Building a Full Esthetic Diploma Program in Learnworlds
Said Rouah
Case Study: Building a Comprehensive Full Esthetic Diploma Program
Project Overview
The Esthetic & Laser Training Centre required a complete transformation of their raw recorded content into a professionally structured, fully accredited diploma program delivered through LearnWorlds. The challenge was ambitious: convert 120GB of training materials, video lectures, and resources into a cohesive, engaging, and compliance-ready online learning platform spanning 28 weeks and 29 courses.
Program Value Proposition:
Program Price: $14,000 per student
Planned Intake: 2 groups per year
Projected Career Impact: Industry-recognized certifications advancing esthetician specialization and earning potential
The objective was not merely to host content online, but to create an interactive, transformative learning experience that met state licensing requirements while delivering measurable educational outcomes, professional certification, and sustainable institutional operations.
The Challenge
The Esthetic & Laser Training Centre possessed extensive raw recorded content—120GB of videos, lectures, and training materials—but lacked the strategic framework and platform expertise to translate this into a structured, engaging online curriculum. Key challenges included:
Content Volume & Complexity: 120GB of unorganized materials across 29 distinct courses required systematic indexing, categorization, and integration without losing educational coherence or video quality.
Platform Selection & Optimization: LearnWorlds was selected for its flexibility, but required deep technical configuration to handle complex curriculum architecture, multiple certification pathways, branching logic, and scalable delivery for hundreds of students.
Assessment & Compliance: The program needed to meet state esthetic licensing requirements while providing rigorous assessment mechanisms to ensure student competency and professional readiness.
Engagement Without Quality Loss: Converting instructor-led training into an online format risked reducing interactivity and hands-on learning value, particularly for a practical field like esthetics.
Scalability & User Experience: Building a platform that could scale from 2 initial cohorts to multiple cohorts annually while maintaining intuitive navigation and professional branding across 29 courses.
My Role & Strategic Approach
I served as the instructional design and platform lead, responsible for the complete technical and pedagogical transformation:
Responsibilities & Deliverables
Platform Architecture & Setup
Designed and deployed all 29 courses in LearnWorlds with professional information architecture
Established consistent navigation patterns, branding, and user experience across the entire program
Created logical course progressions that balanced theoretical foundation with practical application
Instructional Design & Assessment Strategy
Designed and built 156 micro-assessment questions strategically distributed throughout the curriculum
Created 29 distinct certifications aligned with course learning objectives and state requirements
Developed 90 workbook modules with interactive exercises and reflection prompts
Implemented spaced retrieval practice and knowledge checks every 3–4 minutes to optimize retention
Content Integration & Optimization
Conducted comprehensive content audit, assigning unique identifiers to every lesson and resource (M2L3-V notation system)
Embedded video content with strategic timestamping, transforming passive viewing into active learning
Integrated hands-on practice assignments, case studies, and professional development portfolio exercises
Compliance & Quality Assurance
Ensured full alignment with state esthetic licensing requirements and industry standards
Implemented rigorous quality control across all assessment instruments
Created comprehensive platform documentation and integration guides for institutional sustainability
Project Timeline: 10 weeks from kickoff to full deployment
Program Architecture
Program Structure
Duration: 28 weeks
Total Courses: 29
Assessment Items: 156 questions + 90 workbook exercises
Certifications: 29 (one per course)
Flagship Example: Advanced Facials Course
The Advanced Facials course exemplifies the program's depth and practical focus:
Course Investment: $2,000
Duration: 3 weeks (50 total contact hours: 10 theory + 40 hands-on)
Course Outcomes: Students master advanced skin therapy techniques using electrotherapy devices, including eye treatments, acne solutions, anti-aging therapies, and skin lightening protocols with clinical precision and safety standards.
Prerequisite: Basic facial certification
Target Learner: Estheticians seeking advanced specialization to differentiate their professional practice and expand service offerings
This single course demonstrates the program's commitment to combining rigorous theory with applied practice—the course includes a specialized student kit and supervised hands-on training components.
Program Architecture
Program Structure
Duration: 28 weeks
Total Courses: 29
Assessment Items: 156 questions + 90 workbook exercises
Certifications: 29 (one per course)
Flagship Example: Advanced Facials Course
The Advanced Facials course exemplifies the program's depth and practical focus:
Course Investment: $2,000
Duration: 3 weeks (50 total contact hours: 10 theory + 40 hands-on)
Course Outcomes: Students master advanced skin therapy techniques using electrotherapy devices, including eye treatments, acne solutions, anti-aging therapies, and skin lightening protocols with clinical precision and safety standards.
Prerequisite: Basic facial certification
Target Learner: Estheticians seeking advanced specialization to differentiate their professional practice and expand service offerings
This single course demonstrates the program's commitment to combining rigorous theory with applied practice—the course includes a specialized student kit and supervised hands-on training components.
