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

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: $534.75 (Learn more about tuition and fees)

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Application Deadlines

For applicants residing in the U.S.

Term Deadline
Fall August 1
Spring December 1

For international students living abroad

Term Deadline
Fall October 1
Spring December 1

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