The Master of Science in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology is designed for students who wish to extend their expertise in curriculum and instructional design and in instructional technology. It is also useful for students wishing to prepare for leadership positions in government, social service, health-related fields, corporate training, and development of educational media products. Students in the master’s program can create a program of study tailored to their specific background and career goals. CDIT is now classified as a "related program" for purposes of professional certification, and students are no longer required to take 12 credits in the content area. Any student with initial certification in any area may complete the CDIT program and apply for professional certification with CDIT listed as a related program.

Instructional Design, Technology, and Theory: This specialization serves students who wish to develop scholarly expertise in instructional design, technology, and theory and who intend to assume leadership roles in matters related to instruction and training in schools, government agencies, professions, research, or industry. The specialization focuses on theories of effective instruction, the design of instructional materials, and uses of instructional technology that apply across a variety of contexts, subject matter domains, students, and educational tasks.

Language in Education: This specialization focuses on research and scholarship in first and second language teaching and learning, including literacy, writing, English, and literature. The specialization focuses on language, thought, and socialization as the underpinnings of literacy development. Coursework considers contextual as well as cognitive processes of reading and writing, the ways in which contexts affect learning and instruction, and how this understanding can most effectively influence learning, teaching, testing, and policy.

Teaching and Learning of Academic Disciplines: This specialization is designed for students who wish to develop scholarly expertise in the research, theory, and practice of a particular academic discipline (e.g., science, mathematics, social science, English, foreign languages). The program prepares scholars to assume leadership roles in domain-specific research, instruction, and evaluation. Coursework focuses on developing an understanding of teaching and learning processes, and how that interacts with knowledge of the discipline to shape educational theory and curricular and instructional decisions in specific school subjects.

Program of Study

For the Master's Degree in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology, students must complete a minimum of 30 hours of coursework at the graduate level. These should include:

• At least one course (3 credits) in Instruction, such as Tap 621 or Tap 623;


• At least one course (3 credits) in either:


• 1)Curriculum Development, such as Tap 510, Tap 652, or Tap 655; or


• 2)Instructional Technology, such as Tap 523, Tap 525, Tap 526, Tap 527, or Tap 550;


• Two courses (6 credits) in the Foundations of Education, with at least on course in Educational and Social Thought and one course in Human Learning and Development;


• Tap 680 - Research Seminar in ETAP (3 credits), Tap 681 - Research Seminar: Researching Teachers in Practice (3 credits), or Tap 699 -Master's Thesis (3 credits);


• At least five courses (15 credits) in the student's chosen area of specialization as developed with their advisor.

Description of Courses for CDIT Online Program