Master of Science in Instructional Design and Learning Technologies
DURATION
30 Hours
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
May 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 649 / per credit *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* per credit hour
Introduction
Innovative instructional programs are increasingly critical to success in a variety of fields – from education to industry. EKU’s 100% online instructional design and learning technology (IDLT) program prepares you to integrate current and emerging technology as you learn to design, facilitate and evaluate effective learning programs. The IDLT program offers a systematic approach to improving learning outcomes by developing consistent, quality instructional products and experiences. Graduates leave the program with a professional portfolio showcasing their skills and accomplishments and are prepared to take on key roles in the growing field of instructional design.
Gain a competitive edge with a concentration
As part of the instructional design and learning technology program, you can choose between two specialty concentrations, giving you a competitive edge in the job market. Options include:
Online Learning Design
Create digital learning products and tools for use in everything from online college courses to corporate workforce training. Learn how to plan for and develop content, structure, timing, pedagogical strategies, learning activity sequence, and the type and frequency of assessments required.
Course topics include:
- Multimedia for Learning
- Online Learning Design
- Instruction for Diverse Learners
- Training the Modern Workforce
User Experience Design
Create products that provide relevant and meaningful user experiences and interactions. Learn how to use graphic design principles to develop engaging, effective, and easy-to-use interfaces for learning, game, software systems training materials, and more.
Course topics include:
- Graphic Design for Learning
- User Experience Design
- Game Design for Learning
- Instruction for Diverse Learners
What sets our program apart?
Students will acquire not only specialized foundational and theoretical knowledge of the field, but also hone relevant, industry-accepted skills while making connections with current practitioners. EKU’s curriculum blends academic and professional preparation through course topics such as multimedia for learning, making data-driven decisions, online learning design, and training the modern workforce.
- Accelerated 8-week terms
- 6 start dates per year
- No GRE required
- Complete your degree in as little as 18 months
- Assemble a professional portfolio as you complete your coursework
- Internship opportunities and the chance to network with professionals in the field
- Generous credit transfer policy
- Reduced tuition for active-duty military members
- Free online tutoring and career services assistance
- Dedicated advisors who provide personalized graduation plans
- Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best universities offering online degrees
Why choose EKU?
EKU is a regionally accredited, brick-and-mortar university that is ranked among the nation's best colleges and has been educating students for more than a century. EKU has received numerous honors, including being named one of the best online colleges in the nation and one of the most veteran-friendly campuses.
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Grants
Grants are a type of financial support that does not need to be repaid. Many grants are based on financial need alone, however, some grants also take academic performance, academic degree program, and/or residence status into consideration.
Grants are available at the federal and state level.
Private Loans
Private student loans are not funded or subsidized by the federal government; instead, they are funded by banks, credit unions, or other types of lenders.
The bank or lender – not the federal government – sets interest rates, loan limits, terms, and conditions of private student loans. Your ability to qualify for and borrow a private student loan may be based on numerous factors that can include your credit history, whether or not you choose to have a co-signer, your co-signer’s credit history, your choice of school, and your course of study. These loans do not offer the flexible repayment terms or borrower protections featured by federal student loans.
Employer Tuition Reimbursement
Employer tuition reimbursement includes a variety of employer-sponsored programs to help employees pay for college. In many cases, the funds received from these programs will be excluded from income and are tax-free.
Employee tuition reimbursement programs are typically governed by an employer’s human resources department. Employers may provide up to $5,250 per year in employer education assistance benefits for undergraduate or graduate courses.
Your employer may require you to attain a particular grade or to complete a program in order to obtain reimbursement. The employer may also require that you remain employed for a period of time after completing the course of study. Finally, your employer may require you to provide receipts or other substantiation of the educational expenses.
Military Benefits
For information on veteran and active duty military services and offerings, contact the EKU Office of Military and Veteran Affairs at 859.622.2345. EKU is repeatedly recognized by both Military Times and GI Jobs as a leader among Military Friendly® Schools and we look forward to helping you reach your goals.
Outside Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded by an organization other than the government or university. They are available from a number of groups, organizations, and entities nationwide. These scholarships can be general in nature or very specialized and tied to the type of work you would be doing after graduation.
If you receive an outside scholarship, you must notify your financial aid office so the award can be properly reported as part of your total aid package. Failure to report awards can result in the award not being accepted or a portion of the funds having to be repaid due to overpayment.
Departmental Scholarships
Departmental scholarships are awarded by specific EKU departments. The types, size, and criteria for these scholarships will vary by department.
If you receive a departmental scholarship, you must notify your financial aid office so the award can be properly reported as part of your total aid package. Failure to report awards can result in the award not being accepted or a portion of the funds having to be repaid due to overpayment.
Foundation Scholarships
EKU is fortunate to have hundreds of generous individuals and organizations that have donated scholarship money for current EKU students from a variety of backgrounds, situations, and interests. These are referred to as EKU Foundation Scholarships. Due to the number of these scholarships and the varying criteria for them, EKU has developed a single Foundation Scholarship application.
After completing the application, you will be considered for any foundation scholarship for which you are eligible. Criteria for these scholarships vary and can include academics, major, interests, place of residence, and more.
Curriculum
Core Courses --- 15
- IDL 800 --- Introduction to the Profession --- 3
- IDL 801 --- Instructional Design Mastery --- 3
- IDL 802 --- Making Data-Driven Decisions --- 3
- IDL 820* --- Internship --- 3
- IDL 821 --- Portfolio --- 3
*Current working professionals in instructional design, training, and learning development or other similar fields may take another elective in lieu of completing the internship (IDL 820). (Please contact the department head regarding the waiver process.)
Concentration --- 12
Students may select one of the following concentrations and an additional elective:
Online Learning Design --- 12
- IDL 810 --- Multimedia for Learning
- IDL 811 --- Online Learning Design
- IDL 813 --- Instruction for Diverse Learners
- IDL 814 --- Training the Modern Workforce
User Experience Design --- 12
- DES 850 --- Graphic Design for Learning
- DES 851 --- User Experience Design
- IDL 812 --- Game Design for Learning
- IDL 813 --- Instruction for Diverse Learners
Electives --- 3-15
Students completing a concentration must select ONE of the following. Students NOT choosing a concentration must select FIVE of the following:
- IDL 810 --- Multimedia for Learning --- 3
- IDL 811 --- Online Learning Design --- 3
- IDL 812 --- Game Design for Learning --- 3
- IDL 813 --- Instruction for Diverse Learners --- 3
- IDL 814 --- Training the Modern Workforce --- 3
- DES 850 --- Graphic Design for Learning --- 3
- DES 851 --- User Experience Design --- 3
- ENG 840 --- 3
- PSY 790 --- Tests and Measurements --- 3
Total Hours --- 30
Career Opportunities
Instructional Design and Learning Technology
Instructional design is an eclectic and specialized field built on unique skillsets used to create better learning experiences and materials. Instructional designers (IDs) have come from wide-ranging backgrounds such as art, computer science, business management, video production, technical writing, foreign languages, mathematics, philosophy, and teacher education.
Successful IDs possess expertise in several key areas such as learning theories and principles, training paradigms, multimedia production, project management, program evaluation, and various web technologies. Another important trait of IDs is the capacity to understand instructional/learning design as an evolving field and assimilate other skills and concepts as they emerge.
With such a dynamic skillset, instructional designers work in many diverse fields such as large corporations, higher education, traditional manufacturing environments, positions within state and national governments, nonprofit organizations, as well as military and military/government contractors. Additionally, the latest trends suggest instructional designers are increasingly self-employed on a freelance or contract basis.
Job prospects are promising. According to BLS, jobs such as Instructional Coordinators, are poised to grow 6% from 2019 to 2029 – a rate considered by the BLS to be faster than average growth. Additionally, BLS projects Training and Development Specialists, another career for IDs to grow 9% - much faster than average – within the same time period.
Job Opportunities
Instructional Coordinator
- Median Annual Salary: $66,290 per year / $31 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 192,900
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Master's Degree
Technical Writer
- Median Annual Salary: $72,850 per year / $35 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 58,400
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Training & Development Specialist
- Median Annual Salary: $61,210 per year / $29 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 327,900
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
English Language Requirements
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