Instructional Technology Master's Program: Requirements

Published Sep 15, 2009

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A master's degree in instructional technology prepares graduates for a number of careers in teaching, education administration, educational consulting, corporate training and educational research. Instructional technology degree programs teach students how to integrate high-tech devices and a variety of media into classroom instruction and student assessment. This article explains the process of enrolling in and completing an instructional technology master's degree program.

Enrolling in an Instructional Technology Master's Degree Program

Each instructional technology master's degree program has unique admissions requirements, but most schools do have some criteria in common. Instructional technology degree programs often appeal to people with previous work experience as educators, but most programs are open to anyone with a bachelor's degree. Generally, applicants need to hold a 4-year bachelor's degree and must have at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) regardless of their undergraduate major.

Many programs require applicants to submit two or three letters of reference from supervisors or former professors. Most applicants are also required to write a brief statement of purpose that explains why they are applying to the program and what they hope to accomplish. Some schools require incoming instructional technology students to hold a valid teaching certificate, but this is relatively uncommon.

Completing an Instructional Technology Master's Degree Program

Instructional technology master's degree programs generally contain 30-36 semester hours of classes and take full-time students two years to finish. Most programs allow students to choose between a thesis or non-thesis track, with the non-thesis track generally containing more coursework than the thesis track. Students who choose the thesis track must write a lengthy paper on a topic pertinent to instructional technology and pass a rigorous oral exam about their research. Some common subjects covered in most programs include the planning and production of various media, technology coordination in educational settings, curricula development, educational technology and literacy educational materials.

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