Online Master's in Instructional Design and Performance Technology

Program Overview

The University of West Florida's online Master's in Instructional Design and Performance Technology equips learners with the skills to improve performance in various settings through instructional design, human performance improvement, and online teaching. The program includes core courses in instructional technology and three focus areas: current and emerging technologies, human performance improvement, and online teaching and learning. Graduates are prepared for careers in e-learning development, curriculum development, and instructional coordination.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Prepare to solve complex challenges in organizational performance, corporate training and professional development, or classroom learning with the University of West Florida’s master’s degree in instructional design and performance technology online program. The M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Performance Technology provides learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to apply research, theories, concepts, best practices, business and sound pedagogical principles to improve performance in K-12, higher education, healthcare, military, corporate, and other organizational settings. You’ll develop expertise in instructional design, human performance improvement, online teaching and learning and the educational applications of current and emerging technologies. You will graduate ready to conduct comprehensive analyses and work with organizational stakeholders to close gaps in performance through the design, development, implementation, evaluation and administration of instructional and non-instructional interventions.

Outline:

UWF’s online M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Performance Technology is a 36 credit-hour program that includes 6 core credit hours of instructional design and technology and additional coursework that focus on current and emerging technologies, human performance improvement and online teaching and learning. Students will also earn three graduate certificates in conjunction with the degree program.

Instructional Design and Performance Technology Core (6 credit hours)

EME 6054 - Foundations of Instructional Technology and Performance Technology Students investigate theoretical, historical, sociological, and philosophical perspectives and applications of instructional technology in education and training environments. Students develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to integrate instructional technology theories and processes into education and training settings. Students are introduced to the theoretical and philosophical foundations of the field, and they are empowered to develop a comprehensive definition of the field and a broad perspective of IT on educational and training settings. EME 6609 - Instructional Design Theory and Practice Theoretical underpinnings and practical applications for instructional design will ground the course. Students will examine the key components of the instructional system and the theoretical perspectives that inform the practice of instructional design. Students will apply a systems approach and a research-based model to the instructional design process to design a pedagogically sound instructional product.

Focus Areas

Students will complete three courses in each of the three focus areas listed below for a total of 27 semester hours of coursework. Each focus area aligns with a Graduate Certificate. Students should work closely with their advisor to determine the order in which to complete these requirements and to arrange to have the certificates awarded upon completion.

Current and Emerging Instructional Technology (9 credit hours)

EME 6414C - Web-Based Instructional Tools for Educators Provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and develop web-based instruction using current authoring software and services. The course integrates theory and application. Students will learn to critically examine the instructional capabilities of various technologies and identify instructional strategies that support integration. Students will design and develop multiple units of instruction that demonstrate their ability to author courseware. EME 6415 - Digital Video for Instruction Principles of instructional video design and development including designing for learning objectives, effective audio and lighting techniques, video recording, editing, and delivery will be taught. Students will explore the opportunities and technical challenges associated with web-based video as a communication medium. Practical application projects are an integral part of the learning experience as students explore all aspects of instructional video pre-production, production, and post-production. EME 6607 - Instructional Technology Integration Projects Provides students with the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes necessary to implement instructional technology in educational and training environments. Students will learn to identify the constraints and risks associated with instructional technology planning and implementation and develop ways to manage these factors. Students will utilize software tools to manage the implementation of an instructional technology project.

Human Performance Improvement (9 credit hours)

EME 6427 - Implementation of HPI Interventions Provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills related to the intervention selection, design, and implementation; and change management activities associated with the practice of Human Performance Improvement (HPI). Analyzes potential interventions to identify those most appropriate for identified root causes of performance gaps. Examines models of change management, the role of the change agent and the importance of developing and implementing effective change management plans to insure successful intervention implementation and institutionalization. EME 6428 - Evaluation of HPI Interventions Students will examine the theory and practice of evaluation models and processes as they relate to the formative, summative and confirmative evaluation of instructional and non-instructional Human Performance Improvement (HPI) interventions. Students will develop the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to plan and conduct comprehensive evaluations based on current theories, models, and best practices. EME 6429 - Human Performance Improvement Provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills related to the performance, gap and cause analysis activities associated with the practice of Human Performance Improvement (HPI). Examines the importance of systems thinking in HPI and the theories and theorists of the field.

Online Teaching and Learning (9 credit hours)

EME 6409 - Distance Learning Implementation Integrates theory and best practices to explore and develop skills for developing and implementing effective education and training environments delivered via distance learning media. Students will focus on the principles and practices that are research-based and result in quality distance learning experiences, and students will explore technologies available to support and distribute distance learning and the considerations unique to distance learning. The course focuses heavily on online environments, and it emphasizes application of the best practices by enabling students to develop and implement their own instructional lessons that are delivered via distance learning technologies. EME 6458 - Distance Learning Policy and Planning Examines the history of distance learning and the principles, policies and issues related to the design, development, implementation and administration of distance learning courses and programs in various settings. Issues related to technology, teaching, learning, assessment and faculty and student preparation will be considered from both theoretical and practical perspectives. EME 6626 - Emerging and Innovative Technology Systems New technology and approaches to teaching and learning evolve and revolutionize how professionals approach technology integration. Explore how innovation and new technologies can be used in instructional strategies to promote performance and learning.

Capstone Experience (3 credit hours)

All students are required to complete a capstone project/field experience. Students are responsible for identifying field experiences and obtaining permission to proceed from both the client and the instructor. Field experiences must fulfill a real need for a real client and be aligned with the student’s academic program. EME 6946 - Instructional Design and Technology Capstone Students critique the academic program, identifying their key learning outcomes, and the courses and specific instructional strategies that led to those outcomes. Students identify, propose, and complete a complex project, integrating knowledge, skills, and abilities developed in multiple classes to solve an instructional or performance related problem in a real organization.

Careers:

Upon completion of our master’s degree program, you can pursue a variety of careers in a wide range of settings within the field.

• Salary and job outlook information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale.
E-learning Developers E-learning developers create materials for online education, including syllabi, schedules, lesson plans, assessments and policies. They are knowledgeable about multimedia as well as course management systems. These professionals make an average salary of $58,958. Curriculum Developers Curriculum developers’ duties include authoring educational training material and developing programs of instruction in industries such as education, government, business and communications. They offer expertise in online educational programming, usage metrics and course design. Their average annual salary is $69,622. Literacy and Reading Coach (Instructional Coordinator) Instructional coordinators develop curricula and instructional material and manage teaching standards. They analyze student data, evaluate curriculum effectiveness, and train teachers and staff on new school programs. Through 2031, employment is projected to increase 7 percent, and the median annual wage is $63,740.