Online Master of Science in Learning Design and Technology

Succeed in a Growing Industry That Supports All Professional Sectors

Located in Virginia. Serving the World.

Course quality plays a central role in student success. With George Mason University’s online MS in Learning Design and Technology program, you can learn how to design and implement impactful learning experiences that help students and working professionals develop essential knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems.

Our MS in Learning Design and Technology program goes beyond the competencies established by the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction (IBSTPI). You’ll engage in an advanced curriculum of learning technologies, user experience research, and trends while studying in a flexible, part-time format. This program also offers an optional E-Learning Graduate Certificate that you can earn at the same time as your master’s degree.

We’ve designed our online programs to be accessible and beneficial, and in doing so, we’ve been recognized in the top 50 universities for social mobility.1,2 Additionally, George Mason is ranked No. 193 for universities with the Greatest Economic Diversity and one of the 10 best online colleges for ROI in the master’s degree category.4

Discover the rich online learning experiences available exclusively from Virginia’s largest research university. Plus, capitalize on the proven career and advancement achieved by graduates of George Mason’s online programs.

100% Online Program

No. 83 in Best Education Schools5

Graduate in as Few as 18 Months

Download a Program Brochure

The brochure includes program details, course information, and more. Get your copy and connect with an admissions representative by completing the following form.

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Also Available: Learning Technologies Certificate with a Concentration in E-Learning

With this one-year program, you can gain specialized knowledge of the technologies and theories relevant to instructional design and e-learning practices. You’ll accrue 15 credits that apply to the online MS in Learning Design and Technology degree.

Build Skills Using State-of-the-Art Tools and Design Approaches

George Mason’s modern curriculum prepares you to design and implement learning solutions that students find engaging and intuitive. You’ll take online courses led by experienced faculty, developing competencies for managing the entire lifecycle of training and education programs and analyzing trends across the learning design industry.

Courses available in the MS in Learning Design and Technology degree and Learning Technologies Certificate programs include:

Instructional Design

Learn to analyze, apply, and evaluate instructional design principles to develop a wide range of education materials.

User Experience Design and Learning Analytics

Explore how design considerations and user analytics influence learning designers to select, implement, and evaluate user-first design methodologies.

Web Accessibility and Design

Develop a firm grasp of universal web design principles and use web authoring tools to create an accessible website.

E-Learning Design Applications

Learn the basics of developing, delivering, and managing e-learning experiences while exploring how to use e-learning design applications.

Rigorous Academic Standards. Flexible Online Format.

At George Mason, we curate online programs that offer innovative experiences to further your ambitions in a way that works with your schedule. Like our on-campus students, you’ll benefit from our commitment to academic rigor and integrity while learning from the same renowned faculty.

We’ve been recognized as a top university for non-traditional learners, and our commitment to your success goes beyond graduation. After you’ve earned your degree, you’ll maintain lifetime access to our career services and world-renowned guest speakers.

Take Your Career to the Forefront of the Learning Design Field

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that training and development specialist employment will grow 12% from 2023 to 2033.6 With George Mason’s online graduate programs, you can develop the competencies and expertise required for these in-demand roles. And to increase your career prospects, you’ll receive lifetime access to George Mason’s Career Services.

5 Rewarding Careers in Learning Design

  1. Training and development manager ($125,040/year7)
  2. UX designer ($92,750/year8)
  3. Instructional designer ($74,620/year9)
  4. E-learning specialist (66,260/year10)
  5. Training and development specialist ($64,340/year6)

A World-Class Education Within Reach

George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. We welcome students from all walks of life, and we’ve designed our programs with that in mind. Our modern curriculum, responsive faculty, and innovative solutions combine to produce a six-year graduation rate that exceeds the national average, with no disparity based on ethnicity or economic status. We’re proud to be continuously recognized – and ranked – for offering an education that is affordable, accessible, and valuable.

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Sources:

  1. The Wall Street Journal. College Pulse Rankings: Social Mobility. Retrieved October 12, 2023, from https://www.wsj.com/.
  2. Washington Monthly. Washington Monthly’s 2023 College Guide and Rankings. Retrieved October 12, 2023, from https://washingtonmonthly.com/.
  3. The New York Times. Top U.S. Colleges with the Greatest Economic Diversity. Retrieved October 12, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/.
  4. OnlineU. Best Online Master’s Programs: Online Master’s Degrees with the Highest Return on Investment. Retrieved October 16, 2023, from https://www.onlineu.com/.
  5. U.S. News & World Report. George Mason University: Education. Retrieved October 16, 2023, from https://www.usnews.com/.
  6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Training and Development Specialists. Retrieved October 16, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/.
  7. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Training and Development Managers. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/.
  8. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Web Developers and Digital Designers. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/.
  9. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Instructional Coordinators. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/.
  10. Payscale. Average E-Learning Specialist Salary. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://www.payscale.com/.