Specialist in Education with a Major in Instructional Technology, Media & Design - Instructional Technology
18 months | Credit Hours: 27
The purpose of the Ed.S. program in Instructional Technology is to provide superior student-focused education that is personally relevant and intellectually challenging. The program is committed to the following areas of excellence:
- Preparing progressive, innovative, academically grounded instructional technologists;
- Building and enhancing skills in research and program evaluation to support instructional growth and improvement;
- Developing innovative delivery options to maximize educational experiences;
- Cultivating diversity of ideas, values, and persons responsive to changing needs and technologies; and
- Promoting the advancement of learning through scholarship and service.
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog. A program sheet, which provides a required coursework sequence, is available for download in the Courses tab below.
Students must have a Master's degree for admittance into the program. A teaching certificate is not required for this degree program. A teaching certificate is required for students seeking a certification upgrade from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Students who already hold a Teaching or Service certificate with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission will be eligible for Certification in Instructional Technology.
In addition to completion of program requirements, students seeking Certification with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission must also pass the GACE for more information click here.
Coursework completion is possible in 18 months. Degrees are conferred in May, August and December.
The Department of Educational Technology and Foundations website includes a program handbook, directory of instructors and their credentials, as well as other vital information.
This is a concentration under the Specialist in Education with a Major in Instructional Technology, Media & Design degree program.
Program Location
Online
Method of Delivery
Coursework is available 100% online.
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 30
Graduate students may be able to reduce their cost through prior learning, previous degrees earned at UWG, or transfer credits. We have created a tool to help students estimate their tuition costs.
This program is offered entirely online. Though a student may choose to sign-up for a face-to-face elective or core course, one can earn this degree completely online.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited university of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen. In addition, online courses and programs can mean a huge cost-savings in many non-evident ways: No more high gas charges. No childcare needed. The flexibility can allow one to maintain a job while attending school. Regardless of state residency, out-of-state non-resident students are not charged non-resident tuition for online course credit hours.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-Face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, they will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For the cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Coursework
Projected Offerings
All required courses for the Ed.S. in Instructional Technology, Media & Design - Instructional Technology Concentration will be offered over two years. No campus visits are required. Students may begin the program any semester. During the initial advising session, a projected sequence of courses is developed for each student. Any changes in the projected sequence need to be determined jointly between student and advisor in order for the student to be able to complete the program in a timely manner.
The Ed.S. in Instructional Technology, Media & Design – Instructional Technology Concentration requires students to complete 27 credit hours (9 courses at 3 credit hours each).
There are two tracks in the Ed.S. in Instructional Technology, Media & Design – Instructional Technology Concentration: IT Certification Track and General Track.
Students seeking Instructional Technology (IT) Certification with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission need to pursue the IT Certification Track, including the three IT Certification courses (MEDT 7464, MEDT 7490, and MEDT 7476) as requirements; students who already possess IT Certification or are not pursuing IT Certification from the GaPSC (e.g., a non-Georgia educator or a non-P12 educator) need to pursue the General Track. If you have any questions regarding which track you should be pursuing, you should consult the Georgia PSC Certificate Upgrade Advisory tool and your advisor.
General Track Program Sheet
IT Certification Track Program Sheet
Downloads
General
This graduate course is a study of human growth and development from birth through aging and death. The course focuses on areas of physical, cognitive, social, personality, and emotional development as a series of progressive changes resulting from the biological being's interactions with the environment. Special emphasis is placed on the development characteristics of school age youth within a multicultural and diverse society.
This course will focus on the application of instructional design principles as they relate to instruction. A systems approach to instructional design which includes information and application of skills and techniques necessary in the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of instruction will be used.
Intermediate level course on design, development and formative evaluation of web-based instructional systems. Web page design strategies based on research on effective practice are emphasized. Students use software development tools to create and evaluate interactive lessons including strategies for assessing learning achievement.
This is a survey course focused on basic elements and technical aspects of multimedia design and development to support teaching and learning in diverse classrooms. Included are selection of hardware and software, design principles, hands-on production, classroom applications, and discussion of issues and useful digital and web-based resources.
An advanced course in the design and production of digital media and instructional materials. Classroom utilization of digital media will be included.
This course is a general introduction to conceptual, theoretical, and practical ideas concerning distance education, including the current status of distance learning and its impact on education. Students will become conversant in the terminology of the field of distance education, review its history, conduct research on specific areas of practice, investigate instructional and learning design strategies, explore the technologies commonly used, and understand the unique roles and responsibilities of the distance learner and the distance instructor.
