Online
Learning Design and Technology
Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Curriculum and Instruction
Courses
Discover a Rigorous Curriculum
The curriculum of the online MSEd in Learning Design and Technology incorporates the latest research in learning theory, educational technology and instructional design principles and encourages students to use their work experience as a framework for study.
The program is designed by the same world-class faculty members that lead our on-campus courses, alongside lecturers who bring years of industry experience and new ideas to the classroom. The online program also offers the flexibility to earn your master’s when and where it’s most convenient for you.
Competencies
Showcase Your Skills
Throughout the program you’ll have opportunities to apply your knowledge, build practical skills, and provide evidence of your proficiency in the field.
Portfolio
Show employers your new skills through a capstone portfolio that aligns with the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction (IBSTPI) standards, known as the industry’s gold standard. Upon graduation, you will have created a portfolio that immediately gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.
Practicum
Near the conclusion of your program, you’ll have the opportunity to take everything you’ve learned and apply it to a real-world project through a hands-on practicum experience. Working with a client, you’ll bring a project from concept to completion. This is your opportunity to showcase what you can do and create a tangible example of your skills that you can carry into your career.
Technology Badges
Earn technology badges as part of your master’s program. These badges allow you to display your knowledge of distinct instructional tools and showcase skills highly desired by employers. Included in our list of technology badges are Camtasia (video production) and Articulate (e-Learning authoring tool), both of which are in high demand by employers.
Technology badges are available in addition to program coursework although some badges may be required as part of a particular course. These badges demonstrate Purdue has certified your knowledge of a particular technology as you complete your degree, allowing you to stand out in the job market.
Careers
Employment Trends for Learning Design and Technology
Job growth is projected to increase faster than average in four of the top five learning design and technology-related occupations, signaling increasing opportunities over the next decade.
For training and development specialists, which includes roles like learning and development specialists, learning strategists and learning and development leads, employers frequently requested skills in instructional design. These trends indicate a strong labor market with plentiful employment opportunities for program graduates.
Training and development specialists earned a median annual salary of $65,850 in 2024, with employment opportunities projected to grow 11 percent by 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics¹.
Training and development managers earned a median annual salary of $127,090², while instructional coordinators earned a median annual salary of $ 74,720³.
Additional Information
¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Training and Development Specialists, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/training-and-development-specialists.htm (visited July 04, 2026).
²Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Training and Development Managers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm (visited July 22, 2026).
³Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Instructional Coordinators, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm (visited July 05, 2026).
Admissions
Admissions Requirements
Admissions decisions are based on individual experience and the applicant’s fit with the program.
Start Your Giant Leap with One Small Step
Cost
Program Costs
Full-time Purdue-West Lafayette employees may be eligible for a 30% tuition discount for this online program. If applicable, indicate your employee status in the ‘campus and program’ section of the application. Faculty and staff fee remission benefits cannot be applied toward any online program.
**The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.
Additional Program Cost Information
Tuition is charged per credit hour and includes fees. The program is billed per credit hour; depending on the number of credit hours will determine your per semester cost. Total Estimated Tuition Cost is based on the total required credit hours.
*Textbooks and course materials are not included.
Licensure
Licensure Information
This program does not lead to nor result in an educator license within or outside the State of Indiana. For licensure inquiries, contact the College of Education, Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL).
Testimonials
The LDT program gave me space to experiment, reflect, and grow into the kind of designer I want to be. I created a portfolio that feels true to my voice, tackled projects rooted in real needs, and learned how to apply learning theory, motivation strategies, and evaluation models in ways that make instruction more effective. Even online, the faculty stayed engaged, gave thoughtful feedback, and helped me push my work further.
Andrea Rampone
Learning Experience Designer
My experience with the Learning Design and Technology (LDT) program at Purdue University has been truly transformative. Even as an experienced professional, this program strengthened my foundation and gave me the confidence to pursue new, higher-level opportunities in my career. I’m so proud to be part of the Purdue LDT community!
Karnika Mishra
Learning Experience Designer
I entered the LDT program because I care deeply about creating effective and engaging learning experiences. When I started this program, I was a Business Analyst in the ed tech field. After learning critical analysis and evaluation skills, I have since been promoted to Technical Product Manager. The LDT program teaches skills that are transferable across domains, roles, and positions. I knew I didn’t want to be an instructional designer when I enrolled in this program, but I hoped what I would learn would support me in my line of work–and it did so immensely.
Nikki Page
Technical Product Manager
The LDT program supported my transition from classroom teaching to corporate instructional design. I learned skills and tools that made me a competitive applicant when making a career change.
Kristen Newton
Instructional Designer
Every single course and project in the LDT program was extremely valuable and immediately relevant to the roles I was in throughout the program. The faculty were amazing — supportive, communicative, and very knowledgeable. I have truly enjoyed my time in this program and credit my confidence and success in transitioning from teaching to instructional design to this experience!
Jenna Lane
Leadership Solutions Designer
Each course in the LDT program provided ample opportunities to both give and receive meaningful feedback. This has made me a much more confident learning designer now having deep practice in adjusting and shifting my solutions using feedback.
Shannon Brown
Early Childhood Educator
Purdue’s LDT program was the most flexible and the most rigorous program of those I explored. It enabled me to develop a skill-based portfolio that got my foot in the door when applying for instructional design positions.
Zac Leghorn
Instructional Designer
I chose Purdue’s LDT program over others because most programs pigeonholed practitioners to either K-12/higher ed or corporate/government/nonprofit career tracks. Purdue’s program allowed me to explore different avenues in the instructional design field and was customizable so I could tailor my degree to my goals. Because of this approach, my classmates were very diverse and came from all professional backgrounds. I learned just as much from them as I did from the faculty, which is saying a lot because the faculty is amazing.
Rachel Resendes
Instructional Designer
program FACULTY
Learn From the Experts
The full-time Learning Design and Technology faculty at Purdue West Lafayette are internationally recognized leaders for their contributions to instructional design and learning technology research. They publish in top journals, present at global conferences, and shape the field through innovation and scholarship.
Faculty
News
Program Resources
Purdue Repository for Online Teaching and Learning (PoRTAL)
Learn MoreOnline Teaching Hub
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Frequently asked questions
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