Program Overview

Overview of the Master of Education in Learning Design and Technology

The online Master of Education in Learning Design and Technology (LDT) is a 30-credit program that equips students with the critical skills and knowledge needed to navigate and advance in the ever-evolving landscape of educational technology. Designed for educators, instructional designers, trainers, and learning leaders, the program integrates theories and ideas from the learning sciences and critical systems thinking to prepare graduates to design, evaluate, and implement technology-enhanced learning experiences.

Program Requirements

The program requires 30 credits, including:

• Foundation Courses (6 credits)
  • ED.893.652: Learning Sciences Studio: Theory, Analysis, and Educational Technology Design
  • ED.893.654: Critical Perspectives in Educational Technology
• Required Specialization Courses (9 credits)
  • ED.893.655: Applications of Learning Experience Design
  • ED.893.656: Advanced User Experience and Interaction Design for Learning Environments
  • ED.893.658: Leadership, Strategy, Evaluation, and Program Development in Learning Experience Design
• Required Research Methods Courses (6 credits)
  • ED.830.600: Introduction to Social Science Research
  • Research Methods II (Title TBD)
• Elective Courses (6 credits)
  • Students must take two elective courses in consultation with their faculty mentor
• Capstone Course (3 credits)
  • Capstone in Learning Design and Technology

Sample Program Plans

The program offers both full-time and part-time plans of study.

• Full-time students complete the program in one year, taking 9 credits in the fall, 9 credits in the spring, and 6 credits in the summer, and 6 credits in the second fall.
• Part-time students complete the program in two years, taking 6 credits in the fall, 6 credits in the spring, and 6 credits in the summer of the first year, and 6 credits in the fall and 6 credits in the spring of the second year.

Learning Outcomes

The Master of Education in Learning Design and Technology program has six learning outcomes:

1. Theory and Evidence in the Design of Experiences and Solutions: Students will be able to describe and differentiate theories and ideas from the learning sciences, motivation, and media/technology, and use them to design effective digital learning experiences and solutions.
2. Ethical and Human-Centered Learning Solutions: Students will be able to identify and distinguish among diverse learner needs, apply systematic models and systems thinking to create ethical and learner-focused digital tools and curricula, and evaluate learning solutions to ensure they advance equity and inclusivity.
3. Collaboration and Leadership in Educational Technology: Students will be able to collaborate with various stakeholders, communicate shared visions for technology-supported learning experiences, lead efforts to ensure the quality of technology-supported learning experiences, and lead ongoing evaluation efforts to continuously improve the selection and implementation of technologies and technology-based solutions.
4. Communication Competence: Students will be able to craft effective messages using appropriate media, articulate and justify pedagogical and design decisions to diverse audiences, and communicate effectively with all invested parties to facilitate the design and development of learning products and solutions.
5. Sociocultural Aspects of Educational Technology: Students will be able to analyze how socioeconomic systems influence technology adoption and evaluation, evaluate power dynamics and privilege affecting educational technology designs and implementations, develop solutions to address and prevent injustices through educational technology designs and implementations, and design and develop equitable, inclusive, and accessible technology-supported systems, processes, and products.
6. Data-Informed Learning Design, Implementation, and Evaluation: Students will be able to collect data using a variety of evaluation and research methods, use data to revise designs and practices based on evaluation data for continuous improvement, analyze educational data using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, and design and implement comprehensive data collection and analysis efforts to inform decisions concerning design, development, delivery, and evaluation of programs, processes, and/or products.