Master of Science in Instructional Design and Learning Technologies
Online
MSc
DURATION
30 hours
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 676 / per credit **
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* rolling admissions
** per credit hour
Key Summary
Innovative instructional programs are increasingly critical to success in a variety of fields – from education to industry. EKU’s 100% online instructional design and learning technology (IDLT) program prepares you to integrate current and emerging technology as you learn to design, facilitate and evaluate effective learning programs. The IDLT program offers a systematic approach to improving learning outcomes by developing consistent, quality instructional products and experiences. Graduates leave the program with a professional portfolio showcasing their skills and accomplishments and are prepared to take on key roles in the growing field of instructional design.
Gain a competitive edge with a concentration
As part of the instructional design and learning technology program, you can choose between two specialty concentrations, giving you a competitive edge in the job market. Options include:
Online Learning Design
Create digital learning products and tools for use in everything from online college courses to corporate workforce training. Learn how to plan for and develop content, structure, timing, pedagogical strategies, learning activity sequence, and the type and frequency of assessments required.
Course topics include:
- Multimedia for Learning
- Online Learning Design
- Instruction for Diverse Learners
- Training the Modern Workforce
User Experience Design
Create products that provide relevant and meaningful user experiences and interactions. Learn how to use graphic design principles to develop engaging, effective, and easy-to-use interfaces for learning, game, software systems training materials, and more.
Course topics include:
- Graphic Design for Learning
- User Experience Design
- Game Design for Learning
- Instruction for Diverse Learners
What sets our program apart?
Students will acquire not only specialized foundational and theoretical knowledge of the field, but also hone relevant, industry-accepted skills while making connections with current practitioners. EKU’s curriculum blends academic and professional preparation through course topics such as multimedia for learning, making data-driven decisions, online learning design, and training the modern workforce.
- Accelerated 8-week terms
- 6 start dates per year
- No GRE required
- Complete your degree in as little as 18 months
- Assemble a professional portfolio as you complete your coursework
- Internship opportunities and the chance to network with professionals in the field
- Generous credit transfer policy
- Reduced tuition for active-duty military members
- Free online tutoring and career services assistance
- Dedicated advisors who provide personalized graduation plans
- Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best universities offering online degrees
Why choose EKU?
EKU is a regionally accredited, brick-and-mortar university that is ranked among the nation's best colleges and has been educating students for more than a century. EKU has received numerous honors, including being named one of the best online colleges in the nation and one of the most veteran-friendly campuses.
Find Your Scholarship
A scholarship is a financial award given to students to help pay for their education that does not need to be paid back. Scholarships are awarded by schools, universities, and other organizations, and are based on a variety of criteria, such as academic achievement, financial need, or professional experience. The money can be used to cover tuition, books, housing, food, and other educational expenses. Please note that institutional scholarships, including merit awards, may not be stacked with other scholarships or tuition waivers and require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Merit Scholarships for In-State First-Time Freshmen
Merit scholarships make EKU even more affordable for first-time students.* EKU recognizes the hard work and dedication needed to achieve at a high level. Get rewarded for your high school accomplishments with merit scholarships. If you meet the following criteria, merit scholarships will automatically be applied to your account. No application needed!
Merit Scholarships for Out-of-State First-Time Freshmen
High-achieving students can get rewarded for their work and receive additional scholarships to make EKU even more affordable. If you meet the following criteria, merit scholarships may be applied to your account automatically without the need for an application!
Additional EKU Scholarships for First-Time Freshmen
Kentucky residents who are Pell Grant-eligible may receive this scholarship, which will cover up to 100 percent of tuition and fees for first-year students who have a 3.0 high school GPA. This scholarship is intended to act as “gap funding” for any first-time freshman who has exhausted all avenues of federal, state, and institutional scholarship and grant assistance, and still has a remaining balance for tuition and required fees. This scholarship is for on-campus students only. This cannot be awarded in addition to a Merit Tier scholarship.
