American College of Education (ACE) recently combined two programs to create its newest offering, an M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Educational Technology. This program is a great opportunity for current and aspiring educators and educational leaders to gain the skills needed to lead in today’s technology-heavy educational landscape. We were excited to chat with ACE’s Chair of Professional Educational Studies, Dr. Cathy McKay, to learn more.
ACE: We’re thrilled to announce the new M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Educational Technology degree program! It’s a great professional development opportunity for those seeking educational technology careers as well as instructional design careers. Tell us about the learning outcomes that graduates of this program expect.
Dr. Cathy McKay (CM): The M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Educational Technology program uniquely combines two critical fields in modern education. Instructional design focuses on systematically developing educational experiences by analyzing learning needs and creating effective teaching strategies. Educational technology involves using technological tools to enhance learning outcomes and engagement. By integrating these disciplines, graduates can create tech-enhanced learning designs, implement data-driven instruction and develop innovative, interactive learning experiences that go beyond traditional teaching methods.
The program equips students with skills to build interactive online courses, incorporating elements such as storyboarding, gamification, artificial intelligence (AI) and audiovisual presentations. Storyboarding helps in visually mapping course structure and flow. Gamification applies game design elements to increase engagement and motivation. AI can be utilized for personalized learning paths and intelligent tutoring systems. Audiovisual presentations make complex concepts more accessible through multimedia elements like videos and interactive graphics.
Creating exciting and informative course deliveries is crucial in today’s educational landscape. Such courses enhance student engagement, improve learning outcomes and cater to diverse learning styles. They prepare students for an increasingly digital world while sparking curiosity and intrinsic motivation for lifelong learning. Moreover, engaging courses can lead to better retention and completion rates, especially in online courses. By focusing on interactive and informative content, educators can significantly enhance the learning experience, producing better-prepared graduates and fostering more effective education overall.
ACE: At ACE, we prioritize offering fully online learning that provides an accessible and affordable pathway to career development. What kinds of roles and jobs will a graduate of this program be prepared for?
CM: A graduate from the M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Educational Technology program will find numerous career opportunities across diverse sectors. The demand for instructional designers and educational technologists has grown significantly in recent years, particularly in corporate training, e-learning development and the tech industry. This surge is largely due to the increasing emphasis on remote learning and digital transformation in various organizations.
The program not only opens doors to entry-level positions but also provides a strong foundation for career advancement. Graduates often start in roles such as instructional coordinator, instructional designer or e-learning developer, progressing to senior instructional designer or learning experience designer positions. With experience, they may advance to leadership roles such as learning and development manager, director of instructional design or chief learning officer.
The versatility of the skillset acquired in this program allows graduates to transition between different sectors, including K-12 education, higher education, corporate training, government agencies and various industries, adapting their expertise to meet the unique learning needs of each environment.
ACE: Tell us how the program equips graduates with the skills needed to thrive in the field of instructional design as it pertains to key components like educational materials, learning environments and course design.
CM: This program offers a comprehensive approach to equipping students with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to create effective online course experiences across diverse educational settings, such as K-12, higher education, corporate training programs and professional development. By learning how theory and design are interconnected, students gain a deeper understanding of instructional strategies and can create more engaging and impactful learning experiences.
Students learn to collaborate with subject matter experts, enhancing their ability to develop accurate and relevant content. Additionally, students acquire valuable technical skills in video creation and editing, as well as incorporating interactive elements into their courses. These skills are particularly valuable in today’s digital learning landscape, where demand for high-quality online education continues to grow. Graduates of this program will be well-prepared to meet the evolving needs of educational institutions and businesses, positioning themselves as versatile professionals capable of designing and implementing effective online learning solutions.
ACE: What makes the program unique from similar master’s degree programs?
CM: In this program, students receive a comprehensive education that combines research-based foundational knowledge with practical application opportunities. The curriculum is carefully structured to build upon itself, with each course expanding on the concepts and skills learned in previous classes. This progressive approach allows students to develop a deep understanding of the subject matter while simultaneously honing their practical abilities.
As students advance through the program, they engage in hands-on projects that challenge them to apply their growing knowledge base to real-world scenarios. This integration of theory and practice ensures that graduates not only possess a solid theoretical foundation but also the practical skills highly valued by employers in the industry.
The culmination of this educational journey is particularly noteworthy. By the program’s conclusion, students will have completed a fully designed product — a tangible representation of their accumulated knowledge and skills. This final project serves as a powerful portfolio piece, providing graduates with a concrete example of their capabilities to showcase to potential employers. Such a comprehensive demonstration of both theoretical understanding and practical proficiency can significantly enhance graduates’ competitiveness in the job market.
The emphasis on creating a fully designed product throughout the course of study is a distinguishing feature. Many programs may offer theoretical knowledge or isolated practical exercises, but the continuous development of a comprehensive project throughout the curriculum sets this program apart from other related degree programs.
The integration of foundational knowledge with practical application, the progressive building of skills and the creation of a portfolio-ready final product are compelling reasons to choose this program. Graduates will be well-prepared for real-world challenges in the field of instructional design.
Developing a complete product from concept to execution, while integrating knowledge from various courses, is a valuable skill set in many industries. This program emphasizes project management, iterative development and the ability to see a complex project through from start to finish — skills that are highly transferable and sought after by employers.
ACE: The field of instructional design is growing alongside education in general. How does higher education, specifically a master’s degree, catapult curriculum development professionals and instructional designers to the next level of their careers?
CM: Higher education, specifically a master’s degree that covers both educational technology and instructional design, equips students with a robust foundation of theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are essential for career advancement in the field. Throughout the program, students explore learning theories, best practices and real-world applications, positioning themselves as experts in curriculum development, student engagement, and assessment and evaluation strategies.
This comprehensive education goes beyond mere theory, as students engage in hands-on projects that bridge the gap between academic concepts and practical implementation. For instance, they might develop e-learning modules, design adaptive learning systems or create comprehensive instructional plans for diverse educational settings. These applied projects not only reinforce theoretical understanding but also build a portfolio of work that demonstrates their ability to solve complex educational challenges.
As a result, graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles and promotions within their organizations. They possess the skills to drive innovation in learning technologies, lead instructional design teams and shape educational policies. By mastering both the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of the field, these professionals are poised to make significant contributions to the evolving landscape of education and training across various sectors.
Individuals seeking a career in instructional design or educational technology should view the M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Educational Technology program page to learn more.
