The Master of Arts (MA) in Instructional Design & Technology program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours and is designed to meet the needs of working professionals in various settings. It enables candidates to complete courses in traditional, Web, and mixed mode (with one face-to-face meeting every other week). The program offers three professional tracks in educational technology, instructional systems and e-learning, enabling candidates to pursue careers in business and industry, K-12 and higher education.
The Instructional Design & Technology (MA) may be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.
Similarities and Differences between the MA Professional Tracks
| TARGET POPULATION | Educational Technology | e-Learning | Instructional Systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educators (PreK-12 and Higher Education) |
X | X | |
| Instructional Designers (Business and Industry and Higher Education) |
X | X |
Although there are considerable overlaps and the differences are a matter of focus, rather than actual contents, the Educational Technology Track is designed primarily to help educators in PreK-12 and Higher Education to use and integrate computer and digital technology to enhance learning. In contrast, the Instructional Systems Track is designed primarily to prepare instructional designers for work in business and industry, to develop and enhance their ability to analyze and design training and educational programs. The e-Learning Track is designed for both educators (who want to learn how to design and deliver totally online and hybrid courses) and instructional designers (who are now being hired by many universities and colleges across the country to help faculty design and deliver totally online and hybrid courses). The following provides more detail about each track.
Educational Technology Track (available online and in mixed mode)
Educational Technology is a program for educators in PreK-12 and Higher Education looking for ways to increase their satisfaction and become highly skilled at successfully integrating technology into the curriculum. The skills and knowledge gained through this program allow educators to enhance their current job as well as seek new career paths in the field of education. Educators who graduate from this program have the skills to become technology coordinators, instructors at the community college and university level, computer teachers, and more. The Educational Technology program is exciting and applicable to your current teaching situation. The program provides an opportunity for study, research, and professional training. It requires a great deal of independent thinking, and emphasis placed on the cultivation of scholarly attitudes and methods.
Resources
Catalog Information
Plan of Study
Faculty Contact
Notes
- For recommendations on when to take courses, please refer to our recommended Plans of Study, as well as contact your faculty advisor.
- All ENC courses require approval from English Department. Please contact Virginia Herrington, Program Assistant for English Graduate Studies, at Virginia.Herrington@ucf.edu for details on how to gain approval.
Instructional Systems Track (available online and in mixed mode)
The Instructional Systems Track is designed for prospective and practicing instructional designers, training specialists, multimedia developers and training directors/managers in business, industry, government, or other settings where training, professional development and lifelong learning takes place. Candidates develop expertise in how and why people learn, how to stimulate and facilitate learning, and in the use of alternative instructional delivery systems. Candidates analyze training requirements and design, develop, evaluate, and manage training and educational programs using current and emerging technologies, instructional strategies and theories of human learning.
Resources
Catalog Information
Plan of Study
Faculty Contact
Notes
- Courses not listed here require advisor approval.
- All ENC courses require approval from English Department. Please contact the English Department for details on how to gain approval.
- DIG courses may require approval from Department. Please contact the school of Visual Arts and Design in the College of Arts and Humanities for approval if necessary.
- For recommendations on when to take courses, please refer to our recommended Plans of Study, as well as contact your faculty advisor.
e-Learning Track (available online and in mixed mode)
The e-Learning Track is designed for educators and instructional designers across settings. The track focuses on the design, delivery, and evaluation of high-quality e-learning materials that are used for both online and blended (hybrid) learning environments. Candidates gain employment in business and industry, K-12, and higher education as organizations across sectors work to optimize the use of telecommunication technologies to enhanced individual and collaborative learning.
Resources
Catalog Information
Plan of Study
Faculty Contact
Notes
- Courses not listed here require advisor approval.
- All ENC courses require approval from English Department. Please contact the English Department for details on how to gain approval.
- DIG courses may require approval from Department. Please contact the school of Visual Arts and Design in the College of Arts and Humanities for approval if necessary.
- For recommendations on when to take courses, please refer to our recommended Plans of Study, as well as contact your faculty advisor.