AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ONLINE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNAND LEARNING ANALYTICSToday’s organizations are investing in learning, instructional design, and talent development projects to enhance their effectiveness and fulfill compliance requirements. American University’s online MS in Instructional Design and Learning Analytics equips you with the skills to manage these programs by applying and adapting proven analytic methodologies to improve learning.

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ENHANCE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH CONTEMPORARY, DATA-DRIVEN DESIGN

Identify and apply best practices in instructional design.

Evaluate a variety of adult learning theories and compare their strengths and weaknesses.

Identify appropriate descriptive, prescriptive, and evaluative analytic approaches for learning.

Evaluate and assess learning initiatives for effectiveness and ROI.

Create strategies for improving the planning, implementation, and management of strategic learning initiatives based on analytics.

Examine technological alternatives and trends to measuring and evaluating learning.

Assess the importance of integrity, accountability, and diversity in effecting virtual teams and projects.

Develop strategic problem-solving proficiencies for complex and sensitive learning and development issues impacting an organization, industry, or business unit.

FUNDING Students may qualify for federal financial aid. To be considered for federal loans and federal work-study, submit the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov.

You will graduate ready to improve training methods and talent evaluation in organizations of all kinds to meet the changing talent development needs in the corporate, non-profit, government, military, and higher education sectors.

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CAREERS

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupations related to a master’s degree in instructional design and learning analytics will have 280,400 estimated job openings due to replacement from 2014-2024 and an additional 170,000 new jobs that will be created by 2024. This amounts to 450,400 total job openings through 2024.1

Nearly all occupations related to learning analytics and instructional design management are expected to grow at above the national average projected growth, making the field a promising one for ongoing career satisfaction and advancement.

VALUABLE CAREER ASSISTANCE

All students will have access to American University’s Career Center. Available services include:

• Career guidance and academic advising• Resume review• Job search, application and interview techniques• Professional workshops and networking events

ADVISORY COUNCILThe MS in Instructional Design and Learning Analytics program was developed in consultation with an advisory council of instructional design and learning research professionals who are actively employed in a variety of organizations and fields. The advisory council supports the development needed by professionals in the field and will continue to provide advice on competencies, standards, and industry trends to ensure that the curriculum is relevant and applicable to the workplace. Members may also serve as mentors to and advocates for students and graduates of the program.

Chief Learning OfficerMedian $: 132,2862

Chief Compliance OfficerMedian $: 112,9642

Organizational Development ManagerMedian $: 86,2262

Training DirectorMedian $: 83,4232

Learning Management Systems AnalystMedian $: 63,8562

Instructional DesignerMedian $: 60,8642

1bls.gov 2payscale.com

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IDLA 600: Instructional Design Principles and PracticeThis rigorous course covers the systems approach for instructional design, including

the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of instructional

materials (ADDIE). It also presents learning domains (including the affective/

motivational domain), metacognition (knowing what you know, and how you learn),

and evaluation levels. Although this class is strongly rooted in ID theory, it will provide

relevant examples of real-world contexts.

IDLA 610: Adult Learning TheoryAndragogy is defined as the art and science of helping adults learn. This course

introduces the historic model of andragogy in practice. Students will analyze a variety

of adult learning theories and practice applying those theories using research based

models and best practices. The six-core adult learning principles (the learner’s need to

know, the self-concept of the learner, the prior experience of the learner, the readiness

to learn, the orientation to learning, and the motivation to learn) will be explored.

Additionally, students will be introduced to emerging trends that are impacting adult

learning such as neuroscience and technology. Prerequisite: IDLA 600.

IDLA 620: Assessment & EvaluationThis course covers evaluation and assessment of learning programs. Evaluation is

an important yet underutilized tool in the world of training and development. The

course is a comprehensive guide to the development and use of different methods

of assessment and evaluation, as well as the legal and liability issues surrounding

testing. Students will become familiar with various evaluation models, application

of models and evaluation outcomes, and development of evaluation and assessment

tools. Prerequisite: IDLA 600.

IDLA 630: Learning AnalyticsThis course covers learning analytics and the link to business objectives and

performance. Learning analytics has come front and center for many businesses

because learning development and performance are now measured differently, wide

and deep data is available, and measuring workplace behavior can help increase

efficiency. The learner will discover what should be measured, alternatives to

experimental designs, benchmarking, and how bringing ADDIE to the workplace

can improve learning analytics. Prerequisite: IDLA 600.

