Anna Huerta

Master of Education in Learning Design and Technology (online)

This program is designed for working professionals who desire to advance their career in instructional design.

Every industry needs instructional designers. From translating complex knowledge from experts into training programs to designing instruction for digital classrooms, prepare to create inclusive and accessible learning experiences that improve performance outcomes for all learners.

 

Apply

Program Overview

The Master of Education in Learning Design and Technology online (LDT online) program will help you gain the skills to design, develop, implement and evaluate learning and instruction in a variety of settings, including PK-12, higher education, military, nonprofit and corporate learning environments.

Through this program, you will:

  • Earn a master’s degree from a school with a strong reputation among employers.
  • Continue working full time while taking two or three courses online each term.
  • Learn to apply current research in learning and motivation.
  • Gain the skills to leverage technology in curriculum design and learning assessment.
  • Prepare to design and implement learning experiences in face-to-face, online and blended learning environments.

Curriculum

The LDT online program curriculum is designed by the program’s practitioner-scholar faculty with input from an advisory board of industry-leading professionals. The program will prepare you to meet three key outcomes:

  • Apply learning and motivation principles to create instructional activities for diverse learners in a variety of settings and cultural contexts.
  • Select appropriate and accessible media to maximize the learning experience.
  • Develop and implement a plan to evaluate the effectiveness of instruction in relationship to the learning objectives and in the pursuit of equity.

Rather than focusing solely on the acquisition of technical skills, the program emphasizes a holistic understanding of instructional design. As the capstone project, you will design a learning experience for a real-world application that demonstrates the application of theories and concepts. 

Online Learning Experience

The online learning experience blends interaction with student colleagues and faculty during live class sessions and self-paced coursework assignments submitted through the learning management system. Faculty facilitate live class sessions that include interactive, engaging and collaborative small-group discussions.

Career Support

In addition to coursework, the LDT online student support team provides opportunities to build your professional skills and job prospects. These include:

  • Paid internship roles such as junior instructional designer with USC Bovard College or Keck Medicine of USC.
  • Resume review and check-ins about career goals.
  • Networking opportunities with industry-specific organizations.
  • Mentorship opportunities.
  • Instructional design job search webinars and resources.

Scholarships

As an applicant, you will be automatically considered for several USC Rossier scholarships ranging from $15,000 to $20,000. There is no need to submit a separate application for these scholarships. The admission committee selects recipients based on academic achievement, demonstrated dedication to the USC Rossier mission and other characteristics. Applicants in rounds one and two will have priority.

View USC Rossier’s scholarship finder to identify other scholarships and funding opportunities. You do not have to be admitted to apply to these scholarships. Carefully note the scholarship application deadlines, which may occur before the final program application deadline.

Financial Aid

The USC Office of Student Financial Aid provides information regarding various types of financial aid and financing options.

To be considered for financial aid, you must apply for the FAFSA. After you apply, the financial aid office will determine your financial need and inform you of the federal or private loans that are available to you.

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the program are prepared to design, develop, implement, and evaluate learning environments in a wide variety of settings. Potential jobs include:

  • Educational program designer
  • Learning strategist
  • Instructional design and evaluation specialist/instructional systems designer
  • Performance assessment manager
  • Training director/manager
  • Director of distance learning
  • Education coordinators and directors in the following settings:
    • Museums
    • Science centers
    • Aquariums
    • Tutoring centers

Program Details

Degree Awarded

Master of Education (ME)

Estimated Length

Full time: 21 months
Part time: 24 months
 

Units

30

Program Cost

$2,244 per unit (estimated)

Estimated cost of attendance

Modality

  • Online

Next Deadline

April 15th, 2024

See all deadlines

Start Date

Week of August 21, 2024

Class Times

Mondays through Thursdays from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Pacific Time

Take the Next Step

From Our Alumni

Darlene Aguilar

Faculty in the LDT program are excellent role models for the application of learning design principles in courses. Not only did I learn how to construct well-thought-out instruction through educational psychology principles, but I was able to see real-world applications of those principles in my classes. This effective instruction increased my knowledge and skills which allowed me to confidently communicate my expertise to future employers.

Darlene Aguilar, ME ’18

Instructional Design Librarian, Loyola Marymount University

Jessica Carder

My degree has allowed me to steadily advance in my career and leverage what I learned to take on new challenges. I grew from an individual contributor making eLearning courses for niche audiences to a leader who helps design and implement the strategy for learning solutions that impact more than 200,000 retail workers. The impact I am able to have in my role helping others learn and develop is so rewarding and keeps me excited to start work each morning.

Jessica Carder, ME ’17

Senior Manager, Retail Learning, Albertsons Companies

Ashley Naranjo

My professors were experts in modeling what strong instructional design and delivery looks like via an online platform. They helped us transfer what we learned to our own fields within education, ranging from museum education and library sciences to classroom teaching and out of school time program development. I completed the program with a strong foundation, confident in how to analyze an instructional landscape, design, develop and implement solutions that address learners’ needs, and evaluate for ongoing improvement.

Ashley Naranjo, ME ’18

Education and Outreach Strategist, Smithsonian Institution

News and Insights

Julie Marsh's Tribute to John Brooks Slaughter

USC Rossier professor Julie Marsh pays tribute to John Brooks Slaughter on what would have been his 90th birthday.

C Pam Zhang and Safiya U. Noble to deliver keynote address at USC Rossier 2024 Commencement ceremonies

USC Rossier doctoral and master’s Commencement ceremonies will take place on May 8 and May 10.

Featured Faculty

Landmark study shows that ‘transcendent’ thinking may grow teens’ brains over time

CANDLE scientists find that adolescents who grapple with the bigger meaning of social situations experience greater brain growth, which predicts stronger identity development and life satisfaction years later.

New editorial team of Educational Researcher outlines vision

In the first issue published under the incoming editors, the group states their intent to make ER a home for ‘critical examinations of race, gender, social class, sexuality and disability.’

Featured Faculty

Conference focuses on peer collaboration and advancing equity through higher education research

At annual Research for Impact Conference, over 250 attendees heard from over 80 presenters on research projects across the USC Rossier community.

Program Contact

Estevan Hernandez

Estevan R. Hernandez, M.Ed.

Senior Assistant Director, Office of Admission and Scholarships

Program Outcomes

92%

of EC alums said their USC Rossier education prepared them to be more effective in their career

Student taking notes

Request More Information

Connect with us to receive more information about this program and reminders about upcoming events and application deadlines.

Privacy Policy: USC Rossier School of Education will never share or sell your personal information.

Loading...