Master of Science in Instructional Technology
Develop the Skills to Lead Systems, Support Learners and Drive Meaningful Change
Master’s Program Overview
- Format: Online
- Number of credits: 30
- Average duration: 1.5 to 2.5 years
Every school, hospital, company and nonprofit depends on people who know how to help others learn. Lehigh University’s Master of Science in Instructional Technology is a fully online graduate program that prepares you to evaluate, design and lead effective learning solutions across any industry.
Taught by active researchers and faculty who are shaping the field, you’ll build real skills in instructional technology through hands-on projects and graduate with a portfolio that shows your design thinking in practice.
To learn more about the M.S. in Instructional Technology at Lehigh University College of Education and download a brochure, please fill out the form. You can also talk one-on-one with an enrollment specialist directly by calling (610) 215-2867 or emailing us at edprograms@lehigh.edu.
“The skills we teach in our courses are highly transferable to different fields. That is why we can attract students from different backgrounds, and they find the courses helpful to their industry and job.”
Dr. Zilong Pan, Assistant Professor
What Sets This Program Apart
“There’s a certain alchemy in the program. Students come from different backgrounds with different life experiences. Our courses are successful because students have opportunities to bring their interests, their background, their strengths into class discussions and shared assignments.”
Dr. Thomas Hammond, Associate Professor & Program Director
What You’ll Learn
This fully online master’s in instructional technology features a mix of self-paced coursework and live, virtual sessions held in the evening.
Grounded in universal design for learning (UDL), the program emphasizes inclusive, accessible instruction that supports varied learning needs while aligning with ADA standards. Students gain hands-on experience with emerging technologies, including AI, AR/VR, mobile app development, assistive technology, and industry-standard tools such as ArcGIS, Google Earth, Blender and Unity3D.
We offer two learning tracks to focus your studies and the opportunity to design your own course of study with faculty and advisor support.
Learn More About Our Curriculum
Artificial Intelligence & Learning Analytics
Learn to implement and evaluate AI tools and build intelligent applications that enhance outcomes for the people you teach.
Explore the Artificial Intelligence & Learning Analytics Track.
Game-Based Learning & Learning Design
Explore how to convert external motivation from gamification into engagement in learning that lasts long after the game ends.
Want to learn from leaders in the field? Join one of the nation’s first master’s programs in instructional technology that is still defining the sector today.
To discuss your options, reach out to an enrollment specialist. It takes less than 10 minutes to chat!
Who Is This Instructional Technology Master’s Program For?
The program is built for working professionals who want to shape how people learn. Many of our students are:
- K–12 teachers ready to move into a design or technology role
- University staff members looking to formalize their expertise
- Corporate trainers or L&D professionals who wants to go deeper
- People in healthcare, nonprofit or HR roles who work in training and development
- Career changers drawn to the intersection of education and technology
Whatever your background, you’re here because you believe good learning design matters and you want the skills to prove it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Instructional technology is the practice of developing and evaluating learning experiences with the technological tools to support it. The work is as much about deciding when to use a technology as knowing how to use it. The field spans K–12 education, corporate training, healthcare, government and beyond. Wherever your career goes, the skills transfer with you.
In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably. Instructional design tends to focus on the process of building a learning experience, while instructional technology covers the tools and systems used to deliver it.
The two disciplines work together, and Lehigh’s M.S. in Instructional Technology draws on both disciplines. You’ll develop the design thinking and technical fluency to see a learning solution from idea to implementation.
Graduates pursue roles across education, corporate training, healthcare, nonprofit and government sectors. Lehigh alumni have gone on to:
- Work as instructional designers and technologists in schools, universities and other industries
- Lead training and instructional design teams
- Coach and train teachers at colleges and universities around the world
- Develop interactive digital learning experiences
- Continue on to doctoral programs to become researchers, faculty or field leaders
Common job titles include instructional designer, learning experience designer, e-learning developer, training and development specialist, instructional technologist and instructional coach.
The field is growing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11% job growth in training and development through 2034, which is much faster than average for other occupations.
Core coursework covers learning theory, instructional design, multimedia development and technology evaluation. From there, your path is your own. The AI & Learning Analytics track builds fluency in AI tools, machine learning and data analysis. The Game-Based Learning track develops skills in design thinking, simulation design and game-based methods. Every course is hands-on, so by graduation you have real work to show.
No specific undergraduate major or professional background is required. Students come from K–12 education, higher education, healthcare, business and beyond. No GRE or GMAT test scores are needed to apply. The only requirement is an undergraduate degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Learn more about requirements and application materials on our admission page.
Most students complete the instructional technology master’s degree in one and a half to two and a half years. The shortest possible completion time is just over one year for students who take a full course load. The maximum completion time is six years.
Ready to learn more?
Download our program brochure, and explore our curriculum, admission and FAQ pages.
