MPS in Learning Experience Design & Technology

Our Master of Professional Studies in Learning Experience Design and Technology (LXDT) teaches you today’s in-demand learning design skills through meaningful, learner-centered experiences and flexible, customizable coursework.

Online

Location

Full-Time
Part-Time

Commitment

1-2 years

Duration of Program

Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter

Entry Terms

No

Meets F1 Visa Requirements

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Overview

Today’s learning designers are facing unique and rapidly evolving challenges. They must create environments that combine in-person, online, and mobile learning while taking advantage of our media-rich, digital, networked world. For your educational design career to grow and thrive, you need to stay on top of not only today’s trends but also tomorrow’s advances.

Northeastern’s MPS in Learning Experience Design and Technology program provides an experience-based curriculum designed for the challenges facing today’s learning designers, educators, trainers, and instructional technologists in higher education, pre-K-12, government, corporate, and nonprofit organizations. You’ll strengthen your design and instructional thinking to create educational experiences that meet today’s demands and expectations.

You’ll receive both foundational and advanced design-related coursework taught by industry experts. And you’ll be able to hone your classwork through real-world, skill-building opportunities to expand your expertise and network. For example, participate in the optional LXD Skill Building Labs as part of the curriculum - shorter, more intensive courses, focusing on a key skill or knowledge base.

The evolving field of learning design requires that the LXDT programs remain agile and open to changes in professional practice, design methodologies, technology, and other emerging innovations in the field. LXD Skill Building Labs (SBL) are shorter intensive courses that provide students with opportunities to focus deeply on a key skill or knowledge base to support professional goals and enhance employability. SBLs are experiential in nature, including specific design challenges for learners to resolve using newly-honed skills, while also earning both elective credit and a skills-based badge upon completion. Examples of SBLs include Design Thinking, Design Blueprinting, Universal Design, Designing with Articulate 360: Rise/Storyline, Designing for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Backward Design, and Gamification.

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Unique Features

Create an ePortfolio that highlights your accomplishments and design skills.
Earn a specific skills badge in every design-related course.
Gain real-world experience before you graduate through experiential learning opportunities, including design studio electives and professional internships.
Learn from industry professionals who provide practical and meaningful experiences.
Receive flexible, personalized, and agile learning opportunities needed to succeed in today’s educational environment.

Career Outlook

Educators with the skills and experience to tackle today’s learning design challenges are finding themselves in demand across the industry:

Employment for training and development specialists is projected to grow 9% between 2019 and 2029—much faster than the average rate. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
It’s projected that 37,300 job openings will be available for training and development specialists between 2019 and 2029. (O*NET Online)

Program Outcomes

Apply learning design models, theories, practices, and technologies, based on the analysis of context, content, and learner needs, to develop engaging learning environments.
Demonstrate constructive working relationships and collaborations in a range of professional contexts while responding to the nuances of organizational culture, diversity of learners, project demands, and allocated resources.
Redesign learning experiences to create dynamic technology-enhanced and engaging environments by seeking out the learning design potential of new technologies.
Demonstrate the ability to effectively present ideas in multiple mediums and to diverse audiences.
Create learning designs that promote social justice, inclusion, and the building of intercultural and global networks, while demonstrating the capacity to perceive multiple perspectives.
Respond innovatively to the learning design opportunities and challenges in diverse contexts of industry sectors and modalities, while creatively drawing upon the latest research in learning design.

Accreditation

The Learning Experience Design and Technology Master’s program falls under the accreditation umbrella of the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Therefore, the program will adhere to the NECHE guidelines and requirements necessary to maintain good standing. (https://cihe.neasc.org)

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Testimonials

"The MPS in Learning Experience Design and Technology is a skill-based experiential program, where design practice takes center stage. Learning and design models provide a solid grounding as students create authentic learning experiences while building skills of immediate relevance to their professional lives."

Elizabeth Mahler, Associate Teaching Professor and Lead Faculty, LXDT Programs

"As someone looking to change careers and enter the field of Instructional Design, I appreciate the opportunity to participate in XN experiences where I work with clients to create real-world products that help me develop industry-specific skills and build my resume. "

Jacquelyn Bertman, Assistant Director of Operations, Higher Education

"Each course in the program builds upon the last, and throughout the program I’ve been able to move my competencies in instructional design closer to expert. I’ve been able to use many of our signature assignments in my professional life, including those from Open Learning, Social Media and Beyond, and Models for Learning Design. "

Elissa C. Cadillic, Training Coordinator, Boston Public Library

Admissions

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

$38.3K

Tuition

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

Online application
Statement of purpose (500–1000 words): Identify your educational goals and expectations of the program. Please be aware that Northeastern University's academic policy on plagiarism applies to your statement of purpose.
Professional resumé
Unofficial undergraduate transcripts; official transcripts required at the time of admission
Two letters of recommendation from individuals who have either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities such as a faculty member, colleague, or mentor, preferably one from your current employer
English language proficiency proof. Students for whom English is not their primary language must submit one of the following:
- Official associate or bachelor's degree transcript from an accredited college or university in the U.S., stating degree conferral and date
- TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, or NU Global Exam scores

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Admissions Details Learn more about the College of Professional Studies admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:

Domestic Application Guidelines

International Application Guidelines*

*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.

Curriculum

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.

For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

Experiential Learning

You'll focus on two new required design courses—EDU 6334—Foundations of LXD and EDU 6335—Advanced Practices in LXD, and one elective, EDU 6338—Learning Design Studio—to build and deepen your design skills through extensive practice.

Second, you’ll be provided with intentionally selected and scaffolded opportunities to build your technology skills, from initial foundation courses and course requirements, through your LXDT electives.

Third, you may participate in multiple credit and noncredit experiential opportunities throughout the program, including a final Experiential Network project option in your Capstone course.

Lastly, you’ll complete signature assignments in each course. These will be uploaded to your ePortfolio, along with a reflection on your learning process.

Faculty

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Within the Learning Experience Design and Technology program, our faculty's expertise varies from instructional design to grant development and management to staff development.

Students

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 13 campus locations, 300,000+ alumni, and 3,000 employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

Below is a look at where our Education & Learning alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.

Where They Work
- Boston Public Library
- Thomas Edison State University
- Middle School
- Large Retail Corporation
- MIT
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Real Estate Company
- Employee Union
What They Do
- Training Coordinator
- Instructional Designer
- Teacher
- Regional Training Manager
- Faculty
- Training Specialist
- Director of Education & Events
- Training Coordinator
What They're Skilled At
- Library Science
- Design & Quality Assurance
- Special Education & Technology
- Leadership
- Hispanic Language & Culture
- Continuing Education
- Licensing
- Safety