PROGRAM OF STUDY

The University of Tampa’s M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology addresses a growing field in learning and human performance and provides a multidisciplinary area of study that draws students from many disciplines and backgrounds. Instructional designers understand and utilize technologies as both products (e.g., online courses) and processes (e.g., iterative and formative approaches to learner-centered instruction). Given the diverse career tracks in instructional design, this program allows students to customize their course of study based on individual goals and interests. Graduates of the program are well prepared to practice their unique, multidisciplinary profession in a variety of settings, including business, K-12 schools, higher education, government, and military sector, or to pursue doctoral studies. Courses in the M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology program are offered in either face-to-face or hybrid format. (University of Tampa. (2023). Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology. Website)

Throughout my pursuit of the M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology, I've completed a comprehensive set of courses, organized by semester, which have collectively prepared me for the diverse and dynamic field of instructional design. To meet the 36 credit hour graduation requirement, I successfully completed 24 core credit hours. Additionally, I've tailored my education by completing 12 elective credit hours, enabling me to explore specialized topics within instructional design and technology. This balanced curriculum has equipped me with a strong foundation and the flexibility to excel in various instructional design contexts as I move forward in my career.

Below are the semesters in which I was enrolled in the program. Click the “+” symbol next to the semester to expand the section and review the courses I took and a brief description of each.

Please note - This degree program is set up for working professionals to complete in two academic years. However, I did take a break from the program between January 2022 and December 2022 to focus on my mental health.

  • EME 601 - Introduction to Instructional Design - This course introduces participants to the systems approach to instructional design. The major components of instructional development models will be presented. This course provides introductory information and application of skills and techniques necessary in the analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation of instruction (often referred to as the ADDIE framework). This course will consider these issues at both the curriculum (macro) and lesson (micro) level.

    EME 610 - Trends and Issues in Instructional Design & Technology -This course is designed for students who intend to become professionals in the field of instructional design and technology. Professionals in any field should be able to do more than just perform the skills associated with it; they should also know something about the field’s history, its current status and the trends and issues likely to impact it. The purpose of this course is to help you become conversant in these areas.

  • EME 605 - Introduction to Distance Learning - This course examines the uses of distance learning in education and training environments as distance systems are increasingly used for teaching and learning. Distance education will be investigated as an instructional method in terms of delivery, development and implementation. Students will design a distributed learning system that uses emerging technologies that support distance delivery.

  • EME 603 - Inquiry and Measurement - This is a foundational course that addresses inquiry and measurement concepts at a level appropriate for master’s degree students. Through this course students will learn concepts and acquire skills that will help them make data-based decisions related to learning and human performance.

    EME 650 - Field Internship/Practicum - This field internship is designed to provide on-the-job experience in developing instructional design and technology competencies. Students will apply the skills and knowledge learned during their instructional design and technology program to a real-world workplace.

    EME 660 - Seminar in Instructional Design - Discuss topics in instructional design (ID), such as ID models and innovative approaches to ID research. Invited specialists present lectures and lead discussions on current topics and projects. The student will discuss and contribute to each of these topics.

  • EME 606 - Design of Online Collaborative Learning - In this course, students will learn, explore, and apply some of the latest web technologies, research findings, principles, and instructional design techniques to design and develop collaborative learning activities and assignments in online environments.

    EME 620 - Introduction to Systematic Instructional Design - The purpose of this course is to enable students to employ systematic instructional design procedures. As a result, students who successfully complete this course should be able to design a unit of instruction by using systematic instructional design procedures. The focus of this course is the application of instructional design principles to create instructional content that can be delivered to a target group of learners.

  • EME 611 - Principles of Learner Motivation - This course focuses on theories and concepts of human motivation. Students explore what motivates students to learn, and examine strategies, techniques and interventions that promote and sustain learner motivation.

  • EME 602 - Theories of Learning and Cognition for Instruction - The course is designed to provide you with the distinctions and concepts necessary to apply various theories of learning, cognition, and instruction to traditional and distance learning settings. These theories are tools that educators, administrators, instructors, counselors, parents, and many others can use to make their endeavors more productive and useful. This course will introduce and illustrate the proper use of these tools in providing insights into defining and solving problems. The emphasis will always be on the use of these theories to solve realistic and relevant problems drawn from your own personal experience or from cases we will study.

    EME 661 - Advanced Seminar in Instructional Design - Discuss advanced topics in instructional design (ID), such as new ID models and innovative approaches to ID research. Invited specialists present lectures and lead discussions on current topics and projects. The students will discuss and contribute to each of these topics. Additionally, this course will cover ethics, contract negotiations, professional development, networking, stakeholder interactions, interviewing skills, instructional development, and advanced presentation skills. This course will require the completion of a field internship and/or an advanced instructional design project for a field-based stakeholder, as well as a comprehensive exam (professional portfolio).