Graduate Programs

Master Programs

Instructional Technology Degree (M.S)

Program Description | |Admission Requirements | | Degree Requirements | | Course Descriptions

Program Description

The master degree program in Instructional Technology in the College of Education is an applied professional program that helps to educate leaders in three technology fields: training and development, school library media, and educational computing and media. The Instructional Technology graduate program is intended for both current professionals in the fields of media, design, computing, education and libraries as well as those who are seeking advanced degrees and an upgrade in their skills and knowledge base related to technology. The program is hands-on and practical with a considerable focus of most courses being inventive and authentic learning projects.

Students select one of three options. The first, Instructional Design and Development, offers a flexible program of study designed to develop competencies in instructional design and media-related competencies for those who wish to work in training or instructional settings in business, industry, government, the military, or medical education. The second, School Library Media, meets the Maryland State Department of Education requirements for the Media Generalist Certification and is designed for students who wish to serve as directors of school library centers. The third, Educational Technology, is designed for those who wish to integrate technology into classroom teaching or to coordinate the planning and integration of educational technologies at the school, district or state level.

The program is most often completed by students on a part-time basis, although fulltime study is encouraged. A majority of the graduate students in the Instructional Technology program are full-time working professionals who take classes in the late afternoon or early evening. Professionals seeking to advance or change careers comprise a substantial portion of the student population in the Instructional Technology program. These include students who intend to become school library media specialists, industry training specialists, and leaders in educational computing and technology.

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1. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 for full admission, and 2.75 for conditional admission. All GPA calculations for admission are based upon the last
   60 units of undergraduate and post-bac-calaureate study.
   
2. Technological literacy including the ability to use application programs is a necessary background requirement for Concentration I, II and III.

1. Concentration I - Instructional Design and Development


Plan A: Master of Science with Thesis (minimum 36 units)


Level I: Core Sequence (12 units)

ISTC 541 - Foundations of Instructional Technology (3)
EDUC 605 - Research and Information Technology (3)
ISTC 663 - Applied Psychology of Learning (3)
ISTC 667 - Instructional Design and Development (3)


Level II: Elective Sequence (6 unts)

HRD Elective is required (3)
Individually selected elective at the 600-700 level (3)

Level III: Advanced Sequence (18 unts)

ISTC 655 - Multimedia Design (3)
ISTC 767 - Advanced Theory and Instructional Design (3)
ISTC 685 - Research in Instructional Technology (3)
ISTC 7xx - Instructional Technology - Capstone (3)
ISTC 897 - Master Thesis in Instructional Technology (6)

Plan B: Master of Science without Thesis (minimum 36 units)

Except for thesis, the required courses are identical to Plan A. In Plan B, the student's Level II Elective Sequence contains 12 units instead of 6 units.

Level II: Elective Sequence (12 units)
HRD Elective is required (3)
Individually selected elective units at the 600-700 level (9)



2. Concentration II-School Library Media

Completion of the following courses or their equivalents:

EDUC 401 Foundations and History of Education
ISTC 301 / 501 Integrating Instructional Technology
PSYC 201 Learning Theory, Student Development, and Strategies for Identification of Student with Diverse Learning Needs
SPED 301 Inclusion of Special Needs Student Populations

Degree Requirements:

Plan A: Master of Science with Thesis (minimum 36 units)

Level 1 (9 units)
ISTC 653 - The Organization of Knowledge (3)
ISTC 615 - Collection Development (3)
ISTC 667 - Instructional Design and Development (3)

Level 2 (15 units)
EDUC 717 - Children's Literature and Materials for Teaching Reading (3)
ISTC 541 - Foundations of Instructional Technology (3)
ISTC 651 - Information Literacy and Access (3)
SCED 518 - Young Adult Literature (3)
ISTC 702 - Educational Leadership and Technology (3)

Level 3 (12 units)
ISTC 601 - Library Media Administration (3)
ISTC 789 - Practicum and Portfolio in Library Media (3 - 6)
ISTC 897 - Master Thesis in Instructional Technology (6)

Plan B: Master of Science without Thesis (minimum 36 units)
(Identical to plan A, except for the deletion of ISTC 897 Master Thesis in Instructional Technology (6) and additions of:
ISTC 685 Research in Instructional Technology (3)
Individually selected elective units at the 600-700 level (3)


3. Concentration III-Educational Technology

Maryland State Department of Education certification as a classroom teacher, administrator or specialist.

Degree Requirements(Minimum 36 units)


Level I: Core Sequence (12 units)

ISTC 541 - Foundations of Instructional Technology (3)
EDUC 605 - Research & Information Technology (3)
ISTC 663 - Applied Psychology of Learning (3)
ISTC 667 - Instructional Design and Development(3)


Level II: Elective Sequence (9 units)

Individually selected elective units at the 600-700 level (9)

Level III: Advanced Sequence (15 credits)

ISTC 6xx - Advanced Technology Integration (3)
ISTC 717 - Distance Education in Theory and Practice (3)
ISTC 685 - Research in Instructional Technology (3)
ISTC 702 -Educational Leadership and Technology (3)
ISTC 7xx - Instructional Technology-Capstone (3)

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Course Descriptions

NOTE: The information on this page represents the current information available from the 2006-2007 Graduate Catalog. Any changes in requirements made after the publication of this catalog may not appear. For more detailed and up to date information, visit this department's web page at http://wwwnew.towson.edu/coe/rset/insttech/

The Educational Technology Track of this program is available at the HEAT Center in Harford County as well as on the main campus in Towson. For more information on this and other off campus offerings see http://grad.towson.edu/program/off_campus_center.asp

For information on all matters related to admissions, fees, or registration, please contact the Graduate School at 410-704-2501.

Towson University is in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations that prohibit illegal discrimination.
The university does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. D&P 0899.27

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Program Director:
Dr. Jeff Kenton
410-704-4226
jkenton@towson.edu