Online Master's in Educational Technology Programs
Educational technology, or EdTech, refers to the integration of digital learning tools, adaptive learning technologies, and multimedia collaboration and communication platforms with existing teaching methodologies. In practice, it encompasses traditional classroom learning as well as online and hybrid instruction, and its applications extend from elementary and secondary schools to colleges, universities, workforce development and executive learning programs. Professionals with training in Educational Technology may work as technology integration specialists, curriculum designers, computer lab directors, online learning specialists, educational software consultants, workplace training specialists, and in other positions that require skills and knowledge of how to integrate technology into educational settings.
Masters in Educational Technology programs provide graduate students with training in the effective use of technology to improve learning outcomes, reach underserved populations, provide accommodations to students with learning disabilities, and implement data-driven enhancements to the overall educational experience. Students in these programs learn about core educational principles, emerging educational technologies including game-based learning, and the best-practices for integrating technology to better serve students from kindergarten through college. In addition, EdTech professionals may find employment in professional settings including in the healthcare industry; in businesses and corporations that provide trainings and/or professional development to their employees, consumers, or customers; in adult education and workforce upskilling programs, or in any setting where educational technology can improve learning outcomes for students and professionals.
What is a Master in Educational Technology Degree?
A Master’s in Educational Technology is an academic program offered by an accredited college or university that focuses on training graduate students to implement and benefit from existing and emerging digital learning and teaching tools. Students in these programs learn about instructional tools, pedagogy, and broad real-world applications of EdTech innovations in traditional classroom settings and non-traditional learning environments. The knowledge and skills students cultivate in an EdTech master’s program can prepare graduates for work in public and private elementary and secondary schools, at colleges and universities, and in private and public sector workforce development and training.
It is important to note that educators who wish to teach in public schools and in many other settings are required to hold a state license or certification. However, positions that involve integrating technology into classrooms or managing technology for schools or school systems may or may not require a license or certification depending on an educator’s state of residence. Thus, additional coursework and/or supervised fieldwork may be necessary for graduates who are interested in pursuing a career in public school teaching, and many colleges and universities required instructors to hold an advanced or terminal degree in their field of instruction. Students should review licensing and certification requirements in their state of residence before applying to a master’s program in education.
Online Master’s in Educational Technology Programs
Online master’s programs are designed to provide the same level of training as their campus-based counterparts without requiring students to commute to a college or university campus to attend classes. Online Master’s in Educational Technology programs give teachers, librarians, curriculum designers, school administrators, and other educators who want to add EdTech expertise to their toolkit and convenient and flexible way to receive graduate training in the field. These programs offer all or most of their didactic coursework online via learning management systems (LMSs) that deliver live and/or prerecorded lectures, and give students access to other course materials from anywhere they have access to the Internet.
Most online Master’s in Educational Technology programs do not require any campus visits, although students are typically invited to visit the school offering the program and are encouraged to attend graduation. However, some online programs require students to attend a limited number of on-campus sessions, typically for orientations, workshops, hands-on training, and other instruction that benefits from face-to-face interactions. While some online programs may incorporate internships or practicums that online students must complete in person, these requirements are not considered campus visits since they can typically be completed within commuting distance from a student’s place of residence or employment.
How OnlineEducation.com Identifies and Classifies Online Master’s in Educational Technology Programs
Master’s in Educational Technology programs may be offered by departments of education, art, or science at colleges and universities, and may have names such as Master of Science (MS) in Educational Technology, Master of Education (MEd) in Instructional Technology, MEd in Learning Design and Technology, Master of Arts in Education (MAE) – Learning Technologies, and Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET). Certain programs may be specifically geared toward teachers in PK-12 classrooms, higher education, or business settings, while others may be more general programs applicable across different educational settings.
Through independent research of Master’s in Educational Technology programs, OnlineEducation.com identifies educational technology programs that are offered fully online or include no more than two campus visits per year. Programs that require students to attend more than two campus-based sessions per year are considered hybrid programs and are not currently listed on the site. Also, programs on the site must be offered by regionally accredited, non-profit colleges and universities.
