Master of Science in Learning Design and Technology
Admission Process
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Applying to the MS-LDT Program
Next Class Starts in May – Apply by March 6 for Priority Consideration
Do you want to revolutionize training and education through innovative learning design? If you have at least two years of professional, post-baccalaureate experience combined with a strong interest in Learning Experience Design (LXD) and the technology behind today’s cutting-edge online education, you could be an ideal candidate for the MS-LDT program.
Who Enrolls in the MS in Learning Design and Technology?
Ideal candidates for the MS-LDT come from a variety of professional backgrounds, including:
- Business professionals involved in training/onboarding
- Instructional designers seeking career advancement and an expanded skill set
- Postsecondary educators and designers
- K-12 educator seeking opportunities beyond the classroom
- Learning and development (L&D) and human resources (HR) professionals
- Library science and corporate eLearning specialists
Applicants are expected to have at least two years of professional work experience, but you do not need to be well-versed in educational theory or online pedagogy. As part of your application process, you’ll have the opportunity to submit a personal statement discussing your background, career goals and aspirations, and how you see the MS-LDT supporting your career.
Admission Requirements
The following elements are the standard admissions requirements for the MS in Learning Design and Technology:
- Official transcripts of your bachelor’s degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher
- A minimum of two years of professional experience
- A personal statement describing yourself and your career goals within the instructional/learning design field. (More details will be provided in the application.)
- A current resume
- Residency in an approved state. Confirm that your state of residency allows enrollment in a University of San Diego online degree program.
- Optional: Letter(s) of recommendation
- If you are missing a qualification for the MS-LDT program or would like to strengthen your application, you are encouraged to submit a letter of support from your current employer, or two letters of support from professional colleagues or past supervisors.
- International applicants have additional application requirements, which are summarized here.
Not Sure if You Qualify?
Please contact an enrollment advisor at (619) 260-4580 or use the inquiry form on this page if you are interested but do not meet all published admissions requirements. Our application review process always includes a holistic look at your professional experience and other training opportunities you’ve had, and we understand that a low undergraduate GPA is not a reliable indicator of your potential success as a graduate student. Please also note that meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.
Application Process
- Step 1: Start your online application
- Step 2: Refer to this application tutorial for assistance along the way
- Step 3: Request an official copy of your undergraduate transcripts to be sent to [email protected]. Please anticipate that some colleges and universities can take 2 to 3 weeks to prepare and send official transcripts. Please don’t leave this to the last minute!
- Step 4: Write your personal statement (please refer to the prompt and guideline in the “Program Materials” section of your application)
- Step 5: (Optional) Request a letter of recommendation.
Your application package is complete when your letter of recommendation, official transcripts and online application have all been received by the Office of Graduate Admissions. Your enrollment advisor will then submit your application package to the committee for an admission decision.
We Are Here to Help
Applying to a graduate program can be complicated – which is why we are here to help answer your questions and even pay for your transcripts. All applicants are required to work with an Enrollment Advisor, who will help you navigate the process, confirm that your application package is complete and ultimately present your application to the admissions committee. If you are interested in applying, please contact one of our enrollment advisors today.
Ready to apply? Start your application online.
priority deadline: March 6
Applying by the priority deadline offers you significant advantages:
- Early Consideration: Be among the first to have your application reviewed and receive your admission decision sooner, giving you more time to prepare for your next academic journey.
- Increased Admission Chances: Secure your spot in the program while more seats are available, enhancing your chances of acceptance.
- Stress-Free Planning: Eliminate the last-minute rush by submitting your application early, allowing you to focus on the next steps.
- Showcase Your Commitment: Demonstrate your dedication and preparedness by applying early, making a strong impression on our admissions committee.
Take the first step toward your future today by submitting your application early.
I’ve applied… what happens next?
Once your enrollment advisor has submitted your application materials to the admission review committee, you should expect to receive a determination within a week. Your official decision will be sent to you via email by the Office of Graduate Admissions.
If accepted, you will be provided a link and instructions for making your admission deposit and confirming your intent to enroll. The non-refundable deposit of $220.50 will be applied to your first tuition payment when you enroll in the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are MS-LDT classes scheduled to accommodate working professionals?
Yes. The Master of Science in Learning Design and Technology degree program is designed specifically with working professionals in mind. The online program can be completed on your own schedule (as long as deadlines are met).
What if my GPA is slightly below the minimum required for admission? Can I still be considered for acceptance?
Absolutely! We understand that you are more than your undergraduate GPA . Your undergraduate GPA may potentially be offset by work experience, an admission essay, or fulfillment of a graduate-level course to show readiness for success in your graduate degree. During your admission interview, our Academic Director will explore your career goals and identify any ways our team might be able to better support you through your graduate studies. Ultimately, our goal is your success. We want to ensure that the students who are admitted to our program have the experience, tools and resources they need to graduate from the program and pursue their career goals.
Does USD offer career development/advising support?
