Educational Technology (MA)

Why UM-Flint

What Sets UM-Flint's Educational Technology (MA) Program Apart?

FOCUS:

The program is flexible and relevant for current and future education professionals of all types such as teachers, instructional technologists, educational administrators, instructional designers in companies and non-profit organizations. Students will gain meaningful, practical grounding in tools and concepts related to the use of technology in educational settings.
Teaching certification is not required for admission, though Michigan teaching certificate holders can earn an NP (Teaching with Technology) endorsement with 21 credits, as part of the MA program or independently.
In the Educational Technology program, you will focus on the enactment of innovative projects within learning environments, create individualized educational technology projects, and join a long-term network of innovative educators.
For an in-depth overview, please visit the Educational Technology website.

FLEXIBILITY:

The program offers two tracks: (1) "Developer" for those who want to learn how to design innovative learning environments and activities, using existing and/or custom-built software, media mobile apps, and other technological tools, with a focus on practical uses in classrooms and other learning contexts; and (2) "Curriculum & Instruction" for those who want to focus on meaningful use of technology but not as much time on designing software or educational media.
All courses are offered online except for 4-day intensive "gatherings" held periodically in Michigan and around the world, which are focused on development and community-building. Attendance at a minimum of two gatherings is required for those in the Developer track; attendance is optional for those in the Curriculum & Instruction track.

RESOURCES:

As part of the world-renowned University of Michigan system, UM-Flint can tap additional resources, expertise, and contacts at our sister campuses in Dearborn and Ann Arbor to assist our students, their research, and other initiatives. This includes Innovation in Education Gatherings at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus.
Students and alumni of the Educational Technology program are automatically part of the Institute for Innovation in Education, an incubator of ideas, projects, and partnerships at the intersection of technology and learning.

Admission

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
If applying for the NP endorsement, a Michigan teaching certificate is required; otherwise, certificate not required

STATE AUTHORIZATION FOR ONLINE STUDENTS

In recent years, the federal government has emphasized the need for universities and colleges to be in compliance with the distance education laws of each individual state. If you are an out-of-state student intending to enroll in an online program, please visit the State Authorization page to verify the status of UM-Flint with your state.

Applying

To be considered for admission, submit the following to the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 Thompson Library:

Application for Graduate Admission
$55 application fee (non-refundable)
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Statement of Purpose describing your goals for entering the graduate program and how these goals connect to your views on teaching and learning
Résumé
Three letters of recommendation, preferably with at least one from an academic reference and one from an individual familiar with your teaching or professional work
A copy of your teaching certificate is required if you will be applying for the NP endorsement
International students must submit additional documentation. Visit the International Students page for details.

Application Deadlines

The program has rolling admissions and reviews completed applications each month.

Application deadlines are as follows:

Fall (early deadline*) – May 1
Fall (final deadline) – August 1
Winter – November 15
Spring – March 15
Summer – May 15

*You must apply by the early deadline to be eligible for scholarships, grants, and research assistantships.

International students are required to apply earlier than the deadlines posted here. The final deadlines for international students are May 1 for the fall semester, September 1 for the winter semester, and January 1 for the spring term.

Courses

Educational Technology (Master of Arts)

The Master of Arts program in Educational Technology is designed for individuals who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills in the use of technology as it relates to education, and it prepares teachers for Educational Technology endorsement. The program focuses on the design of innovative projects within learning environments, while providing opportunities for students to create individualized projects and build a network with other innovative educators.

It is designed for teachers, instructional technologists, educational administrators, and others who seek relevant, practical grounding in tools and concepts related to the use of technology in educational settings. Teaching certification is not required nor do students need to enter the program with an extensive technical background.

The program has two tracks: “Developer,” for those who want to learn how to build pedagogically sound, innovative applications and media for the web, mobile devices, and other platforms with a focus on practical uses in classrooms and other learning environments; and “Curriculum & Instruction,” for those who want to focus on meaningful use of technology but do not wish to spend time designing software or educational media.

All courses in the concentration are offered online, except for 4-5 day intensive “gatherings” held periodically in Michigan and around the world, which are focused on project development and community-building. Attendance at a minimum of two gatherings is required for those in the Developer track; attendance is optional for those in the Curriculum & Instruction track. Developer track students are required to join or form a project team, and may need to attend additional in-person meetings or do fieldwork, depending on the project.