What Students Learn in Online Master’s in Educational Technology Programs
Educational technology master’s students learn to assess and implement existing and emerging instructional technologies to improve learning outcomes and reach challenged students in classrooms and other settings. Specific courses vary by program, but most schools align their curriculum with standards administered by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), a non-profit organization that maintains EdTech proficiency standards for educators and academic programs, students, coaches, and computer science educators. ISTE’s current standards for educators stress proficiencies in learning design, digital tool use, accommodating learning differences, creative learning strategies, assessment metrics, and data-informed teaching.
Online Master’s in Educational Technology programs typically offer a core curriculum covering foundations of educational technology, instructional design, integrating technology in the classroom, multimedia teaching strategies, e-learning and online instruction, educational research and assessment, EdTech leadership and policy, and professional ethics and privacy concerns in digital learning. Students may also take courses that explore contemporary issues in educational technology, advanced and emerging instructional tools, digital media production, and digital games and simulations. Some programs may include an optional or required capstone project and/or internships that challenge students to apply what they are learning in their coursework to real-world settings.
Finally, many Master’s in Educational Technology programs allow students to tailor their degree either through designated concentrations or elective courses in various specializations. Common areas of focus include: K-12 educational technology, technology in higher education, online learning technologies, corporate training and workforce development, game-based learning, and leadership and program design.
Common Courses in Online Master’s in Educational Technology Programs
The table below provides an overview of coursework that is typical of an online Master’s in Educational Technology curriculum. The courses and descriptions are drawn from actual programs currently offered by accredited, non-profit colleges and universities.
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Research and Evaluation in Education | Offers an overview of educational inquiry from quantitative and controlled to qualitative and naturalistic with a focus on finding and critically interpreting published educational research. |
| Teaching with Technology | Teaches students to manage and integrate technology into education; covers technology-based teaching, learning materials, and teaching methodologies for using technology in specific situations; and students develop educational software analysis skills, and explore the use of technology as a problem-solving tool in the classroom. |
| Mobile Technologies in Education | Explores the use of mobile technologies such as tablets, phones, wearables, and augmented reality applications in teaching and learning in formal and informal environments; students analyze national and global case studies and projects across subjects and disciplines, focusing on implementation; and students explore common mobile technology use strategies and how to adapt these to economic and socio-political contexts and educational settings. |
| Research, Trends, and Issues in Educational Technology | Exposes students to research and issues in EdTech; explores the wide array of technology developments; and students investigate, explore, and analyze current trends that are impacting educational technology in today’s classroom. |
| Digital Age Teaching and Learning Methods | Explores how digital tools promote new models of teaching and learning in diverse environments, including libraries, classrooms, coaching, and business training; covers relevant theories of cognition, issues of access and equity, and using technology to support instruction and assessment; and students critically review how technology has been used in these settings. |
| Educating the Digital Learner | Explores Universal Design for Learning (UDL) theory and how to apply it to technology use in blended, hybrid, and online environments; and covers student accommodations in the online environment and critical assessment of different approaches to online instruction. |
| Digital Media Production for Instruction | Introduces students to the production of digital media for instruction, including instructional design, graphics use, tools for multimedia development, and message design; and addresses current research, trends, and issues in the field. |
| Studio in Computing for Learning | An introduction to computational thinking and computer science in educational practice and the implementation of maker spaces in schools, libraries, and community settings; prepares students to utilize consumer-level devices in problem-based and project-based educational environments, helping K-12 learners engage with technology as creators; and covers programming, circuits, single-board computers, robotics, drones, sensor kits, and more. |
| Digital Games and Simulations in the Classroom | Examines the theories and philosophies of integrating digital games and simulations in the classroom; and covers processes and practices of integration. |
| Psychology of Learning | Examines contemporary, research-based psychological theories of human learning as they related to digital technologies; and covers the evaluation of human learning theories and their application to education, psychology, and other learning environments. |
Admissions to Online Master’s in Educational Technology Programs
Admissions requirements differ by school and by program. However, the baseline eligibility requirement for online Master’s in Educational Technology programs is a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Some programs also have a minimum undergraduate GPA requirement, usually in the range of 3.0 on a four-point scale. While some programs require scores from the GRE or MAT standardized tests, many schools have waived this requirement or make the submission of test scores optional for students who think their scores will improve their application. Additionally, some programs may require applicants to have completed prior coursework in teaching, education, educational psychology, and/or computer science.
