Instructional Technology & Instructional Design

Located within the Department of Curriculum & Instruction of the College of Education & Human Services, the Instructional Design & Technology (IDT) program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is divided into two tracks: (1) Instructional Design (ID) and (2) Instructional Technology (IT).

The Instructional Design (ID) track offers a terminal degree in Master of Science (M.S.); whereas the Instructional Technology (IT) track offers both the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees.

Master of Science (M.S.)
in Instructional Technology

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
in Instructional Technology

Master of Science (M.S.)  &  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The Instructional Technology (IT) track prepares an individual for education and training careers in academic, business, government, and health care settings. Our graduates will be qualify for such positions as Instructional Technologist, Instructional Designer/Developer, Media Specialist, and Learning Resource Center Director. They have found employment around the world in business, industry, government colleges and universities.

Instructional Technology has two emphases: instructional design skills and the application of research based principles to the creation of instruction for electronic delivery systems. Specific proficiencies include:

• employing a systems approach to designing instructional solutions,
• delivering instruction via electronic technologies,
• managing the change process, and
• conducting research.

Instructional Technology is a growing field that draws from message design, instructional design, instructional research, and emerging communication technologies. These areas are combined to design and produce educational materials, insure their proper utilization in diverse settings, and expand the knowledge base of the field.

Our programs emphasize broad exposure to all aspects of instructional design and technology with the subsequent opportunity to focus on selected educational media. Individuals will acquire skills in the application of computers, video, multimedia, internet telecommunications, and other interactive media in the creation of effective instruction, including video games and simulation. Qualitative and quantitative program evaluation and research are also included in the outline of the study.

In additional to the above requirements, our doctoral students are further required to complete a dissertation under the supervision of a doctoral committee.

Course requirement:

Master of Science (M.S.)
in Instructional Design

Master of Science (M.S.)

The graduate specialization in Instructional Development (I.D.) prepares individuals to serve as instructional designers/developers or training specialists in business, academic, health care, industrial, non-profit, or government settings. Placement opportunities have been excellent in this rapidly changing field.

Instructional Development draws from message design, instructional research, performance technology, and emerging communication technologies. These areas are combined to plan and produce instructional materials and human performance support systems and insure their proper utilization in diverse settings. The specialization has as its core nine credit hours in curriculum, instruction, and research methods. The remainder of the student’s program emphasizes broad exposure to all aspects of instructional development with the subsequent opportunity to focus on selected instructional media, if desired.

Individuals will acquire skills in human performance problem analysis, specification of learning outcomes, task analysis, instructional design, test development, program evaluation, and consultation. The specialty area emphasizes the translation of learning theory into instructional practice and the application of problem solving and evaluation procedures.