Program Overview

Introduction to the Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Program

The Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences (ITLS) program is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on understanding teaching and learning as they occur in various settings, including schools, online platforms, workplaces, homes, and communities. This field also addresses the design of environments that can facilitate learning and development more effectively. Additionally, students can explore the use of emerging technologies and their potential to support learning or promote change in learning.

About the Master of Arts Program

The Master of Arts (MA) program in ITLS is designed to prepare individuals for careers in instructional design and development in business, industry, government, and education. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits beyond the bachelor's degree. Students with bachelor's degrees in any area can earn a graduate degree in ITLS, making it a good complement for those with backgrounds in graphic arts, business administration, management information systems, computer science, technical writing, and more.

Core Areas of Study

Students in the MA program focus on the core areas of theory and design, learning to use design skills and other technologies in a variety of business areas, customized to specific career goals. The goal of the program is to prepare individuals for careers in instructional design and development, with positions ranging from highly design-oriented jobs requiring extensive instructional development skills to product development-oriented jobs requiring skills in media production.

Career Opportunities and Outcomes

Graduates of the MA program can work in the private sector, academia, or for themselves, or they can work directly or indirectly for the government, including both K-12 and military settings. Depending on their interests, students may decide to focus on administration and project management, design work, or development-oriented efforts. The following list demonstrates the depth and variety of career paths available:

• Faculty support at an academic institution
  • Traditional classroom teacher (with additional education and licensure)
• Entrepreneur (instructional design firm, etc.)
• In-house corporate trainer
• Instructional designer (in-house corporation, military, etc.)
• Corporate chief educator
• Government sub-contractor for the military
• Human resources (it is recommended that students take electives in the school of business)
• Chief learning officer
• Designer for informal learning environments (museums, nature facilities, etc.)
• Videographer
• Project manager
• Webmaster
• Multimedia specialist
• Technical writer
• E-learning specialist (distance learning, digital classroom designer, etc.)
• Educational or curriculum software consultant
• Independent consultant (contracting jobs from organizations)
• Graphic designer
• Information systems programmer
• Simulation and games design specialist
• Mobile app developer

Admission Requirements

Students are welcome from any undergraduate background. To apply, students must:

• Complete the online application
• Provide transcripts of all college/university credits (must have a 3.0 or higher GPA on the last 60 semester or 90 quarter credit)
• Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation
• Pay the $55 application fee (note that some ITLS applicants may be eligible for a fee waiver)
• Submit a statement of purpose
• Submit a writing sample

International students have additional admissions requirements. The department does not require the GRE or MAT, recognizing the high cost and low predictive validity of admissions tests.

Deadlines

The department has the following deadlines:

• Doctoral degree: Fall semester December 15
• Master's degree:
  • Fall semester April 1 (full consideration given to students who apply by this deadline, with remaining openings filled thereafter)
  • Spring semester October 15 (full consideration given to students who apply by this deadline, with remaining openings filled thereafter)
  • Summer semester Apply any time Students can start the program, including taking the 1 credit orientation class, year-round.