M.S. in Education in Instructional Technology
About the Program
If you want to become a leader in instructional technology, come study with the best! Our online master’s degree in instructional technology is consistently ranked among the top five in the nation by US News & World Report, and we graduate more educational technology students than any other public university in the state. You’ll hone your skills in areas such as performance technology, instructional software design and development, media administration, and program evaluation.
If you’re not in a K-12 teaching field, you can complete the degree online or in a blended format. If you hold an Illinois Professional Educator License, you can earn the degree with a technology specialist endorsement with courses that are primarily online. You’ll attend occasional meetings in person at NIU campuses and benefit from collaborating and networking with fellow students.
Entitlements
Our online Library Information Specialist (LIS) concentration (with an endorsement or K-12 entitlement options) will prepare you to succeed and lead in keeping libraries crucial in society. An LIS endorsement requires 24 semester hours in library/media related courses; if you're seeking a middle grades endorsement, you'll take two additional courses. You can work toward the entitlement if you already hold an Illinois Professional Educator License and are pursuing your master's degree in instructional technology.
We offer an online accelerated M.S.Ed. in Instructional Technology degree with a K-12 Technology Specialist Entitlement. New cohorts begin each year, and the program can be completed in just four semesters. You'll meet online for coursework grouped to integrate complementary topics and attend occasional pre-scheduled, face-to-face meetings each term at NIU academic centers. You'll enjoy professional collaboration and continuity of a cohort through shared experiences and networking.
We're the state's largest public university producer of Educational Technology graduates. Our online M.S.Ed. in Instructional Technology program ranks No. 5 in the country for 2018, according to U.S. News & World Report. This marks our sixth consecutive spot among the nation's top five. Our faculty-designed online graduate courses received the Blackboard Best Online Course Design Award for the last three years.
Program Mode of Delivery
The coursework is 100 percent online. The technology specialist cohort is primarily online, but does require one or two face-to-face meetings during each semester.
Curriculum
Term 1
ETT 510: Instructional Media and Technology
ETT 570: IT Administration
ETT 592: Learn-IT Orientation to Online Learning
Term 2
ETT 535: Distance Ed. Design and Delivery
ETT 536: Web-Based Learning
ETT 553: Professional Standards in IT
Term 3
ETT 573: Instructional Technology Facilities
ETR531/ETR537 Program Evaluation/Learning Analytics
ETT511/ETT556 Visual literacy/User Experience Design
Term 4
ETT 560: Instructional Design
ETT 569: Practicum
ETT 587: Comprehensive Exam, ePortfolio
ETT 592: Learn-IT
Information about specific course requirements can be found in the NIU course catalog.
Faculty
- Cynthia S. Campbell, Ph.D., associate professor
- Vicki L. Collins, Ph.D., assistant professor
- Fatih Demir, DCD, assistant professor
- Pi-Sui Hsu, Ph.D., associate professor
- Wei-Chen Hung, Ph.D., professor
- Rebecca D. Hunt, Ph.D., associate professor
- Laura Johnson, Ph.D., associate professor
- Olha Ketsman, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor
- Yanghee Kim, Ph.D., professor
- Hayley J. Mayall, Ph.D., associate professor
- Todd D. Reeves, Ph.D., assistant professor
- Jason Rhode, Ph.D., associate professor
- Thomas J. Smith, Ph.D., professor
- David A. Walker, Ph.D., professor
- Ying Xie, Ph.D., assistant professor
- Cynthia York, Ph.D., professor
Applying to the Program
Start your application now with the NIU Graduate School.
Why NIU Online?
We know you have responsibilities and commitments. It's just easier if you're able to take classes where you are without the commute. The good news is that with NIU, you're not alone. Your classmates and instructors are available via the same technology that helps deliver your classes. In our classrooms or in your living room, we want you to succeed academically because your future is our focus.
Program Type: Online master's degree
College: College of Education, Department of Educational Technology, Research, and Assessment
Credits Required: 33 credits
Tuition per Credit: $530.00 (Learn more about tuition and fees)
Application Deadlines
For applicants residing in the U.S.
| Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | August 15 |
| Spring | December 13 |
For international students living abroad
| Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | October 1 |
| Spring | December 1 |