Instructional Design and Technology
MED
Why study Instructional Design and Technology?
Our Master of Instructional Design and Technology can lead to a number of career opportunities, in a rapidly growing field, with an increasing need for highly trained graduates who can design, develop, implement, and evaluate multimedia instructional materials.
This campus-based program offers a combination of in-person, blended, and online classes. Students complete a professional field experience that provides an opportunity to actively apply what they are learning and conduct evaluations and assessments within real-world settings. Our students are also educated on how to design mobile apps, games and simulations, interactive video, and other industry-standard e-Learning applications.
This program includes a Design and Development specialization that prepares students to design learning environments through the use of technology and multimedia. This focus is perfect for those who aspire to learn more about the technological advances of creative learning solutions.
Admission Requirements
Application Materials
The application materials consist of the following:
- Video Essay. The video essay is optional and should be informal. It is a great way to let the committee know a little bit about you and to personalize your application.
- Statement of the applicant's academic and professional goals. For your goal statement, please answer the following questions and upload it as an attached document in the online application. Your response should be no more than one page in length.
- What are your professional goals? How will the program help you meet these goals?
- Describe your technology skills, e.g., skills in computer-based multimedia, web, or productivity tools, video, etc. You may wish to include a link to a sample technology project to demonstrate your proficiency in the use of technologies.
- Writing sample. Discuss your position on an issue in the field of instructional technology and how you hope to address that issue during your studies. Your essays should be between 750 and 1000 words and have at least three references.
- Resume
- Unofficial transcripts
- At least one letter of recommendation (preferably academic).
Note: The purpose of the recommendation letter(s) is to give the committee an additional data point to assess your academic and professional background. Hence, it is highly recommended to include both an academic and professional recommendation as part of your application. Applicants do not upload the recommendation letters. An email is sent directly to the recommenders from the application system. It is advisable to ask more recommenders than required because applications that do not include the required number of recommendation letters cannot be reviewed by the committee.
- Applicant must hold a bachelors degree from a college or university regarded as standard by a regional or general accrediting agency
- Applicant must have at least a B average (3.0/4.0 system or equivalent) in relevant undergraduate coursework or otherwise give evidence of promise that is judged satisfactory by the admitting program
Application Procedures
Prospective students will complete the online application. After logging in and/or creating a user account, select “Instructional Design and Technology, Master of Education” program by the application deadline posted below. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials and support documents are successfully submitted. Incomplete applications will not be processed or reviewed.
Graduates of this program will be prepared for the careers listed below. All opportunities may not be listed.
All incoming master’s students will be assigned an academic advisor who is a tenure-track faculty member. These advisors will mentor students on their plans of study. Students also receive mentorship throughout their internship experience from both the full-time faculty member coordinating the course as well as from their field supervisor in their placement. Past field supervisors have included leaders in the field of faculty training and development, corporate training, and classroom technology integration and management.
In addition to formal mentorship, students will build community through events such as the annual student showcase, which gives students the opportunity to demonstrate the projects and research that they have completed during the program and network with each other, alumni, professors from outside the IDT program, and others in the community.
The goal of the IDT MEd at the University of Cincinnati is to ready students to compete in a dynamic, growing field that demands talented, well-informed professionals. Our curriculum is especially designed to meet this growing demand. Students learn from award winning faculty in state-of-the art facilities with access to cutting edge technologies, labs, apps, and software.
With the advantage of being one of the few schools situated in a large, metropolitan city, our program is distinguished by its urban location. This location provides our students with advantageous experiential learning opportunities, such as working in urban education, corporate, and healthcare organizations, allowing them to gain firsthand experiences in the challenges of working in these different settings. As Cincinnati is home to many large companies and technology focused startups, a plethora of internship opportunities are also available to the student body. Finally, students get to learn from leaders in the field of instructional design and technology.
Scholarships in the form of Graduate Incentive Scholarship Awards (GIA) are available to incoming and returning students based on merit. If awarded, students can use GIA funding to cover part of their tuition. Application forms for GIA support scholarships will be sent to students after they have been officially accepted into a program. GIA funding is an annual award. A new application must be submitted each year. For more information on GIA scholarships, please see the Graduate School website.
Before a candidate can graduate, he or she must meet the following requirements:
- Be registered for at least one credit in their program in the academic year, after having met minimum degree course requirements to be considered a graduate candidate throughout the academic year.
- Have all NG, N, I, UP, SP and F grades resolved for degree courses.
- Posting of satisfactory grades for the semester of graduation.
- Obtain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA
- Satisfactory completion of all applicable College and program requirements as provided by the major advisor filling out the Checklist for Completion of College/Department requirements for Graduation and sending it to the Graduate School.
- Successful defense of a Master’s project
All transfer credits must adhere to following Graduate School policies and are subject to approval:
The IDT program with the Design and Development specialization meets all requirements for students with F and J visas and is also classified as a STEM program for international students (13.0501). This designation allows international students to apply for up to 3 years of Optional Practical Training work authorization after graduation. Students with F and J visas can apply either to Fall or Spring semester but are encouraged to apply for Fall to be part of a cohort.
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Application Deadlines
Instructional Design and Technology campus-based program only admit once per year. Please apply by the deadline to begin your program at the start of the fall semester.
- Deadline: July 15
Contact Information
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Program Code: 18MAS-IDT-MED