Master of Science in Instructional Technology

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The Master of Science in Instructional Technology (MSIT) degree is designed for educators or industry professionals who have interest in the effective use of instructional technology in educational and corporate settings. Choosing from three concentrations – instructional design, educational technology, or workforce development – you will develop up to date knowledge and hands on experience of instructional materials for teaching and training.

Program highlights:

This program is 100% online.
33 hours are required to complete the program.
You will develop a professional portfolio.
You will work with award-winning faculty.
There are fellowships available.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition per credit hour	$558.50
Instructional Support Fee per credit hour	$25.00

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

Who should apply?

P-12 teachers who are interested in integrating technology into instruction and sharing your technology expertise at their school.
P-12 teachers who want to become technology and instructional leaders in their school district.
K-6 teachers who are interested in obtaining a K-6 endorsement in computer science.
Industry professionals and highly-motivated undergraduate students who are interested in the effective use of technology in educational and corporate settings.

What are some potential careers?

Potential careers include instructional designer; curriculum developer; trainer/training specialist; e-learning specialist; distance education coordinator, director or manager; multimedia designer and web designer.

Note: If you are a K-12 teacher who holds a standard renewable Mississippi Educator license, this degree program will lead to an upgrade to an AA license; however, it does not lead to initial licensure.

What are some potential careers?

Program Structure

Instructional Technology Curriculum
A student must acquire a minimum of 33 hours in order to graduate in both the thesis and non-thesis options.

Course Number	Course Title	Hours
TECH 8843	Foundations of Instructional Systems and Technology	3
TECH 8823	Design, Delivery and Management of Distance Education	3
TECH 8623	Instructional Design I	3
TECH 8543	Multimedia Design I	3
TECH 8533	Evaluation and Assessment of Instructional Systems and Technology	3
TECH 8793	Directed Project and Portfolio Development	3

Concentration Areas (Choose One)

Instructional Design (9 Hours)
Course Number	Course Title	Hours
TECH 8723	Instructional Design II	3
TECH 8523	Project Management in Instructional Design	3
TECH 8643	Multimedia Design II	3

Educational Technology (9 Hours)
Course Number	Course Title	Hours
TECH 4763/6763	Digital Tools for 21st Century Teaching and Learning	3
TECH 4583/6583	Graphics and Web Design	3
TECH 4333/6333	Introduction to Computer Science Education	3

Instructional Systems and Workforce Development (9 hours)
Course Number	Course Title	Hours
TECH 6263	Diversity in Work and Educational Environments	3
TECH 8233	Analysis of Workforce Education Programs and Survey Research in Workforce Development	3
TECH 8713	Research in Instructional Systems and Workforce Development	3

Thesis hours/Non-thesis Electives		6
Total Hours:		33

Non-Thesis Option Electives (6 hours)

Thesis Option Electives (6 hours)

TECH 8000 Thesis hours

The courses selected for the individual program emphasis are determined jointly by the student, major professor, and graduate committee based on individual student goals.

The time limit on credits earned that can be accepted toward fulfilling requirements for the MSIT degree is eight years. The time limit begins when the first course on the program is taken. One-half (or more) of the hours on the graduate program exclusive of thesis credit must be 8000 level or above.

Not more than six semester hours of graduate credit earned in Directed Individual Studies (7000) courses or six semester hours of Special Topics (6990, 8990) courses may be included on the student's approved degree program. Not more than nine semester hours of a combination of Directed Individual Studies and Special Topic courses may be included on the student's approved degree program.

Disclaimer

Each student is responsible for knowing and completing all requirements established for his or her degree by the University, college, and department. A student′s advisor does not assume that responsibility. Any substitution, waiver, or exemption from any established departmental or college requirement or academic standard is accomplished only with the approval of the student′s academic college dean. Exceptions to University requirements, including the general education (core) requirements, are authorized only with the approval of the student′s dean and the dean of the Graduate School.

Admissions Process

When completing your application, please remember to select the concentration from the available options.