Applicants to online Master’s in Educational Technology programs should expect to submit an online application along with a processing fee, academic transcripts and a CV or resume, and other materials relating to prior academic and professional achievements. Some programs may also ask applicants to furnish two or three letters of recommendation and/or a written personal goals statement or essay as part of their applications. Note: Some Master’s in Education programs are specifically designed for educators who are already licensed or certified to teach in their state of residence. Therefore, applicants should review admissions requirements carefully before applying to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements for their programs of interest.
Online Master’s in Educational Technology Format Options
The sections below outline three key variables that differentiate online Master’s in Educational Technology programs and that can be important considerations for students considering an online program. These variables include online instruction methods, program enrollment options, and campus visits.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Instruction: There are two modes of online instruction that most online master’s programs use that can impact the relative flexibility and convenience of an on online program. Synchronous online instruction takes place in real-time and includes live-streamed lectures and class meetings. In contrast, asynchronous instruction has no real-time component and encompasses a broad range of instructional modalities, including pre-recorded lectures, interactive learning modules, assignments, exams, and other learning activities that students have access to 24-7 through a program’s learning management system.
Both online instructional modalities have advantages and some drawbacks. Synchronous sessions are scheduled, typically in the evenings or on weekends, and require students to reserve specific blocks of time to virtually attend class meetings. This can be advantageous for students who would like to attend an online program that more closely resembles traditional face-to-face instruction, and for students who would prefer a more structured learning environment. However, these live sessions typically require students to be present and to participate using video conferencing software, which may not be easy for students with extensive personal and/or professional obligations that make it difficult for them to attend classes at set times each week.
Asynchronous instruction offers more flexibility and convenience as students have access to pre-recorded lectures and instructional materials that they can access at any time day or night, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students still interact with instructors and classmates through online discussion forums, and many professors have online office hours students can attend if they need additional help or would like to ask a question “face-to-face” instead of through email or the programs LMS. However, asynchronous instruction has less structure when compared to programs that use synchronous instruction. Thus, while programs that rely solely on asynchronous instruction allow for a greater degree of scheduling freedom, they also require more self-discipline and self-motivation in order to keep up with course materials and meet due dates for required assignments as set in course syllabi.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time Enrollment: Most master’s programs consist of four academic semesters of required coursework, which typically takes two years for full-time students to complete. However, many online programs have part-time enrollment options for students who intend to continue working while earning their degree. Some programs also offer courses four, five, or six times per year in six- or eight-week sessions as an alternative to the traditional 15-week semester or 10-week quarter systems.
Full-time students in an online Master’s in Educational Technology program should expect to spend roughly 40 hours per week on coursework and can often graduate in 16 to 24 months from programs that offer courses year-round. Part-time enrollment reduces the weekly time commitment but can extend the length of a program by a year or more, typically leading to graduating in 24 to 36 months.
Campus Visits: Most online Master’s in Educational Technology program do not require students to attend any campus visits. However, some programs integrate campus-based orientations, workshops, and other training sessions into their curriculum. These on-campus requirements, commonly referred to as intensives, immersion sessions, or residencies, can be a valuable addition to an online program as they allow students to meet fellow classmates and professors in person. Depending on the program, these sessions may held be at distinct points during a program. For example, online students may attend an on-campus session the summer before a program starts for orientation and information sessions on how to access campus-based services or for programs that require a master’s thesis or capstone project, on-campus sessions may be scheduled at specific points as students complete these research projects.
It is important to note that any on-campus requirements are typically separate and distinct from internship or practicum requirements that are part of a program’s curriculum. In addition, the travel and lodging required to attend on-campus sessions are typically not included in a program’s tuition costs and fees. Therefore, prospective applicants should research programs carefully to determine whether or not a program requires campus visits and then decide if they would like to attend a program that requires these sessions or if they would prefer not to have to travel to campus for in person learning. OnlineEducation.com only includes programs that require two or fewer campus visits per year.