An intermediate to advanced level course on the design, development and formative evaluation of multimedia software delivered locally and online. Strategies based on research on effective practice are emphasized. Students use software development tools to create and evaluate interactive software including strategies for instruction and assessing learning.
This course will focus on application of the principles of assessment of student learning as they relate in the context of technology-enhanced instruction and diverse populations. Specific concepts covered include formative and summative assessments, alternative assessment, and standardized testing, especially the use of technology-based instruments. Students will design and develop assessment tools for their content areas and contexts.
Students will examine the educational potential of digital games. Students will evaluate digital games, explore effective ways to integrate digital games for learning, and design and develop digital game-based learning environments.
Global Learning and Collaboration with Technology is a course for preparing education professionals to connect with partners in other countries to support learners in implementing collaborative projects.
Individually designed studies of topics in media or instructional technology focused on the student's areas of specialty.
This course is an introduction to visual and media literacy principles that support student learning in specific content areas. Students will explore elements of photography and videography that support learner-centered instruction. Instructional applications in the workplace and instructional settings, shooting high-quality digital photographs and video vignettes, how to produce enhance digital-based instructional materials and resources are covered.
This course provides a practical approach to the design, development, facilitation, and improvement of learning units in an online format. Students will become conversant with terms associated with assessment and evaluation of instructional practices delivered in online and distance education settings. This course has been designed specifically for those professionals seeking the UWG Online Teaching Endorsement.
Students will analyze and develop policy related to distance education and e-Learning programs and learn to oversee installation and administration of a learning management system. Course topics include: management theory and practice; leadership roles and styles; and planning and policy development for educational and corporate organizations.
This course develops candidates competencies in creating computational artifacts, designing P-12 instruction for integrating computational thinking (CT) and/or computer science (CS), curating relevant pedagogical and professional CT or CS resources, and advocating for P-12 initiatives related to broadening diverse students access to the domain of computing.
The course focuses on the processes of innovation and change as they apply to educational systems. Students learn how to apply change models and diffusion theory in order to successfully integrate technology-driven procedures and resources into educational organizations.
This course provides an overview of the procedures in planning, designing, developing, implementing and managing instructional technology programs in educational organizations. Emphasized are leadership skills, managing people and resources, effective training techniques, program development, funding, and trends and issues associated with use of instructional technology in educational contexts.
Advanced topics in the theory, selection, production, and utilization of technology-based instructional materials will be examined, and issues, trends and problems in instructional technology will be emphasized.
Human Performance Improvement is a course for applying a systematic approach for identifying gaps in human performance and developing strategies to close the gaps. Students will work with a variety of models and techniques to identify performance requirements and develop multiple approaches for improving human performance across multiple types of organizations.
A comprehensive final examination, in the form of a portfolio, is administered during the semester immediately preceding graduation to all candidates seeking an Ed.S. in Media (Instructional Technology Concentration) degree. The comprehensive exam will be submitted via CourseDen.
Danilo M. Baylen, EdD, MLIS, MA, MSEd
Professor of IT, Media & Design
Adriana D'Alba, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Jason Huett, Ph.D.
Dean USG eCampus/Associate Professor
Kim C. Huett, Ed.D.
Associate Professor
Melissa Johnston, Ph.D.
Professor
Thomas A. Peterson, Ed. D.
Associate Professor
Mary Beth Slone, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Guidelines for Admittance
- All graduate applicants must complete the online Grad Application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- Applicants should also review the Graduate Studies Website for individual program specific requirements and tasks that must be completed prior to admission. See Graduate Studies Application Process.
- International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. See Procedures for International Students.
Program Specific Admittance Guidelines
- Official transcripts from all schools that have conferred degrees (Bachelor's, Master's, etc.) are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Graduate Admissions Office.
- Students must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution to be admitted to the program.
- A teaching certificate is not required for this program, but teacher certification is required for students seeking a certificate upgrade from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
- GPA of 3.0 or higher on most recent degree.
Application Deadlines
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
* Application, app fee, and document deadline
See The Scoop for more specific deadlines.
Admission Process Checklist
The Graduate Studies Application Process checklist is available here
NOTE: 100% online students do not need to submit immunization records.
Contact
Graduate Admissions
graduate@westga.edu
678-839-1394
Department of Educational Technologies and Foundations
media@westga.edu
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
* Application, app fee, and document deadline; Dates may vary for Readmit, Transfer, and Transient students.
See The Scoop for more specific deadlines.
1. Candidates will synthesize research on issues and trends in instructional technology.
2. Candidates will apply theories of change to introduce innovations into educational settings.
3. Candidates will apply systemic approaches to close identified gaps in human performance.
4. Candidates will propose innovative technology-based solutions to an identified instructional need.