Solution: Transforming Content Into Curriculum
1. Content Audit & Systematic Organization
Rather than uploading raw materials, I developed a comprehensive content management system:
Created unique identifiers for every lesson component (Module/Lesson/Resource type notation)
Built a master content audit spreadsheet tracking all 120GB of materials
Established logical relationships between video content, assessments, and supplementary resources
Enabled rapid retrieval and updates while maintaining curriculum integrity
Impact: Reduced onboarding time for new instructors and ensured consistent content delivery across cohorts.
2. Interactive Workbook Ecosystem
Transformed static video lectures into dynamic learning experiences:
Designed 90 workbook modules with embedded video timestamps
Created "educational treasure hunts" where workbooks reference specific moments in video content, requiring active engagement
Developed reflection prompts that encourage critical thinking and professional application
Integrated checklists aligned with hands-on skill demonstrations
Pedagogical Foundation: These workbooks leverage the spacing effect and interleaved practice to enhance retention and transfer of knowledge to professional practice.
3. Micro-Assessment Architecture
Implemented a sophisticated assessment strategy beyond traditional quizzes:
Deployed 156 strategically designed questions across the curriculum
Positioned knowledge checks every 3–4 minutes to maintain engagement and identify knowledge gaps
Created varied question formats (multiple-choice, scenario-based, matching) to assess different cognitive levels
Conducted A/B testing to optimize question clarity and discrimination
Complemented quantitative assessments with professional development portfolio exercises
Learning Science Integration: Frequent low-stakes assessments reduce test anxiety while providing immediate feedback and enhancing long-term retention.
4. Certification & Compliance Framework
Designed 29 distinct certifications that serve dual purposes:
Educational: Each certification represents mastery of core competencies required for professional practice
Compliance: All certifications align with state esthetic licensing requirements and industry standards
Professional Value: Certifications are displayed on student profiles and shareable via digital badges, supporting career advancement
Technical Implementation
LearnWorlds Platform Configuration
Course Structure: Hierarchical course architecture with consistent modules, lessons, and resources
Assessments: Conditional branching logic, automated scoring, and detailed reporting
Workbooks: PDF-embedded with video linking and interactive elements
Accessibility: Mobile-responsive design, closed captions, and WCAG 2.1 AA compliance standards
Integrations: Video hosting, payment processing, and certification delivery
Documentation & Knowledge Transfer
Created comprehensive institutional documentation:
Platform Integration Guide (comprehensive training manual for staff)
Course Template Library with 34 slide template recommendations
Visual Hierarchy Guidelines for consistent brand presentation
Standard Operating Procedures for course updates and new content addition
Assessment Design Documentation for maintaining quality standards
Key Metrics & Impact
Quantitative Outcomes
Qualitative Outcomes
Enhanced Student Engagement
Frequent knowledge checks and interactive workbooks transform passive video consumption into active learning
Workbook timestamps create intentional learning pathways that guide students through complex content
Reflection prompts and portfolio exercises connect theory to professional practice
Operational Efficiency
Fully integrated platform eliminates manual content management and reduces administrative overhead
Standardized course templates enable rapid deployment of new content and specialized tracks
Comprehensive documentation enables institutional knowledge transfer and staff training
Professional Credibility
State-compliant certifications provide assurance of program rigor and student competency
Digital badges and shareable credentials support student career advancement and employer recognition
Professional development portfolios demonstrate mastery beyond test scores
Scalability & Sustainability
Platform architecture supports enrollment growth from 2 to multiple cohorts annually
Modular design enables easy addition of specialized courses or elective tracks
Documentation ensures continuity and reduces dependency on external expertise
Client Impact & Business Value
For the Esthetic & Laser Training Centre, this program represents significant competitive advantage:
Revenue Model: With a $14,000 price point per student and planned 2 cohorts annually, the program generates substantial revenue while reducing instructor time commitments compared to traditional in-person delivery.
Market Differentiation: A professionally designed, fully online diploma program positions the training centre as a modern, accessible educational provider in an increasingly digital market.
Scalability: Unlike instructor-dependent in-person training, the LearnWorlds platform enables rapid scaling to new markets and student populations without proportional cost increases.
Institutional Asset: The completed platform, documentation, and content management systems represent long-term institutional assets that reduce future development costs and support continuous improvement.
Key Takeaways
This project demonstrates expertise across the full instructional design lifecycle:
Strategic Vision: Translated raw content into a cohesive, learner-centered curriculum aligned with business objectives and compliance requirements
Instructional Design Excellence: Applied evidence-based learning science (spaced retrieval, interleaving, frequent low-stakes assessment) to optimize student outcomes
Technical Execution: Configured and optimized a sophisticated learning management system to support complex curriculum architecture and professional workflows
Compliance & Quality: Ensured rigorous adherence to state licensing requirements while maintaining high pedagogical standards
Scalability & Sustainability: Built systems and documentation enabling institutional growth and knowledge transfer
The result is a fully interactive, professional-grade diploma program that enhances student learning, streamlines institutional operations, and supports the client's growth and competitive positioning in the esthetics education market.
Like this project
Posted Oct 16, 2025
Built a complete 29-course esthetic diploma program in LearnWorlds, transforming 120GB of raw video content into a functional, state-compliant training platform
Likes
6
Views
4
Timeline
Jan 1, 2023 - Mar 12, 2023
