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INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY M.A.

May 15, 2023

Next Start Date

10

Courses Required

$655

Cost Per Credit Hour

30

Total Credit Hours

Online Asynchronous

Learning Formats

Create Quality Learning Experiences With the Hottest Job in Education Today

You can help reshape today’s educational process so that it will be relevant to the current generation of students.

The Master of Arts in Instructional Design and Technology will prepare you to apply cutting edge technologies and instructional design strategies to create quality learning experiences in public schools, higher education institutions, and corporate and non-profit organizations. Three areas of competencies are featured: networks, instructional design and development, and use of software and multimedia.

The recent rapid transition to online education and training has created a demand for professionals who can apply new instructional design strategies for remote learning. As a result, Instructional Design and Technology is one of the hottest jobs in the education field today.

In higher education, instructional designers develop online courses or work with faculty to create interactive classroom components. In addition, the IDT degree provides the foundation for doctoral study.

Major features of the program include course preparation in educational psychology, instructional design, multimedia, and research methods. The Learning Goals for the program are to advance knowledge and critical thinking relative to instructional design and instructional technologies.


Two female instructional technology designers working on a computer.

The Master of Arts in Instructional Design and Technology is offered entirely online and consists of 30 credit hours in areas such as educational psychology and program evaluation to provide the foundation for designing, implementing, and revising educational products and working with real clients. The courses follow the WVU semester schedule, running 15 weeks over the Fall and Spring semesters and variable length—usually 4-6 weeks—during the summer session. Upon acceptance, students are assigned an advisor based on their interests and goals. They will subsequently develop a program of study, which is a plan for courses and the development of an educational focus of interest.

Attend a Virtual Information Session

Thank you for your interest in the Instructional Design and Technology M.A. program at West Virginia University! Attend a Virtual Information Session and learn more about the Instructional Design and Technology M.A. program.

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"Being a WVU graduate and a first-generation college student, I’m happy to be back to help you navigate the WVU System. Something WVU Online wants to do is assist you in creating your sense of community and continuity, making sure you have the answers to any and all questions."

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Online Instructional Design and Technology Admission Requirements

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. An undergraduate degree from an accredited university. GRE or GMAT scores OR a narrative describing two years of professional work experience (individuals with 2+ years of work experience can ask to have the testing requirement waived).

  • Apply with the online Graduate Application
  • Pay graduate application fee
  • Upload a cover letter describing work experience and goals for graduate study
  • Request official GRE or GMAT scores be sent to WVU (or a narrative, as described above)
  • Upload resume or vitae
  • Upload three letters of reference commenting on professional background and your plans for graduate study
  • Given the online nature of the majority of the courses, the enrollment in this program is not sufficient to satisfy visa requirements for international students in the United States.
  • Request official transcripts from all institutions attended (other than WVU) and
    1. Mail to:
      WVU Office of Graduate Admissions
      One Waterfront Place
      PO Box 6510
      Morgantown, WV 26506-6510
    2. or Email to: GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu

Application Deadlines:

Summer 2023 - April 1
Fall 2023 - June 30
Spring 2024 - Nov 1

Apply Now

Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

Financial aid is available. Students are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine their eligibility for federal and state funds as well as scholarships. WVU’s FAFSA Code is 003827. Please contact the WVU Financial Aid Office at (304) 293-5242 or financialaid.wvu.edu for additional information.


