Mount St. Mary's University

What you'll study

Core study areas typically include:

• Learning theory and instructional design models — foundations such as behaviorist, cognitivist and constructivist approaches and how they inform design decisions.
• Technology-enhanced learning — use of learning management systems, authoring tools, multimedia and emerging educational technologies.
• Curriculum and assessment design — aligning objectives, assessments and activities, including authentic and formative assessment strategies.
• Multimedia and course development — basics of media production, usability, accessibility and creating engaging online modules.
• Evaluation and research methods — program evaluation, usability testing, data collection and interpreting learning analytics to inform improvement.

Entry requirements

Programs of this type normally require a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Applicants are commonly asked to submit academic transcripts, a résumé or CV, a personal statement describing professional goals and relevant experience, and one or more letters of recommendation. Current educators or training professionals may be preferred but many cohorts also include career changers with related work experience.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles such as instructional designer, eLearning developer, educational technologist, curriculum specialist, training manager or corporate learning consultant. Career paths exist in K–12 and higher education, corporate learning & development, non-profit training programs and government agencies. With experience, professionals can move into leadership roles overseeing learning programs, LMS administration or consultancy.

Scholarships & funding angle

Funding for master's programs is commonly available through institutional scholarships, graduate assistantships, employer tuition reimbursement and external fellowships. Prospective students should contact the university’s financial aid office for program-specific opportunities and also explore professional associations in instructional design for scholarships, conference funding and small grants.