Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology

The San José State University School of Information is expanding its fully online master’s degree offerings with a new Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology slated to launch in fall 2025. This exciting new online master’s degree program will prepare students to work in teaching, training, organizational management, and human performance improvement environments. The fall 2025 and spring 2026 admissions will be open to applicants from the state of California. The program is closed to out-of-state residents at this time.

Learn more about the Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology program. Sign up to attend an online information session.

Data-Centered for Better Design and Delivery

Students will utilize a wide array of instructional/organizational/data strategies and technologies for training, teaching and learning, assessment and evaluation, and the design and development of informatics/data analytic systems to improve student/individual/organizational performance. Students will also learn how to assess and evaluate the quality of the entire systematic process using advanced analytics as part of a continuously improving performance loop using both formative and summative evaluation.

Growing Career Field

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics attributes growing demand for Training and Development Specialists to the increased development of new media and technology for training programs across industries. The career field is projected to grow 8 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. (November 2022)

Employment in instructional design and technology-related occupations is projected to grow at above-average rates at all geographic levels over the next decade. 

The increase in jobs is also attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought renewed attention to the importance of instructional design and technology. As the health crisis prompted a move to online learning, there was a jump in the availability of online learning resources and adoption of new learning strategies. Educational administrators now understand that online education and digital tools are essential to their institutions’ academic viability and future success.

Possible careers in the Instructional Design and Technology field include:

• Instructional Coordinators
• Training and Development Specialists
• Learning Content Designer
• Course Developer
• Learning Experience Designer
• Digital Learning Coordinator 
• Educational Administrators
• Career/Technical Education Teachers
• Computer User Support Specialists

Convenient 100% Online Learning

The Instructional Design and Technology master’s degree program will be delivered 100% online—including courses, academic advising, faculty office hours, guest speaker presentations, research assistant opportunities, convocation, and more!

There are no on-campus orientations or other required in-person events. Students interact with peers and instructors through web conferencing, social networking platforms, a web-based learning management system, and other interactive environments.

Most course content is delivered asynchronously, giving students the freedom to access the course at any time they choose, from any location. Some courses also include occasional “live” synchronous sessions. The program is designed to be flexible, convenient, and to facilitate the best possible learning experience.

Your Instructors

Dr. Laura Otero
MS – IDT Program Coordinator
Courses Taught: IDT 202, IDT 204
Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Laura Otero is a seasoned instructional designer and higher education leader with deep expertise in online learning, faculty development, and the strategic application of emerging technologies such as AI and XR. She currently serves as Instructional Design and Faculty Academic Coordinator at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Extended Campus and is adjunct faculty at CSU Monterey Bay, where she also led systemwide faculty AI training for the CSU. With a Ph.D. in Leadership with a focus on Instructional Technology, Laura has held roles across universities and community colleges, directed large-scale digital transformation initiatives, and secured multiple grants to support innovation in distance education. She brings a strong background in instructional strategy, course quality review, and culturally responsive, equity-minded teaching.

Dr. Amy Ansong
Courses Taught: IDT 201, IDT 203, IDT 205, IDT 209
Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Amy Ansong received her PhD in Education, specializing in Instructional Design, from George Mason University. During her years as a graduate student, she served as a Graduate Representative for The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) and was a Fellow at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. She has presented academic research at NAFSA and TASP conferences and has also been a presenter at JMU’s Content Academy. She also worked for the U.S. Federal Government for more than 10 years, and recently returned to the U.S. after living in Italy for more than 5 years, working in a role which enabled her to work on projects in the Middle East, West and East Africa, Spain, Greece, Iceland, Romania, and Italy. She has travelled to over 20 countries.

