The Best Online Master’s in Educational Technology Programs

A private, Lutheran-affiliated university based in Orange County, California, CUI is a member of the nine-college Concordia University System. Enrolling approximately 4,000 students, CUI earns regional and national acclaim for its slate of distance learning offerings, which includes an online master's in educational technology. The educational technology program requires students to complete a 30-credit curriculum, which typically requires 18-24 months of full-time study.

Notable courses in that 30-credit curriculum include educational technology teacher leadership, leveraging technology for all students, collaborative design for e-learning, and emerging learning technologies. Each student can also complete a two-part capstone experience that consists of a research methods course and a collaborative action research project.

The program delivers all of its coursework asynchronously and does not include any on-campus requirements. Each applicant must have a minimum 2.7 undergraduate GPA and a teaching credential.

One of nine member schools in the Concordia University System, CUC operates just outside of Chicago in River Forest, Illinois. The college originally opened as a Lutheran school, thanks to the efforts of Saxon German immigrants, and maintains the affiliation to this day. CUC now enrolls more than 5,000 students, excels in distance learning, and features an online master's in educational technology. The program requires students to complete a 30-credit curriculum, which full-time students typically finish in 20 months.

Particularly relevant courses in the curriculum include foundations of instructional design and technology, instructional strategies for learning technologies, social computing, and system and technological innovation. Each student can also complete a capstone experience to create their own instructional designs. As a private university, CUC charges all students the same per-credit tuition rate no matter where they live.

Operating 25 physical campuses along the West coast, Brandman houses its administrative centers in Irvine, California. Founded as an autonomous member of the Chapman University System to serve the needs of a local Marine Corps base, Brandman has evolved over the years and now enrolls many students through its virtual campus, which offers an online master's in educational technology.

The educational technology program at Brandman provides maximum flexibility, delivering all of its coursework asynchronously and never requiring students to visit campus. Notable courses in the curriculum include seminars in learning theory and comparative education; research and evaluation methods; democracy, education, and social change; and foundations of 21st-century teaching. Prospective students must submit evidence of 3.0 GPAs over their final 30 undergraduate credits. A candidate with a lower GPA can earn admission with strong test scores, a master's degree, or a strong portfolio.

Perhaps best known nationwide for its hospital and medical school, Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University also excels in other fields, including distance learning. The university's school of education also earns national acclaim. The university has expanded its online programs over the past decade, and students can now complete a master's in educational technology online through Johns Hopkins. The program requires each student to complete a 36-credit curriculum before graduating. Most full-time students can complete the program in 18-24 months.

Courses in the curriculum include culturally responsive teaching, emerging issues for instructional technology, advanced applications of instructional technology, and instructional design for online learning. The program delivers coursework asynchronously and does not include on-campus requirements.

Johns Hopkins does not list minimum GPA or standardized test requirements for its online program. The university admits students on a rolling basis, and learners may enroll either part time or full time.

Located within the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the eponymous city of Commerce, Texas, TAMUC is one of the oldest schools in the Lone Star State and one of the largest schools in the Texas A&M System. The university primarily enrolls students from the surrounding areas but also offers several strong distance learning programs, including an online master's in educational technology. The program's curriculum consists of 30 credits and typically requires 18-24 months of full-time study to complete.

Unlike some peer programs, the educational technology degree at TAMUC focuses on preparing graduates for careers in leadership positions in the technology and K-16 education fields. To that end, the curriculum includes courses such as applying instructional media and technology, implementation of media technology programs, and web 2.0 technologies for instruction. The program delivers all of its coursework asynchronously and does not require students to visit campus.

Each applicant must meet one of four requirements: acceptable GRE scores, an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, a master's degree, or a valid Texas teaching license.

Based out of Orlando, the University of Central Florida frequently earns a place among the largest universities in the nation by enrollment. In recent years, UCF has poured those significant resources into expanding its slate of distance learning programs, which now allows students to earn their master's in educational technology online. The educational technology program requires students to complete a 33-credit curriculum. Most full-time students can finish the program in 18-24 months.

Notable courses in the curriculum include current trends in instructional technology, teaching and learning with emerging technologies, multimedia for education and training, and integration of technology into the learning environment. Each student can also complete a practicum experience in the field. The program does not include any on-campus requirements and delivers all coursework asynchronously.

UCF does not list any minimum GPA or standardized test requirements for the program. Students may apply for admission in the fall, spring, and summer terms. Florida residents receive a significant tuition discount.