IDLA 640: Evaluating Emerging Trends in Learning and DevelopmentLearners will design an ideal-state enterprise learning function by analyzing that

organization’s needs and resources; defining the enterprise learning vision, mission,

and guiding principles; articulating that functional area’s deliverables, standards, and

metrics; and laying out the organizational structure, core processes, and technology

infrastructure. Through case-based learning, students will address a variety of models

as well as strategic and tactical issues that CLOs (Chief Learning Officers) need

to manage as it relates to their e-learning capabilities—issues such as information

security, buy vs. build, in-source vs. out-source, fair use, privacy, bandwidth,

globalization, localization, data tracking, reporting, archiving, accessibility,

usability, and utilization. Prerequisite: IDLA 600.

IDLA 700: Instructional Design and Learning Analytics CapstoneThe final capstone is a culminating project that utilizes a set of skills that

demonstrate maturity and professionalism in strategic thinking in Instructional

Design and Learning Analytics and management.

Informed by an understanding of data, technology, and emerging trends in

instructional design and learning analytics, the course focuses on high-level

independent document delivery and writing, applied research and analysis,

and the creation of a polished, professionally written business plan.

All this work is supported by an instructor, a structured course that provides

milestones and deadlines, and interaction with peers who will experience the

same course simultaneously. Prerequisites: All other courses in the program.

CURRICULUMSPECIALIZED COURSES IN INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND LEARNING ANALYTICS (18 CREDITS)

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SPEX 600: Emerging Technology TrendsThis course will explore the current and potential impacts of new, emerging, and

rapidly evolving technologies on organizations and their operations, across a range

of industries and sectors. Topics will include project design, data collection, and data

storage as well as legal and privacy issues. Students will gain hands-on experience

with techniques for gathering and analyzing information including audio, video, and

text capture; media analytics; mapping and data visualization; mobile data collection

systems; and more. In addition to tools and best practices, participants will examine

challenges and opportunities for designing projects that implement current and

emerging technologies to ensure success.

SPEX 660: Evaluation SciencesThe primary goal of this course is to explore quantitative and qualitative tools and

methods used to evaluate, present, and communicate data (big and small). Students

will also learn how to summarize and communicate findings to stakeholders so that

they may make informed decisions that will improve the overall quality and efficiency

of an organization. Topics include asking the right questions of data, constructing

Statements of Work for performance and impact evaluation, conducting t-tests,

ANOVA, ANCOVA, matching, differences in differences, regression discontinuity in

program evaluation, and disseminating quantitative findings.

SPEX 635: Virtual TeamsThis course will cover identifying challenges with virtual teams, increasing awareness

of the need for virtual leadership, assessing the strengths, and recognizing the

unique differences between creating and sustaining trust. Additionally, a major goal

is recognizing and influencing levels of engagement and appreciating generational

and cultural differences in the way people operate and manage conflict among team

members in the absence of normal interactive and visual cues.

CURRICULUMPROFESSIONAL COURSES (9 CREDITS)

Choose three of the following:SPEX 610: Intercultural Communications for Professionals The main objective of this course is to improve the intercultural competencies and

communication skills of students, with a particular focus on aspects of intercultural

communication highly relevant for technical experts and managers. Students will

increase their understanding of, and ability to work with, the processes involved

when cultures come into contact. This course will enhance the student’s ability

to think critically and creatively about today’s cultural challenges, to practice

intercultural relations, and to provide a perspective on one’s personal and social

responsibility as current and future leaders.

SPEX 615: Introduction to Decision ScienceWhen initiating change, companies need to decide what the right change is for their

company and how to implement that change correctly. In the process of making these

decisions, various critical factors also need to be taken into individual consideration

in a methodical, deliberate, and measurable way. This course provides the benefits

of and insights into pre-implementation decision-making processes for framing

and subsequently implementing strategic change. The impact of measurement and

metrics on decisions for successful strategic change is discussed. It will conclude

with a reflective evaluation of the lessons learned.

SPEX 620: Professional Ethics & Project LeadershipThis course explores professional ethics and leadership to maximize organizational

and personal success across a wide range of disciplines and fields. Participants will

learn about ethical issues involved in working with clients and donors, professional

correspondence, and managing monitoring and evaluation functions. These topics

will be approached within a framework of organizational leadership theories and

current trends.