Dr. Hoyet Hemphill
Course Taught: IDT 203

Dr. Hoyet Hemphill is a Professor of Instructional Design and Technology at Western Illinois University, with a distinguished career focused on online collaboration, instructional project management, and assessment of learner engagement in digital environments. He holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Technology from Utah State University, where his research emphasized performance support systems in lesson planning. Dr. Hemphill has extensive experience in higher education, research, and industry, having served in leadership roles at national educational laboratories and consulting firms. His scholarly work includes numerous publications and presentations on systems thinking, instructional interactivity, and the integration of technology in formal and informal learning. An award-winning educator and technical communicator, Dr. Hemphill continues to advance the field through teaching, research, and interdisciplinary innovation.

Dr. J Sarr Lewis
Courses Taught: IDT 201, IDT 203, IDT 204, IDT 205, IDT 206, IDT 208, IDT 209
Curriculum Vitae

As a learning enthusiast and passionate creator, Jessica Sarr Lewis is a lifelong learner and educational professional. As an educator, she has over 19 years of classroom experience teaching English Language Arts and World Language Spanish and over 25 years as volleyball coach. She also holds a master’s degree in Digital Leadership Education to explore the neuroscience of learning, creativity and innovation, and technology. As a result of her continuing work, Jessica presented at Nanjing University of Science and Technology in China, where she received awards and recognition for her synthesis research. In addition to collaborating with colleagues, Jessica is a Mentor, Content Leader, and Instructional Learning Coach. She brings experience building Virtual Academies and is passionate about designing meaningful opportunities for empowering learning.

Hazzan Olusegun Mohammed
Courses Taught: IDT 205, IDT 206
Curriculum Vitae

Hazzan Olusegun Mohammed, CPTD, EdM, MEd, is an accomplished Instructional Design and Learning and Development Specialist with over 15 years of global experience spanning K–12 education, higher education, and corporate learning environments. His work has positively impacted learners across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America through the design of innovative instructional solutions that enhance teaching effectiveness and learner performance. Hazzan holds a Master’s in Educational Technology from the University of Ibadan and an EdM in Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology from Harvard University, where he was honored as an Urban Scholar Fellow by the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He has collaborated with leading organizations such as Microsoft (via Tek Experts), Amazon, Harvard, and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to deliver impactful learning experiences. A former classroom educator turned instructional design expert, Hazzan is the creator of the Instructional Design Skill-Strength Assessment System (IDSSAS), a tool he uses to mentor aspiring instructional designers worldwide. He is a member of the Association for Talent Development (ATD) and the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Dr. Krista Vaught
Courses Taught: IDT 201, IDT 203, IDT 204, IDT 208
Curriculum Vitae

Krista Vaught, EdD, is passionate about creating engaging, tech-enabled learning experiences that foster connection and growth. As a Principal Advisor in Learning & Development, she designs innovative learning solutions that support professionals and organizations across industries. With more than a decade of experience in higher education and expertise in career development, coaching, and instructional design, she helps learners navigate the evolving digital education landscape. Her research on the connectedness of doctoral students informs her work at the intersection of technology, learning design, and human-centered approaches to education—integrating digital tools and social learning to enhance curriculum development, learner success, and meaningful connections in virtual environments. Dr. Vaught is particularly interested in emerging trends in digital learning and how technology can enhance—not replace—human connection in education.

Dr. Karen Wang
Courses Taught: IDT 205, IDT 207
Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Karen Wang is an Assistant Professor of Instructional Design and Technology at the iSchool at San José State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Learning Sciences and Technology Design and M.A. in Learning Design and Technology from Stanford University. Her research bridges learning sciences theories, human-centered design, and learning analytics to transform technology integration in education, with particular focus on STEM education and support for neurodivergent learners. Her doctoral research utilized PhET Simulations to analyze and model student problem-solving processes, and she now leads development of generative AI tools that cultivate problem-solving and decision-making skills for college students. Dr. Wang has experience teaching in the Learning Design and Technology program at Stanford University. She is dedicated to mentoring and supporting students in designing effective learning experiences enhanced by technology and empowering students to thrive in an AI-integrated future.

Learn More

• Sign up for future student emails. 
• Contact MSIDT Program Coordinator Dr. Laura Otero.