USC Rossier launches Master of Education in Learning Design with AI and Emerging Technologies (LDAI) online program.

In the ever-evolving world of educational technology, USC Rossier launches the Master of Education in Learning Design with AI and Emerging Technologies (LDAI) online program, formerly the Master of Education in Learning Design and Technology (LDT online). Accepting applications for fall of 2026, this fully online, five-term, 30-unit degree prepares students to effectively and ethically leverage artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to design instructional and learning experiences in a range of settings, including P–12, higher education, military, nonprofit and corporate learning environments.

“LDAI remains anchored in learning and motivational research and principles and their application to designing effective learning experiences,” said USC Rossier Professor Helena Seli, who is leading the program. According to Seli, the program will offer specialized courses in AI and learning technologies while also expanding its focus on data. She added, “We are embedding AI into the entire analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation process. Students won’t just learn about AI, they will learn with it and through it.”

The LDAI program is shaped by a distinguished design committee comprising USC Rossier professors Stephen Aguilar, Kim Hirabayashi and Corinne Hyde. Each brings expertise in learning design, educational technology, data-informed instruction and equity-driven innovation. “We're teaching our students to effectively and ethically use existing generative AI as well as other emerging technologies,” said Seli. Graduates will be able to apply these skills to create instructional activities that meet the needs of diverse learners, use AI-powered tools to increase accessibility and engagement, and incorporate AI into their evaluation process to measure impact and promote equitable learning outcomes.

Filling a critical skills gap in education and beyond

Organizations today—ranging from schools to nonprofits to corporate learning departments—seek professionals who can blend instructional design, AI fluency and strategy. LDAI graduates will answer this demand, ready to lead in roles such as an instructional designer, curriculum strategist and educational innovation consultant. The new program blends cutting-edge technology with human-centered design by placing the learner and equitable learning outcomes at the center of every decision. LDAI empowers students to use emerging AI tools to not only to design innovative learning experiences, but to ensure those experiences are inclusive, responsive and grounded in real human needs. The explosion of AI tools like ChatGPT has revolutionized how educators think about content creation, customization and learning analytics. LDAI addresses both this opportunity and challenge by preparing practitioners to harness AI for culturally responsive and accessible educational designs.

The program is designed for working professionals in flexible formats. Following USC Rossier’s online asynchronous and synchronous-only models, LDAI allows students to continue working full-time, drawing on real-world contexts to apply new skills immediately. Aligned with USC Rossier’s long-standing commitment to equity-focused educational leadership, LDAI equips educators with both technological literacy and socially and culturally conscious frameworks that serve diverse learners.

Who will benefit?

The LDAI online program is ideal for working professionals and current and aspiring instructional designers who want to integrate AI and other learning technologies into their practice. With these tools, educators and academic leaders will be able to tailor learning to individual student needs while reaching broader audiences. In addition, for those in professional training or workforce development, the program provides essential tools to innovate learning strategies and leverage AI responsibly across diverse sectors. Program managers and coordinators will gain strategies to build inclusive, data-driven learning paths that harness AI to support all learners.

“USC Rossier’s LDAI degree is a response to an urgent need for learning experiences that are innovative, scalable, equitable and ethical in an AI-saturated world,” said USC Rossier Dean Pedro Noguera. “It empowers today’s education professionals to lead thoughtfully in an increasingly digitized learning ecosystem.”