Learning Technologies

The Learning Technologies program at the University of Texas at Austin is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, implement, and evaluate effective educational technologies in diverse learning environments. This comprehensive program combines theoretical foundations with practical application, enabling graduates to become leaders in the design and deployment of innovative learning solutions. Through a multidisciplinary curriculum, students explore the principles of instructional design, digital media, curriculum development, and educational psychology, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of how technology enhances the teaching and learning process. The program emphasizes hands-on experience with emerging tools and platforms, preparing students to address real-world challenges in education, corporate training, and instructional design. As part of the university’s commitment to research and innovation, students have access to state-of-the-art labs and collaborative projects that foster creativity and technological proficiency. Graduates of the Learning Technologies program are equipped to pursue careers in a variety of sectors, including K-12 education, higher education, corporate training, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. The program also prepares students for leadership roles in integrating technology into curriculum development, faculty training, and policy-making to promote effective and equitable educational practices. With a curriculum that balances technical skills with pedagogical theories, students develop a comprehensive understanding of how to utilize technology to improve engagement, assessment, and Personalized learning. The program is ideal for educators, instructional designers, educational technologists, and professionals seeking to advance their careers in the rapidly evolving field of learning technologies. It fosters lifelong learning and encourages innovative solutions to educational challenges, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to make a meaningful impact in the field of education through technology.

Research Requirement (3 hours)

• EDC 380R  Educational Research & Design

Learning Technologies Requirements (24 hours) 

Students who have already taken courses similar to the required ones listed below and need course substitution should discuss with their assigned coursework advisor and then seek approval from the LT Program Area Advisor. In general, course substitutions are discouraged.

*Blended with a few face to face meetings
** Completely online

Required Courses (12 hours)

To be taken in Fall semester:

•   EDC 390T  Instructional Systems Design*
  • This course provides an overview of the theoretical frameworks, current trends, and common concerns associated with the design and development of instructional materials. Students will investigate the theoretical, practical, and critical perspectives on instructional design as it is applied in a variety of educational contexts (i.e. K-12, higher education, and corporate training) and modes (i.e. face-to-face, hybrid, and online). Through reading, discussions, real-world design, practical application, and interactions with instructional design experts, students will become designers of effective and engaging learning experiences.

• EDC 390T Foundations of Learning Technology**
  • This course is designed to introduce you to the field of learning technology by learning its history as well as the learning theories, paradigms, thought leaders, trends and issues that have shaped the field.  The course is primarily online and involves both individual and collaborative work. Online class meetings will be held every 2-3 weeks to facilitate real-time discussions on the readings as well as opportunities for interaction with visiting experts in the field.

To be taken in Spring semester:

• EDC 385G  Interactive Multimedia Design and Production*
  • In this hands-on course, students will learn various new media based technology tools to create a Web-based application on a topic of their choice. Students will engage in the design and production process and work with a client in developing an interactive Web-based application; and industry standard technology tools on graphics, video, audio, animation, and Web development will be used in this course. By taking this course, students will not only develop and advance their technical skills, but also acquire the experience of engaging in the entire development process from a concept to a product in a real-world setting.
• EDC 385G  Teaching and Learning with the Internet**
  • This course examines the Internet’s capabilities for blended or face-to-face instruction, learning, professional development, and research. Students will understanding the historical context of uses of the Internet for teaching and learning, become a participant in the Internet, develop a critical framework for evaluating Internet/web uses in educational contexts, and interpret educational research that focuses on teaching/learning with the Internet/web.

Elective Courses (12 hours)

• EDC 390T  Advanced Instructional Systems Design*
  • Course includes advanced topics, theoretical frameworks and strategies for the design of instructional systems. Students will work in teams to design and develop an instructional product for an authentic client such as a state agency, school system, university, corporation or museum that meets specified criteria for quality.
• EDC 385G  Analysis of Research in Learning Technologies
  • The goal of this course is for students to get familiar with research in the field of technology for teaching and learning and develop one’s own research interest. Course activities include reading both major historic and contemporary topics in the field, evaluating emerging technology tools and learning environments to examine their potentials for teaching and learning, synthesizing selected research topics, and developing one’s own research topic that can be used for one’s dissertation.
• EDC 385G  Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning*
  • Explore current research, theories and strategies of computer-supported collaborative learning, Course includes Web-based activities focused on collaborative inquiry, collaborative writing, project-based learning and collaborative approaches to foreign language learning. Students design a collaborative learning activity using contemporary Web-based tools and environments.
• EDC 385G  Current Issues in Learning Technologies
• EDC 385G  Designs and Strategies for New Media*
  • This course is about human-computer interaction (HCI), and the emphasis is on examining and understanding the designs and strategies for new media through various evaluation and hands-on activities. We will examine the use of new media from the perspectives of information design, interaction design, and interface design and learn industry standard new media tools to illustrate our understanding. Developing such design and practical knowledge will enable students to become effective designers for creating and working with interactive technology applications for use in various setting: online, face-to-face, and hybrid.
• EDC 390T  Issues and Strategies For Technology Leaders
  • This course will examine the concept of a “technology leader” in the context of PK-12 schools. Topics include: standards, licensure, technology planning, leader preparation and professional learning, data-driven decision making, technology integration, staff development, and types of leaders. Students will understand the roles, responsibilities, and knowledge required of a technology leaders, interpret educational research on technology leadership and identifying promising areas for new research, and develop one’s own technology leadership capabilities.
• EDC 385G  Learning Technology Planning and Management*
  • The course is designed to help you understand the educational technology planning process and to develop components of a technology strategic plan using authentic tools in an authentic context. The context for learning the principles and strategies for technology planning is a K-12 school district since almost everyone has had experience either as a student or professional in this setting.
• EDC 385G  Motivation and Design of Learning Technologies
• EDC 385G  Online Learning and the Future of Education**
  • This course is focused on the exploration, understanding, and critique of contemporary developments in online learning (including K-12, higher education, and corporate contexts). The course involves evaluating current and future trends in online education including  online learning research, theory, and best practices.
• EDC 385G  Technology & Preservice Teacher Education
  • This course comprehensively examines the role technologies have played within teacher preservice preparation. Students will gain a historical view of technologies (e.g., radio, film, TV, computers, Internet); technological perspectives (e.g., instructional media, instructional design, computer-based teaching/learning, TPCK); and modalities (face-to-face, distance education, online learning) that have been included within teacher preparation in the last century. Students will examine subject-specific (e.g., mathematics, science, social studies, English, foreign languages, special education) approaches to technology integration, based on their interest areas.
• EDC 385G  Technology, Teacher Learning & School Change
  • This course examines the complexity of the change process, especially in relation to the introduction of digital technologies in the PK-12 school context. Students learn about dimensions of educational change, understand how innovations are adopted, adapted, and eventually diffused or rejected across organizations, and will be able to describe particular aspects and features of schools, school processes, and human elements that have led to successful/unsuccessful technology integration in classrooms and schools.
• EDC 397P  Graduate Internship

