Academic Program

Instructional Design and Technology

Master's Degree

The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Instructional Design and Technology program is an interdisciplinary program drawing from fields, such as cognitive science, education, and computer science. The objective of this program is to prepare professionals for leadership roles in the design, evaluation, and use of media and technology for education. By focusing on design, students will learn how to produce instructional technology for any content area, type of learner, or setting. During the IDT program, students may complete an internship that would provide them with the opportunity to practice their instruction design skills within one of these real-world settings. Students will be prepared to design instruction with a variety of new media and technology, such as online telecommunications, gaming and simulations, interactive video, and other computer tools to support learning.

The central focus of this program is to study the underlying learning theories and their implications for the design and use of educational media and new technologies. Students will study what is known about how people learn in order to more effectively design learning environments. The Master's program will have the same core focus as the doctoral program; thus, qualified Master's students will have the ability to continue on in the doctoral program.

Application Information

Application Procedures

For admission information and application procedures, please see the Application Process for Master's Degree Programs in Teacher Education (pdf).

Program Requirements

Program Details

The program consists of 45 or more graduate credit hours. Fifteen (15) credits must be in the C&I Core and the remaining 30 in your specialization and the culminating experience.

  • Curriculum and Instruction Core 15
  • Instructional Design and Technology Core 6
  • Specialization Courses 15 Electives 3 to 6
  • Culminating Experience
    • Masters project 3 to 6
    • or Masters thesis 6 to 9

Candidates for the C&I Masters Degree are expected to be regular readers of the major journals in their specialty fields. All programs must adhere to the policies and procedures published the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services Policies for Master of Education Degrees handbook.

Candidates for the C&I Masters with emphasis in instructional design and technology should be regular readers of at least one of the following journals during their program:

  • Educational Technology
  • Learning and Leading with Technology
  • Computer in the Schools
  • Educational Technology Research and Development
  • Journal of Educational Computing Research
  • Journal of Research on Technology in Education

Accreditation

The Instructional Design and Technology Master's Degree is recognized by AECT, one of the leading organizations in educational technology.

Career Possibilities

Graduates of the IDT program could work in a variety of settings such as K-12 schools, museums, publishing companies, higher-education institutions, corporate training centers, health institutions, non-profit research organizations, and educational media production companies. Within these work environments, graduates may work as instructors, administrators, media producers, instructional designers, professional developers, and trainers.

Financial Aid

There are some partial graduate tuition scholarships (University Graduate Scholarships) available every year. These are available on the basis of previous academic record. It is important to apply each academic year to obtain this scholarship. Summer quarter requires a separate application. Applications are available from the School of Education office (615 Teachers College at UC Clifton Campus) or by calling the office at 513-556-3600.

Curriculum

Curriculum & Instruction Core
  • 18 CI 701 - Masters Research Seminar: Curriculum and Instruction
  • 18 CI 702 - Inquiry Into Teaching and Learning
  • 18 CI 703 - The Role of Teachers in a Democratic Society
  • 18 CI 704 - Forces Shaping the School Curriculum
  • 18 CI 705 - Addressing Diversity in the Classroom
Instructional Design Core
  • 18 CI 881 - Learning Sciences and Technology
  • 18 CI 884 - Instructional Design
Instructional Design Specialization

15 credits; take at least 5 of the following

  • 18 CI 749 - Design of On-line Learning Environments
  • 18 CI 774 - Education Technology: Social, Ethical, Legal, and Human Issues
  • 18 CI 775 - Technology Internship
  • 18 CI 776 - Applying Technology in the Classroom for EffectiveLearning
  • 18 CI 795 - Technology Administration in Education
  • 18 CI 832 - Multimedia Studio I
  • 18 CI 833 - Multimedia Studio II
  • 18 CI 834 - Multimedia Studio III
  • 18 CI 884 - Instructional Design

Please Note: 18 CI 776 is offered infrequently.

Electives

3- 6 credits; chosen with approval of faculty advisor

Elective courses can be taken to support the content area and target audience for which students are interested in designing instructional technology. Elective courses can be taken in higher education, business, medical education, science education, early childhood, art, literacy, along with many other relevant areas. Students may also choose to take additional specialization courses as their electives.

Culminating Experience

Final Project (3- 6 credits) or Thesis (6- 9 credits)

  • 18 CI 873 - Individual Master's Thesis: Curriculum and Instruction
  • 18 CI 874 - Individual Master's Project: Curriculum and Instruction

A committee-approved thesis or project must be completed as a culminating experience. Projects result in a product that: (1) demonstrates the candidate's ability to apply knowledge and skills learned in the program, and (2) is useful when designing, implementing, or evaluating instructional programs. Students may register for 3 or 6 credits when doing projects. As a rule of thumb, projects require 90 to 180 clock-hours to complete. Theses result in a written product reporting a research study. Students may register for 6 to 9 credits when doing theses. As a rule of thumb, theses require 180 to 270 clock- hours to complete. Refer to university guidelines for more information when doing a thesis.

TOTAL: 45 CREDITS