Oregon's Concordia University Portland maintains an affiliation with the Lutheran Church and membership in the nine-school Concordia University System. Originally opened by the local Lutheran community at the turn of the 20th century, Concordia has expanded over the years, especially in the distance learning space. As a result, the university now offers an online master's in educational technology. The program aims for flexibility, delivering all of its coursework asynchronously without any required campus visits.

The program's 30-credit curriculum usually requires 18-24 months of full-time study to complete. Particularly relevant courses include research in educational technology, project-based learning with educational technology, and current and emerging trends in educational technology. Each student can also complete a research capstone experience. The program's website does not list minimum GPA or standardized test admission requirements.

Based out of Fulton, Missouri, William Woods University originally opened its doors in the 1870s as the Female Orphan School. Throughout the years, WWU has maintained an affiliation with the Disciples of Christ while expanding its disciplinary offerings. Today, WWU enrolls a little under 4,000 students and offers many of its programs through distance learning, including an online master's in educational technology. The program's curriculum consists of 30 credits, and most full-time students can graduate in 18-24 months.

Pertinent courses in the curriculum include software applications for academic programs, instructional design with technology, integration of multimedia production and curriculum, and applied instructional theories and strategies using technology. Each student can also complete a capstone project by using applied educational technology. The program delivers coursework asynchronously and features no all in-person requirements. Applicants must earn minimum undergraduate GPAs of 2.5.

Located in College Station, the flagship campus of the Texas A&M University System is also the largest university in Texas (and one of the largest universities in the nation) by enrollment. Texas A&M offers many of its programs through distance learning, including an online education technology master's degree. The program requires each student to complete 36 credits, which most enrollees can achieve in 18-24 months of full-time study.

To better serve the needs of the many working professionals who enroll in the program, Texas A&M delivers all education technology coursework asynchronously and never requires students to visit campus. The curriculum includes core courses such as instructional design; learning theories; educational psychology; and educational technology field, theory, and profession. Students may also choose to complete internships in the educational technology field. Applicants do not need to submit GRE scores and can earn admission for the spring, summer, or fall term.

A Baptist and evangelical church-affiliated school based out of Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University has grown rapidly over the past decade to become one of the largest schools in the nation. Liberty currently offers over 400 online programs, including an education technology master's degree online. The university's educational technology program requires each student to complete a 30-credit curriculum, with most full-time enrollees graduating within a single calendar year.

The program delivers all of its coursework asynchronously and involves no visits to campus. Each online course lasts eight weeks. Noteworthy classes include technology practices for instructional improvement, principles of design and management in distance education, and foundations of educational technology and online learning. Each applicant must earn at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA.

A public university based out of Beaumont, Texas, Lamar University is part of the Texas State University System. Originally opening its doors in the 1920s, LU has gone through several iterations over the years, including a stint as a college of technology. Those roots are evident today in several of its distance learning offerings, including an online master's in educational technology.

The educational technology program at LU requires each student to complete 36 credits. Full-time students can graduate with their master's degree within 18 months. Relevant courses in the curriculum include concepts of educational technology, resources for digital environments, digital learning in local and global contexts, and an internship in the field. The program delivers all coursework asynchronously and does not include any on-campus requirements.

The program requires all applicants to earn a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5. Prospective students may apply for admission to six start dates throughout the fall, spring, and summer terms.

Located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Wilkes University originally opened as a Bucknell University satellite campus. Over the years, the school became independent and added a wider scope of disciplinary offerings. In modern times, Wilkes enrolls more than 2,000 students and offers several strong distance learning degrees, including an online education technology master's degree.

The educational technology program at Wilkes requires students to complete 30-33 credits, with an optional three-credit internship for students pursuing the instructional technology specialist certification. Required courses in the curriculum include technology leadership, courseware design and construction, media design, and technology to support all learners. Wilkes delivers all of the program's coursework asynchronously, and students never need to visit campus.

Each applicant must earn a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Wilkes does not require prospective students to submit GRE scores.

Based in Greenville, North Carolina, ECU holds a place among the Tar Heel State's largest universities. Best known regionally for its doctoral research programs, ECU also excels in distance learning and now offers a master's in educational technology online. The instructional technology program at ECU requires each student to complete a 36-credit curriculum, and most full-time students can earn their degree in 18-24 months.

Notable required courses in the curriculum include multimedia instructional project development, principles of instructional design, analysis and evaluation in instructional technology, and a capstone project. Students can also compile a portfolio of their best work, which helps with interviews at the end of the program. ECU's program delivers all of the coursework asynchronously and features no in-person requirements. Applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.7 and GRE or MAT scores above the 30th percentile.

