Instructional Systems Development (ISD), M.A.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts requires a minimum of 36 credits hours. Students must complete seven required core courses (totaling 21 credits), five elective courses (totaling 15 credits) and take a final comprehensive examination (students admitted prior to fall 2012) or complete a professional portfolio (students admitted fall 2012 and on).

Core Requirements (12 credits)

Core ISD courses must be taken in the first 18 credits.

EDUC 602 - Instructional Systems Development I [3] *
EDUC 603 - Instructional Systems Development II [3]
EDUC 605 - The Adult Learner [3]
EDUC 671 - Principles of Training and Development [3]
(*) Must be an ISD section of the course.

Advanced Course Requirements (9 credits)

To be taken after 21 credits have been completed.

EDUC 771 - Research Designs in Education [3] *
EDUC 792 - ISD Internship [1-6]
EDUC 794 - ISD Project Seminar [3] *
(*) Must be an ISD section of the course.

Elective Courses (15 credits)

Students enrolled in the ISD-Training Systems Master’s program may select 15 credits of electives from the below group of courses. It is possible with the approval of the program director to take some electives that are not in this group. Please contact the graduate program director for details.

EDUC 641 - Online Classroom [3]
EDUC 643 - Principles of Distance Education [3]
EDUC 647 - Corporate Distance Training [3]
EDUC 648 - Issues in Consulting for Training and Development [3]
EDUC 649 - Best Practices in ISD in Training and Development [3]
EDUC 681 - Survey of Instructional Technology Applications [3]
EDUC 682 - Instructional Technology Design and Development [3]
EDUC 683 - Multi-Media Project Management [3]
EDUC 689 - Advanced Special Topics in Education [1-3]
Topics Include:
- Connecting ISD and Human Performance Improvement (3)
- ISD for Informal Learning (3)
- Managing Your Career (3)
- Managing & Training Performance (3)
- Portfolio Development & Talent Management (3)
- Project Management (3)
EDUC 690 - Individual Projects in Education [1-3] (must have program director’s approval)

Comprehensive Exam

All M.A. students, admitted prior to fall 2012, are required to complete a comprehensive exam at the conclusion of their program of study. The purpose of the comprehensive exam is to evaluate a student’s ability to analyze, synthesize and problem-solve a case study within the context of training and development. See Comprehensive Exam Requirements

Portfolio

All M.A. students, admitted fall 2012 and on are required to submit a professional portfolio of course-related work samples that reflects their accomplishments throughout their tenure in the program. UMBC ISD Portfolio Requirements

Internship and Final Project Seminar

Students are required to complete an internship course and final project seminar course. Since most students are working adults the internship provides flexible options to complete this requirement.