View a Virtual Open House
Hear directly from our directors of admissions, program directors and faculty to learn more about the program’s objectives, what it’s like to learn online, the resources we have to assist you throughout your education, and career paths after graduation.
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 not only taught, but was also designed by the same world-class faculty members that head our on-campus courses, alongside adjunct professors who bring years of experience and new ideas to the classroom. The only difference between the on-campus and online programs is the added flexibility to earn your masters when and where it’s most convenient for you.
Purdue University offers several pathways for converting non-credit professional certifications into credits that can be used toward the MSEd in Learning Design and Technology program. Upon successfully completing one of the certifications below learners can earn 3 credit hours to be used toward this degree’s general elective requirement.
Association for Change Management Professionals (ACMP) Certification
Association for Talent Development (ATD) Professional Certifications
Careers
Employment Trends for Learning Design and Technology
National employer demand trends suggest a strong need for program graduates from LDT. Employers posted over 67,000 relevant job postings in the last 12 months.1
Currently national employment is projected to increase faster than average in four of the top five occupations identified for LDT, signaling increasing opportunities for relevant professionals over the next decade. One of these top five occupations (Training and Development Specialists) houses relevant titles like Learning and Development Specialists, Learning Strategists, and Learning and Development Leads. Within this occupation, employers frequently request skills such as “instructional design” and “adult education.” These trends indicate a robust labor market with plentiful employment opportunities for program graduates.
Training and Development specialists earned a median annual salary of $61,570 while Training and Development Managers earned a median annual salary of $120,000 in 2021. Instructional Coordinators earned a median annual salary of $63,740 in 2021, with employment opportunities projected to grow 7 percent by 2031 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.2
Additional Information
1Based on a national labor market report by EAB and Lightcast.
2Bureau 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 October 25, 2022).
badges
Show Your Skills
At Purdue, we give you the unique opportunity to show employers your new skills through a capstone portfolio that aligns with the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction (IBSTPI) standards. These standards are known as the industry gold standard. Upon graduation, you will have created a viable portfolio as you work through the 20-month MSEd in LDT that immediately gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.
Students are also provided access to our technology badges as part of the LDT program. Technology badges allow you to display your knowledge of distinct instructional tools, with many showcasing skills highly desired by employers. For example, included in our listing of technology badges are Camtasia (Video Production) and Articulate (e-Learning authoring tool), both of which are in high demand with employers. The technology badges are available outside of coursework although some badges may be required as part of a particular course curriculum. Moreover, with these badges, you can show employers that Purdue has certified your competence in a particular technology without having to wait until you finish the entire program. These skills will allow you to stand out in the job market.
Admissions
Admissions Requirements
Admissions decisions are based on individual experience and the applicant’s fit with the program. We recommend that all applicants speak to an enrollment counselor to verify eligibility and document accuracy in applying for the program.
Below are the materials required for this application. Visit the Office of Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS) website for more information about the requirements below.
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- An updated resume
- Two Statements
- Academic Statement of Purpose
- Personal History Statement
- Official transcripts from all universities attended, including transfer credits*
- (3) personal reference contacts
- An application fee of $60 ($75 for international students)
This online program has rolling admission. Applications must be fully complete and submitted (including all required materials) and all application fees paid prior to be considered and reviewed.
*Coursework used to satisfy the requirements of a conferred master’s degree from an institution other than Purdue may not be used as transfer credit.
In addition to the items outlined in the Application Requirements section, international applicants must meet English Proficiency Requirements set by the Purdue Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars.
Get started today by completing the online application.
If you have questions on eligibility or the documents required for your application, please call 877-497-5851 to speak with an admissions advisor.
Send All Other Application Materials To:
Purdue University Online Programs Admissions Processing Center
851 Trafalgar Court, Suite 420
West Maitland, FL 32751
| Semester | Priority Application Deadlines* |
|---|---|
| Spring | December 1 |
| Summer | April 1 |
| Fall | August 1 |
*Applications submitted after the priority deadline will still be considered.
