How To Become A Director Of Distance Learning: What It Is and Career Path

What is a director of distance learning and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Imagine bringing people closer to their educational goals but doing it from a distance. That's exactly what you'll do, if you become a director of distance learning. The director of distance learning for an educational institution is in charge of determining how instructional technologies, such as interactive media, online courses, and asynchronous learning, will be used.

If you take a position as a the director of distance learning, you'll be expected to provide leadership and planning for online learning programs and technologies. You'll also need to guide and assist faculty members in the use of instructional technologies. In addition to overseeing the development and implementation of these technologies, you'll also need to evaluate online and alternative formats, while continuously exploring new technological concepts and techniques.

Getting a position as a director of distance learning will typically require an advanced degree. You'll also need to have previous management experience as well as experience in developing and delivering training and support services for online learning.

ScoreDirector Of Distance LearningUS Average

Salary

6.9

Avg. Salary $88,059

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.1

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.72%

Asian 4.90%

Black or African American 12.56%

Hispanic or Latino 11.51%

Unknown 4.11%

White 66.20%

Gender

female 55.42%

male 44.58%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

8.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.8

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a director of distance learning

Explore director of distance learning education requirements

Most common director of distance learning degrees

Bachelor's

57.7 %

Master's

27.0 %

Doctorate

7.4 %

Start to develop specific director of distance learning skills

Skills	Percentages
English Language	18.26%
Technical Assistance	18.09%
Technical Support	17.80%
Strategic Plan	7.66%
Instructional Design	5.41%

Complete relevant director of distance learning training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New directors of distance learning learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a director of distance learning based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real director of distance learning resumes.

Research director of distance learning duties and responsibilities

Manage and deliver an influential distance learning program utilizing a professional videoconferencing studio.
Collaborate in developing the organization's constitution, syllabus and lesson plans.
Provide general leadership and oversight for e-learning and e-learning support projects; develop faculty workshops, assessments, and improvement strategies.
Trouble shoot and shoot and up keep of computers and A/V n system.

Get director of distance learning experience

Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a director of distance learning. The most common roles before becoming a director of distance learning include teacher, adjunct faculty team lead and director.

Apply for director of distance learning jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a director of distance learning job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

Average director of distance learning salary

The average director of distance learning salary in the United States is $88,059 per year or $42 per hour. Director of distance learning salaries range between $50,000 and $154,000 per year.

Average director of distance learning salary

$88,059 Yearly

$42.34 hourly

What is a director of distance learning and how to become one

Director of distance learning career paths

Key steps to become a director of distance learning

Explore director of distance learning education requirements

Most common director of distance learning degrees

Start to develop specific director of distance learning skills

Complete relevant director of distance learning training and internships

Research director of distance learning duties and responsibilities

Get director of distance learning experience

Apply for director of distance learning jobs

How did you land your first director of distance learning job

Average director of distance learning salary

How do directors of distance learning rate their job?