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Online Master of Science in Education in Learning Design and Technology

Purdue University West Lafayette (Main Campus)

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Ready to Learn More About The
Master of Science in Education
in Learning Design &
Technology?

Make a Positive Impact on Student Success

Develop, implement and evaluate multimedia instructional materials, and explore ways to bring instructional design to industries outside of the educational field. You'll graduate ready to make a positive impact on each and every one of your students in settings from nonprofits to government, and traditional classrooms to conference rooms.

100% Online Coursework

32 Credit Hours

#8 in Best Online Master’s in Educational/Instructional Media Design Programs (tie) – U.S. News & World Report 2022

20 Months to Graduate

Advance the Learning of Organizations, Adults, and Children

Maximize your learners' potential by delivering effective instructional materials no matter where, or who, you're teaching with Purdue University's online Master of Science in Education in Learning Design and Technology (MSEd in LDT).

Advance Employees’ Knowledge

Corporate trainers, instructional designers, e-learning managers and other corporate educators use the latest tools, strategies, processes, and practices to employ technology in corporate training and development. In doing so you become an important asset to any organization that values growth and productivity — which means job security and greater earning potential after graduation.

Elevate Traditional Classroom Learning

K–12 teachers, administrators and dedicated learning managers graduate ready to integrate technology and create optimal learning materials that help students of all ages and abilities reach their full potential.

The online MSEd in Learning Design and Technology program prepares you to facilitate more effective learning in the classroom and become an invaluable asset to your school or district.

Program Resources

How Has Technology Changed Education?

What Is Instructional Design?

What Do Instructional Designers Do?

Additional Resources

View a Virtual Open House

Hear directly from our directors of admissions, program directors and faculty to learn more about the program’s objectives, what it’s like to learn online, the resources we have to assist you throughout your education, and career paths after graduation.

Show Your Skills

At Purdue, we give you the unique opportunity to show employers your new skills through a capstone portfolio that aligns with the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction (IBSTPI) standards. These standards are known as the industry gold standard. Upon graduation, you will have created a viable portfolio as you work through the 20-month MSEd in LDT that immediately gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.

Students are also provided access to our technology badges as part of the LDT program. Technology badges allow you to display your knowledge of distinct instructional tools, with many showcasing skills highly desired by employers. For example, included in our listing of technology badges are Camtasia (Video Production) and Articulate (e-Learning authoring tool), both of which are in high demand with employers. The technology badges are available outside of coursework although some badges may be required as part of a particular course curriculum. Moreover, with these badges, you can show employers that Purdue has certified your competence in a particular technology without having to wait until you finish the entire program. These skills will allow you to stand out in the job market.

Discover a Rigorous Curriculum

Master current, proven learning methods and educational technologies through a rigorous online curriculum taught by leaders in the fields of learning experience design and emerging educational technology.

When you graduate with an MSEd in LDT, you have a deep understanding of:

  • New Approaches to Learning — You understand and apply best practices in education and corporate training by engaging in authentic instructional design activities and solving real instructional design problems.
  • Instructional Design Principles — You use technology to develop effective training and support materials by applying instructional design theory and principles.
  • Instructional Materials and Technology — You design, develop and implement courses, tools and learning programs that support a variety of learning outcomes, whether in K–12, higher education or corporate environments.

The curriculum of the online MSEd in Learning Design and Technology incorporates the latest research in learning theory, educational technology and instructional design principles and encourages students to use their work experience as a framework for study.

The program is not only taught, but was also designed by the same world-class faculty members that head our on-campus courses, alongside adjunct professors who bring years of experience and new ideas to the classroom. The only difference between the on-campus and online programs is the added flexibility to earn your masters when and where it's most convenient for you.

To view the full program guide click here.

Employment Trends for Learning Design and Technology

National employer demand trends suggest a strong need for program graduates from LDT. Employers posted over 67,000 relevant job postings in the last 12 months.1

Currently national employment is projected to increase faster than average in four of the top five occupations identified for LDT, signaling increasing opportunities for relevant professionals over the next decade. One of these top five occupations (Training and Development Specialists) houses relevant titles like Learning and Development Specialists, Learning Strategists, and Learning and Development Leads. Within this occupation, employers frequently request skills such as “instructional design” and “adult education.” These trends indicate a robust labor market with plentiful employment opportunities for program graduates.

