Learning technologies and design

University of Missouri-Columbia
Master of science
Learning technology designer working on a laptop, wearing headphones.
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Master of science

Perhaps during a workplace training program, your mind drifted or the information presented seemed too dense or abstract. You might have attempted to focus or wracked your brain connecting the concepts. The University of Missouri’s (Mizzou) master of science in learning technologies and design equips you to improve this experience for others. Through a fully online curriculum, you acquire the knowledge and best practices to create engaging learning systems and develop digital media and network applications for schools and corporate, nonprofit, government and military training programs.

Move into the growing learning design field or upgrade your skill set as a teacher, curriculum developer or corporate trainer to integrate today’s technologies. In addition to exploring key theories and strategies and getting hands-on programming and multimedia experience, learn to evaluate and select technologies through research. Throughout, you’ll build your portfolio to showcase your expertise to potential employers.

The School of Information Science and Learning Technologies (SISLT) is a proud member of iSchools, an international coalition of leading information schools.

About the online master’s in learning technologies and design

With adoption accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning influences K-12 classrooms, college and university lectures and organizational and government training programs. A poor experience can cause audiences to tune out. Worse, the information isn’t accessible to certain users.

As virtual training, learning software and multimedia shape both in-person and online instructional environments, Mizzou’s master’s in learning technologies and design positions you to advance education and training program delivery. As you start to understand how to design interfaces, select relevant technologies, develop effective assessments and improve outcomes, you:

  • Prepare to design and evaluate learning and training environments for schools and workplaces
  • Acquire the techniques to tailor instructional materials to a variety of audiences
  • Learn how to conduct needs assessments to develop interfaces and teach to audiences ranging from children and teens to corporate, nonprofit and government professionals
  • See how simulation, VR, game-based and more technologies enhance online, in-person and hybrid experiences and drive specific learning outcomes
  • Improve your web development and UX skills to design more equitable interfaces for all learners
  • Delve into the science of learning and how principles influence training programs, software, virtual and distance experiences and multimedia presentations

Top-ranked programs

Mizzou's online master's in education programs ranked among the nation's finest in U.S. News & World Report 2024.

Quick facts

Official name

Master of science in learning technologies and design

Campus

University of Missouri-Columbia

Program type

Master's degree

Academic home

College of Education & Human Development | School of Information Science and Learning Technologies

Delivery mode

100% online

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission

Credit hours

30

Estimated cost

$16,050.00

*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.

Learning technology designer working on a laptop.

Career prospects

Including learning technologies and design professionals, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 6% growth for training and development specialists across all industries through 2032.

Whether you design software, guide corporate training programs or assess technologies in relation to pedagogical goals, potential job titles include:

  • Game designer/developer
  • Instructional coordinator
  • Instructional designer
  • Online course or curriculum designer or architect
Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
10.82%
Employment growth
Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
$105,000
median salary

Program structure

For the online master’s in learning technologies and design, students complete 30 credit hours, including core (nine credit hours), degree (nine to 12 credit hours) and development (nine to 12 credit hours) courses.

Additionally, students assemble a portfolio (one credit hour) highlighting their work, accomplishments and mastery of learning design standards and technology integration. 

Courses are entirely online and held in a semester format. The program requires no on-campus visits. Students typically take one or two classes each semester. Full-time students finish in two years.

Course work includes

Learn to enhance the learning experience through courses covering:

  • Web development languages like HTML5 and CSS3
  • Digital and multimedia production techniques
  • Learning technologies and information sciences research methods
  • Effective online instructional methods
  • The role of technology in the learning process and student engagement
  • Instructional systems design and related technologies
  • Leadership skills for school and organizational program development

Review all requirements for the online master’s in learning technologies and design.

Delivery

100% online

Calendar system

Semester-based

Typical program length

2 years (full-time students)

Typical course load

1 or 2 classes each semester

Accreditation

The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.

Learn more about this program

This program is administered by the School of Information Science and Learning Technologies