Instructional Design & Ed Tech M.A.

Design Tomorrow's Learning Today

Learn to design and develop accessible and impactful learning materials for diverse environments—from K-20 classrooms to corporate and government training, as well as informal settings like museums and libraries. Step into a world where your instructional design skills can help shape the future of education and training.

Fully online: Complete your 36-credit degree in as little as 12 months with our 8-week courses (6-week in summer).
Year-round enrollment: Start your journey at the beginning of the fall, spring, or summer semester--whichever suits you best.
In-state tuition: Out-of-state students are eligible for in-state tuition waiver.

INTERESTED IN APPLYING?

👉 Start your application here

Fall Priority Application Deadline: July 15
Spring Priority Application Deadline: November 15
Summer Priority Application Deadline: April 1

Learn more: Graduate Admissions

Our next virtual open house is April 9, 2025.
Attendees receive an application fee waiver!

Watch the video recording of our October 30, 2024 virtual open house.

CURRENT STUDENTS:

Deadline for application of Tuition Waivers:

Fall Deadline: 5:00pm, May 1
Spring Deadline: 5:00pm, November 15
Summer Deadline: 5:00pm, March 1

Learn more: Financing Graduate Studies

Applying to Graduate:

Be sure to stay informed about important deadlines as you near graduation.

Learn more: Office of Records & Registration

I recently completed my internship in the program, working with a professor to improve an online undergraduate course. This experience let me flex my ID muscles while receiving real-time feedback. The collaboration and problem-solving enhanced my abilities and confidence, preparing me for real-world instructional design challenges.”

Bridget Scrogham

'24

I couldn't be happier with my experience in the program. It has proven to be the perfect fit for my busy life of full-time work and familiy responsibilities. The program has been incredibly interactive and well-designed. FGCU has found the sweet spot for a balanced approach between theory and practice.”

Jaclyn Holimon

'24

Program Overview

The fully online M.A. in Instructional Design & Ed Tech (IDET) is tailored for those aiming to excel in fields like instructional and learning design, instructional technology, and applied learning research. These careers exist in diverse settings from K-20 to government and corporate training, as well as informal learning environments like museums and libraries. This program opens doors to high-demand careers such as Instructional Designer, Learning & Development Specialist, Learning Experience Designer, Instructional Technologist, Curriculum Developer, and Learning Management System (LMS) Specialist. Our practitioner-focused curriculum, emphasizing case-based learning and collaboration with our industry and educational partners, prepares you to innovate and lead in your future career.

Course Maps

Course maps help you plan which courses to take in a given semester. Please note that course schedules are subject to change. These maps should be used as a guide only.

IDET Course Maps-3 Semester
IDET Course Maps-4 Semester
IDET Course Maps-6 Semester

Program Standards & Student Learning Outcomes

Our program standards integrate learning outcomes from several professional organizations in collaboration with our program advisory board, which includes learning and design experts from K-12 schools, industry, and higher education.

IDET Program Learning Outcomes

Career Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 6% growth in employment for instructional coordinators, including instructional designers, from 2020 to 2030. This is driven by the growing need for educational programs in schools, businesses, and other sectors. The rise of e-learning and remote education also increases demand for professionals skilled in designing effective digital learning content.

Have Questions?

If you have questions about the program, please contact us. We're here to help!

Contact

Dr. Michele Garabedian Stork

10501 FGCU Boulevard South
Merwin Hall
Fort Myers, Florida 33965

(239) 590-7738
mistork@fgcu.edu

M.A. Instructional Design & Ed Tech (IDET) | More Information:

Accreditation
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Admissions Information
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Getting Started
Applicants must submit an application online per the individual program’s instructions below. Please contact Graduate Admissions at 239-745-GRAD or graduate@fgcu.edu for additional information about the application process. Satisfaction of minimum University and program requirements does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. Applicants should check with the program for the most up to date admission requirements prior to commencing the application process.
Applicants who meet the minimum requirements for consideration may not necessarily be admitted into the program.
- Submit a completed FGCU Graduate Admissions Application and satisfy all applicable university admissions requirements.
- Earned baccalaureate degree from an institution that maintains accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting body (https://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html) or equivalent foreign institution.
- Have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester hours attempted accruing to the undergraduate degree.
- Submit three favorable recommendations from working professionals in the field.
- International students must demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with University regulation.
Applicants who do not meet all of the above requirements, including minimum GPA, may be considered on a case-by-case basis as University exceptions and may be required to submit further requirements as determined by the program.
Program Requirements
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Program Requirements for the 2024-2025 Catalog Year
Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
- Students must satisfactorily complete the minimum number of credits specified by the program.
- A grade of B or higher must be earned in all College of Education graduate courses.
- An overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted.
- The College of Education limits the transfer of coursework into its graduate programs to a maximum of three courses or 12 credits. To be considered, courses must have been completed with a minimum grade of B and no more than seven years prior to the date of entry into the graduate program and no more than ten years prior to graduation from the graduate program. The courses must be approved by the college dean or designee.
- Up to a maximum of 18 credit hours earned from courses taken at FGCU and those that are a part of an approved Certificate may be applied to the master's degree if those courses are part of that program. Applying these courses requires approval of the college dean or designee in conjunction with the Office of Academic and Curriculum Support, and the Office of Graduate Studies.
- Submit an application for graduation by the semester deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
- Students must register for a minimum of one credit during the semester in which they apply for graduation.
- Earn more than 50% of the credits toward the degree through FGCU.
Program Requirements
1. Required Courses in the Major (21 credits)
  EME 5053 Foundations of Learning Tech (3)
  EME 6209 Visual Media for Learning (3)
  EME 6408 Universal Design for Learning (3)
  EME 6465 Interactive Learning (3)
  EME 6606 Foundations of ID (3)
  EME 6646 Digital Narrative & Cognition (3)
  EME 6936 Current Trends in IDET (3)
2. Capstone Experience (6 credits)
  EME 6607 Instructional Program Analysis (3)
  EME 6940 Design Experience (3)*
  
  *Students in EME 6940 will complete a case-based design experience focused on their preferred professional practice that demonstrates program learning outcome competencies for external audiences.
3. Restricted Electives in the Major (9 credits)
  See Program Advisor for prior approval of elective courses. Electives are grouped by areas of interest for advising purposes.
  
  Learning Experience Design
  EME 6417 Teaching in Virtual Settings (3)
  EME 6617 Learning Management Systems (3)
  EME 6930 ID in Practice (3)
  
  Learning Technologies
  EME 6207 Educational Web Design (3)
  EME 6405 Technology Integration (3)
  EME 6675 Design for Informal Learning (3)
  
  Educational Media
  EME 6609 Instructional Media Resources (3)
  EME 6705 Collection & Acquisition (3)
  EME 6716 Media Services and Programs (3)
Total Credits Required: 36 HRS
Course Descriptions
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Official Course Descriptions

Search for official course descriptions by using the Course Description Search utility.

Go to the Course Descriptions Search Web page, then follow these steps:
1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select a course prefix from one of the SUBJECT dropdowns (required)
3. Enter search words in the TEXT field (optional, but will narrow the search results)
4. Press Search
Course Schedule
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Getting started with the Course Schedule Search

Search for program courses by using the Course Schedule Search utility.

Go to the Course Schedule Search Web page, then follow these steps:
1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select one or more of the search options to narrow your results (for example, CAMPUS, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, LEVEL, PREFIX*, COURSE ATTRIBUTE**). For virtual or web courses, select VIRTUAL in the CAMPUS field.
3. Press Search.
*A course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division of an academic discipline (for example, ACG for Accounting , BSC for Biological Science, ENC for English Composition). See the Degree Requirements page for a list of courses (with prefix and number) that can be used to fulfill degree requirements.

**A course attribute identifies specific characteristics of courses that can be used in a Degree Evaluation to satisfy a degree requirement. (Course attribute examples are Humanities courses - GEHM and Social Science courses - GESO.)
Learning Outcomes
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Academic Learning Compact

Consistent with its mission and guiding principles, Florida Gulf Coast University is committed to academic excellence and continuous quality improvement, as supported by a sound teaching-learning process. Within this process, students and instructors share responsibility for learning that is a movement from the simple to the complex, the concrete to the abstract, and the dependent to the independent.
The Academic Learning Compact (ALC) initiative supports the teaching-learning process by clearly identifying expected core student learning outcomes in the areas of content/discipline knowledge and skills, communication skills, and critical thinking skills; aligning curricula with expectations; and using assessment to guide continuous improvement.

Content/Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate the knowledge necessary to create, use, assess, and manage theoretical and practical applications of instructional technologies and processes.
- Develop as reflective practitioners able to demonstrate effective implementation of instructional technologies and processes based on contemporary content and pedagogy.
Content/Discipline Knowledge and Skills are assessed with research presentations, case studies, creation of professional artifacts, and other projects completed in the following required courses:
EME 5053 Foundations of Learning Tech, EME 6209 Visual Media for Learning, EME 6408 Universal Design for Learning, EME 6417 Teaching in Virtual Settings, EME 6xxx (6600) Foundations of ID, EME 6607 Instructional Program Analysis, EME 6646 Digital Narrative & Cognition, EME 6936 Current Trends in IDET, and EME 6940 Design Experience.

Communication Skills: Learning Environments

Graduates will be able to:
- Facilitate learning by creating, using, evaluating, and managing effective learning environments.
Communication skills are assessed with creation of professional artifacts, oral presentations, and team projects in the following required courses:
EME 6209 Visual Media for Learning, EME 6417 Teaching in Virtual Settings, EME 6607 Instructional Program Analysis, and EME 6940 Design Experience.

Professional Knowledge & Skills

Graduates will be able to:
- Design, develop, implement, and evaluate technology-rich learning environments within a supportive community of practice.
Professional knowledge and skills are assessed with the creation of professional artifacts and oral/visual presentations in the following required courses:
EME 5053 Foundations of Learning Tech, EME 6209 Visual Media for Learning, EME 6408 Universal Design for Learning, EME 6417 Teaching in Virtual Settings, EME 6xxx (6600) Foundations of ID, EME 6646 Digital Narrative & Cognition, EME 6936 Current Trends in IDET, and EME 6940 Design Experience.

Critical Thinking Skills: Research

Graduates will be able to:
- Explore, evaluate, synthesize, and apply methods of inquiry to enhance learning and improve performance.
Critical thinking skills are assessed with written reports and projects in the following required courses:
EME 6606 Foundations of ID, EME 6209 Visual Media for Learning, EME 6417 Teaching in Virtual Settings, EME 6xxx (6600) Foundations of ID, EME 6607 Instructional Program Analysis, EME 6646 Digital Narrative & Cognition, and EME 6936 Current Trends in IDET.
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Assistance
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Information on Tuition and Fees is available on the Office of the Bursar website.

Financial Aid and Estimated Cost of Attendance

Contact the Financial Aid Office for information about grants, scholarships, loans, and student employment. See FGCU's Financial Aid website for information and applications. This site also has information on estimated cost of attendance for graduate students.

Instructional Design & Ed Tech (M.A.)

INTERESTED IN APPLYING?

CURRENT STUDENTS:

M.A. Instructional Design & Ed Tech (IDET) | More Information:

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