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Design and operate the learning platforms of the future

MicroMasters® Program in
Instructional Design and Technology
UMGC and USMx
I'm interested

What you will learn

  • Explore contemporary learning theories to develop online learning experiences
  • Identify, evaluate, and integrate emerging technologies to support online learning
  • Design an implementation process for online learning experiences
  • Apply data mining techniques to the design and evaluation of learning experiences
  • Select, evaluate, and design digital media to support learning

Engage and inspire students through technology.

Learn how to create enhanced learning opportunities using the latest tools and techniques to connect with today’s digital-first learners.

Our unique approach to instructional design focuses on understanding learning theory, blending traditional instructional design models with rapid prototyping and data analytics to create online courses. You will gain hands-on experience developing and publishing online courses using a learning management system of your choice.

This Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters program will provide the knowledge and skills needed to capitalize on one of the fastest-growing areas of education – online teaching and learning. This program will prepare you to create engaging and active learning experiences, using digital pedagogy, emerging technologies and data analytics.

Through this program, you will learn how to design captivating learning experiences for learners who want mobile learning opportunities that are collaborative and accessible, while advancing your knowledge of educational theory.

Expert instruction
4 graduate-level courses
Instructor-led
Assignments and exams have specific due dates
8 months
8 - 10 hours per week
Discounted price: $1,076.40
Pre-discounted price: $1,196USD
For the full program experience

Courses in this program

  1. UMGC and USMx's Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters® Program

  2. Starts Aug 8, 2023
    8–10 hours per week, for 8 weeks

    Explore emerging learning theories and interactive technologies to create engaging experiences for today’s connected students.

    View the course
  3. Starts Oct 17, 2023
    8–10 hours per week, for 8 weeks

    Explore traditional and current instructional design models as you develop your own outline of an online course.

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  4. Starts Jan 9, 2024
    8–10 hours per week, for 8 weeks

    Explore the design, development and use of digital media and emerging technologies to support online teaching and learning.

    View the course
  5. Starts Aug 8, 2023
    8–10 hours per week, for 8 weeks

    Develop your Instructional Design & Technology MicroMasters capstone project while you learn course evaluation models to assess the impact of design on the learning environment.

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  6. What is a MicroMasters Program?
    MicroMasters programs are a series of graduate-level courses from top universities designed to advance your career. MicroMasters program certificates showcase deep learning and in-demand skills to employers and can help you get started on a path toward completing an advanced degree.

    How to Earn a MicroMasters Program Certificate
    To earn the program certificate, learners must complete and successfully earn a verified certificate in all four MicroMasters program courses.

    From Program Certificate to a Master’s Degree
    MicroMasters programs are designed to offer learners a pathway to an advanced degree and can count as credit toward completing a Master’s degree program. Learners who successfully earn this MicroMasters program certificate may apply for admission to a Master’s program, and if accepted, the MicroMasters program certificate will count towards the degree.

    Learners who successfully earn the MicroMasters program certificate are eligible to transition into the Master’s program in Learning Design & Technology at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). This program is fully online. Students will need to complete the application process to UMGC and meet all admission requirements for The Graduate School. For more information visit: https://www.umgc.edu/admissions/admission-requirements/graduate-admissions.cfm.

    The Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters program certificate will count for 12 credits toward the full Master’s degree (36 credits are required for graduation with the MS in Learning Design and Technology degree).

    • "90 percent of academic leaders believe that it is ‘Likely’ or ‘Very Likely’ that a majority of all higher education students will be taking at least one online course in 5 years’ time” (source: According to Grade Change: Tracking Online Education)
    • Career prospects for people with similar training include instructional software designer, instructional technologist, learning systems designer, educational technologist (source: Monster.com)
    • Instructional design and technology jobs are projected to grow 7% from 2014 to 2024 (source: BLS National Occupation Outlook)

Meet your instructor
from University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), University System of Maryland (USMx)

Brandie Shatto
Professor and Program Director for Educational Technology
University of Maryland Global Campus

Experts from UMGC, USMx committed to teaching online learning

Program endorsements

Discovery Education

Today’s students seek online courses that leverage digital media to create highly engaging and personalized learning experiences. The Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters program helps participants blend learning theory, emerging technologies, and data analytics to create these types of courses, and individuals completing this program of study will be prepared to help schools and organizations create the engaging online learning experiences students need for success beyond the classroom.

Stephen Wakefield , Vice President, Public Affairs, Discovery Education

Enrolling Now

Discounted price: $1,076.40
Pre-discounted price: $1,196USD
4 courses in 8 months
Pursue the Program

FAQs

  • No. To earn the MicroMasters program certificate you need to successfully earn a verified certificate in all four Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters program courses when they are scheduled and then, pass the comprehensive final capstone project. The courses are on an instructor-paced schedule rather than self-paced, so there is no way to reduce the time to complete them.
  • Yes. If you are interested in the Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters program certificate, you must successfully pass and receive a verified certificate in each of the four Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters program courses (LDT100x, LDT200x, LDT300x, & LDT400x) as well as successfully pass the final capstone project review.
  • Yes. You need to be admitted to the Learning Design & Technology Master’s program. The MicroMasters program certificate does not guarantee admission. The Learner will need to complete the application process to UMGC and meet all entrance requirements for The Graduate School. For more information visit: https://www.umgc.edu/admissions/admission-requirements/graduate-admissions.cfm
  • Yes, though it is not recommended. The program content and course projects are sequential, allowing the learner to build on subsequent work. Completing the listed prerequisite courses is essential in order to be successful in the course work. The final capstone course builds on the first three courses in the program. It is highly recommended that you complete these three prerequisites prior to enrolling the final class, LDT 400x Course Evaluation and Capstone Project.
  • Students must achieve a grade of 80% or higher for a passing grade in each of the four learning design courses in the MicroMasters program.
  • The Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters program is designed for individuals who want to develop theoretical and technical competencies required to design online learning experiences.
  • Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this program: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this program in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.
  • To ensure that your program remains relevant and up-to-date, UMGC sets time limits for completing a program. Students have five (5) consecutive years from the start of the graduate degree to complete their degree. For students who start with a MicroMasters, their “time clock” begins on the date that they complete their last course in the MicroMasters program and receive their Verified Certificate. This means that students should apply to UMGC promptly to begin the degree and have as much time as possible to complete it.
  • The edX certificates, like any course on edX, signal that you have completed this course or program on edX, and have passed! The ISCEA certification, which is delivered separately from the edX course certificate, is the official signal that you are now an ISCEA Certified Sustainable Supply Chain Professional with internationally recognized distinction. An ISCEA Certification indicates the successful completion of BOTH the preparatory education courses and the exam.

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