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The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences:
MS in Instructional Design and Technology (Semester)

This program is not currently accepting new students. Current students must complete their programs of study in accordance with Walden’s Time-to-Degree Completion policies.

For students beginning their program prior to February 26, 2024.

The MS in Instructional Design and Technology provides students with foundational knowledge about how people learn plus the skills they need to be able to design and assess curricula across a variety of instructional settings. The program delivers the perfect balance of leadership, problem-solving skills, academic theory, and hands-on experience students need to excel. Students gain the knowledge, skills, and experience they will need to enter or advance in the instructional design field in the corporate, education, or nonprofit sectors.

The MS in Instructional Design and Technology courses are aligned with the standards of the Association for Education Communications and Technology (AECT). These standards are critical indicators of quality in instruction through technology, and their inclusion reflects the integrity of the Walden University learning experience, as well as its relevancy in professional and educational settings.

Note on Teacher Licensure or Certification

This program does not lead to teacher licensure or certification. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this program, educator professionals will be able to:

  1. Design and implement conditions for learning by applying principles, theories, and research associated with instructional systems design, message design, instructional strategies, and learner characteristics.
  2. Develop instructional materials and experiences by applying principles, theories, and research related to print, audiovisual, computer-based, and integrated technologies.
  3. Use processes and resources for learning by applying principles, theories, and research related to media utilization, diffusion, implementations, and policy making.
  4. Plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise instructional technology by applying principles, theories, and research related to project, resource, delivery system, and information management.
  5. Evaluate the adequacy of instruction and learning by applying principles, theories, and research related to problem analysis, criterion references measurement, formative and summative evaluation, and long-range planning.
  6. Demonstrate the ability to facilitate equitable access to instructional materials for all learners.
  7. Demonstrate the ability to apply common technology tools to create innovative learning solutions and materials.

Degree Requirements

  • 30 total semester credits; 36 semester credits for specializations
  • Core courses (27 semester credits)
  • Capstone course (3 semester credits)
  • Optional specialization courses (6 semester credits)

Curriculum

Core Courses (27 semester credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Specialization Courses (6 semester credits)

These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.

Capstone Course (3 semester credits)

Additional Technology Requirements

Note: In addition to Walden’s general technical requirements, this program has additional technology requirements:

  • Windows Vista or Mac OS X
  • Free, downloadable software programs that may be required in order to complete the course and program requirements

Course Sequence

The recommended course sequence is as follows:

General Program

Semester Course Credits
Semester 1

EDUC 6105 - Organizations, Innovation, and Change

 3 semester credits

EDUC 6115 - Learning Theories and Instruction

 3 semester credits
Semester 2

EIDT 6121 - Multimedia Design and Development I

 3 semester credits

EIDT 6122 - Multimedia Design and Development II

 3 semester credits
Semester 3

EIDT 6100 - Instructional Design

 3 semester credits

EIDT 6110 - Advanced Instructional Design

 3 semester credits
Semester 4

EDUC 6125 - Foundations of Research

 3 semester credits

EDUC 6135 - Distance Learning

 3 semester credits
Semester 5

EDUC 6145 - Project Management in Education and Training

 3 semester credits
EIDT 6910 - Capstone: Practical Application of Instructional Design  3 semester credits 

Optional Specializations

Semester Course Credits
Semester 1

EDUC 6105 - Organizations, Innovation, and Change

 3 semester credits

EDUC 6115 - Learning Theories and Instruction

 3 semester credits
Semester 2

EIDT 6121 - Multimedia Design and Development I

 3 semester credits

EIDT 6122 - Multimedia Design and Development II

 3 semester credits
Semester 3

EIDT 6100 - Instructional Design

 3 semester credits

EIDT 6110 - Advanced Instructional Design

 3 semester credits
Semester 4

EDUC 6125 - Foundations of Research

 3 semester credits

EDUC 6135 - Distance Learning

 3 semester credits
Semester 5

EDUC 6145 - Project Management in Education and Training

 3 semester credits
Specialization Course 1 3 semester credits
Semester 6 Specialization Course 2 3 semester credits

EIDT 6910 - Capstone: Practical Application of Instructional Design

 3 semester credits