Master in Instructional Design (MPS)

Program Overview

For educational enterprises as well as corporations, the need for those who can design effective and innovative learning experiences has never been greater, especially as online education and training becomes more prevalent in contemporary society.

A fully online and application-oriented degree, the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Instructional Design at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) prepares students to become generalist instructional designers equipped to work in a variety of fields and professional settings.

The program offers students a sturdy foundation in instructional design as well as the tools and perspectives needed for flexible career paths and continuing professional development in the field. Rather than a focus on a narrower area of specialization within the field, our Instructional Design program provides a breadth of foundational knowledge and skills in different areas. As a result, you will be well positioned to work with technical specialists and subject matter experts and prepared to develop more specialized interests as you advance in your career.

Students who have earned their Foundations of Instructional Design Certificate or Professional Certificate in Instructional Design at SCPS can get a jumpstart on their MPS in Instructional Design, too, as both certificates can be applied toward degree requirements.

Yet more, our flexible and accelerated 8-week online courses allow you to complete your degree quickly–1.5 years for full-time students or 2.5 years for part-time students–from an accredited, leading university with engaged faculty and a 100-year track record of educating adult learners.

The MPS in Instructional Design comprises 30 credit hours. Courses are offered in an 8-week session format with online, evening options.

Effective Fall 2022

CIEP 470 Principles of Instructional Design (pre-requisite for all courses)

INDN 420 Theories and Models of Instructional Design

INDN 421 Design and Development of Instructional Materials

INDN 430 Performance and Improvement in Organizations

INDN 431 Fundamentals of Learning Analytics

INDN 440 Application of Human-Centered Design Principles

CIEP 415 Models of Instruction

CIEP 425 Assessment Theory and Practice

CIEP 488 Participatory Action Research in Teaching, Learning, and Communities

INDN 490 Instructional Design Capstone

Please use the course rotation schedules below as a guide to plan out when you will take future classes. We will make every attempt to adhere to this schedule but please understand that scheduling is subject to change.

Course Rotation Schedule - Majors

Course Rotation Schedule - Certificates

Course Rotation Schedule - School Requirements

Course Rotation Schedule - Core

Course Rotation Schedule - Graduate Programs

You will learn how to:

Utilize instructional design processes and appropriate theoretical approaches to design effective and innovative learning experiences
Employ a variety of technologies and multimedia authoring tools to produce instructional materials
Adapt instructional design processes to a variety of professional settings (K-12 schools, corporate organizations, higher education institutions, etc.)
Manage the iterative lifecycle of instructional design projects progressing from conception to implementation to revision
Apply culturally responsive and ethical practices that engage diverse communities and promote social justice
Conduct research designed to inform practice and stay abreast of emerging trends in the field of instructional design
Build collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders (e.g., administrators, faculty, students, technologists, project managers, public) in support of meeting organizational needs

The need for instructional designers has swelled alongside the growth of online learning within educational institutions and online training programs within the corporate world. While many instructional designers work in academic settings, where they develop, direct, and assess learning programs for students, corporations continue hiring instructional designers to create lively training programs for employees.

$63,740

Median annual salary for instructional coordinators (Source: BLS)

Projected growth in employment for instructional coordinators over the next decade (Source: BLS)

20,900

Projected number of annual job openings for instructional coordinators over the next decade (Source: BLS)

$120,130

Median annual salary for training and development managers (Source: BLS)

Projected growth in employment for training and development managers over the next decade (Source: BLS)

3,700

Projected number of annual job openings for training and development managers over the next decade (Source: BLS)

To apply to the MPS in Instructional Design Program at SCPS, students must provide:

A completed application
Official transcripts from all prior institutions. To be eligible for admission, your transcript must show an earned bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in progress (with an expected graduation to occur before the start of your graduate program).
2.5 GPA or higher and in good standing at all prior institutions. In exceptional cases, applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below 2.5 may be admitted. Each program area gives meaningful consideration to the applicant's graduate GPA, recommendations, professional experience, and reasons for pursuing a graduate program.
1-2 letters of recommendation. If you supply your recommender's email address as part of your completed online application form, then your recommendation letters will be submitted directly through the online application system. Recommenders may be academic or professional in nature.
A personal statement

Students start the master’s degree in Fall I (August) of each year.

Master in Instructional Design (MPS)

Program Overview

Curriculum

Program Learning Outcomes

Career Outcomes

Faculty

Admissions

Next Steps

Program Overview