Training and Development specialists earned a media annual salary of $61,570 while Training and Development Managers earned a median annual salary of $120,000 in 2021. Instructional Coordinators earned a median annual salary of $63,740 in 2021, with employment opportunities projected to grow 7 percent by 2031 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.2

Explore Careers

Admissions decisions are based on individual experience and the applicant’s fit with the program.

We recommend that all applicants speak to an enrollment counselor to verify eligibility and document accuracy in applying for the program. Candidates must submit a completed application as well as the following items:

  • A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • An updated resume
  • A 500-word (minimum) personal statement
  • Official transcripts from all universities attended, including transfer credits*
  • (3) professional letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your abilities
  • An application fee of $60 ($75 for international students)


*Coursework used to satisfy the requirements of a conferred master’s degree from an institution other than Purdue may not be used as transfer credit.

In addition to the admission requirements noted on the first tab, international students must also provide the following information.

  • Official transcripts from all universities attended in the original language as well as English translation for transcripts and diplomas not in English.
  • Non-native English speakers must also submit the following.
    • TOEFL test scores that are less than two years old and meet the following requirements:
      • Minimum Overall: 80
      • Writing: 18
      • Speaking: 18
      • Listening: 14
      • Reading: 19
    • IELTS test scores that are less than two years old and meet the following requirements:
      • Minimum Overall: 6.5
      • Writing: 6.5
      • Speaking: 6.0
      • Listening: 6.0
      • Reading: 5.5
    • Duolingo test scores that are less than two years old and meet the following requirements: 
      • total score of 115 and 115 on each subscore

We recommend that all applicants speak to an enrollment counselor to verify eligibility and document accuracy before applying for the program. To schedule your phone interview, call 877-497-5851.

Once you have connected with an enrollment counselor, you are ready to complete the online application.

If you have any questions about filling out the application, request more information or call 877-497-5851 to speak with an admissions advisor.

Send All Other Application Materials To:


  • Purdue University Online Programs Admissions Processing Center
    851 Trafalgar Court, Suite 420 
    West Maitland, FL 32751

What’s It Like to Learn Online?

  • Will my diploma look different from the on-campus programs?

    No. Both on-campus and online programs earn the same diploma. Online students are also invited to participate in the graduation ceremony on campus upon program completion.

  • How do online classes work?

    Most coursework is asynchronous, meaning that there are not specific times that you need to be online. When you start the program, you will be given access to a virtual classroom interface. Your instructor will post coursework, syllabi, assignments, and messages every week. You will also use discussion boards, e-mail, and chat to communicate with your classmates and your instructor. You can log on and do your coursework at any time that is convenient for you, but you must turn in your assignments by the deadlines your instructor sets.

  • How much time should I allow for doing homework and completing assignments?

    As in an on-campus program, you should plan on devoting about 15 to 20 hours a week to coursework, depending on your study habits.

  • What if I have a question about homework or need help with a technical issue?

    The faculty and staff at Purdue are dedicated to your success at the University and in the future. Your instructor will answer emails in a timely fashion and will be available to schedule one-on-one consultations if needed. Technical support is available to help you handle hardware and software issues, and we have dedicated staff available to talk to you about financial aid, scheduling, or any other administrative issues.

Helpful Links

Current Tuition Rates and Fees* In-State Out-of-State
Tuition Rate $381.20 $601.20
PO Infrastructure Fee (per credit hour) $18.80 $18.80
Digital Education Fee (per credit hour) $50.00 $50.00
Total Cost Per Credit Hour $450.00 $670.00
Total Credit Hours 32 32
Total Program Cost $14,400.00 $21,400.00


*Tuition and fees are charged on a per credit hour basis and are subject to annual increases. Annual increases may change the total program cost. Purdue faculty and staff fee remissions may not be available to the online MSEd in Learning Design and Technology program.

Career Outlook

Courses

Faculty

Get Started

To learn more about Purdue University's Master of Science in Education in Learning Design and Technology, request more information or call 877-497-5851 to speak to an admissions advisor.

NOTES AND CONDITIONS - PLEASE READ

1Based on a national labor market report by EAB and Lightcast.

2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Instructional Coordinators, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm (visited October 25, 2022).