OVERVIEW
Earn a Versatile Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology Degree Online
The global pandemic has created an urgency for design teams to deliver next-generation solutions at a breakneck pace. In various domains including K-12, higher education, and workforce development, these teams are tasked with creating engaging and immersive virtual learning experiences that can substitute for on-ground instruction.
This master’s program was built from the ground up to help those involved in learning experience design gain an updated skill set, preparing them to meet the unique needs of each student within today’s new learning environment. The program incorporates design thinking, learning analytics, and universal design and accessibility.
Choose Your Track
The Master of Science in Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology is offered in in two tracks: the K-12 Learning Designer pathway and the Adult Learning Designer pathway. These tracks allow students to specify if they are hoping to implement their knowledge in an academic or educational setting, or in a corporate setting. The courses in the K-12 pathway setting focuses on working with students in an educational setting, while the Adult pathway focuses on corporate training and adult education. Candidates may choose to complete both pathways if desired. Your career goals will ultimately help you determine which pathway is best for you.
73% of graduates finish similar programs within
18 Months*
WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready. The result: You may finish faster.
*WGU Internal Data
Tuition per six-month term is
$3,975
Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps you control the ultimate cost of your degree. Finish faster, pay less!
Graduates who recommend WGU
97%
The vast majority of alumni say WGU delivered on its promises. In fact, over 50% of students found WGU thanks to a friend's recommendation.
COURSES & COMPETENCIES
Learning Experience Design & Educational Technology Courses
Curriculum that ensures you’ve mastered the skills you’ll need as a learning designer.
This graduate-level educational technology degree is tightly aligned with employer-desired skills for learning experience designers. The program offers two tracks: the K-12 Learning Designer pathway and the Adult Learning Designer pathway. Candidates may choose to complete both pathways if desired.
The WGU M.S. Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology program was designed (and is regularly updated) with input from the experts on our Education Program Council, as well as ISTE and ATD standards. These respected authorities know exactly what it takes for a graduate to lead a staff of educators, administrators, and support personnel in K-12, higher education and corporate education settings.
This program comprises the following courses. You will typically complete them one at a time as you make your way through your program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. You’ll work through each course as quickly as you can study and learn the material. As soon as you’re ready, you’ll pass the assessment, complete the course, and move on. This means that you can finish as many courses as you're able in a term at no additional cost.
12 Courses
Program consists of 12 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
Capstone Project
Special requirements for this program
WGU's online master's degree program in learning experience design and educational technology requires the successful completion of a capstone project. You'll take what you've learned during your studies and apply it to a real-world situation, proposing a solution to an actual issue you're likely to face in a professional environment.
“Working on a master's degree through WGU was amazing. I loved working on my own time and schedule, especially since I have a full-time job. My mentor and class instructors were always helpful and proactive in reaching out. The classwork was relevant to my degree. I feel like the classwork was difficult but doable. I would highly recommend WGU to anyone who is working toward a degree WGU offers.”
—Rebecca Hanson
Teachers College Graduate
WGU vs. Traditional Universities
Compare the Difference
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 2 years, minimal acceleration options
As quickly as you can master the material, can finish programs in under 2 years
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
TUITION STRUCTURE
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
SUPPORT
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
EXAMS
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
SCHEDULE
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 2 years, minimal acceleration options
TIME TO FINISH
As quickly as you can master the material, can finish programs in under 2 years
Why WGU?
You Aren't On Your Own
WGU has Program Mentors who work with you from the day you start, all the way through graduation. They help you chart your courses, answer your questions, and ensure you can go through your program. You're not alone when you choose an online degree at WGU.
Flexibility You Need
Students choose WGU for their online degree program because of its flexibility. Whether you already have a full-time job, have responsibilities as a parent, or just have a busy schedule, WGU can work for you.
Strong Alumni Network
When you enroll in an online master's degree program at WGU, you join an impressive network of teachers. Over 13,000 students graduated from the Teachers College in 2021 alone, taking their skills and impacting the educational system all around the United States.
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™
One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.
COST & TIME
When We Say Affordable We Mean It
By charging per six-month term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.
A Master's Degree Is Within Reach
There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:
The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.
*WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to the Institute for College Access and Success (2022).
Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.
Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
Education That’s Truly at Your Own Pace
What makes WGU uniquely flexible? We allow you to finish courses as quickly as you can show competence. You do so by passing assessments instead of sitting in class for a set number of weeks. At WGU, there are no rigid class schedules, no set log-in times, and no hard deadlines set by professors. Rather, you work with your Program Mentor to create a Degree Plan that works with your busy life. Want to take a test at 2 AM? At WGU it’s possible. Earn a career-focused education on your time.
"While getting my degree I was faced with learning how to teach from home, and help my own children adapt to learning online because of our pandemic. I love how WGU was flexible and I was able to breeze through courses when I knew the information and take my time on the ones I needed to.”
—Rachel Hink
Teachers College Graduate
CAREER OUTLOOK
A Master’s in Learning Experience Design Paves the Way to the Next Step in Your Career as an Educator
The education landscape is changing rapidly, whether it be in the K-12, higher education, or corporate training space. An increased demand for online education and a greater appetite for custom-tailored and individualized education has created an urgency in the new and expanding field of educational technology. As demand continues to grow, these industries need skilled professionals with a deep understanding of the new learning experience design discipline.
This Master of Science in Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology offers two pathways depending on your desired area of expertise. One prepares you to develop educational programs, methods, and curriculum for K-12 students, while the other is more focused on readying you to provide the same, but in areas including higher education and workforce development. A master’s degree program will help you gain the skills needed to improve learning experiences and play a part in the evolving future of education.
Return on Your Investment
On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation
Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2022 Harris Poll Survey of 1,542 WGU graduates.
Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.
7%
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for instructional coordinators at the K-12 level is set to grow by 7% from 2021 to 2031. There is a similar need for training and development specialists in the corporate world with demand projected to increase by 8% over that same period.
Learn About All the Opportunities in Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology
With a master’s degree in learning experience design and educational technology, you could be prepared for the following jobs, depending on your industry of focus.
K-12
- Instructional coordinator
- Instructional designer
- Curriculum developer
- Instructional technologist
- Instructional developer
- Educational technologist
- Learning designer
- Director of eLearning
- Learning Engineer
- Learning architect
- Instructional design coordinator
- Distance education administrator
- Academic technologist
- Learning Experience Designer
Higher Education
- Director of Learning Experience Design
- Learning Experience Designer
- Academic technologist
- Distance education administrator
- Director of instructional design
- Director of eLearning
- Academic technologist
- Online course designer
- Online course developer
- Learning Engineer
- Learning Architect
Corporate Training
- Multimedia producer
- Training and development specialist
- Instructional technology specialist
- Director of Learning Experience Design
- Learning Experience Designer
- Director of instructional design
- Director of eLearning
- eLearning Designer/Developer
ADMISSIONS
Master in Learning Experience Design & Educational Technology Admission Requirements
To enroll in this program, you must be in possession of a bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and be interested in advancing your expertise in learning experience design.
You will also need access to a community of learners. This community of learners will be the focus of your capstone project at the end of your program and other assessments throughout your program, and you will need to identify this group during your first term.
Get Your Enrollment Checklist
Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.
Get Your Questions Answered
Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.
More About the M.S. in Learning Experience Design
- More About This Degree
- Financial Aid
Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?