M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology University of Tampa - Sykes College of Business

UT's M.S. in instructional design and technology program addresses a growing field in learning and human performance and provides a multidisciplinary area of study that draws students from many backgrounds. Instructional designers understand and utilize technologies as both product (e.g., web-based courses) and process (e.g., iterative and formative approaches to learner assessment).

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, or to pursue doctoral studies.

Curriculum and Practical Experience

The IDT curriculum couples hands-on, technology-based coursework with theories of education, learning, and human performance. Students learn to develop effective, cross-media curricula for diverse audiences.

Sample courses include:

• Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology
• Theories of Learning and Cognition
• Open Learning Environments in the 21st Century
• Principles of Learner Motivation
• Design of Online Collaborative Learning
• Introduction to Distance Learning
• Multimedia Design and Development
• Management of Instructional Development
• Performance Systems Analysis
• Inquiry and Measurement

Numerous electives allow IDT students to tailor the degree to their individual interests and career goals.

Three areas of concentration are offered:

• The Distance Learning and Curriculum Design concentration is intended for students who plan to work in instructional and curriculum design, online learning, employee training and development, and similar fields.
• The Human Performance Technology concentration appeals to students working in human resources, information system management, performance evaluation, and systems analysis in a variety of industries, including business and health care.
• The Project Management and Program Evaluation concentration is designed for students interested in project and implementation management, learning assessment, research and evaluation, outcome analysis, and related areas.

Real-World Engagement

Students are required to complete a field internship, providing them with direct work experience in instructional design and technology and valuable professional connections.

Recent internship projects have included:

• Working with the instructional design team at a Florida community college.
• Designing a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in medical education for USF Health.
• Developing and designing self-paced customer-training courses for an IT company.
• Working with faculty at Bath Spa University (U.K.) to design and develop online courses in various content areas.
• Evaluating a school district’s technology integration.
• Working with the educational technology department at The University of Tampa.

Who enrolls in this program?

Students who enroll in this program intend to pursue careers as experts in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of instructional resources to improve learning and performance in multiple environments. Candidates come from a broad array of backgrounds, including communications, psychology, management, and education, among other areas of specialization, but share a common interest in designing creative solutions to learning needs.

A Cutting-Edge Degree in a Lucrative Field

The M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) program addresses a growing field in learning and human performance that draws students from multiple disciplines and backgrounds.

This innovative degree builds expertise in topics including:

• Technology in education
• Theories of learning and cognition
• Multimedia design and development
• Systematic instructional design
• Open learning environments
• Distance learning and e-learning

Students are trained to become experts in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of instructional resources to improve learning and performance. Graduates are well prepared to practice their unique, multidisciplinary profession in a variety of settings, including industry, government, higher education, and K–12 schools, or to pursue doctoral studies.

Students come from a diverse array of backgrounds, including education, health care, psychology, graphic design, communications, business, and management, among other areas of specialization, but share a common interest in the integration of technology and education.

The degree also appeals to content experts in fields such as nursing, medicine, engineering, or military operations who seek to develop effective training and testing materials. The program additionally provides a new direction for current K–12 teachers looking to diversify their skills and job opportunities.

Highly accessible to working adults, the program offers flexible evening and hybrid courses. Classes are small, and students benefit from one-on-one faculty attention.

Depending on their interests, students also have the option of taking related courses in the Sykes College of Business.

Program Benefits

• Cutting-edge, multidisciplinary curriculum
• Rigorous coursework prepares graduates for highly skilled careers
• Professional networking and growth provided through classroom interactions
• Mentorship and career support from expert faculty members who hold doctorate degrees in the field
• Opportunities to build a professional portfolio to support job seeking
• Course specialization in individual areas of interest
• Exponential job growth predicted in the field

Career Prospects

Career preparation is an important part of UT’s program of study. Along with completing a field internship, students must compile a professional portfolio demonstrating their work and skills — an important tool when talking with potential employers.

The M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology can be applied to a wide variety of jobs and industries. Instructional designers often work in team-based, collaborative environments, or can choose to work on a freelance basis or open their own firm.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a median annual salary of $61,550 for instructional coordinators, $57,340 for training and development specialists, and $101,930 for training and development managers. The field is expected to grow by approximately 15% over the next decade — faster than the average for other occupations.

Typical job duties include developing instructional materials and curricula; overseeing the creation of online learning modules; incorporating technology into specialized fields for educators; assessing training needs; monitoring and evaluating programs; conducting courses; and teaching training methods to instructors.

Common job titles in this field include:

• Educational Technologist
• Instructional Design Manager
• E-Learning Course Developer
• Instructional Technologist
• Online Curriculum Designer
• Instructional Developer
• Learning and Development Specialist
• Instructional Systems Specialist
• Training Coordinator
• E-Learning Project Manager