Based out of Tallahassee, Florida State University earns recognition as one of the Sunshine State's flagship schools. Taking advantage of the university's size and wealth of resources, FSU offers several programs through distance learning, including an online master's in educational technology.

The learning technologies program requires students to complete 36 credits. Most learners opt to enroll part time, taking 1-2 courses per semester and finishing in 2-4 years. Courses in the curriculum cover topics such as emerging technologies, performance improvement, and instructional design. Since so many of the program's students continue to work while enrolled, FSU delivers all program coursework asynchronously and never requires learners to visit campus.

Each applicant must submit GRE scores and evidence a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA.

Located in Seward, Concordia University Nebraska shares many elements with the other eight schools in the Concordia University System, including a Lutheran affiliation and an enrollment of more than 2,000 students. Additionally, Concordia University Nebraska excels in distance learning and now offers a master's in educational technology online.

The educational technology program's curriculum requires each student to complete 36 credits before graduating. Most students take two years of full-time study to earn their degrees. Relevant courses in the curriculum include integrating technology into the classroom, contemporary thought in education, research evaluation and design, and technology in assessment and instructional improvement. Learners can also complete a capstone project and a practicum experience in the field.

Concordia delivers all of the program's coursework asynchronously and does not include any in-person requirements. Students may also opt for a hybrid delivery method that involves some in-person coursework.

Louisiana State University in Shreveport originally opened its doors in the 1960s as a commuter junior college for the surrounding population. The school expanded over the years, eventually adding some master's and doctoral programs. Today, LSUS reaches students around the nation through a focused slate of distance learning programs, including an online education technology master's degree.

The education technology program at LSUS usually takes 18-24 months to complete. Required courses include education technology research, evaluation, and assessment; advanced telecommunications and distance education; technology planning and administration; and technology leadership in schools. Each online course lasts for seven weeks. The program delivers all of its coursework asynchronously and does not include any on-campus requirements.

The program's website does not list any minimum GPA or standardized test requirements.

Based in the college town of Athens, the University of Georgia has greatly expanded its distance learning offerings recently. As a result, UGA now offers an online master's in educational technology.

The program requires each student to complete a 36-credit curriculum. Most full-time learners manage to complete their degree in six semesters. Relevant courses include design and development tools, video production, learning environments design, and project management. The program delivers all of its coursework asynchronously and runs on a cohort model, giving students the support of a peer group.

With stricter admission requirements than most of its peers, the program at UGA mandates a 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA, GRE or MAT scores, and three years of work experience. Once accepted, all students pay the same tuition, no matter their location.

Originally founded as a normal school in the early 20th century, the University of Nebraska at Kearney evolved over the years to earn membership in the University of Nebraska System. Based in the eponymous city of Kearney, the college reaches students around the nation through its plethora of distance learning offerings. Staying true to its roots, UNK offers several strong education-related programs, including an online education technology master's degree.

The instructional technology program at UNK requires students to earn 36 credits. Relevant courses include developing web-based portfolios, motivating the 21st-century learner, and interactive web application development. Learners can also complete an instructional technology-related field experience at a placement site in their community. The program delivers all of its coursework asynchronously and does not include any in-person requirements.

Each applicant to the program must submit a satisfactory undergraduate GPA and either GRE scores or a professional biography.

Located on the Florida Panhandle in the city of Pensacola, the University of West Florida is a member of the state's university system. Primarily focused on research-based programs and catering to the surrounding population, UWF extends beyond its regional university roots by offering several of its programs through distance learning. UWF now offers its education technology master's degree online.

UWF's instructional design program requires students to complete a 36-credit curriculum. Most students can earn their degrees in two years of full-time study. Particularly relevant courses in the curriculum include principles of instructional design, applied instructional technology investigations, advanced instructional design theory, and implementation of instructional design projects. The program delivers all of its coursework asynchronously and never requires students to visit campus to earn their degrees.

All applicants to the program must earn undergraduate GPAs of at least 3.0.

Perhaps best known regionally for its Hokies football teams, Blacksburg-based Virginia Tech is the second-largest school in the state. The school extends beyond Virginia's borders by offering several of its degrees through distance learning, including an online master's in instructional technology. Most of the 250 students who have enrolled in the program have graduated in 18-24 months of full-time study.

Noteworthy courses in the curriculum include foundations of instructional design theory, design for learning, and applied theories of instructional design. All students also complete a capstone project and a professional development portfolio of their best work. Striving for flexibility for working professionals, the program delivers all of its coursework asynchronously and does not require students to visit campus.

Each applicant must possess an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. The program does not require applicants to submit GRE scores.