Start Your Giant Leap with One Small Step
Cost
Program Costs
| Tuition* | Indiana Resident | Non-Indiana Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Per Credit Hour | $450 | $670 |
| Credit Hours | 32 | 32 |
| Estimated Tuition Costs** | $14,400 | $21,400 |
Full-time Purdue-West Lafayette employees may be eligible for a 30% tuition discount. If applicable, indicate your PWL employee status when speaking to an admissions counselor.
Additional Information
*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. Tuition costs are subject to increase based on approval by the Purdue University Trustees.
*Textbooks and course materials are not included
*Faculty and staff fee remissions are not valid with this 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.
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
Explore how Purdue’s faculty for the online MS in Education in Learning Design and Technology can prepare you for leadership and advancement.
Faculty
Dr. Erin Besser
Dr. Mary Bonhomme
Dr. Peg Ertmer
Dr. George Hanshaw
Dr. Carole Hruskocy
Dr. Hannah Kim
Dr. Nilufer Korkmaz
Dr. Jennifer Lee
Dr. James Lehman
Dr. Judith Lewandowski
Dr. Christopher Mong
Dr. Tim Newby
Dr. David Paredes
Dr. Dana Ruggiero
Dr. Shaun Scott
Dr. Heidi Watson-Held
Program Resources
Frequently asked questions
The online MSEd program offers students a personalized approach to demonstrating their skills and knowledge of technology platforms through its Technology Badges. Students can earn badges whenever they want through self-paced modules, earning as many or as few as they choose without earning course credit. Alternatively, students can enroll in and complete EDCI 56000 Educational Technology For Teaching And Learning for course credit. Either way, students have personalized options for what technologies they would like to learn and how they would like to learn them.
Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration of Learning Design and Technology. This information will be listed on the transcript, and the diploma states the degree objective.
Yes! Nearly all students complete the program while working full time. The academic experience varies by student; however, we generally recommend that students plan to spend 15-25 hours per week for each 3-credit course.
Purdue University’s online programs are just as rigorous and challenging as their on-campus counterparts. The main difference is the online format, which allows you the convenience to earn your MSEd degree from anywhere in the world without temporarily relocating to complete a residential program
Both on-campus and online programs earn the same diploma, and online students are also invited to participate in the graduation ceremony on campus upon program completion.
Coursework in the LDT Online Program is asynchronous, meaning that there are not specific times that you need to be in the course. However, interaction with your instructor and peers is a major component of our classes. As an online student at Purdue University, you’ll log into a virtual online classroom interface that includes areas for assignments, discussions, and more. Just like in a traditional classroom, you’ll complete coursework and interact with your instructor and classmates, but it will all be online. You can access and work on your coursework at any time—you just need to complete your assignments according to the schedule posted by your professor.
As an online student, you will have access to a multitude of support resources when you need help or guidance, starting with new student orientation to familiarize yourself with the online learning environment. Other services include a designated student services coordinator, help desk for technical issues, financial aid advisors and more.
A maximum of 9 credit hours may be transferred from other institutions toward the online MSEd in Learning Design and Technology. Transfer credits must be graduate level courses with a grade of B or higher and cannot come from another conferred degree. Students should discuss any potential transfer credit with their enrollment counselor as soon as possible during the admissions process. A final decision on eligibility of transfer credit is made after review by program faculty and the Office of Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars.
No, this online Master of Science in Education degree with a concentration in Learning Design and Technology is offered by Purdue’s West Lafayette flagship campus and is not affiliated with Purdue Global.
No. Learning design and technology has a wide variety of applications, not just in education. Our students come from all different educational and professional backgrounds. We do require students to hold a bachelor’s degree in order to be considered for admission.
No. While computers and other new technologies are often used as instructional tools, and their use and integration in learning and teaching is an important aspect of this program, the focus of this program is on the systemic design, development, implementation, and assessment of the teaching and learning process, with a goal to promote more effective learning.
Yes, if you are a degree-seeking student and meet the financial aid citizen requirements, you may be eligible for the Stafford and/or Graduate PLUS loan programs.
Yes. Students are always encouraged to visit campus and experience all that Purdue has to offer. For visitor information, visit www.purdue.edu/visit.