Requirements. Completion of one of two tracks:

A. Developer Track.
    Online except for Innovation in Education Gatherings (Michigan and overseas). Appropriate for those wishing to design innovative tools, activities, and
    programs for learners of any kind. Some technical work will be required, but extensive technical knowledge is not a prerequisite. The focus is on creating
    meaningful learning experiences, with technology playing a supporting role.
    1. Core courses (20 credits).
        EDE 504 - Learning in the 21st Century. *
        EDT 510 - Foundations of Technology in Education. *
        EDT 575 - Introduction to Web Development.
        or EDT 576 - Introduction to Mobile App Development.  (If both are taken, one counts as an elective.)
        EDT 660 - Classroom Enactment of Educational Programs. *
        EDE 670 - Research Seminar. *
        EDT 631 - Online Project Collaboration Methods and Tools.  (1 cr.)
        EDT 632 - Professional Seminar.   (1 credit per semester; taken at least twice)
        EDT 630 - Institute for Innovation in Education. (2 cr.)

    2. Electives (13 credits). Selected from:
        EDT 520 - Mentor Seminar for Educational Programs. *
        EDT 525 - Investigations in Open Education. (up to 6 credits)
        EDT 535 - Online Course Design. *
        EDT 544 - Assistive Technology for Students with Special Needs.
        EDT 580 - Independent Study in Educational Technology.
        EDT 585 - Special Topics in Educational Technology. (may include “Designing for Engagement,” “Place-based Learning,” “Kids as Game Designers,” “Educational Game Design”)
        EDT 630 - Institute for Innovation in Education.
        EDT 640 - Digital Media Production. *
        EDT 641 - Technology: Focus on Literacy Learning and Instruction.
        EDT 650 - Project Design and Fieldwork. (3-9 cr.)
        EDT 699 - Leadership of Educational Programs.
        Cognate elective (advisor approval required)
    3. Thesis (optional).

    Courses marked with an (*) will be required for the NP endorsement, pending program resubmission.

B. Curriculum and Instruction Track.
All online. Appropriate for those wishing to use technology in meaningful ways for learning, but with less emphasis on extended team project work and
technical development.

    1. Core courses (18 credits).
        EDE 504 - Learning in the 21st Century. *
        EDT 510 - Foundations of Technology in Education. *
        EDT 520 - Mentor Seminar for Educational Programs. *
        EDT 640 - Digital Media Production. *
        EDT 660 - Classroom Enactment of Educational Programs. *
        EDE 670 - Research Seminar. *
   2. Electives (15 credits).
        EDT 521 - Technology Skills for Educators.
        EDT 525 - Investigations in Open Education. (may be taken twice)
        EDT 630 - Institute for Innovation in Education. Attendance at Institute Gatherings. (advisor approval required)
        EDT 535 - Online Course Design. *
        EDT 544 - Assistive Technology for Students with Special Needs.
        EDT 580 - Independent Study in Educational Technology.
        EDT 585 - Special Topics in Educational Technology. (Special Topics; may include “Designing for Engagement,” “Place-based Learning,” “Kids as Game Designers”)
        EDT 641 - Technology: Focus on Literacy Learning and Instruction.
        EDT 650 - Project Design and Fieldwork. 3-9 credits
        EDT 699 - Leadership of Educational Programs.
        Cognate elective (advisor approval required)
    3. Thesis (optional).

Courses marked with an (*) will be required for the NP endorsement, pending program resubmission.

What sets the Educational Technology program apart is that it gives you a complete view of what technology is, what it is capable of, its history, its roots, and then lets you experiment and explore the possibilities it provides in the classroom. The program also presented me with the concept of learning through play. This one idea changed much of what and how I was teaching. The rigor and the specific challenges the program introduced aided in my development as a student and as a teacher.

Educational Technology Certificate Endorsement

For individuals with teaching certificates from the State of Michigan, successful completion certain courses fulfills the State of Michigan requirement for an endorsement in Educational Technology (coded NP in Michigan).

Note: The endorsement program in Educational Technology can be pursued as part of the master's program in Educational Technology or independently. However, to qualify for federal financial aid (including loans), one must be enrolled in the master's program

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