Master’s in Learning Design Curriculum Requirements

Typically completed in 12–24 months, the program includes 30 credit hours, corresponding to 30 competencies. Students progress by demonstrating mastery, not by seat time. This professional training approach enables motivated students to accelerate based on demonstrated competence, allowing them to leverage prior learning and professional experience. Academic rigor is maintained through clearly defined performance indicators and authentic, performance-based assessments aligned with real-world practice.

Being fully online and asynchronous, the program is designed for both working professionals and recent graduates seeking entry into or advancement within the field of learning/instructional design and technology. With clear performance indicators, structured feedback, and flexible pacing options, students can balance graduate study with professional and personal commitments while maintaining high academic standards.

Students develop expertise in learning design across six domains, including (1) Designerly Thinking, (2) Instructional Methods, Models, and Artifacts, (3) Principled Assessment and Evaluation, (4) Knowledge Building in the Profession, (5) Learning Technologies, and (6) Project Management. A culminating capstone project (Domain 7) challenges students to synthesize these competencies in solving a complex, authentic learning problem.

Every course/competency unit requires students to produce professional-grade artifacts that mirror real-world learning design work, including prototypes, stakeholder-facing documents/presentations, data analysis and evaluation reports, technology integration plans, and a culminating capstone project.

Importantly, the program curriculum and assessments are grounded in diverse authentic professional contexts, primarily:

• Corporate Learning & Development or Human Resources Development (HRD)
• Higher Education
• K–12 and educational systems

Students work within realistic design briefs and industry-grounded design challenges so that by graduation, they possess a robust, employer-ready portfolio directly aligned with workplace expectations.

The culminating Capstone Project requires students to integrate design, evaluation, technology, and leadership competencies to design, develop, and manage a real learning experience in a context of their choice.

The program has established partnerships with organizations that support applied learning and capstone experiences, strengthening real-world relevance.

Students learn how to critically evaluate and ethically integrate Generative AI and other emerging learning technologies into professional practice. The program emphasizes professional design judgment, not just tool use.

In addition to all University requirements for admission to graduate studies, applicants to the M.S.E. in Learning Design must also submit and/or meet all the following with the online application to graduate study:

1. 1 official transcript of all college records with at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with a grade point average below 3.0 will be considered for admission, but admission is not guaranteed.
2. A personal statement: a 1–2-page statement that outlines (1) the applicant's academic and professional backgrounds, and (2) the applicant's professional aspirations after graduating/completing the M.S.E. in Learning Design competency-based program. The program leadership/admission committee might ask the applicant a few follow-up questions before making a final admission decision.

Please note: Meeting minimum admission standards does not guarantee admission to the program.