Please Note: Not all courses are offered every year. Other courses may be added. Please check the course schedule.

Outside Department Requirements (6 hours)

Students can choose courses that fit their interests and/or professional goals from other departments and colleges, such as:

• Department of Educational Psychology
• Department of Educational Administration
• Department of Special Education
• Department of Kinesiology and Health Education
• Department of Computer Sciences
• School of Information
• College of Communication
• Or other departments/colleges

Please note: Course number from outside departments cannot begin with EDC.

Additional Requirements

Additional requirements vary based upon type of degree sought.

Master of Arts with Thesis (6 hours)

• EDC 698A & 698B  Thesis

Master of Arts with Report (3 hours)

• EDC 398R  Report

Master of Education with Coursework Only (3 hours)

The Master of Education with coursework only degree is available to students who present one year or more of teaching, training, instructional development or project management experience.

• One elective

Total Minimum Hours

• Master of Arts with Thesis (39 hours)
• Master of Arts with Report or Master of Education with Report (36 hours)

Requirements

• TOEFL: 79 on the Internet-based test (iBT)
• IELTS: An overall band of 6.5 on the Academic Examination
• GIAC Online Application
  Select the appropriate major on the drop-down menu. Note: STEM Education requires a specific major selection. Applicants to all other programs should select Curriculum and Instruction as their major.
• Official Transcripts
• Supporting Materials
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of Reference
  • Supplemental Non-English Writing Sample (Bilingual/Bicultural Education applications only)

The University of Texas at Austin offers a range of financial options to support students pursuing studies in Learning Technologies. Undergraduate students can benefit from various scholarships, including merit-based awards, departmental scholarships, and external funding opportunities. The University’s Office of Scholarships and Identity Resources provides comprehensive information about available financial aid, including federal and state grants, work-study programs, and loan options. Graduate students enrolled in Learning Technologies or related programs have access to teaching and research assistantships, which often include tuition waivers and stipends to assist with living expenses. Additionally, students are encouraged to explore fellowships and employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement programs that may be available for those working while studying.

Financial aid applications are typically submitted through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and students are advised to complete these early to maximize their funding opportunities. The university’s financial services office offers counseling and planning resources to assist students in understanding their costs and available resources. Costs associated with studying Learning Technologies at UT Austin include tuition, fees, textbooks, supplies, and personal expenses, which vary depending on residency status and enrollment level.

International students pursuing studies in Learning Technologies should also explore the university’s international student financial aid options, including scholarships specific to international students and external funding sources from government agencies and international organizations. The university is committed to making education accessible and affordable through various financial programs designed to reduce financial barriers. Students are encouraged to review detailed information about financial planning on the university’s official website and to contact the student financial services office for personalized assistance.

Overall, the financing studies of the Learning Technologies program at UT Austin are structured to support students financially throughout their academic journey, combining institutional aid, external scholarships, work opportunities, and loan programs to ensure that students can focus on their educational goals without undue financial stress.

The University of Texas at Austin offers a comprehensive program in Learning Technologies designed to prepare students for the dynamic field of educational technology and e-learning. This program focuses on the integration of technology in educational settings, equipping graduates with the skills necessary to develop, implement, and evaluate digital learning environments. Students gain a solid foundation in instructional design, multimedia development, and the application of emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and mobile learning. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical application, ensuring that graduates are capable of creating effective and engaging digital learning experiences across various educational levels and organizational contexts. The program often includes coursework in pedagogy, information technology, human-computer interaction, and project management, providing a well-rounded education for careers in educational institutions, corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Students may have opportunities for hands-on projects, internships, and research collaborations, allowing them to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. The faculty involved in this program are experts in fields such as instructional design, educational psychology, computer science, and media studies, contributing to a rich academic environment. Graduates of the Learning Technologies program typically pursue roles such as instructional designers, e-learning developers, digital content specialists, educational technologists, and training coordinators. The program also prepares students for advanced study or certification in related areas, offering a pathway to careers in academia, policy development, or industry innovation. With a focus on leveraging technology to enhance learning outcomes, the University of Texas at Austin’s Learning Technologies program aims to foster innovative thinking, technical competency, and a commitment to improving educational practices worldwide.