Online M.Ed. in Higher Education – Instructional Design Design Courses That Click with the Next Generation of Learners
30
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Dates: May 18, 2026 | June 29, 2026 | August 24, 2026
Discover How Instructional Design Shapes Online Learning in Higher Education with a Master’s in Educational Technology
Technology is changing how learning happens in colleges and universities. When you pursue Liberty’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education – Instructional Design and Technology, you can study instructional design, educational technology, and online learning in a higher education setting. In our instructional design degree online, you can also explore how digital courses are developed and examine how institutions organize learning experiences for modern students.
If you are interested in education but prefer roles outside the traditional classroom, instructional design may be an area worth exploring. Coursework will introduce topics related to course design, instructional technology, and higher education systems. Through courses that address student support services and higher education policy, you can examine how colleges and universities approach student engagement and retention.
Digital learning is now a central part of higher education. Colleges and universities rely on professionals who study instructional design and educational technology to support teaching and learning in online environments. In our program, you can study how learning management systems, online platforms, and course design strategies are used within higher education. Coursework also examines current issues in education and the social, political, and financial factors that influence postsecondary institutions.
For students enrolling today, who are placed on the current academic year’s degree completion plan, the officially conferred degree name will be Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education – Instructional Design and Technology. Degree details, including name, may be subject to change between academic terms.
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What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Why Choose a Master of Education in Instructional Design and Technology for Higher Education?
Liberty University has offered distance education since 1985 and continues to expand online learning opportunities for students like you around the world. Our M.Ed. in Higher Education – Instructional Design and Technology is offered 100% online, allowing you to pursue graduate study without relocating. The flexible format allows you to balance coursework with professional and personal responsibilities.
Courses are delivered in an asynchronous format, meaning there are no required login times. You can access course materials, participate in discussions, and complete assignments from anywhere with an internet connection. Eight-week courses and multiple start dates throughout the year provide additional flexibility as you move through the program.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Courses are taught by faculty members with professional experience in education and higher education administration. Throughout the program, you can explore blended learning design, educational technology, and course development while examining higher education leadership and ethical decision-making. Liberty’s mission of Training Champions for Christ is reflected in a values-driven approach that encourages thoughtful engagement with the field of higher education.
What Will You Study in an Online Master’s in Instructional Design and Technology?
In our M.Ed. in Higher Education for instructional design and technology, coursework will analyze key topics related to postsecondary education. Classes examine the structure of higher education and introduce current issues affecting colleges and universities. You can study how social, cultural, political, and economic factors influence higher education systems and shape the role institutions play in society.
Additionally, coursework addresses how colleges and universities support students throughout their academic experience. Topics include student support services, advising, and strategies used to improve student engagement and retention. By studying these areas, you can examine how institutions respond to the needs of diverse student populations.
The instructional design and technology specialization focuses on course design, instructional technology, and online learning environments. Coursework will review how educational technology is used to support teaching and learning in higher education. You can examine how digital tools, learning management systems, and course development strategies are applied in modern classrooms and virtual learning spaces.
Throughout the program, you will also study current issues shaping the field of education. The capstone course provides an opportunity to examine challenges and trends affecting higher education today. These topics can help you develop a broader understanding of how instructional design, educational technology, and higher education systems intersect in today’s learning environments.
Potential Higher Education Instructional Design Career Opportunities
If you are interested in alternative careers in education or roles outside the traditional classroom, Liberty’s M.Ed. in Higher Education online program allows you to explore opportunities connected to digital learning design, higher education administration, and alternative careers for teachers in the education field. Career paths can vary depending on your experience, education, and employer expectations. Roles related to this field may potentially include:
- Academic technology specialist
- Chief learning officer
- Curriculum designer
- Curriculum specialist
- Digital learning specialist
- Director of instructional technology
- Education program manager
- Instructional designer
- Learning and development manager
- Learning and development project manager
- Learning experience designer
- Online learning coordinator
- Senior instructional designer
- Training program manager
Featured Educational Technology Courses
Course Format
We offer both 8-week and full-semester sub-terms each semester. While many online courses can be taken in the 8-week format, some programs require courses that must be taken in the full-semester term. Some courses may require additional approvals or information prior to registration.
In addition to these formats, some courses may be required to be taken in intensive or alternative formats, which may include scheduled meeting times, travel to campus, or required login sessions.
You can view specific sub-term offerings and requirements in the Course Registration Tool.
Instructional Design Degree Information
- This program falls under Liberty’s School of Education.
- View the Graduate Education Course Guides (login required).
- This is a non-licensure program.
Degree Completion Plan
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Tuition & Aid
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
| Graduate Education Full Time | $430/Credit |
|---|---|
| Graduate Education Part Time | $645/Credit |
| Military Graduate | $290/Credit |
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our M.Ed. in Higher Education – Instructional Design and Technology Degree Online
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.5 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
- If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.
Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy
Please see the Online Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
Transcript Policies
Unofficial College Transcript Policy
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
- Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
- Cumulative GPA
- A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
- Degree and date conferred (if applicable)
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $290 per credit hour for graduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder*
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
*Not applicable to certificates.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master’s in Educational Technology and Instructional Design Programs
What are learning management systems?
Learning management systems (LMS) are digital platforms that help organize and deliver courses online. Instructors often use these systems to share lectures, assignments, readings, and discussion boards. You can access course materials, submit assignments, track students’ progress, and process learning analytics in a single central location.
In Liberty’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education – Instructional Design and Technology, you can explore how learning management systems support online learning in colleges and universities. Coursework will examine how instructors and instructional design professionals use these platforms to organize course materials, support digital learning environments, and manage course development in higher education settings.
What does an instructional designer do?
Instructional designers focus on how learning experiences are planned and structured. They often study how course materials and assessment design collaborate to support student understanding. Their work may include reviewing course content, organizing learning modules, and helping instructors structure lessons
In our instructional design master’s online, you can examine how instructional designers contribute to online course development in colleges and universities. Our coursework will explore instructional systems design, educational technology, and course design strategies used in higher education.
What does “instructional design” mean?
Instructional design for teachers refers to the process of planning and organizing learning experiences so that course materials, activities, and assessments work together effectively. This field often draws from learning science, educational research, and technology to examine how students interact with course content.
Within Liberty’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education – Instructional Design and Technology, you can study how instructional design principles apply to online learning and digital content development. The master’s degree in instructional design explores how educational technology, instructional strategies, and course organization support teaching and learning in higher education.
Why is instructional design important in education?
Instructional design shapes how courses are structured and delivered. When learning activities, course materials, and assessments are organized intentionally, students often have clearer expectations for how a course works. Institutions frequently apply instructional design strategies to improve course organization and support engagement in both traditional and online learning environments.
In Liberty’s M.Ed. in Higher Education – Instructional Design and Technology, instructional design is studied alongside higher education systems and student support strategies. This approach allows you to examine how course design, educational technology, and institutional practices work together to shape modern learning environments in colleges and universities.
Is a master’s in educational technology worth it?
A master’s degree in educational technology focuses on how digital education tools and learning platforms are used to support teaching and learning. Programs in this field often explore how technology shapes course delivery, student interaction, and digital learning environments.
In Liberty University’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education – Instructional Design and Technology, educational technology is studied within the context of colleges and universities. Coursework examines topics such as instructional technology practices, online learning environments, and course design strategies used in higher education institutions.
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