The Instructional Design and Technology M.A. requires 30 credit hours to complete. Cost per credit hour is $655.
$19,650 – Residents and Non-Residents

Credits Cost
1 $655
3 $1,965
6 $3,930
9 $5,895

Courses and Curriculum


Instructional Design and Technology M.A. Requirements

Master of Arts
Major Requirements

Course Title Credit Hours
EDP 612 Introduction to Research 3
EDP 617 Program Evaluation 3
EDP 640 Instructional Design 3
IDT 600 Instructional Design and Technology Theories and Models 3
IDT 610 Distance Education 3

Competency Courses – 15 credits

Course Title Credit Hours
IDT 620 Social Network Media 3
IDT 630 Instructional Delivery System 3
IDT 640 Visual Literacy 3
IDT 650 Multimedia Learning 3
IDT 655 Technology for Teachers 3
IDT 660 Instructional Design and Technology Authoring Systems 3
IDT 665 Game & Simulation Design for Instruction 3
IDT 670 Digital Tools and Web 3
IDT 675 Online Teaching and Learning 3
IDT 680 Computational Thinking 3
IDT 693 Special Topics 3
IDT 720 Instructional Systems Design 3
IDT 735 Technology Integration 3
IDT 740 Design Studio 3
IDT 750 Prototype Studio 3
IDT 715 School Networks 3

Total Hours: 30

Your future in Instructional Design and Technology

The Instructional Design and Technology M.A. degree from the College of Applied Human Sciences will give you the skills to apply cutting-edge instructional technologies and design strategies to help reshape the education process in business, education, or technology.

The Benefits to Choosing Our Program

  • All students pay in-state tuition, regardless of residency.
  • Classes are small, allowing for increased interaction between faculty and students.
  • Courses are taught by faculty in IDT, educational psychology, and research methods. The faculty have expertise in instructional design, technology integration, online program development, program evaluation, systems design, programming, video, and multimedia.
  • The program features seminar courses that provide opportunities to conduct research and develop instructional interventions, including technological integration of tools. Teaching opportunities may be found working with faculty members, the college’s Teaching and Learning Technologies Center (TLTC), and internships in corporate settings in the Morgantown/Fairmont area.
  • Students are encouraged to identify topics of interest and to develop an appropriate topic for inquiry as they take courses.
  • Research in instructional technology is addressed throughout the courses and supplements the college research core requirements.

Career Outlook for Instructional Design and Technology

Students who graduate from WVU Online with an Instructional Design and Technology M.A. degree will prepare themselves for the following careers. These are only a few examples of some of the many opportunities open to you with this degree.

Instructional Designer and Technologist
Projected Growth: 4-6%

Training and Development Specialist
Projected Growth: 7-10% *Bright Outlook

Education Professor
Projected Growth: 7-10% *Bright Outlook

Education Administrator – Postsecondary
Projected Growth: 7-10% *Bright Outlook

Instructional Coordinator
Projected Growth: 4-6%

Information Technology Project Manager
Projected Growth: 7-10% *Bright Outlook

Secondary School Teacher
Projected Growth: 4-6%

Education Administrator - Elementary and Secondary
Projected Growth: 4-6%


Information about careers on this list comes from the Occupational information network (O*NET) of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete an online Master's Degree in Instructional Design and Technology?

Since the program requires 30 credits, it will take you as little as two years to complete. The program is entirely online and students can take their time with each course based on its availability in the Spring, Summer or Fall semester.

What kind of jobs can I get with an Instructional Design and Technology Master's Degree?

Jobs for Instructional Design and Technology graduates exist in public schools as technology-integration specialists, or in institutions developing and managing training programs, as well as in higher education support groups developing online courses.

There are many career paths a student could take with an Instructional Design and Technology Master’s Degree, including:

  • Education Consultant
  • Instructional Coordinator
  • Education Administrator
  • Training and Development Specialist
  • Classroom Specialist

What jobs are the highest paid in Instructional Design and Technology?

Curious about which careers would yield the highest salary? Here are the following highest-paid jobs in the Instructional Design and Technology field:

  • Education Consultant - $104,528 according to Salary.com
  • Instructional Designer - $75,690 according to Salary.com
  • Education Administrator - $90,690 according to ONET.org
  • Training and Development Specialist - $64,790 according to Glassdoor.com
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WVU Online
West Virginia University
PO Box 6800
Morgantown, WV 26506-6800


Phone: (800) 253-2762
Email: WVUOnlineInquiry@mail.wvu.edu

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