The information explosion has created a high demand for professionals capable of designing, developing, implementing and managing innovative, technology-based instructional systems targeted at the education and training of employees and students. The Instructional Technology master's programs at UWF prepare professionals in education, military, healthcare, and business and industry to meet these challenges. UWF IT graduates are well prepared to solve complex organizational problems from the perspective of education, training and performance improvement.

UWF offers two Master of Education degree programs in IT: Instructional Technology—IT Educational Leadership, Education & Training Management Specialization—ETMS-IT

Instructional Technology—IT

The M.Ed. in Instructional Technology program is a fully online, 36-credit-hour program. There are no on-campus requirements, so students can complete the entire program from a distance. The program emphasizes the integration of technology to achieve educational goals in a wide variety of educational settings—K-12 schools, colleges and universities, industry, the military, government, and healthcare. The program recognizes the current emphasis on Web-based and mobile delivery of education and training, providing students with opportunities to become proficient in designing distance infrastructures, establishing policy directives within organizations, supporting students and instructors or facilitators, developing instructional materials, and implementing distributed systems, preparing them for any of the many career opportunities available to instructional technologists.

Students select from four areas of specialization:

• Curriculum and Technology
  • Integrated technology learning environments
  • Needs assessment and evaluation
  • IT planning and change
• Technology Leadership
• Technology for leaders
• Evaluation tools
• Contract administration
• Telecommunications and distance learning
  • Technology support systems
  • Distance education technologies
  • Distance learning policy, planning, and implementation
• Human performance technology
  • Analysis of human performance problems
  • Planning, implementation, and evaluation of interventions

Each student works closely with an advisor to develop a degree plan that meets his or her interests and career aspirations. The program can be completed in as little as 2 years, by taking two courses per semester for six consecutive semesters.

Education & Training Management Specialization—ETMS-IT

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, ETMS-IT Specialization is a fully online, 36-credit-hour program. There are no on-campus requirements, so students can complete the entire program from a distance. This program emphasizes the application of instructional technology and the principles of instructional design from a military training perspective. In this program, students investigate emerging technology applications, such as Web-based instruction, multimedia design, and distance learning, with a strong focus on instructional systems design, planning, and change.

The ETMS-IT program is made up of a combination of courses and electives that cover the following topics:

• Instructional Design
  • Learning theory
  • Systems approach
  • Distance learning
• Instructional Technology
• Multimedia design
• Instructional support
• Emerging technologies
• Instructional Management
  • Technology integration
  • Large-scale planning
  • Change management
• Additional skill development
  • Consulting, project management, systems thinking

Each student works closely with an advisor to develop a degree plan that meets his or her interests and career aspirations. The program can be completed in as little as 2 years, by taking two courses per semester for six consecutive semesters.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted into the program, prospective students must meet the following requirements:

• Have a bachelor's degree (any discipline).
• Complete the graduate application.
• Submit a letter of intent, including the name, address, phone number, and e-mail address of three professional references.
• Submit 2 official copies of all college transcripts.
• Submit current Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores.

In addition, these minimum academic requirements must be met:

• GRE score of 1000 or
• GPA of at least 3.0 on last 60 hours of bachelor's degree

How Do I Begin?

• Step 1: Preparation
  • Review the graduate admission process.
  • Note the deadlines for application. If you apply after the deadline for the semester in which you plan to begin, you must submit an application for admission to the program AND a non-degree-seeking student application.
• Step 2: Application
• Complete the online application form OR print, complete, and mail the hard-copy application form.
• Identify the program you are applying to as either M.Ed.-IT or Educational Leadership, ETMS-IT.
• Pay the application fee online or by mail.
• NOTE: International students must complete the International Student Graduate Application.
• Step 3: Letter of Intent and Professional References
  • Write a letter of intent to the department, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses for three professional references.
  • Submit the letter via e-mail to cfaircloth@uwf.edu OR submit the letter by mail to Ms. Jane Faircloth, Office Manager, Department of Engineering and Computer Technology, Building 77, Room 131, University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514
• Step 4: Graduate Record Exam
  • Apply to take the GRE and have official scores sent to UWF OR have official scores from a previously taken GRE forwarded to UWF by the testing agency.
• Step 5: Transcripts
  • Arrange to have two official copies of all college transcripts sent directly to the UWF Office of Admissions
  • Transcripts for work completed at UWF will be obtained by the Office of Admissions.
• Step 6: Advising and Registration
  • Upon admission, you will receive official notification from the University and the Department of Engineering and Computer Technology.
  • The department notification will include contact information for your assigned advisor.
  • Contact your advisor, develop your degree plan, and register for courses!