As educators gain experience, many become curious about advanced roles that allow them to make a more impactful contribution to teaching and learning in the classroom. Earning a graduate degree, such as the St. Thomas University (STU) Master of Science (MS) in Instructional Design and Technology online program, opens the door to diverse career paths across K-12, higher education and corporate training.
STU’s online program prepares educators to take the next step in their careers, equipping them with the skills to lead curriculum development, mentor other educators and drive professional development initiatives. This guide explores the top career paths graduates pursue, including roles as district instructional coaches, teacher leaders, dual-credit high school teachers, community college teachers and corporate trainers.
Understanding the Master’s in Instructional Design and Technology Degree
A master’s degree in instructional design and technology equips students with the skills and expertise to design learning experiences and support professional development in a wide range of industries. Students learn how to create, develop and evaluate instructional programs that leverage innovative tools in today’s technology-based landscape, improve learner outcomes and strengthen teaching effectiveness.
Throughout the program, students explore key focus areas, including curriculum design, instructional strategies, assessment and educational technology, to enhance instructional quality and drive meaningful results. They then learn to apply these core competencies across real-world settings, including K-12, higher education and corporate environments, to address the needs of diverse student populations.
District Instructional Coach: Elevating Teaching Practice
District instructional coaches play a vital role in supporting teachers and improving instructional effectiveness across schools. These professionals act as mentors for new teachers, as resources for new instructional strategies and as facilitators of staff collaboration. Their day-to-day responsibilities include organizing and leading professional development sessions, researching innovative instructional practices and mentoring teachers through guidance and support.
Instructional coaches earn competitive salaries, with a median annual wage of $74,720. Their total compensation varies by their location and workplace, with the top 10% of earners making more than $115,410. With 21,900 projected openings each year, educators have ample opportunities to advance their careers and make a meaningful impact on teaching practice.
Teacher Leader: Driving Change From Within
Teacher leaders work in classrooms to provide guidance and support to other educators. They mentor new teachers, assist with curriculum design, manage classrooms and analyze data to improve instruction effectiveness. Their primary focus is to enhance instruction practice, improve learning experiences and foster positive student outcomes.
The average annual salary for a teacher leader is $75,920, with wages varying by location, professional background and school district. With experience, teacher leaders can move into higher-earning positions, such as instructional coach, where they take on additional responsibility and influence school-wide instructional development.
Dual-credit High School Teacher: Bridging Secondary and Higher Education
Dual-credit high school teachers bridge the gap between secondary and postsecondary education by teaching college-level courses to high school students. In dual enrollment programs, students earn credits towards both their high school diploma and their future college degree. These educators design coursework, provide academic and career support and prepare students for college-level study.
To become a dual-credit high school teacher, educators are typically required to hold a bachelor’s degree in their subject area, have relevant teaching experience and meet state requirements for teaching at the postsecondary level. Their base salaries range from $51,000 to $84,000, with additional pay and bonuses boosting their total compensation. A master’s program in instructional design and technology can further their opportunities by providing a deeper understanding of program design, assessment strategies and technology-based teaching practices, opening the door to more competitive roles and preparing them to advance into community college positions.
Community College Teacher: Shaping Adult Learners
Community college teachers instruct a variety of career-focused programs in areas like healthcare, business, technology, and the trades at two-year institutions and technical colleges. They educate diverse adult learners, advise on educational and career pathways and help students gain the skills they need to enter the workforce or continue their education.
The median annual salary for postsecondary teachers is $83,980, with wages dependent on their experience, workplace and location. Educators within community colleges and technical schools often earn less than those in four-year colleges or universities, but benefit from smaller class sizes, focused student experiences and more flexible teaching schedules.
Corporate Trainer: Applying Education Expertise in Business
Outside the classroom, a master’s degree in instructional design and technology also opens doors to impactful positions in the corporate world. Many graduates transition their instructional design skills into corporate trainer roles, where they develop employee training programs and contribute to professional development. They design courses on technical skills and compliance, conduct workshops and support employees’ career growth.
Corporate trainers have competitive earning potential, with average annual salaries of $87,325. While their wages vary by experience and organization, senior trainers can earn over $122,500 annually. Graduates of a master’s in instructional design and technology can translate their program design, project management and performance evaluation skills into business contexts to create effective technology-based training programs that drive workforce development and contribute to long-term organizational success.
Launch Your Career With STU’s Online Master’s in Instructional Design and Technology
Earning an MS in Instructional Design and Technology equips graduates for impactful roles across school districts, colleges and corporate environments. Through St. Thomas University’s flexible online program, working educators can further their careers and gain the skills to design successful learning experiences, implement innovative instructional technologies and influence positive student outcomes across K-12 schools, higher education and corporate settings.
With affordable tuition, flexible start dates and comprehensive support, STU’s online MS in Instructional Design and Technology program makes it easy for busy educators to advance their careers and make a meaningful difference in diverse learning environments. Learn more about the program today.
