Master of Arts in Instructional Design and Technology

Program Overview

San Francisco State University's Master of Arts in Instructional Design and Technology equips professionals with the skills to design innovative learning experiences using both traditional and emerging technologies. The program accommodates distance learners and offers a blend of online and in-person instruction, catering to working adults. Graduates enter careers as instructional designers in various industries, including education, business, and public service.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Arts in Instructional Design and Technology (ITEC) program at San Francisco State University equips professionals with the skills needed for online and e-learning instructional design, design of technology-based instruction for K-20 educators or trainers in various business and industry environments, and design for problem-based learning solutions. The program accommodates distance learners and can be completed in an average of 3-5 semesters. The curriculum covers traditional and emerging learning technologies, with courses in mobile applications, Web design, gamification, augmented/virtual reality, social networking, and assistive/adaptive technologies. Students are introduced to a variety of pedagogies for learning, from established to current learning strategies. Graduates become instructional designers for corporations, industry, public service organizations, and schools. Teacher graduates develop advanced technology-enhanced teaching skills and often become instructional technology coordinators for schools and districts. Alumni can be found in professional positions at companies and school districts in the SF Bay Area, California, and beyond.

Outline:

The program requires 30 units of coursework, broken down into core requirements (12 units) and electives (15 units).

Core Requirements (12 Units):

• ITEC 800 Theoretical Foundations of Instructional Technologies (3 units)
• ITEC 801 Introduction to Learning Design, Design Thinking, and Innovation (3 units)
• ITEC 805 Needs Assessment and Program Evaluation (3 units)
• Select One:
• ITEC 816 Designing Digital Learning Spaces of the Future (3 units)
• ITEC 830 Design of Learning Environments with Emerging Technologies (3 units)
• ITEC 850 Design and Management of Training Projects (3 units)

Electives (15 Units):

• Choose five electives from the following list:
• ITEC 720 Fieldwork in Educational Technology (3-5 units)
• ITEC 740 Computer Design of Instructional Graphics I (3 units)
• ITEC 745 (3 units)
• ITEC 815 (3 units)
• ITEC 818 Digital Game Play Design for Learning (3 units)
• ITEC 819 (3 units)
• ITEC 823 Augmented and Virtual Reality Based Multimedia Development (3 units)
• ITEC 825 Digital Product Usability Testing (3 units)
• ITEC 833 Instructional Products Design Studio (3 units)
• ITEC 842 Cognition, Mind, and Learning for Educators (3 units)
• ITEC 852 Instructional Technologies in Organizations (3 units)
• ITEC 854 (3 units)
• ITEC 860 Distance Education (3 units)
• ITEC 865 Fundamentals of Designing Interactive E-Learning Courses (3 units)
• ITEC 899 Independent Study In Instructional Technologies (1-3 units)

Culminating Experience Requirement (3 Units):

• ITEC 894 Creative Work Project (3 units)
• ITEC 895 Field Study Project (3 units)

Culminating Experience Portfolio Submission:

Before undertaking a culminating experience, students must submit a portfolio of three instructional projects demonstrating their technical skill and instructional design competencies for departmental review and approval.

Creative Work Project Requirements:

To complete a creative work project (ITEC 894), students must design, develop, and produce an instructional product. The instructional unit may be in any medium—print, video, multimedia, or web-based. The instructional design process must be documented in writing and include a review of the instructional significance of the product, description of the design and production process, and product usability review. Students must provide the instructional unit and the design documents in electronic format.

Field Study Project Requirements:

To complete the field study project (ITEC 895), students must design, develop, and produce an instructional design project, using the instructional systems (or design thinking) process, from needs analysis (empathize) to formative evaluation (test). The instructional unit may be in any medium—print, video, multimedia, or web-based. The instructional design process must be described in writing and include a review of the instructional need and significance of the project, research review, description of the design process, formative evaluation, and conclusions.

Teaching:

The ITEC program offers courses in multiple modes: some online and many in blended learning environments with simultaneous in-class and online attendance using a web conference system.

Careers:

The program prepares participants for careers in the instructional design field and to advance in the field of Instructional Technologies in educational settings. Graduates become instructional designers for corporations, industry, public service organizations, and schools. Teacher graduates develop advanced technology-enhanced teaching skills and often become instructional technology coordinators for schools and districts.

Other:

ITEC caters to the working adult with all courses offered in late afternoons or evenings. Students develop a career pathway and a portfolio during their studies.