Which One? Masters in Curriculum & Instruction, Instructional Design and Learning & Technology

UPDATE (READ BEFORE WATCHING): It looks like WGU's Teachers College has changed their master's programs. Cool! The programs noted in my video title are no longer the same as they were. My understanding is that the new programs are more relevant to the current labor market, and they are contemporary in approach. Another key change is the former programs include a capstone that was limited to "Action Research", though, the newer programs allow for "Applied Research". My video still helps explain the distinctions between the "front end" of teaching (instruction) and the "back end" (instructional design and curriculum development).
Some of the older programs:
- Curriculum and Instruction - M.S.
- Learning and Technology - M.Ed.
- Instructional Design - M.Ed.
Newer programs:
- Curriculum and Instruction - M.S. (updated)
(they updated the curriculum to suit the National Board Professional Teaching Standards)
- Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology - M.S.
(two specializations: K-12 and Adult Learner)
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𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺: I completed the MSc Curriculum and Instruction in under 6 months
Another video I made is relevant to this one. It shares info on MSc Curriculum and Instruction performance assessments: • Avoid WGU Teacher Coll...
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[@HarrisNasution]

Thank you so much for going over the details of each of these programs. I'm in the enrollment process, and this video really helps a lot!

[@lifebyjustin]

You’re welcome, Glad I can be helpful Harris. I hope your enrolment process goes smoothly. Good luck with the start of your program :)

[@meyganmarino]

Thank you very much for the clarification of these programs, very helpful!

[@meyganmarino]

How did you decide which one was best for you? I am torn between Curriculum & Instruction and Instructional Design

[@BloomInstituteofTechnology]

Really great information here. Appreshated.

[@nagelfamily]

I’ve been searching this question! Nothing out there yet until low - thanks. Getting BA Administration & Management

[@erickaransom236]

Thank you!!

[@jillhbaudhaan]

Thank you for the useful information, Justin. You shouldn't recommend viewers speed up your videos. You don't speak slowly and the information you're providing shouldn't be glossed over, especially at the graduate level. Happy New Year!

[@lifebyjustin]

Thanks for the feedback Jill!

[@joeldiaz5857]

I am looking for an easy and quick masters to complete. I hope the curriculum and instruction is the one.

[@lifebyjustin]

Hey Joel, it can be accelerated if you are productive, determined and efficient. I wouldn't say it's easy though. It's about 25-30 academic graduate-level papers, but if you are a strong writer then its a good program for sure.

[@yoz2k25]

I’m confused, on the website it says curriculum and design requires 8 hours of in classroom time but you’re saying this was the only one that didn’t require it. Also instructional design doesn’t say anything about in classroom time

[@lifebyjustin]

Hey! The older version of the MS Curriculum & Instruction program (pre-2021, which is the one I did) required 8 hours of instruction for the capstone as part of "Action Research". The program has since changed as of 2021 and they are now doing "Applied Research" as part of the MSc capstone. This is what my mentor told right as I finished my program. She said they were rolling this new program out sometime in 2021. My understanding is that applied research method doesn't require an in-class intervention like action research, though, you'll have to investigate this. A program mentor or enrollment counselor might know more about this. My understanding is the the Instructional Design and Learning & Tech programs didn't change and still require action research (at least 8 hours of in-class research).

[@yoz2k25]

@@lifebyjustin thanks, that was really helpful!

[@ericaann3237]

Hi Justin, how do you know which courses are proctored?

[@lifebyjustin]

Hi Erica, you might be asking which courses use objective assessments (i.e. OA or tests) vs. performance assessments (i.e. PA or papers). My understanding is all OAs are proctored at WGU. The MSc Curriculum and Instruction program has one OA only, which is the Research Foundations course. But the courses in it are different now from when I did the program last year. The MEd programs include Research Foundations and Instructional Design Foundations, which are OA based. All other courses are PAs and involve paper writing mostly. Some PAs involve the creations of lesson plans, presentations and instructional technology projects.

[@ericaann3237]

Thank You so much!!!

[@husseinalhachami1580]

I believe having master degree is great.