Master of Education in Learning, Design, and Technology
About the Master Degree Programs
The LDT program offers two Masters degrees – M.S. (Master of Science) and M.Ed. (Master of Education). These degrees include a combination of courses taken through the University Park Campus and the World Campus
Attention: International Master's LDT degree applicants - Due to the number of required courses offered exclusively online through Penn State University's World Campus, International applicants are not able to meet the student visa requirement throughout their degree program. Therefore, international students should only apply to Penn State University's Online M.Ed. Program!
M.S. (Residential)
The M.S. is a research-oriented graduate degree that prepares students to design, conduct, and evaluate research in the area of learning, design, and technology. This degree requires about 2 years of graduate coursework with a culminating master’s thesis that is a rigorous empirical or theoretical study. M.S. graduates often go on to complete a doctoral degree or accept positions in research labs or other contexts where knowledge of research methodology and application is important.
The M.S. degree is a research degree. It is appropriate for those who plan to pursue advanced doctoral studies or research work. Upon completion of the Master of Science Program, the graduate will be able to:
- discuss key theories and frameworks within the LDT area,
- review and evaluate published research in the area,
- design and develop small-scale research studies to pursue specific research questions,
- conduct and write up research studies.
M.Ed. (Residential)
The M.Ed. is a graduate degree that focuses on the rigorous application and use of LDT theories, concepts, and frameworks to practice. The M.Ed. usually takes about 2 years of coursework followed by the creation of a culminating portfolio. M.Ed. graduates work in a variety of fields including teachers in K-12, instructors in higher education, technology coaches, museum and outdoor program coordinators.
The M.Ed. degree is a practitioner's degree. It is a more appropriate option for those who plan careers as instructional designers and technologists. Upon completion of the Master of Education Program, the graduate will be able to:
- discuss learning processes and implications for the development of effective instruction,
- conduct comprehensive needs assessments identifying important learner, environmental, and task characteristics,
- develop effective instructional materials for a variety of learning tasks, student characteristics, and learning environments,
- evaluate the effectiveness of educational materials,
- apply these skills to corporate in school environments
Masters of Education (M.Ed.) (ONLINE DEGREE Program ONLY)
LDT also offers a fully online M.Ed. program taken via World Campus