Program Overview
The Master of Science in Instructional Technology (ITEC) is designed to provide K-12 educators with the knowledge and skills needed to become technology leaders and practitioners. Each track of our program provides options for graduate certificates (15 credit hours) and master’s degrees (30 credit hours).
Developing skills for leadership in and administration of these technological fields is the overarching goal of the ITEC program.
NOTE: This program is 100% online – with a combination of face-to-face sessions in which all students and the instructor meet together (using video conferencing software) and asynchronous sessions in which the students work independently. UCA ITEC students receive flat-rate tuition of $336 (including tuition and all fees) per credit hour, regardless of residency or location.
While we welcome any out of state candidates, completion of any program, other than an initial licensure program, may not lead to licensure or endorsement in Arkansas or in the state in which you reside. It is your responsibility to check with your state’s department of education to determine if the license or endorsement requirements are met through the program of study. If you are a potential out of state candidate, please contact the program coordinator directly.
The Master of Science in Instructional Technology (ITEC) is designed to provide K-12 educators with the knowledge and skills needed to become technology leaders and practitioners. By its design, the program offers a broad view of the field of instructional technology (e.g., history, theory, technology, management) yet is flexible enough to allow K-12 educators to select an area of concentration reflective of their professional interests. These areas of concentration, which provide specialized preparation in three technologically distinctive fields, are (a) online teaching and learning, (b) computer science teaching and learning, and (c) multimedia design and development. Developing a mindset for leadership and innovation is the overarching goal of the ITEC program.
The ITEC program is designed around an overarching goal of assisting individuals in acquiring the skills for leadership and innovative uses of instructional technology. More specifically, graduates will possess skills and knowledge needed to effectively
- Provide professional expertise in instructional technology.
- Integrate principles of various technologies for achieving educational or learning goals.
- Implement effective curriculum to meet diverse student needs.
- Be a visionary and innovative leader in the use of instructional technology.
Program Outline
The Instructional Technology degree comprises 30 semester hours of graduate credit. The program consists of a 15-hour core (five 3-hour courses) and 15 hours (five 3-hour courses) of advanced study in a selected area of concentration (i.e., online teaching and learning, computer science teaching and learning, or multimedia design and development). In order to exit the program, the candidate will be required to successfully complete all coursework.
Core Curriculum (15 credit hours)
- ITEC 6301 Instructional Design using Technology
- LEAD 6321 Research Methods
- EDDL 7300 Foundations of Digital Age Teaching and Learning
- LIBM 6325 Intellectual Property, Copyright and Digital Citizenship
Choose one (1) of the following leadership courses:
- ASTL 6303 Teacher Leadership
- ITEC 6370 Teacher Leadership in Online Education
- ITEC 6368 Technology Planning and Leadership or ITEC 7368 Technology Planning and Leadership
Areas of Concentration
The candidate selects one of the following areas.
[1] Online Teaching and Learning (15 credit hours)
- ITEC 6371 Universal Design for Learning
- ITEC 6372 Online Education Course Design, Delivery, Implementation, and Evaluation
- ITEC 6373 Online Teaching and Instructional Strategies
- ITEC 6380 Supporting Student Success in Online Teaching
- ITEC 6341 Design and Production of Media Resources for Online Courses
[2] Multimedia Design and Development (15 credit hours)
- ITEC 6354 Technology Leadership Capstone
- EDDL Course: Choose one (1) course from EDDL 7312, EDDL 7328, EDDL 7335, EDDL 7342, EDDL 7362, EDDL 7375, EDDL 7380, EDDL 7388, EDDL 7390, EDDL 7399 to be Approved by Advisor
- ITEC 6341 Design and Production of Media Resources for Online Courses
- ITEC 6371 Universal Design for Learning
- ITEC 6337 Computer Graphics and Animation
[3] Computer Science Teaching and Learning (15 credit hours)
Effective Summer 2023, admission to the Computer Science Teaching and Learning concentration has been suspended.
- ITEC 6320 Teaching and Learning Coding and Programming I
- ITEC 6321 Teaching and Learning Coding and Programming II
- ITEC 6322 Computing Systems and Networking
- ITEC 6327 Data and Analysis in Computer Science
- ITEC 6328 Teaching and Learning in Computer Science
To be recommended for a degree, candidates must complete all required course work with at least a 3.00 GPA.
College of Education graduate students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment throughout their program of study until achieving program completion. Specifically, College of Education graduate students are expected to be enrolled in at least two of the three semesters in a given calendar year (Spring, Summer I or II, and Fall). If a student must take a time-out, the student is expected to notify his/her home department. If a student fails to register for more than one semester out of three in a given calendar year, he/she may be ineligible for readmission unless granted by the home department.
University of Central Arkansas
Overview:
University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is a public university located in Conway, Arkansas. It boasts a rich 115-year tradition of excellence and is committed to providing an innovative and collaborative education within a culture of student support and success.
Services Offered:
UCA offers a wide range of services to its students, including:
Academic Advising:
Provides guidance and support for academic planning and course selection.Accessibility Resources and Services:
Offers accommodations and support for students with disabilities.Bear Card:
A multi-purpose card used for access to campus facilities, meal plans, and more.Bookstore:
Provides textbooks, course materials, and merchandise.Campus Safety:
Ensures a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, and staff.Career Services:
Assists students with career exploration, job search, and internship opportunities.Disability Resource Center:
Provides support and accommodations for students with disabilities.Financial Aid:
Offers various financial aid programs and scholarships to help students fund their education.Food Services:
Provides dining options on campus.Housing & Residence Life:
Offers on-campus housing options and residence life programs.Information Technology:
Provides technical support and resources for students.Library:
Offers a vast collection of books, journals, and digital resources.Student Health:
Provides healthcare services to students.Student Organizations:
Offers a wide variety of student organizations for students to join and engage in extracurricular activities.Veterans Services:
Provides support and resources for veteran students.Student Life and Campus Experience:
UCA offers a vibrant campus life with numerous opportunities for students to get involved and make connections. Students can:
Join over 150 Recognized Student Organizations:
Catering to diverse interests and passions.Participate in various events and activities:
From sporting events to cultural performances.Live in on-campus housing:
With various residence halls and living learning communities.Enjoy recreational facilities:
Including a campus recreation center.Volunteer in the community:
Through service-learning opportunities.Key Reasons to Study There:
UCA Commitment:
A groundbreaking program offering a debt-free pathway for tuition and fees for incoming Arkansas freshmen with household income of $100k or less.Small class sizes:
Allowing for personalized attention from faculty.Engaging programs:
Providing hands-on learning experiences and internships.Supportive community:
Fostering a sense of belonging and success.Strong academic reputation:
With a focus on research and experiential learning.Academic Programs:
UCA offers a wide range of academic programs across five colleges:
Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences:
Includes programs in art, history, literature, and more.Business:
Offers programs in accounting, finance, marketing, and more.Education:
Provides programs for aspiring teachers and educators.Health & Behavioral Sciences:
Includes programs in nursing, psychology, and more.Science and Engineering:
Offers programs in biology, chemistry, computer science, and more.Other:
UCA has a 14 to 1 student to faculty ratio.
The average ACT score for first-time undergraduate students is 22.4.
UCA offers over 141 academic programs and certificates.
UCA is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
UCA is classified as a Community Engagement Institution by the Carnegie Foundation.
To be accepted into the degree program in instructional technology, an individual must
- Meet the general admission requirements of the university.
- Provide the department with copies of transcripts of all previous academic work.
- Submit a valid standard educator license OR a two-page, double-spaced letter of intent that includes reasons for applying to this program, future goals, and three professional references.
No action will be taken relative to admission until all materials and information are received. Admission materials and information should be received by the department prior to registration.
A maximum of six semester hours of graduate degree credit with grades of “B” or above may be transferred from another UCA graduate program or another regionally accredited institution. Candidates must specifically request consideration of transfer work completed prior to admission to the program. After admission to the program, approval to transfer work from another institution must be approved prior to enrolling in the courses.