Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall I, Spring I
Online
About the Master in Instructional Design at Loyola
The demand for instructional designers has grown with the expansion of online learning in both educational institutions and corporate training programs. As online learning becomes more integrated into education and training approaches, instructional design will continue to be a relevant, exciting, and in-demand career option.
If you are tech savvy, creative, and interested in pursuing instructional design jobs, then you will thrive in the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Instructional Design program at Loyola University Chicago. This fully online and application-oriented degree will help you learn to design effective and innovative learning experiences in a range of settings.
This rewarding and challenging instructional design degree program will help you develop more specialized interests as you grow in your profession. It will give you the opportunity to work with technical specialists and subject matter experts from different disciplines.
Program Structure
Loyola's instructional design master's can be pursued full time or part time. Classes are fully online.
The 30-credit-hour Master in Instructional Design program comprises 10 courses, which are offered in an 8-week session format.
Are you a current Loyola undergrad?
This program is eligible for an Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's degree. Earn a Master’s with only one extra year of study following the completion of your eligible undergraduate degree.
LEARN MOREWhy Choose Loyola for Your Master in Instructional Design?
- Learn from industry experts
- Finish faster and start making a difference sooner
- Gain real-world experience while giving back
- Focus on doing rather than researching
- Learn from a proven leader in adult education
Our instructors are industry experts who specialize in online learning, yet also reinforce real-world skills like problem solving, communication, and critical thinking.
Enroll full time and you can complete your master's degree in only a year and a half through accelerated 8-week courses—or finish part time in two and a half years.
You will gain experience and give back to your community through a capstone project that involves creating a learning module for a school, business, or non-profit organization.
Loyola University Chicago's master's degree is different from other instructional design degrees in that we take a hands-on versus research-oriented approach to learning.
When you choose Loyola for your instructional design degree, you will benefit from an accredited college with a 100-year track record of teaching adult learners just like you.
Meet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the School of Continuing and Professional Studies faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the MPS Instructional Design program.
Faculty and StaffMaster in Instructional Design: Career Connections
With a master's degree in instructional design, you can pursue instructional design jobs that involve designing, developing, and evaluating learning experiences in a range of sectors, including education, business, government, and nonprofit.
Specific job options include:
- Instructional designer
- Curriculum designer
- E-learning developer
- Learning experience designer
- Learning consultant
- Instructional technologist
- Training specialist
- Educational technologist
- Learning analyst
- Instructional coordinator
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for jobs and careers in the field of Instructional Design.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the MPS Instructional Design program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide MPS Instructional Design learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2023-2024 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogMaster in Instructional Design Results and Skills
After obtaining your master's degree in instructional design, you will have an understanding of the various aspects of instructional design, including learning theories, design models, assessment methods, and evaluation strategies, that will help you to be successful in instructional design jobs. You will also have the following skills and abilities.
- Design effective and innovative learning experiences utilizing instructional design processes and appropriate theoretical approaches
- Produce instructional materials using a variety of technologies and multimedia authoring tools
- Adapt instructional design processes to a variety of professional settings (K-12 schools, corporate organizations, higher education institutions, etc.)
- Conceive, implement and revise instructional design projects, managing the whole iterative lifecycle
- Engage diverse communities and promote social justice by applying culturally responsive and ethical practices
- Utilize research to inform practice and stay abreast of emerging trends in the field of instructional design
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders (e.g., administrators, faculty, students, technologists, project managers, public) in order to meet organizational needs and achieve desired outcomes
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your return to school a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the MPS Instructional Design totals $22800.00, or 30 credit hours at a cost of $760.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
MPS Instructional Design Scholarships
Scholarship award decisions for all graduate degree-seeking students are made at admission. For selected students, SCPS offers scholarships to cover 20 percent of tuition costs. Additionally, we offer the opportunity for graduate students with a demonstrated high financial need to apply for scholarships after admission.
For detailed information about tuition, costs, and aid, please visit the SCPS Tuition & Financial Aid page.
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Take advantage of a variety of different visit opportunities to find your place in our Loyola community. Loyola offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
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Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the MPS Instructional Design are listed below. We encourage you to apply early for priority review. Please note that decisions may take longer during busy periods.
Fall: June 30
Funding Deadline: February 15
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the MPS Instructional Design include:
Transcripts
1 Letter of Recommendation
2.5 Minimum GPA
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Purpose Details
Please write a brief statement describing your academic and research interests as well as your professional goals.
International Student Requirements
Additional information regarding the application process for international students can be found on the International Student Requirements page.
Additional Details
For general information and a step-by-step guide to applying for graduate and professional study, please visit our Admission Process page. There is no fee to apply to graduate programs at Loyola.
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