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Specializations & Curriculum
Master of Education Specialization: Technology and Innovation
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MEd SPECIALIZATION OVERVIEW: HARNESSING THE POWER OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Technology is rapidly changing the face of education — both by creating powerful new learning tools and strategies and by facilitating remote and virtual education. This Master of Education degree specialization is focused on helping educators develop a deep understanding of how traditional educational research, standards, frameworks, techniques and best practices can be integrated with technology to promote equitable and engaging digital learning experiences for all learners. The program supports degree candidates in developing the knowledge and skills to become transformative, networked K-12 educational technology leaders capable of integrating traditional pedagogical practices with current technology tools.
Course of Study
Earn this University of San Diego Master of Education degree by completing 10 courses (3 units each): 5 core courses, 4 EdTech specialization courses, and 1 (elective) from one of the following USD MEd specialization tracks:
- Inclusive Learning – Special Education and Universal Design (UDL)
- Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM)
- School Leadership
A Capstone Seminar is the final course in the program and builds on knowledge gained in the research and specialization courses.
What Makes USD’s Master of Education in Technology and Innovation Different?
The program is designed with the latest tools and educational technology in mind, assuring that educators stay on the cutting edge as they enter the industry following graduation.
What Skills Will This Program Help You Gain?
From lessons in cognition and learning to social justice and educational equity, courses are designed to cover a wide range of topics throughout the program. Regardless of your specialty or background, these are some of the skills you can count on gaining:
- Leadership lessons to build confidence in overcoming challenges presented to you and your educational team
- Research methodologies — quantitative and qualitative, mixed and action research frameworks
- Analytical abilities, with a specific focus on diversity, inequality, conflict and social justice within a school setting
- Change-making skills, including a course that highlights how educational technology can help promote social change. Students are challenged to think about how technology impacts our daily lives and the ways in which we learn.
Career Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicted a 7% increase in instructional coordinator positions from 2021 to 2031 — about as fast as the 5% average growth rate for all occupations. About 20,900 openings for instructional coordinators are projected each year, on average, over the next decade.
The vast majority of people earning jobs in the field have a master’s degree, according to the BLS outlook. A master’s degree in educational technology and innovation qualifies graduates for a range of titles including:
- Technology teacher
- Instructional designer
- Virtual teacher
- STEM/STEAM teacher/coordinator
- School administrator
Accreditation
Accreditation is an important quality indicator for college and university degree programs, generally regarded as a stamp of approval that ensures you will be able to apply for financial aid and transfer your credits if you decide to switch schools. Most state universities and private non-profit universities will have a regional accreditation, which is the most widely accepted and trusted in terms of transfer credit and eligibility for employer tuition assistance programs. The University of San Diego has regional accreditation.
The WASC Senior College and University Commission – WASC is a regional accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as certifying institutional eligibility for federal funding in a number of programs, including student access to federal financial aid. Learn more about the importance of selecting a regionally accredited program.
Frequently Asked Questions
PROGRAM COURSE CURRICULUM
The Master of Education: Technology and Innovation specialization program spans five semesters and includes a mandatory orientation course. Each semester is 14 weeks and is split into two different 7-week courses. Below is a sample outline of what the span of the Master of Education: Technology and Innovation master’s degree specialization program may look like:
EDUC 519 – Instructional Design for Leaders is a 2023 Exemplary Course Program Award Winner!
Orientation
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This course introduces you to the University of San Diego and provides important information about the program. Throughout the orientation, … |
Semester 1
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
|
Analysis of the American educational system with a particular focus on issues of diversity, inequity, conflict and social justice within a s… |
3 |
|
Changemaking involves taking creative action to solve a social problem. Schools and companies are incorporating emerging technologies (e.g.,… |
3 |
Semester 2
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
|
Explore key cognitive studies on human cognition and learning. You will critically discuss research and contemporary debates on cognitive pr… |
3 |
|
In this course, students plan, develop, evaluate and manage the implementation of technology in various learning environments so that all st… |
3 |
Semester 3
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
|
Introduction to the major educational research methods and paradigms with an emphasis on reflective, practitioner-directed inquiry. The cour… |
3 |
|
This course addresses the systematic design of learning experiences and environments. Students learn about the use of instructional design (… |
3 |
Semester 4
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
|
Applied exploration of qualitative research methodologies such as ethnography, grounded theory, case-study and cross-case comparisons, surve… |
3 |
|
This course will address virtual learning by using technology and digitized learning education material that is accessible for all types of … |
3 |
Semester 5
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
|
The capstone seminar is the final course in the on-line M.Ed. program sequence. This course supports candidates as they engage in an action … |
3 |
|
Contextualized within the evolving high stakes accountability context of public K-12 education, this course will consider the challenges and… |
3 |
|
Investigation of classroom practices that contribute to historical and contemporary inequities in learning outcomes in STEAM subjects for st… |
3 |
|
Examination of variability of ability and experience among students. Investigation and application of assessment tools and instructional des… |
3 |
Only Capstone Seminar [EDUC 550] is a core course, students can choose any one elective from the other four listed courses for Semester 5.
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