The University of San Diego is committed to steering you on a path toward educational and professional success. Right from the start, you’ll receive support and guidance from experienced University of San Diego advisors who are invested in helping you achieve your education goals!
What is the tuition for the MS-LDT degree program?
Tuition for the MSLDT program is $735 per unit. With a total of 30 units, the full cost of tuition for the program is $22,050.
Tuition amounts shown on this website, or in other university publications or web pages, represent tuition and fees as currently approved. However, the University of San Diego reserves the right to increase or modify tuition and fees without prior notice and to make such modifications applicable to students enrolled at USD at that time as well as to incoming students. In addition, all tuition amounts and fees are subject to change at any time for correction of errors. Please note that the displayed tuition covers only the cost of courses, and additional expenses such as books and other fees are not included.
Are there extra fees?
All students in the online MS-LDT program require current access to Articulate360 software for various assignments and projects. The University of San Diego will issue a one-time, discounted tech fee of $280 for all first-semester students to be granted access to an Articulate360 account. The account suite will grant access to the following tools:
- Storyline 360, Rise 360, Content Library 360, Review 360, Studio 360, Presenter 360, Quizmaker 360, Engage 360, Replay 360, & Peek 360.
Students that already have access to Articulate360 and the required tools can waive this one-time fee by submitting a Waiver Request Form. (This form will be made available to enrolled students.) Please only submit a waiver if you already have access to the following required tools: Storyline 360, Rise 360, Content Library 360, & Review 360.
- Mac users will need to (1) download a PC emulation software such as VMWare Fusion in order to access the required program software and (2) have access to Window 10 or newer.
All enrolled students will have access to Articulate360. If you file a Leave of Absence, withdraw/drop a course, or graduate from the program, access will be terminated until you enroll again in the program.
We’ve also compiled a list of free/freemium tools that students can use to complete their assignments. Students will have a Google Drive, Office 365 and YouTube account associated with her USDOne login.
What are the technical requirements for this program?
You must own or have unrestricted access to a computer for this program. Courses will utilize a variety of technologies and multimedia. To complete course activities and to access course content, please verify that you have the following technologies and plug-ins available:
- Computer: 16 GB, 1.5 GHz Speed I7 + 500 GB external memory (preferably SSD hard disk drive) PC suggested
- Mac users will need to (1) download a PC emulation software such as VMWare Fusion in order to access the required program software and (2) have access to Windows 10 or newer
- Browser Plug-ins: Windows Media Player, QuickTime and Adobe Reader
- Recommended Browsers: Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome (You will want to have 2 browsers for software testing and viewing)
Would a potential employer value a Master of Science over a Master of Education in LD/ID?
A potential employer is not likely to value one degree over the other because they are more interested in demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities more so than whether your degree is in LD or ID. Employers requiring or preferring that applicants have a master’s degree will be explicit about the skills they are seeking and typically will not distinguish between types of degrees such as MS, MA or MEd degrees.
What makes this program one-of-a-kind and innovative?
The MS-LDT program is designed to provide working adults with a short, fast-paced, but manageable path to entry into the field of instructional/learning design. Some program aspects that may make MS-LDT the right choice for you include the various ways we attend to the needs of adult learners. These include, but are not limited to:
- Faculty who are subject matter experts and ID practitioners. Our faculty are connected to the field in various ways across various industries.
- Access to the MS-LDT Academic Director from pre-enrollment to post-graduation
7-week courses that allow you to complete 6 credits per semester, but focus on one course at a time - Active engagement from our student success team members who provide a range of support that will keep you on track and ready to graduate in 20 months
- Automatic enrollment in your courses each term so you have one less thing to do
- Course design support by our in-house Learning Design Center which means standards of good online course design is consistent across all MS-LDT courses
- A focus on preparing you as an instructional design, learning design, and eLearning design practitioner, which means assignments are thoughtfully planned with your future career in mind
- An emphasis on supporting your effort to build an ID Portfolio that you can present to prospective employers and clients
- A commitment to staying grounded in foundations of the field (i.e, ID as a process) and being intentional about keeping our students connected to shifts and trends in the field (i.e., embracing design thinking)
Is the main focus of the program online and tech-based learning?
The main focus of the program is on establishing a foundation and building the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are demonstrated as the competencies expected of ID professionals. While many of the course assignments require the use of eLearning authoring software and other learning technologies, the competencies you develop are grounded in theory about how people learn and are therefore applicable to designing materials for in-person training, synchronous and asynchronous online learning, and eLearning.
How many units is my program?
The online MS-LDT program is a total of 30 units.
Students will enroll in two prescribed courses each semester for a total of six (6) semester units.
Are the University of San Diego’s online master’s degree programs considered full-time or part-time?
All of the University of San Diego’s online graduate degrees provide 6 units per term, making them part-time, or 3/4 time, programs.
Does or will the program include any live (Zoom or in-person) components?
While the program is fully asynchronous, office hours are an opportunity to have live discussions with faculty. The program will offer webinars throughout the year as an opportunity to engage with industry professionals and explore topics in the field.