Master of Arts in Instructional Design and Technology

The M.A. in Instructional Design & Technology is designed to meet the needs of technology professionals in schools and other education related settings as well as business settings. The primary mission of the M.A in IDT program is to prepare professionals to improve learning and performance, with effective use of technology, employing a systematic and systemic instructional design process. This program values ethical, life-long, independent, and collaborative learning. It promotes social justice, respects diverse perspectives, and fosters leadership for change. This program uses hands-on and student-centered approaches.

Admission to the Program

In addition to the general requirements of the university, specific requirements for admission to "classified" graduate status are:

  1. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 ("B") in all upper- division courses; and
  2. Three letters of recommendation, from individuals familiar with the applicant's work history or educational background, using a program approved template of the letters of recommendation. 

Students who do not meet these criteria may be admitted as “conditionally classified” graduate students. Students admitted in this category may be changed to classified standing with approval from the College of Education. No more than 15 semester units may be used to demonstrate fitness to complete the program.

Advancement to Candidacy

In order to be advanced to candidacy, a student must have:

  1. Achieved classified standing;
  2. Met Writing Requirement for Graduate Candidacy;
  3. Completed with a grade point average of 3.0 ("B"), at least 15 semester units of applicable course work in graduate standing, at least 12 of which have been taken at this campus and approved by an advisor in the College of Education;
  4. Between the time of completing 12 units and 15 units of applicable course work, the student is required to apply for advancement to candidacy.
  5. Satisfactorily completed ETEC 5000ETEC 5430ETEC 5440, and 
    ETEC 6430;
  6. Filed an official document titled Instructional Design and Technology "Graduate Approved Program Plan.” This must be approved by the student's advisor and the graduate coordinator of the program.

Requirements for Graduation

  1. A minimum of 30 semester units of acceptable graduate-level work, with a minimum of 21 completed in residence at this university;
  2. A grade point average of 3.0 ("B") and grades of "C" (2.0) or better in course work taken to satisfy the Master of Arts degree requirements;
  3. Successful completion of comprehensive examination or a master's degree project.
    1. Comprehensive Examination
      The written comprehensive examination is designed to test the student's knowledge in the field of Instructional Design and Technology. Before taking the comprehensive examination, students are required to attend their e-portfolio defense and successfully pass the defense.

      For the exam preparation, students are required to take ETEC 6850. Students must take ETEC 6980 to take the comprehensive examination with permission from the program coordinator. Students may not take the examination more than three times.
    2. MA Project
      The purpose of the project is for the student to communicate ideas gained in research, experimentation and creative endeavors. A project will be planned in consultation with the student's first and second readers. The project proposal must be approved by the student's both readers, at least one of whom must be from the College of Education. The project also must be approved by the first and second readers and submitted in the approved format. The project can be reported in the form of a paper and/or other media. Both media and non-media projects require a final written report. 
  4. Graduate students are required to complete the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement before being classified or advanced to candidacy. There are three options a student can choose from to meet the writing requirement.

    1. The student completes ETEC 5200 or ETEC 5423 and attains a grade of B or better.
    2. The student scores an acceptable standardized test score (WREE or GRE).
    3. The student submits a paper(s) that will receive a passing score according to the approved rubric
  5. Any additional general requirements not cited above and listed in Graduate Degree and Program Requirements website.

The program may not include more than 9 semester units in approved extension and transfer courses from other colleges. California State University, San Bernardino will not consider for transfer credit course work from an institution which will not accept that work in its own advanced degree program.

Degree Requirements (30 units)

(Program Code: INDT)

Required Courses (18)
ETEC 5000Foundations in Instructional Design & Technology3
ETEC 5430Research in Instructional Design & Technology I3
ETEC 5440Instructional Design I3
ETEC 6430Research in Instructional Design & Technology II3
ETEC 6440Instructional Design II3
ETEC 6920Practicum in Instructional Design and Technology3
Electives (9)
Nine units chosen from:9
Foundations of e-Learning
E-Learning Design and Development
Seminar in Instructional Design & Technology
Technology Integration in The Classroom
E-Learning Delivery and Evaluation
Multimedia Production with Emerging Instructional Technologies
E-Learning Technology and Media
Culminating Experience (3)3
Total Units30

Culminating Experience (3 units)

Successful completion of comprehensive examination or a master's degree project.

Comprehensive Examination Option (3 units)

ETEC 6850ePortfolio & Comprehensive Exam Preparation3
ETEC 6980Comprehensive Examination0
Total Units3

The written comprehensive examination is designed to test the student's knowledge in the field of Instructional Design and Technology. Before taking the comprehensive examination, students are required to attend their e-portfolio defense and successfully pass the defense. 

For the exam preparation, students are required to take ETEC 6850. Students must take ETEC 6980 to take the comprehensive examination with permission from the program coordinator. Students may not take the examination more than three times.

Project Option (3 units)

ETEC 6963Masters Degree Project3
Total Units3

The purpose of the project is for the student to communicate ideas gained in research, experimentation and creative endeavors. All projects will be planned in consultation with the student's first and second readers. The project proposal must be approved by the student's both readers, at least one of whom must be from the College of Education. The project also must be approved by the first and second readers and submitted in the approved format. The project can be reported in the form of a paper and/or other media. Both media and non-media projects require a final written report.