Learning Design and Technology (MS)

Who Should Apply?

The online MS in Learning Design and Technology is for professionals who want to learn the best ways to create learning solutions that help others build their skill sets and levels of expertise.

Though you don’t need to hold a specific undergraduate degree to succeed in the program, applicants tend to have degrees in the behavioral, informational, or social sciences, business administration, or education.

Why Choose Mason?

• Optional e-Learning Graduate Certificate built into the program
• Part-time online format provides flexibility and accessibility for working professionals anywhere
• Our School of Education is ranked No. 67 out of 456 education schools by U.S. News & World Report
• Competitive tuition makes our top-rated education available to more students

Explore Our Latest Newsletter

Program requirements for the online master’s in learning design program at Mason are subject to change.

Requirements: 30 Credit Hours

Courses for Mason’s online MS in Learning Design and Technology program are offered in a convenient, part-time asynchronous format. An optional e-Learning Technologies Certificate is also built into the curriculum.

MS in Learning Design & Technology

Required Courses

• EDIT 526 Web Accessibility and Design | 2 credit hours
• EDIT 575 e-Learning Design Applications | 2 credit hours
• EDIT 611 Innovations in e-Learning | 3 credit hours
• EDIT 702: Exploring Trends and Professional Identity in the Learning Design and Technology (LDT) Field | 2 credit hours
• EDIT 704 Instructional Technology Foundations and Theories of Learning | 3 credit hours
• EDIT 705 Instructional Design | 3 credit hours
• EDIT 706 Business of Learning Design and Technology | 3 credit hours
• EDIT 710 Online Teaching Essentials | 1 credit hour
• EDIT 732 Analyzing the User Experience in Learning Design and Technology | 3 credit hours
• EDIT 751 Perspectives on Learning Analytics | 3 credit hours
• EDIT 752 Designing and Evaluating the User Experience in Learning Design and Technology | 3 credit hours
• EDIT 772 Virtual Worlds, Augmented Reality, and Gaming Applications | 2 credit hours

MS in Learning Design & Technology with e-Learning Certificate

Upon completion of the above 30 credits, you will be eligible to graduate with BOTH the MS in LDT and the e-Learning Graduate Certificate. If this is your goal, talk to your advisor to ensure that the e-Learning Certificate is added to your program of study.

E-Learning Technologies Certificate

Gain specialized knowledge in learning or instructional design and e-Learning practices using current technologies and theories. Complete the certificate within a year and apply all 15 credits to the online MS in Learning Design and Technology degree. You will need only 15 additional credits to earn your master’s.

Required Courses

• EDIT 526 Web Accessibility and Design | 2 credit hours
• EDIT 575 e-Learning Design Applications | 2 credit hours
• EDIT 611 Innovations in e-Learning | 3 credit hours
• EDIT 705 Instructional Design | 3 credit hours
• EDIT 706 Business of Learning Design and Technologies| 3 credit hours
• EDIT 772 Virtual Worlds, Augmented Reality, and Gaming Applications | 2 credit hours

Tuition & Fees (2023-2024)

Tuition is priced at $805 per credit hour. An additional charge of $35 per credit hour applies for a Distance Learning fee.

Financial Aid

For information on grants, scholarships, and loans, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers, and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the training and development specialists position is projected to grow 9% from 2018-2028 — faster than the average of all occupations.

As a graduate of the MS in Learning Design and Technology program, you’ll be prepared to work as a UX designer, e-Learning developer, or a learning designer in any industry.

According to the BLS, the largest employers of training development specialists are in the following sectors:

• Professional, scientific, and technical services: 13%
• Health care and social assistance: 12%
• Educational services: 11%
• Finance and insurance: 11%
• Administrative and support services: 7%

Sign up for our listserv to receive updates on job opportunities.

If you are unable to find the answers to your questions, submit a Request For Information form or contact our admissions representative via the contact information below.

Phone: 703-348-5006
Email: online2@gmu.edu

How Do I Apply?

In order to apply, applicants must have earned a U.S.-equivalent bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students with less than a 3.0 GPA are encouraged to apply, addressing previous academic challenges and highlighting evidence for future success in their personal statement.

Application Materials

• Graduate application
• Transcripts
• Resume
• Personal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Application fee

Click here to apply today.

Admissions FAQs

Can I take courses without applying?

Only students who are admitted to the online MS in Learning Design and Technology program or the Learning Technologies Certificate with a Concentration in e-Learning may take classes in the program.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The online MS in Learning Design and Technology program is 30 credit hours and can be completed in as little as 18 months.

When are classes held?

Classes for online students are offered in an asynchronous format, meaning they can be viewed interactively at your convenience. However, all courses are instructor facilitated and students still must meet all study deliverable requirements and deadlines.

What accreditation does Mason hold?

George Mason University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees.