Master of Education: Master's of Education in Learning, Design, and Technology

Program Overview

This 30-credit Master of Education degree offers a uniquely comprehensive, reflective approach to learning design. The program is designed to train education leaders who can absorb emerging technologies while leveraging the best research and practices to deliver effective, equitable learning experiences. Students graduate with the capacity to critically assess, ethically manage, and strategically implement these tools and methods.

Centered on Learning Experience Design (LXD)—with future concentrations in Learning Analytics and AI Leadership in Education—the program comprises 10 three-credit online courses, with the option of an additional three-credit experiential learning internship. The core curriculum includes two foundation courses in the learning sciences and critical perspectives on technology, plus two unique research-intensive courses.

Coursework has been developed in collaboration with experts from the university’s Whiting School of Engineering (known for its Center for Media and Technology Solutions and Center for Teaching and Learning Design) and the Kennedy Krieger Institute, renowned for its leadership in special education.

Concentration: Learning Experience Design

The Learning Experience Design (LXD) concentration emphasizes learner-centered, inclusive, evidence-based, and reflective design practices to prepare students for leadership in educational technology. Rooted in sound pedagogy, the program focuses on empowering learners by supporting autonomy, engagement, and motivation, drawing on constructivist theories and instructional models like experiential learning and scaffolded instruction. Through hands-on projects, students gain practical experience using digital tools and design prototypes while developing user experience (UX) research skills to ensure functional and engaging solutions.

Ethical responsibility and inclusivity are central to the curriculum, with a strong emphasis on equity and social justice. Students critically assess how design choices impact diverse learners, employing frameworks like Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to create accessible, responsive, and equitable environments. Ethical decision-making is integral, as students are challenged to address the needs of marginalized populations and promote belonging and fairness.

The concentration integrates interdisciplinary insights from learning sciences, cognitive psychology, human-computer interaction, and the arts, blending aesthetics with pedagogy to design learning experiences that are intellectually, emotionally, and experientially engaging. By applying evidence-based principles, students create cohesive, immersive, and resonant environments that support both learning outcomes and meaningful experiences.

Collaboration and leadership are emphasized through team-based projects and partnerships with stakeholders, fostering creativity, technical competence, and innovation. Graduates are equipped to lead in designing and implementing educational technologies tailored to diverse contexts.

Reflection and iteration are woven throughout the program, enabling students to continuously evaluate and improve their work. By using data-driven insights and reflective practices, they refine designs to optimize learner outcomes and cultivate a mindset of continuous improvement. This holistic approach ensures students are prepared to create impactful, learner-focused educational solutions that evolve with emerging challenges.