SPEX 625: Design Thinking This course provides students with the skill set needed to develop innovative

solutions for addressing strategic business problems. Students will be introduced

to human-centered design, which will allow them to understand what customers

want in terms of products, services, and processes. Students will explore various

approaches to innovative thinking and techniques for working with a team to

develop and facilitate creative ideas that will contribute to the growth and

success of an organization.

SPEX 630: Client Communications & Professional ConsultingThis course provides students with the skills needed to collaborate with global

partners and widespread teams and to effectively communicate with clients, including

large and small corporations, internal and external customers, and members of the

project team. Drawing on real-world case studies, students will learn how to prepare

and document project correspondence, how to master the art of persuasion, and

how to satisfy clients despite budgetary and methodological restrictions.

SPEX 640: Evaluation: Qualitative Methods This course teaches qualitative research skills for project planning, monitoring, and

evaluation activities. Students will analyze the strengths, weaknesses, and uses of

qualitative data, investigating the circumstances under which planners and evaluators

use qualitative methods. Working with an academic practitioner, students will learn

qualitative data collection tools and techniques, including participant observation,

interviews, and focus groups. In collaboration with an organization in their local

community, students will complete practical assignments that require the application

of several data collection techniques.

SPEX 650: Evaluation: Quantitative MethodsThis course explores quantitative methods in project planning, monitoring, and

evaluation. It provides opportunities for students to design quantitative evaluations

and apply statistical measures to test hypotheses. Students will explore the use

of statistical software in managing and manipulating data and the production of

descriptive and analytical reports that meet the guidelines and expectations of

professional practitioners in the field. They will develop an understanding of an often

intimidating and difficult subject with an approach that is informative, personable,

and clear as they are guided through various statistical procedures, beginning with

descriptive statistics, correlation, and graphical representation of data through

inferential techniques, analysis of variance, and more.professionals who may have

little or no academic preparation in economics. It includes recent developments in the

theoretical and empirical cost-benefit analysis

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CURRICULUMPROFESSIONAL ELECTIVE COURSES (9 CREDITS)

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SPEX 670: Project Cost-Benefit Analysis This course is designed specifically with the non-economist in mind, including adult

professionals who may have little or no academic preparation in economics. It

includes recent developments in the theoretical and empirical cost-benefit analysis

(CBA) literature, beginning with a detailed discussion of welfare economics and

the microeconomic foundations of CBA. It gives comprehensive treatment to CBA

methodology and concludes with the current state of CBA as it is practiced by a

variety of public, private, and international agencies with applications in areas

such as healthcare, environmental management, energy, law enforcement, internet

strategy, and others.

SPEX 680: Analytical Business Writing This intensive writing course introduces mid-career professionals to the theory,

research, and practice of analytical business writing. In this course students will be

exposed to a variety of research techniques and writing forms including, but not

limited to, entrepreneurial writing, grant writing, and clear writing principles for

professionals in any field. Students will learn how to interview experts, work with

clients, and write for the web.

CERTIFICATE AVAILABLEA four-course online Certificate in Instructional Design and Learning Analytics is

also available. It will teach you the foundational skills to apply and adapt analytic

methodologies to manage learning, instructional design, and talent development

projects that enhance organizational effectiveness. The program can be completed

in six to eight months. All 12 credits earned will later count toward the MS in

Instructional Design and Learning Analytics degree should you later choose to

pursue the full program.

CURRICULUMPROFESSIONAL ELECTIVE COURSES, CONT. (9 CREDITS)

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INNOVATE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH DATA-DRIVEN DESIGN WITH AMERICAN UNIVERSITY’S MS IN INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND LEARNING ANALYTICS

WHY CHOOSE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY’S MS IN INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND LEARNING ANALYTICS

In addition to being one of the few programs of its kind, the online MS in Instructional Design and Learning Analytics was designed in consultation with an advisory council of instructional design and talent development professionals. You will receive a high-quality education that is relevant and immediately applicable to managing and developing effective learning programs in the workplace.

Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools

92% of American University students with graduate degrees find jobs or go on to further studies

America’s Best Colleges, U.S. News & World Report, 2017• No. 74 Best National University

Princeton Review Best Colleges, 2017• Among the Best 381 Colleges• A Best Northeastern College• No. 18, Top 50 Green Colleges

To learn more about American University’s online MS in Instructional Design and Learning Analytics program, call 855.725.7614 to speak with an admission adviser or visit

programs.online.american.edu.