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Instructional Design and Technology

  • Master of Science
  • Online or In Person

The Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology

The Saint Vincent College Master of Science Degree in Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) meets the technology training and education needs of the 21st century.  Candidates from all professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply to the program. The master’s degree in IDT exceeds preparation expectations of  industry, armed services, community services, human resources and education.

The program offers  preparation in instructional design, technology for training or education, leadership of instructional technology departments, project and design teams or administrative settings. The degree offers an optional Pennsylvania Department of Education Instructional Technologist Specialist certification for candidates wishing to broaden into K-12 or higher education settings. The certification can be earned with or without initial teacher certification.

Candidates will have opportunities to prepare training, teach online, participate in technology-enriched fieldwork settings, design instructional modules, conduct Web-based instruction, assess quality programs and practice instructional support techniques for using technology resources. 

What Can I Do With a Masters in Instructional Design and Technology?

The master’s degree in IDT is created to exceed preparation expectations of industry, armed services, community services, human resources and education.  The program offers unique preparation in instructional design, technology for training or education and leadership of instructional technology departments, project and design teams or administrative settings.  

Curriculum Requirements

  • Requirements for a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology

    Optional Instructional Technology Specialist K-12 (30 credits):
    GCIT 614 Emergent Information Management and Instructional Technologies - 3 credits
    GCIT 624 Usability, Engagement, and Assessment Systems for Online Education - 3 credits
    GCIT 684 Advanced Instructional Design for Online Education - 3 credits
    GCIT 694 Practicum in Instructional Technology - 3 credits
    GCSE 657 Technological Applications for Differentiated Instruction - 3 credits
    GCED 605 Statistics and Research Design - 3 credits
    GCED 625 Instructional Technology - 3 credits
    GCED 635 Instructional Methodology - 3 credits
    GCED 615 Curriculum and Systems Design - 3 credits
    GCED 660 Adult Learning - 3 credits

    Course Descriptions

    Sequence and Schedule
    The Instructional Design and Technology master’s degree is designed to be convenient for all candidates offering both on-campus, hybrid, and online courses. The accelerated 30-credit program can be completed in approximately 21 months through (10 required courses). The on campus courses are held year around in accelerated 7-week sessions offered one night per week between the hours of 6 and 10PM and one Saturday per course. Each full semester has two accelerated 7-week sessions. Thus, students can take two courses a term driving to campus one evening per week. At the close of the student’s degree coursework, a comprehensive exam is taken. The exam is offered each term, thus enabling students to graduate year around.

  • Pennsylvania K-12 Instructional Technology Specialist Certification

    Candidates can add Pennsylvania K-12 Instructional Technology Specialist certification to their degree by taking the above coursework and meeting the PA Department of Education required nine (9) credits in special education and three (3) credits in English language learners (ELL). GCSE 657 Technological Applications for Differentiated Instruction, a required course, will count for three (3) of the nine credits (9) in special education.  Undergraduate credits and/or graduate credits can be counted toward the remainder of the PDE requirement of nine (9) credits in special education and three (3) credits in ELL. Candidates who have not taken these courses, can take them only at Saint Vincent College. The graduate level classes can be taken as electives while seeking the K-12 Instructional Technology Specialist certification.

Program Highlights

Goals 

  • To offer 21st century technology training methods and instructional design theory and practice to candidates leading to success in instructional leadership, project team management, human resource development and/or K-12 educational administration.
  • To provide candidates with current practices and techniques for implementing technology into training or instruction while meeting standards, assessment data, budgets and other management restrictions or policies.
  • To familiarize candidates with emerging technologies, management of information systems, global training and diverse learning, differentiated instruction, and formative/summative measures, research-based practices in training and IDT professional development.  

Internships and Careers

  • Candidates will have opportunities to prepare training, teach online, participate in technology-enriched fieldwork settings, design instructional modules, conduct web-based instruction, assess quality programs and practice instructional support techniques for using technology resources.  
     
  • Candidates must complete the practicum in instructional technology, which is a field-based class for candidates to learn how to manage, develop plans, budget funds and create workshops and presentation for technology.

Accreditations and Affiliations

The Instructional Design and Technology program offers an optional Pennsylvania Department of Education Instructional Technologist Specialist certification for candidates wishing to broaden into K-12 settings or higher education.  This certification can be earned with or without initial teacher certification.

Admissions Information

  • Admissions Requirements

    1. Possess an earned Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Official transcripts must be submitted from each institution attended to the Office of Graduate & Continuing Education.
    2. Have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0. For a GPA lower than 3.0, applicants will be reviewed for provisional acceptance.
    3. Send three recommendations to the Office of Graduate & Continuing Education.
    4. Personal statement explaining your desire to obtain a graduate degree.
    5. Completed Application for Graduate Admission in Education.
      Online Application
  • How to Apply

    Regular Admission 
    Possess an earned Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.  Official transcripts must be submitted from each institution attended to the Office of Graduate & Continuing Education. 
    1. Have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0. For a GPA lower than 3.0, applicants will be reviewed for provisional acceptance. 
    2. Send three recommendations to the Office of Graduate & Continuing Education. 
    3. Personal statement explaining your desire to obtain a graduate degree. 
    4. Submit completed Graduate School Application.
      Online Application

    Provisional Acceptance 
    If a student does not meet the above requirements for regular admission to the graduate programs in education, consideration will be given for acceptance on a provisional basis.  The student will be required to maintain a 3.75 GPA over the course of completing three graduate classes.  If the student is able to maintain a 3.75 grade point average he/she will be reviewed for regular admission. A student within this status will not be allowed to take more than 9 credits of graduate coursework.  If the student is not able to maintain a 3.75 GPA after completing 9 credits of graduate coursework, regular admission will be denied.  The provisional acceptance will still allow a student to qualify for financial aid if needed. 

    Graduate Non-Degree Status 
    If a student does not want acceptance to a graduate program but would like to register for graduate classes the student may apply as a graduate non-degree seeking student.  This allows the student to register for up to 9 graduate credits without applying or being accepted to a program.  In order to register under this status a student must complete the graduate non-degree application and submit official transcripts to the Office of Graduate & Continuing Education.  Once this information is received the student will be contacted regarding registration for classes. A student within this status is not eligible for financial aid. 

    Note: The Graduate Non-Degree Status also serves the student who decides to apply to a program right before the semester begins without ample time to complete the application.  The student can begin taking classes as a Graduate Non-Degree student while completing the application for admission.