Educational Leadership, Research and Technology

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Department of Educational Leadership Research and Technology
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5283 USA
(269) 387-3897

M.A. in Educational and Instructional Technology (online)

This program is offered fully online to meet the needs of working professionals.

WMU’s Educational and Instructional Technology (EDT) master’s (30 hours)and graduate certificate (9 hours) programs will prepare you for exciting leadership roles in a variety of settings. Your coursework will challenge you as you develop the knowledge and skills you need to solve learning problems using innovative strategies and cutting edge tools. Both EDT programs can be completed entirely online. 

Our graduate programs are designed for individuals who aspire to become educational and instructional technology leaders in corporate, K-12 education, higher education and nonprofit settings. Rooted in experiential learning, our courses provide hands-on opportunities to apply concepts directly to your own professional practice. Taught by passionate faculty and instructors who are innovative researchers and experienced practitioners, our curriculum is tailored to equip you with real-world skills that align with your unique career goals. Through personalized, practice-based learning experiences, you will be prepared for roles as instructional designers, corporate trainers, technology integration specialists, and learning and development managers, among others.

 

Why Educational and Instructional Technology at Western Michigan University?

Hitting the standard – ranked No. 3 as Best Online Master's in Educational Technology in the nation for 2023 by OnlineMastersDegree.org, view the rankings. 

Flexibility – all EDT courses are offered in an online format. Some electives are available on campus in classrooms. You can work with your advisor to design a program that is entirely online or that incorporates some classroom offerings. 

Customization – you have the opportunity to choose courses that best fit your interests and professional needs. You have the opportunity to choose the Minor Core and Elective courses from within the EDT program or from other excellent WMU programs such as Organizational Change and Leadership.

Practical and Applied – EDT courses are largely project-based and give you opportunities to customize your assignments so you can focus them on your current or future professional challenges and interests.

Expertise – EDT faculty and instructors have many years of professional and educational experience in the field of educational and instructional technology. They keep current on the latest trends while remaining grounded in the leading theories that serve as the foundation for the field.

Prior learning assessment (PLA)

Graduate students may now apply for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credits based on their prior experience. Eligible students have already been admitted to an EDT graduate program or who have applied for admission. Per WMU policy, such credits can constitute no more than 50% of a student’s total program credits. 

Current locations and formats

The EDT Master’s degree program requires 30 credit hours. The EDT Graduate Certificate program requires 9 credit hours. Courses for both are available online and at the main Kalamazoo campus.
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Ranked No. 5 as Best Online Master's in Educational Technology in the nation for 2025 by OnlineMastersDegree.org, view the rankings. 

This partnership offers you exclusive internship opportunities to apply your skills in real-world corporate settings with a global leader in animal health, through designing training solutions and supporting digital learning initiatives with industry professionals.

More info
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"WMU gave me a deeper understanding of educational principles along with effective strategies for using them in my classroom." 

Meet John (M.A. '22)

Frequently asked questions

No. If you started your EDT Master of Arts or Graduate Certificate program before the fall 2017 semester, you may complete your program using the old requirements, which you can find on this page: Prior to Fall 2017 EDT Requirements. However, you can also choose to complete your graduate program using the new requirements found on the main program pages on this website. Please contact your academic advisor if you have questions about course requirements.

Our program has a diverse group of students who work in a variety contexts and have a vast array of professional interests. We have students who work as teachers and in other roles in K-12 education. Some work in administrative roles in higher education. We have students who work for organizations in human resources or who aspire to work in training and development. Some students are in the military and especially find the online format convenient while they are deployed. We have also had many international students from around the world who have enrolled while in Kalamazoo or from their home countries.

MEET OUR STUDENTS

The Educational and Instructional Technology program options are designed to lead to a career in Educational and Instructional Technology by helping to prepare you for jobs such as:

  • Career technical supervisor
  • Chief learning officer
  • Chief technology officer
  • Corporate trainer
  • Corporate training support specialists
  • Curriculum and assessment director
  • Curriculum coordinator
  • Curriculum director
  • Curriculum facilitator
  • Curriculum instruction director
  • Curriculum specialist
  • Educational and Instructional Technology coordinator
  • Instructional system specialist
  • Professional development director
  • School standards coach

All EDT courses are offered in an entirely online format. We also offer some of our courses in a traditional classroom format at the main Kalamazoo campus. Our programs can be completed entirely online or in a traditional classroom format.

Our faculty hold doctoral degrees in educational fields directly related to the content of these graduate programs. Some courses are also taught by working professionals who bring many years of practical experience and expertise to their teaching.

We offer rolling admissions to both the Master’s and Graduate Certificate programs. Students may begin their studies during any semester: Fall, Spring, Summer I or Summer II.

Various types of scholarships are available at various levels (e.g., program, department, college, and university). More information about scholarships and other funding opportunities can be found here.

No, however, students can be admitted into the certificate program and transfer into the master's program by completing a second graduate college application form requesting to be admitted into the master's degree program.

No, students are free to apply for either program in whatever order they see fit.

Yes, students need to complete the graduate admission form. So you do not have to re-pay the fee, get a paper form from the Office of Admissions. Students transferring to the educational technology master's degree are subject to the same admissions procedures and review as new students and need to be approved for admission by the faculty of the educational technology program.

Elective courses are determined in cooperation with your assigned academic advisor and must match the career goals of the student as well as the degree requirements of WMU.

Yes, if you are enrolled in the EDT Master’s degree program, you can take LS 5160 - Professional Symposium in Reading as one of your two Elective courses. More information about this can be found at the Teacher and Administrator Certification page.

Faculty

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Dr. Brian Horvitz

Professor of Educational and Instructional Technology and Program Coordinator
Contact
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