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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.
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.

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.

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.

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

  1. Submit online application. You will choose Online Education as your campus.
  2. Statement of Purpose
  3. 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.
  4. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
  5. 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.)
  6. 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
  7. Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
    Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
  8. Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor.

Required Courses (18 hours)

TECH 8843 Foundations of Instructional Systems and Technology
Three hours lecture. An examination of the foundation and philosophical knowledge for instructional systems and design models including evaluation of instructional design processes

TECH 8823 Design, Delivery and Management of Distance Education
Three hours lecture. This course focuses on major theories and practices related to the design, delivery and management of distance education programs

TECH 8623 Instructional Design I
Three hours lecture. The analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of instruction for organizations

TECH 8543 Multimedia Design I
Three hours lecture. This course focuses on major principles and guidelines for creating instructional graphics and provides hands-on skills in graphic design

TECH 8533 Evaluation and Assessment of Instructional Systems and Technology
Three hours lecture. Focus on the effective course/program evaluation and assessment methods, theories, and applications in instructional systems and technology

TECH 8793 Directed Project and Portfolio Development
Three hours lecture. The course focuses on the development and presentation of a project and a portfolio based on the student’s program area of concentration. Evaluation by jury


Concentrations Areas (9 hours; Choose One)

Instructional Design

TECH 8723 Instructional Design II
(Prerequisite: TECH 8623). Three hours lecture. Advanced application of instructional design for organizations

TECH 8523 Project Management in Instructional Design
Three hours lecture. This course reviews multimedia design principles that are based on empirical research studies and the cognitive theory of multimedia learning to foster effective multimedia instruction.

TECH 8643 Multimedia Design II
(Prerequisite: TECH 8543 or TKT 8543). Three hours lecture. This course focuses on the concepts, issues, and practices for creating effective instructional videos and provides hands-on skills in digital video production

Educational Technology

TECH 4763/6763 Digital Tools for 21st Century Teaching and Learning
(Prerequisites: TECH 1273 or TKT 1273 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Methods of using digital tools for effective learning that is aligned with national standards in the 21st century classroom

TECH 4583/6583 Graphics and Web Design
(Prerequisites: TECH 1273 or TKT 1273 or BIS 1012 and key boarding proficiency). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Principles and development of graphics and web design

TECH 4333/6333 Introduction to Computer Science Education
Three hours lecture. This course introduces fundamental principles, concepts, and practices of computer science and explore pedagogies of teaching computer science at K-8 grade levels

Instructional Systems and Workforce Development

TECH 6263 Diversity in Work and Educational Environments
Three hours lecture. Exploring the changing dynamics of the workforce and educational environments in examination of cultural and technological facts and assumptions

TECH 8233 Analysis of Workforce Education Programs and Survey Research in Workforce Development
Three hours lecture. An examination of workforce development from national and international perspectives and methods and issues in workforce education survey research

TECH 8713 Research in Instructional Systems and Workforce Development
Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. This course deals with the research process as related to Instruction Systems and Workforce Development (ISWD) from idea formulation through data analysis and interpretation

See More

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.


Contact Information

Photo of Anusha Rijal

Anusha Rijal

Online Education

  • Coordinator
Headshot of Marty Bray

Dr. Marty Bray

Industrial Technology, Instructional Design, and Community College Leadership

  • Graduate Coordinator
Photo of Dr. Sang Joon Lee

Dr. Sang Joon Lee

Industrial Technology, Instructional Design, and Community College Leadership