I graduated with a Master's in Educational Technology and Instructional Design in October of 2025. Like most people, I was drawn to the flexible, self paced format that lets you blow through what you already know. However, the job market reality has been disappointing. I've applied to approximately 36 instructional design roles since graduating, including two instructional designer positions at WGU itself, and have not received a single interview. It feels as though a WGU master's carries an incredibly limited weight in the field, even with WGU themselves. WGU promotes itself as a respected, accredited university with strong employer recognition, yet if their own hiring teams don't appear to value their alumni enough to grant an interview, it raises true concerns about how well anyone, including WGU themselves respect this degree. If I could choose again, I would likely pursue a graduate degree from a different institution, ideally one with a more traditional reputation in instructional design or educational technology. The competency-based approach worked for completing the program quickly, but it hasn't translated into the career advancement I was hoping for. I still feel like I wasted money, time, and effort. Prospective students should go in with eyes wide open...weigh the affordability and flexibility heavily against your specific career goals and the hiring realities in instructional design. I would say WGU is only for people who aleady have a job, and just need to check a box for education requirements for a promotion. That was not my case, and I have not seen success. If things change, I may update this, but as of right now, not even WGU themselves will hire me. What does that tell you?
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