Overview

The Instructional Technology programme at Northern Illinois University provides students with the advanced creative and technical skills required to lead instructional development across diverse professional sectors. This Master of Science in Education is recognised for its excellence, consistently ranking among the top online education programmes in the United States.

Students can choose from three distinct degree tracks tailored to their specific career goals. These include a Generalist path focused on performance technology and software design, as well as specialised endorsements in K-12 Technology and 5-12 Computer Science. Each pathway is designed to meet rigorous professional standards while fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Why Instructional Technology at Northern Illinois University?

Northern Illinois University is the largest public producer of educational technology graduates in the state, offering a proven curriculum that balances theory with practical application. The institution provides access to specialised facilities, including a dedicated User Experience (UX) Lab and various resource labs for hands-on development.

The faculty bring a wealth of scholarship and diverse backgrounds to the classroom, ensuring that teaching remains at the forefront of industry trends. Students benefit from strong institutional partnerships and a curriculum that meets the standards set by the Illinois State Board of Education, ensuring high-quality professional preparation.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 961 per credit
National fee: USD 573 per credit
Local fee: USD 573 per credit

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum focuses on the design, delivery, and evaluation of instructional materials. Modules may include:

Instructional Media and Technology
Advanced Media Design
Visual Literacy
Instructional Technology Tools
Multi-Media Design
Educational Research
Applied Educational Research
Program Evaluation
Distance Education Design and Delivery
Web Based Learning
Professional Standards in Instructional Technology
Instructional Technology Administration
Instructional Technology Facilities
Networking
Internship
Practicum

Careers with Instructional Technology

Graduates from this programme are well-equipped for leadership roles in both academic and corporate environments. The training provided allows alumni to thrive as competent creators of instructional software and managers of complex technological projects in various organisational settings.

Common career paths for graduates include roles such as Instructional Designer, Teacher, and Media Specialist. Alumni have successfully secured positions within major organisations and educational bodies, including Chicago Public Schools, Rockford Public Schools, and various regional school districts, reflecting the strong employability of the degree.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Proseminar in Instructional Technology

Instructional Media and Technology

Advanced Instructional Media Design

Visual Literacy

Professional Standards in Instructional Technology

Information Access and Social Responsibilities for Library Information Specialists

Practicum: Instructional Design

Internship in Instructional Technology

Instructional Technology Leadership

Introduction to Research Methods in Education

Program Evaluation in Education

Instructional Technology Tools

Web-Based Learning

Developing Educational Software

Media Design: Multimedia

Instructional Video I

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-07-15 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-01-13 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-10 00:00:00 , National
- Apply before 2026-10-01 00:00:00 , International
Starting 2027-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-05-01 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

115

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

33 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

DeKalb, United States

Disciplines

Instructional Design View 347 other Masters in Instructional Design in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.7

GRE^®

Required

GMAT

Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Completed a four-year undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution or one with equivalent recognition.

Achieved a 2.75 grade point average on a 4.00 scale, or the equivalent.

If you received a three-year degree awarded through the Bologna process in Europe or a three-year Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Business Administration awarded in India, you are eligible to apply (provided you are seeking admission to the MBA or OMIS program).

Transcripts

Letters of recommendation.

Statement of purpose.

Test scores (if required).

Resume or curriculum vitae (optional)

Additional materials required by your program.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

32670 USD / year

≈ 32670 USD / year
Out-of-State

19536 USD / year

≈ 19536 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

19536 USD / year

≈ 19536 USD / year

Additional Details

National and International: 898.99 per credit
Local: 529.75 per credit

Living costs

DeKalb

United States

1100 - 1500 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Instructional Technology.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

DeKalb

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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