A student applying for admission into the Department of Instructional Systems and Workforce Development must submit the complete application packet to the Office of the Graduate School no later than:

April 1 for Summer
July 1 for Fall
November 1 for Spring

ISWD Admission Requirements

Domestic/International Classified Admissions
Domestic Unclassified Admissions

Provisional Admissions
Readmission
Transfer Credit

Domestic/International Classified Admissions

Submit online application. You will choose Online Education as your campus.
Statement of Purpose
Three letters of recommendation
- You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  P.O. Box G
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  175 President Circle
  116 Allen Hall
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor.

Domestic Unclassified Admissions

Only NINE (9) hours of course work taken as an "Unclassified Student" can be applied toward a degree program. All Unclassified students should submit a classified application once they have reached the maximum of nine hours. Full admission will be based upon successful completion of all classified admissions requirements.

If you are applying unclassified, select "Graduate School - Unclassified" as the college.

Submit online application
One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  P.O. Box G
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  175 President Circle
  116 Allen Hall
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
Pay $60 non-refundable application processing fee

PLEASE NOTE
In general, students who are not admitted into a degree program are not eligible for student financial aid funds. For more information please visit Student Financial Aid to see if you will be eligible or not while taking courses as an Unclassified graduate student.

Provisional Admissions

A student who has not fully met the requirements stipulated by the University and the department for admission to graduate study may be granted admission as a degree-seeking graduate student with provisional status. Such student must have as his/her initial objective advancement to regular status. A provisional student must receive a 3.00 GPA on the first nine hours of graduate level courses on the program of study taken at Mississippi State University (transfer hours or unclassified graduate hours will not apply) in order to achieve regular status. If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student will be dismissed from graduate study.

Readmission

Once enrolled in graduate study, a student who fails to meet the continuous enrollment requirement must complete an Application for Readmission to register for classes. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in two of three semester terms (Fall, Spring, or Summer) with Fall enrollment required. Students who have not been enrolled for a period of three years or longer and are in good academic standing, are eligible to reapply to through the Lapsed Student Program. Readmission is not guaranteed and must be approved by the Department Head, Academic Dean, and Dean of the Graduate School. Interested students or academic departments should contact the Graduate School for more information.

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer up to twelve (12) hours of graduate level credits from regionally accredited institutions. The decision to grant transfer credit is made by the advisor and the student’s graduate committee. If you wish to transfer credits, contact your advisor. You will need to provide an official transcript showing the courses you wish to transfer.

Committee Requirements

Committee Composition

For a master's degree committee, a minimum of three members are required and they must hold either a Level 1 or Level 2 Graduate Faculty appointment. One member may be a minor professor, if the student has a minor program.
The major professor is chair of the committee, must hold Level 1 or Level 2 Graduate Faculty status, and must be from the student's major department/program.
A limited number of Non-Graduate Faculty members may serve on a committee. Non-Graduate Faculty members are expected to have a graduate degree or commensurate expertise in the field of study. The decision regarding the qualifications of a Non-Graduate Faculty member to serve on a master's degree committee will be determined by the department/college.
In all cases where the committee consists of numbers above the minimum, greater than 50% of the committee members must hold Graduate Faculty status.
Non-Graduate Faculty committee members cannot serve as a major professor or committee chair.
Non-Graduate Faculty committee members can serve as a co-thesis director of the research along with a Level 1 or Level 2 member of the Graduate Faculty for students in a thesis-option program. If this occurs, it is expected that the Non-Graduate Faculty committee member will have education and research expertise commensurate with Level 1 or Level 2 Graduate Faculty.
The Committee Request form is submitted to the Graduate School.

Students in non-thesis programs with no variation in program of study and/or with standardized examinations are not required to have committees.

Committee Changes

When the committee composition changes, the student submits a Change of Committee form to the Graduate School reporting the changes. If, subsequent to the administration of the final or oral/written comprehensive examination, a student's request to remove a member of the graduate committee is not met with the approval (signature) of that member, the student must submit to the Dean of the Graduate School a written request containing suitable justification for removal of the committee member. The Dean will then decide if removal is necessary and accordingly inform the student, the committee member, the major professor, and the Graduate Coordinator.