What Are My Career Options in IDT?

Delivered Online

Why Should I Pursue the IDT Field?

So what can you do as an Instructional Designer? There are many different career paths that you can follow as an instructional designer, including:

• performance improvement consulting
• multimedia development
• program evaluation
• technology integration specialist

In all cases, your IDT degree prepares you to develop learning and performance support material using the Web, computer, print, video, and human delivery systems. In general, there are two main sectors IDers work in: public education or corporate/organizational.

Public Education Focus:

If you want to work in the public education sector, you can focus on K-12 or higher education. If you prefer K-12 education, you may work in a variety of capacities, including:

• Becoming a technology facilitator capable of designing meaningful learning environments that make intelligent use of technology and problem solving in your classroom.
• Developing and delivering professional development training for other teachers in your school, or at the district, state, or national levels.
• Working as curriculum designers at all levels of the education system, focusing exclusively the design of large-scale curricula.

If your career focus is in higher education, you may:

• Work as a curriculum designer to develop online courses and other class/training materials for colleges and universities.
• Work with faculty to develop technology-assisted learning in a variety of ways, including distance education and multimedia development labs.

Corporate/Organizational Focus:

Training is a part of virtually every organization, but some are large enough to have their own human resources department or training program. In these organizations, IDers are generally a part of a design and development team, working with graphic artists, programmers, and subject-matter experts. You may be a "pure" designer, or you may develop and/or implement the training you design. So if you prefer to work in the corporate/organizational sector, you are likely to work as a training designer and/or developer for the:

• Military
• Government
• Healthcare Organizations
• Banking Industry
• Any business or organization that requires systematic and frequent training

What Is the Job Market Like in IDT?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the demand for instructional design technologists will increase nationwide by 83,000 jobs by 2012. However, these numbers are only a fraction of the actual job market for IDT. A simple search on Monster.com for IDT corporate market jobs routinely turns up thousands of jobs. It is estimated that there are 10,000 to 20,000 jobs every year in this field.

In past years, UND's graduates have had 100% job placement rate, with every student finding a job in the field one to three months after graduation. Starting salaries are between $35,000 and $60,000, making IDT jobs competitive with any other field.

Which IDT Program Option Is Right For Me?

M.Ed. in IDT

If you plan to work in an education environment, either in K-12 schools or higher education, the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree is for you. With the M.Ed. degree, you will:

• assist instructors in appropriately, effectively, and successfully integrating technology into their instruction.
• work directly with students in teaching skills associated with the use of technology.
• learn the theoretical issues associated with technologically supported instruction and apply this knowledge in terms of best practice.

An independent study project (research) is required for your capstone experience. The independent study may address a practical problem or address a theoretical construct in the same way that a thesis does.

The K-12 education track complies with the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) standards for technology facilitators, which are the most widely accepted standards for technology integration in K-12 education. This makes UND's IDT program unique in North Dakota.

M.S. in IDT

If you would like to develop and deliver technologically supported curriculum for business, government, or industry, the Master of Science (M.S.) degree is for you. If your background is not based in education, you may also prefer this option. The M.S. degree is available in two tracks:

• Thesis Option - focuses on developing and utilizing research skills
• Independent Study Option - emphasizes the development and evaluation of application and practice

Required course work within the two options is consistent with the distinction between an emphasis on research or practice.

Graduate Certificate in IDT

If you would like to enhance your skills in instructional design and technology and move your current career in a new direction, the Graduate Certificate is for you. This option provides minimum competency in the field of instructional design, but is not designed to result in fully qualified instructional designers. Two 12-credit certificates are available:

• K-12 Technology Integration - focuses on integrating technology into instruction and the skills associated with the use of technology in the classroom

• Corporate Training & Performance - highlights the use of technology to support curriculum for business, government, or industry