Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology
The M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology addresses a growing field in learning and human performance and provides a multidisciplinary area of study that draws students from many disciplines and backgrounds. Instructional designers understand and utilize technologies as both product (e.g., online courses) and process (e.g., iterative and formative approaches to learner-centered instruction). Given the diverse career tracks in instructional design, this program offers students the flexibility to customize their course of study based on individual goals and interests. Graduates of the program are well prepared to practice their unique, multidisciplinary profession in a variety of settings, including business, K-12 schools, higher education, government and military sector, or to pursue doctoral studies. Courses in the M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology program are offered in either face-to face or hybrid format.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for acceptance into the instructional design and technology program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Completed application
- $40 application fee
- Official transcripts for all previous college work received directly from each institution
- Applicants must have earned a four-year degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Applicants must have an overall GPA of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0, a minimum of 3.0 in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study or have successfully completed a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. NOTE: GPAs below 3.0 will be reviewed for conditional admittance.
- Undergraduates who are in the process of completing degrees may apply for admissions with full acceptance contingent upon completion of a baccalaureate degree.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Résumé or curriculum vitae
- Personal statement that at a minimum addresses the following areas:
- Your reason for pursuing a degree in instructional design and technology
- How you would describe the field of instructional design and technology
- The career path you plan to take after completing your degree
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for applicants whose primary language is not English. Must meet one of the minimum requirements listed below:
- A minimum of 550 on the paper-based exam
- A minimum of 213 on the computer-based exam
- A minimum of 80 on the Internet-based exam
- The IELTS exam may be used instead of the TOEFL exam with a minimum score of 6.5
- The applicant may be asked to participate in an admission interview as part of the admission process.
Automatic Admission for UT Graduates
Students and alumni who have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree from UT with a minimum GPA of 3.0 are guaranteed admission to the M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology program. The application fee, reference forms, resume, personal statement and TOEFL requirements are waived.
Graduate Admission (4+1 Option) for the M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology Requirements and Documents
The 4+1 Option is designed to provide Communication undergraduates in the university the opportunity to begin the 36 hours of the M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology program by completing up to 8 credits (two M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology courses) in their last two semesters of undergraduate study. Students can declare their intent to join the 4+1 Option any time before the formal application is due. The application to the 4+1 Option can be submitted before the first semester of their senior year or during the senior year. The 4+1 Option courses are applied to coursework within the Communication major and M.S. degree. No 4+1 Option graduate-level course can be used to satisfy any undergraduate course that is required in the Communication major. Students would be conferred their undergraduate degree upon completion of their undergraduate requirements. Students would be conferred the graduate degree upon completion of their graduate requirements. To qualify for this option, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Completed M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology application
- Earn 90 hours in coursework and be enrolled in the senior year of undergraduate studies
- Applicants must submit a resume
- Applicants need to have an overall GPA of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0, or a minimum of 3.0 in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study.
Unlike external applicants, 4+1 applicants:
- Have their application fees waived
- References do not need to be provided
- Personal statement does not need to be provided
- Transcripts are provided by UT
Transfer and Transient Credit Policy
One transfer or transient course is allowed based on program coordinator approval. Candidate must provide a copy of the syllabi to the coordinator before any approval is given.
Degree Requirements
Capstone Requirement
| EME 650 | Field Internship in Instructional Design and Technology | 0 |
M.S. Curriculum Core Courses
| EME 601 | Introduction to Instructional Design | 4 |
| EME 602 | Theories of Learning and Cognition for Instruction | 4 |
| EME 603 | Inquiry and Measurement | 4 |
| EME 610 | Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology | 4 |
| EME 620 | Introduction to Systematic Instructional Design | 4 |
| EME 660 | Seminar in Instructional Design | 2 |
| EME 661 | Advanced Seminar in Instructional Design | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 24 |
Elective Courses
Students may take courses listed if prerequisites for the courses are met. Students may take courses not listed with recommendation of the advisor and permission of the department chair. IDT students may take elective courses outside the department with recommendation of the advisor and permission of the department chair.
| EME 605 | Introduction to Distance Learning | 4 |
| EME 606 | Design of Online Collaborative Learning | 4 |
| EME 607 | Introduction to Instructional Games and Simulations | 4 |
| EME 611 | Principles of Learner Motivation | 4 |
| EME 612 | Media for Instruction | 4 |
| EME 613 | Open Learning Environments in the 21st Century | 3 |
| EME 630 | Development of Multimedia Instruction | 4 |
| EME 640 | Introduction to Program Evaluation | 4 |
| EME 641 | Management of Instructional Development | 4 |
| EME 642 | Management of Change | 4 |
| EME 644 | Performance Systems Analysis | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Total Credit Hours: 36