Master of Science in Instructional Design & Technology

 Earning a degree while working full time or raising a family has never been more possible. Here’s why adult students are thriving and reaching their goals at SNU:

• Classes take place entirely online.
• Students focus on one class at a time to ensure true mastery and prevent overwhelm.
• Students study alongside other adults in similar stages of life.
• Instructors with vast amounts of industry experience guide students through courses.
• A dedicated student success advisor guides students through the duration of your studies.

Instructional designers are the architects of the education and training industry. We are the creators behind the training and education that trainers and teachers deliver. We gather information, conduct analyses, develop concepts, create prototypes, refine designs, and iterate based on feedback. Ultimately, we create inviting learning experiences that engage and support learners in achieving their educational objectives.

If you want to level up in your career by helping innovate and improve individual learning and organizational performance, the Master of Science in Instructional Design degree at SNU might be the perfect choice for you. Through this program, you will gain the expertise, tools, and practical experience necessary to play a pivotal role in designing, developing, and implementing impactful and engaging learning experiences tailored for diverse learners in various environments.

Instructional design is a versatile career path, with many opportunities in government, nonprofits, higher education, K-12 education, and corporations. Instructional design offers many remote as well as contract opportunities. Recent graduates have been employed in the education, military, and government sectors.

Depending on the sector, an instructional design and technology degree can prepare you for many roles. Here are just a few:

• Instructional Designer
• Training and Development Specialist
• Instructional Technology Specialist 
• Director of Learning Experience Design
• Learning Experience Designer
• Director of Instructional Design
• Director of eLearning
• eLearning Designer/Developer

Professionals in an instructional design role have a variety of titles depending on the organization or institution, but according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, instructional (digital) designers have a median annual wage of $83,240 as of May 2022.

This program is taught by industry experts with practical experience and our courses combine effective design with emerging technologies. Students gain practical experience in creating, assessing, and managing training materials using technology while developing their skills using tools like Adobe Captivate, Articulate Storyline, artificial intelligence, and many more. 

• 100% Online
• Graduate in as little as 16 months
• One 6-week course at a time
• 15-20 hours per week
• Cohort Model

This program costs $499 per credit hour, with 30 hours totaling $14,970.

Networking opportunities exist online, and while job placement is not currently offered, there are multiple opportunities for in-person networking at SNU career fairs, the annual Women in Leadership Symposium, and SNU's monthly Business and Leadership Network.

Pursuing a Master of Science in Instructional Design & Technology at SNU equips you with the advanced skills needed to create effective, technology-driven learning experiences. The program focuses on e-learning design, curriculum development, and instructional technology, preparing graduates for roles in both corporate training and educational institutions. With a flexible, online format, you can balance your studies with professional and personal responsibilities. SNU’s emphasis on Christian values and servant leadership also ensures you will approach instructional design with a strong foundation in integrity and purpose​.

Instructional designers have diverse backgrounds, including education, training, management, technology, and others. Specific requirements for becoming an instructional designer depend on the organization and the type of instructional design work. Successful instructional designers are adept at project management, communication, and applying learning theories. Organizations may vary, but these core capabilities enable instructional designers to develop effective training and learning materials.

Credit hours: 3

This course introduces students to foundational instructional design theories, systematic instructional design processes, and the practice of instructional design techniques in a variety of settings for a diverse audience of learners.

(This course is the prerequisite for the remaining courses in the program.)

Credit hours: 3 This course introduces students to the emerging field of human performance improvement, providing an overview of the systematic process of human performance technology to identify performance issues and opportunities for growth; conduct appropriate analyses; select, design, and implement interventions; and evaluate outcomes for desired impacts.

Credit Hours: 3 This course introduces students to interactive media principles and tools for developing interactive learning media. Design phases including ideation, storyboarding, public presentation, and evaluation. Design principles and output scenarios for prototyping interactive media to support teaching and learning.

Credit hours: 3 This course is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of leadership principles and project management skills. Students will examine and practice effective techniques for leading and collaborating with various groups within the scope of instructional design and human performance technology projects. Students will also explore various strategies for determining project scope and sequence related to their role as an instructional designer.

Credit hours: 3 This course provides an in-depth exploration of new and emerging technologies and their uses for learning, collaboration, and networking within the learning environment. The course provides opportunities for students to evaluate the usefulness and applicability of tools as well as methods for integrating the tools into learning and performance solutions.

Credit hours: 3 This course introduces students to laws and ethics related to course and content ownership, privacy, intellectual property, and social responsibility. Through the lens of a Christian worldview, students will examine attitudes, assumptions, and values related to instructional design, and develop a foundation for application of ethical and legal standards in all learning and performance interventions and solutions.

Credit hours: 3 This course provides an overview of the current trends, research, and opportunities for innovation within the field of instructional design. Consideration will be given to current topics emerging within peer reviewed research and to those being discussed within various reputable instructional design communities.

Credit hours: 3 This course offers students an examination of the fundamental principles and practices used to evaluate and assess the effectiveness of learning design interventions. Students will explore evaluation models and theories, as well as analyze tools and methods for assessing learning outcomes and evaluating instructional effectiveness. Students will practice designing new assessment and evaluation tools and making recommendations for improvement of future iterations.

Credit hours: 3 This course presents an overview of effective principles and practices design and develop online instruction. The course provides access to a Learning Management System (LMS) for the design, development, delivery, and evaluation of reusable learning content.

Credit hours: 3

This course is a client-based project and serves as the culmination and integration of the learning from all IDT courses. Students will integrate learning as a scholar practitioner in instructional design and human performance technology through an authentic work experience, either external or internal to the University. Sites and projects will be selected and approved in cooperation with the IDT Academic Program Director.

(Prerequisite: Completion of major courses.)