Learning Design and Technology, M.A.

Advancement to Candidacy

All students must satisfy the general requirements for advancement to candidacy as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees .

Admission to the Degree Curriculum

The Comprehensive Examination

This written examination, designed to evaluate achievement, is required of all candidates for the Master of Arts degree in learning design and technology. A student is eligible to take the comprehensive examination only after advancement to candidacy.

The examination is offered during the spring semester, in which students are enrolled in LDT 795 . For information on examination dates, contact the program coordinator.

Selection of Plan A or Plan B

Students pursuing the Master of Arts degree in LDT must select either Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (capstone project and comprehensive examination). Both plans require the ability to formulate and define research or evaluation problems, to assemble data pertinent to the problem, to draw conclusions, and to present the study in acceptable written form.

Plan A (thesis) is designed for students who have a particular research problem they wish to investigate in some detail. In general, applicants will be programmed for Plan B (see below). After the student is approximately half way through the program, permission to transfer to Plan A (thesis) may be requested. Once a student has requested permission to transfer to Plan A (thesis), the area coordinator of learning design and technology will work with the student to establish a thesis plan and secure a thesis adviser.

Plan B (capstone project and comprehensive examination) provides students the opportunity (1) to undertake a client-based project that emphasizes design research and writing, (2) to participate actively in the projects of the other members of capstone project cohort, and (3) to subject their own work to critical evaluation by the other cohort members. All candidates for the Master of Arts degree in LDT who elect Plan B (capstone project and comprehensive examination) must pass a comprehensive examination. A student is eligible to take the comprehensive examination only after advancement to candidacy.

Core (12 Units)

• LDT 540 - Educational Technology Units: 3
• LDT 544 - Instructional Design Units: 3
• LDT 561 - Advanced Multimedia Design for Learning Units: 3
• LDT 690 - Research Methods for Learning Design Units: 3

Electives (15 Units)

Courses in learning design and technology and related fields, selected with the approval of the adviser on the basis of the student’s interests and goals. A minimum of nine units must be taken in courses at the 600- and/or 700-levels.

Research (3 Units)

• LDT 795 - Advanced Seminar: Capstone Project Units: 3 (Plan B students only)

• or

• LDT 799A - Thesis or Project Units: 3 (Plan A students only) But not both.