured upcoming courses
- Accessibility & Inclusive Learning Design (Advanced)
- Facilitation, ILT & Simulation Design (Advanced)
- Learning Experience Media Design & Production (Advanced)
Additional courses in development
- Technical Writing, Documentation & Job Aids (Advanced)
- AI for Instructional Designers
- Content Creation & Learning Strategy for Creators, Entrepreneurs & Small Businesses
The Academy is designed as a long-term professional learning ecosystem, supporting instructional designers as roles and delivery methods evolve.
Who this program is for
This program is for people interested in learning how to design training and learning experiences that make a real-world impact.
You may be exploring instructional design as a new direction, building on experience in another field, or seeking to develop professional level learning design skills. There is no single background or prior experience required.
Next step
The application is short and no obligation. It helps both you and the Academy determine whether the Founders Pilot Cohort is a good fit at this time.