Eligibility Requirements: On-campus, Pell Grant-eligible, Kentucky resident, first-time freshman with a 3.0 high school GPA
EKU Scholarships for On-Campus, In-State Transfer Students*
Eastern Kentucky University values the education and experience students from other schools bring to their EKU experience. On-campus students who transfer to EKU with 24 earned college credits are eligible for the following scholarships. If you meet the following criteria, transfer scholarships will automatically be applied to your account. No application needed!
Foundation Scholarships
EKU has made a difference in thousands of lives. Donors who have experienced the life-changing effect an EKU education can have now want to make a difference in your life. Thanks to their generosity, there are hundreds of scholarships available for EKU students.
Eligibility criteria range from GPA to county of residence to degree program and more. Simply fill out the foundation scholarship application, and you’ll learn which scholarships you may be eligible for.
Outside Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded by an organization other than the government or university. They are available from several groups, organizations, and entities nationwide. Third-party scholarships can be general in nature or very specialized and tied to the type of work you would be doing after graduation.
If you receive an outside scholarship, you must notify Big E Central so the award can be properly reported as part of your total aid package. Failure to report awards can result in the award not being accepted or a portion of the funds having to be repaid due to overpayment.
Core Courses --- 15
- IDL 800 --- Introduction to the Profession --- 3
- IDL 801 --- Instructional Design Mastery --- 3
- IDL 802 --- Making Data-Driven Decisions --- 3
- IDL 820* --- Internship --- 3
- IDL 821 --- Portfolio --- 3
*Current working professionals in instructional design, training, and learning development or other similar fields may take another elective in lieu of completing the internship (IDL 820). (Please contact the department head regarding the waiver process.)
Concentration --- 12
Students may select one of the following concentrations and an additional elective:
Online Learning Design --- 12
- IDL 810 --- Multimedia for Learning
- IDL 811 --- Online Learning Design
- IDL 813 --- Instruction for Diverse Learners
- IDL 814 --- Training the Modern Workforce
User Experience Design --- 12
- DES 850 --- Graphic Design for Learning
- DES 851 --- User Experience Design
- IDL 812 --- Game Design for Learning
- IDL 813 --- Instruction for Diverse Learners
Electives --- 3-15
Students completing a concentration must select ONE of the following. Students NOT choosing a concentration must select FIVE of the following:
- IDL 810 --- Multimedia for Learning --- 3
- IDL 811 --- Online Learning Design --- 3
- IDL 812 --- Game Design for Learning --- 3
- IDL 813 --- Instruction for Diverse Learners --- 3
- IDL 814 --- Training the Modern Workforce --- 3
- DES 850 --- Graphic Design for Learning --- 3
- DES 851 --- User Experience Design --- 3
- ENG 840 --- 3
- PSY 790 --- Tests and Measurements --- 3
Total Hours --- 30
Instructional Design and Learning Technology
Instructional design is an eclectic and specialized field built on unique skillsets used to create better learning experiences and materials. Instructional designers (IDs) have come from wide-ranging backgrounds such as art, computer science, business management, video production, technical writing, foreign languages, mathematics, philosophy, and teacher education.
Successful IDs possess expertise in several key areas such as learning theories and principles, training paradigms, multimedia production, project management, program evaluation, and various web technologies. Another important trait of IDs is the capacity to understand instructional/learning design as an evolving field and assimilate other skills and concepts as they emerge.
With such a dynamic skillset, instructional designers work in many diverse fields such as large corporations, higher education, traditional manufacturing environments, positions within state and national governments, nonprofit organizations, as well as military and military/government contractors. Additionally, the latest trends suggest instructional designers are increasingly self-employed on a freelance or contract basis.
Job prospects are promising. According to BLS, jobs such as Instructional Coordinators, are poised to grow 6% from 2019 to 2029 – a rate considered by the BLS to be faster than average growth. Additionally, BLS projects Training and Development Specialists, another career for IDs to grow 9% - much faster than average – within the same time period.
Job Opportunities
Instructional Coordinator
- Median Annual Salary: $66,290 per year / $31 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 192,900
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Master's Degree
Technical Writer
- Median Annual Salary: $72,850 per year / $35 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 58,400
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Training & Development Specialist
- Median Annual Salary: $61,210 per year / $29 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 327,900
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree