Design Learning Experiences That Make an Impact
Advance your career in instructional design, learning experience (LX) design, and educational technology with the online Master of Science (MS) in Learning Design & Technology. Gain the skills to design engaging, accessible learning experiences for diverse audiences using emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR).
This flexible, part-time online program combines hands-on instructional design practice with expertise in AI and learning technologies, preparing you to create effective, ethical learning solutions across education, business, healthcare, and nonprofit settings. Most students graduate in three semesters, with an accelerated two-semester option available.
Program Features
In the online master’s in learning design, you’ll develop the skills to design effective, inclusive, and technology-driven learning experiences for education and workplace settings. Students in the learning design master’s can tailor their experience for PreK–12 education, higher education, corporate learning and development, or edtech settings.
The Master of Science in Learning Design & Technology prepares you to create inclusive, technology-enabled learning experiences for diverse audiences worldwide. Through coursework in instructional design and global education, you’ll learn to adapt learning solutions across cultures and contexts. You’ll also collaborate with international partners on real-world projects, building the skills to solve global education and workforce challenges.
In the Learning Design & Technology master’s program, you’ll collaborate with faculty, peers, and industry partners on research and real-world projects that shape the future of learning. Through the Learning Innovation Studio and faculty-led initiatives, you’ll explore topics such as artificial intelligence (AI) in education, accessibility, emerging technologies, and equity-centered learning design while building practical experience that prepares you to lead innovation in the field.
A team-based culminating project will give you the opportunity to work with PreK–12 schools, higher education institutions, and corporate organizations on real learning challenges. You’ll collaborate with industry partners to assess needs, design innovative learning solutions, and present your work to clients—building your instructional design expertise, expanding your professional network, and creating portfolio-ready projects before you graduate.
Who Is This Program For?
Whether you’re looking to advance in your current role, transition into learning design, or expand your expertise in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), you’ll develop the skills to design innovative, accessible learning experiences using instructional design principles, emerging technologies, and evidence-based practices. This online master’s program is designed for professionals such as:
- PreK–12 educators seeking roles in instructional design, educational technology, and curriculum development
- Higher education professionals advancing their skills in online learning, blended learning, and instructional technology
- Learning and development professionals building expertise in learning science, instructional strategy, and emerging technologies
- Career changers leveraging skills in communication, design, or technology to enter learning design
Career Outcomes
In the Master of Science in Learning Design and Technology, the learning design and technology master’s program equips you with the knowledge, practical skills, and portfolio-ready experience to lead learning initiatives across education, business, healthcare, government, and nonprofit organizations.You’ll learn to:
- Design effective instructional and learning experiences
- Create accessible, inclusive learning solutions
- Apply AI and emerging learning technologies
- Develop learning experiences for education and workplace training
- Build a professional instructional design portfolio
With expertise in designing effective, technology-driven learning solutions, you’ll be prepared to support learning and development across education, corporate, and nonprofit settings in careers such as:
- Instructional designer
- Curriculum developer
- Technology integration specialist
- Instructional technologist
- Faculty development specialist
- Program manager for learning initiatives
- Learning experience (LX) designer
- Corporate trainer
- Organizational learning strategist
- Educational technology consultant
- UX designer for learning platforms
- Developer of AI– or XR–based learning tools
Featured Faculty
The faculty of the Learning Design & Teaching MS are experts in applying learning science and human development principles to design effective, research-based instructional strategies and experiences across diverse contexts.
Dr. Greg Benoit is the director of the Learning Design & Technology program, as well as the assistant director of the Earl Center for Learning & Innovation. With a strong commitment to creativity, equity, and justice, Dr. Benoit critically examines mathematics popular culture artifacts and designs digital simulations and other practice spaces that center the culturally responsive teaching of mathematics. His research interests also include gamification and game-based learning in mathematics.
Courses in the MS in Learning Design & Technology
Core courses in the 30-credit master’s in learning design and technology cover foundations of learning and design; learner-centered design; and technology, media, and learning ecosystems. Required courses include:
- Learning Sciences and Human Development
- Learning Experience (LX) and Engagement Design
- Instructional Technologies and Emerging Tools
- Learning Design in Action
Related Programs
Students who wish to advance their skills as an educator and leader in AI and education should consider the master’s or graduate certificate in AI & Education. You’ll prepare to critically engage with AI technologies and lead AI integration, while keeping student learning at the center of instruction.
Connect with BU Wheelock to learn more about the online Master of Education (EdM) in Learning Design & Technology. Learn about application requirements and deadlines, sign up for an information session, or start your application today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Learning Design & Technology master’s is delivered fully online, allowing you to earn your degree from anywhere while balancing work and personal commitments. The flexible, part-time format is designed for working professionals, and most students complete the program in three semesters, with an accelerated two-semester option available.
This program is ideal for educators, instructional designers, corporate trainers, learning and development professionals, educational technologists, and career changers who want to design engaging learning experiences using emerging technologies. Whether you’re advancing your current career or transitioning into learning design, you’ll develop practical, in-demand skills.
Graduates are prepared for roles such as instructional designer, learning experience (LX) designer, curriculum developer, instructional technologist, corporate trainer, learning strategist, educational technology consultant, and UX designer for learning platforms. Opportunities span PreK–12 education, higher education, corporate learning, nonprofits, government, and edtech.
AI is integrated throughout the curriculum as a tool for designing effective, ethical, and inclusive learning experiences. You’ll explore AI alongside other emerging technologies, including extended reality (XR), while learning how to evaluate and apply these tools responsibly to improve learning outcomes.
Yes. Throughout the master’s in Learning Design & Technology program, you’ll complete applied projects with faculty, peers, and industry partners and develop a professional digital portfolio that showcases your instructional design process, technology skills, and real-world experience. Your portfolio is designed to demonstrate your expertise to current and future employers.