Instructional Design and Technology
Instructional Design and Technology
The Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) is a fully online, competency-based graduate program designed to prepare professionals to design, develop, and evaluate effective learning experiences across educational, corporate, and organizational settings. The program blends learning theory, instructional design frameworks, and emerging technologies with a clear focus on demonstrated skills and real-world application.
Rather than emphasizing seat time alone, this program is structured around clearly defined competencies aligned to professional practice. Students progress by demonstrating what they know and can do through authentic design artifacts, applied projects, and performance-based assessments. Core competencies include learner and needs analysis, instructional strategy design, multimedia and eLearning development, learning management systems (LMS), and data-informed evaluation.
The curriculum emphasizes learner-centered, evidence-based design and the practical application of theory to authentic instructional challenges. Students engage in scaffolded learning experiences that mirror professional instructional design workflows, ensuring that graduates leave the program with both conceptual understanding and a portfolio of applied work.
Designed for working professionals, the IDT program offers flexibility without sacrificing rigor. Competency-based design allows learners to build upon prior experience while ensuring consistent mastery of program outcomes. Graduates are prepared to lead innovation and improve learning and performance across diverse contexts, including K–12 education, higher education, healthcare, government, and corporate training environments.
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Program Highlights
- 100% online, competency-based format
- Progress through demonstrated mastery, not seat time alone
- Can be completed in as little as year, depending on pacing
- Emphasis on instructional design, learning theory, multimedia development, and evaluation
- Performance-based assessments aligned to real-world professional practice
- Part of the Texas A&M System’s 100-year tradition of preparing education professionals
Admission Requirements
- Baccalaureate degree
- Minimum of cumulative 3.00 GPA or 3.00 GPA in last 60 hours of undergraduate degree program
- Letter of interest and commitment
- Interview
- Current Resume
For more information about the Instructional Design and Technology Program, contact Dr. Kevin Williams - (903) 223-3028
Featured Courses
ITED 501 - Instructional Technology Foundations
This course provides an introduction to the field of Instructional Technology (IT). It addresses the fundamentals of Instructional Technology, including the history of the field, instructional systems development (ISD) models, learning theories, instructional design theories, performance technology, trends and issues, and career opportunities.
ITED 520 - Instructional Design and Development
This course provides students with experiences necessary to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for designing effective instruction that meets the needs of the information age. Students will explore the instructional systems development (ISD) process, from analysis through evaluation, and engage in authentic instruction design activities.
ITED 545 - Instructional Gamification Theory
Gamification is the application of game-design elements to non-game contexts to improve user engagement, social interaction, and competition towards mastering learning content. This course will introduce students to theories, frameworks and case studies that support gamification in education.
ITED 580 - Advanced Instructional Technology Project Management
This course introduces students to the basic processes of project management for instructional design projects. Students will learn about project development cycle, organizational issues, methods of planning, and techniques for managing the business and creative aspects of a successful instructional technology project. In addition, students will learn to use project management software for organizing, scheduling and monitoring project progress.
