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Online learning is no longer a novelty or convenience — it’s integral to modern education from K-12 to adult learners. The classroom can be anywhere. Online learning offers unparalleled flexibility, but it also presents its own set of challenges. It demands engaging topics, ease of use, meaningful discussions, and clear objectives to keep students logging in and learning rather than disengaging from the course.
In addition to online learning's accessibility, a combination of curiosity, demand, and accessibility means more individuals are taking online courses. That means there's increased demand in quality online learning programs — and for educators prepared to meet that demand. The Educational Specialist in Learning Technologies and Design with an emphasis in Online Education program equips you to excel in your online teaching practice. Whether you're an online instructor, designer, administrator or curriculum developer, this program will expand your expertise. Our 30-credit program prepares you to transform online learning while advancing your career. Unlock your leadership potential and creativity to help tomorrow’s students succeed in the virtual classroom.
This online educational specialist program is designed for professionals who already hold a master’s degree. As an online degree offered through the School of Information Science and Learning Technologies (SISLT), the program trains you to plan and create purposeful learning and performance support systems. SISLT began offering learning technologies and design degrees online in 2003 and continues to challenge students to improve distance education through usability and technological advancements.
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 education program
The online education program is designed for professionals who already hold a master’s degree and want to expand their expertise. The program empowers you to create engaging, effective distance learning experiences across many settings — from K–12 and higher education to corporate, military, government and health care training programs. You will not simply learn how best to transfer a physical classroom experience to a virtual format.
The curriculum emphasizes purposeful design that supports meaningful learning, fosters participation, and promotes measurable achievement in online environments. It is taught by the renowned faculty from the School of Information Science and Learning Technologies within Mizzou's College of Education and Human Development. In this online educational specialist program, you will develop the skills to:
- Design, deliver, and evaluate high-quality online learning experiences.
- Produce innovative online learning products, assessments, interventions and environments that allow learners to demonstrate mastery.
- Facilitate and evaluate online discussions that encourage active participation, critical thinking, and community building.
- Select and integrate technology tools and learning objects to support learner success.
- Apply learning management systems effectively to organize and present course materials in online formats.
- Identify, assess, and use internet-based resources to enhance online teaching and learning.
- Promote both academic growth and social engagement for online learners.
Through a comprehensive, hands-on approach, this program prepares you to address emerging challenges in eLearning and lead the design of online education that inspires persistence, meaningful learning and positive outcomes.
Quick facts
Official name
Educational Specialist in Learning Technologies and Design with an emphasis in Online EducationCampus
Program type
Educational specialistAcademic home
College of Education & Human Development | School of Information Science and Learning TechnologiesDelivery mode
100% onlineAccreditation
Higher Learning CommissionCredit hours
30Estimated cost
$17,697.00*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.
Career prospects
Ideal for those currently working in education, instructional design, training and development or digital media, this educational specialist degree with an online education emphasis supplies you with the skills to pursue a role as a:
- Online instructor
- Adaptive technology specialist
- Training designer
- School technology coordinator
- Online Learning Coordinator
- Curriculum Developer
- Instructional Designer
- E-Learning Program Manager
- Corporate Trainer/Developer
Your background in learning theory, instructional design, technology integration, and online pedagogy positions you to work anywhere education, training, and technology intersect. The emphasis on online education means you’ll stand out in fields where remote learning is expanding rapidly.
Program structure
You’re encouraged to pursue your personal and professional goals while developing your skills and expanding your network. You’ll work through a flexible curriculum of 30 credit hours covering required subjects (17 credit hours) and approved electives (13 credit hours). You will be paired with a faculty advisor to develop a plan of study at the start of the program.
Although the structure appears similar to the Master of Science in Online Education program, the EdSp requires all students to take a three-credit course in applied statistics. This further supplements and enriches your existing master’s degree.
The typical EdSp student takes one to two courses per semester. Those opting to attend full-time finish their degree in about two years.
Although no on-campus visits are required, you’ll show you’re prepared to advance eLearning in education or corporate training through a capstone project. Displaying the culmination of your knowledge, you’ll conceptualize and develop your own online course, submit it for evaluation and then discuss the results through your own reflection and critique.
Coursework includes
- How to produce engaging multimedia for online classroom environments.
- Developing engaging assessments.
- Building a sense of community in a digital space.
- Choosing and using learning platforms and software.
- Designing and evaluating courses using instructional design methods.
- Using research to guide technology and instructional method choices and to improve learning outcomes.
- Developing and improving eLearning through design thinking, evaluation, and front-end analytics.
Review the program’s full structure, course descriptions and expectations.
Delivery
100% onlineCalendar system
Semester-basedTypical program length
2 years (full-time students)Typical course load
1 or 2 classes per semesterAccreditation
The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.