There is little doubt that advanced education leads to higher earnings. ThoughtCo. recently reported that, on average, those with a bachelor’s degree will earn $1.5 million more in their lifetime than high school graduates. Professionals with a master’s degree have the potential to earn $3 million.
Earning a higher salary is certainly part of the motivation for many who consider pursuing an advanced degree, but there are other factors involved as well. The online master’s degree in instructional design program from St. Thomas University (STU) is both flexible and affordable. It may also increase your career opportunities and salary outcomes.
Why a Master’s Degree in Instructional Design?
Whether or not you are currently working in the field of education, earning a master’s degree in instructional design opens up a wide variety of career options. As digital learning, corporate training and online education continue to expand across industries, professionals with expertise in instructional design are increasingly in demand for both academic and organizational settings.
Once you complete this program, where you will learn to design, facilitate, and evaluate effective instructional programs using current learning technologies and evidence-based strategies, you will be prepared to work in a broad range of professional positions. These may include roles such as librarian, instructional professor, curriculum designer, corporate trainer, human resources director, academic coach, training developer, web trainer, marketing director and project management professional.
Convenience and Immediacy
How can you fit a master’s degree program into your already busy life? For professionals who are interested in pursuing a master’s degree in instructional design while balancing work and personal responsibilities, the fully online program from St. Thomas University is the ideal solution.
Convenience: The online format makes it possible for participants in this program to study and complete coursework in the evenings, early mornings, on weekends or whenever computer time is available, all from the comfort of their own home or any location with an internet connection.
Immediacy: If you are concerned about how long it will take to achieve your goal of earning an MS-IDT, you may be surprised to find that STU’s online program consists of 30 credit hours and can be completed in as few as 10 months. Multiple start dates are offered each year, making it easy to begin whenever you are ready.
The Benefits and Challenges of Accelerated Coursework
Each of the 10 courses included in this degree program is designed to be completed in only seven weeks. And the entire program can be completed in as few as 10 months. Due to the accelerated nature of the program, it is important to plan well in advance for adequate time to study and complete the required projects and assignments.
Good time management skills are essential to succeed in this fast-moving program. The flexible nature of the program, however, means that you can adapt the program should you need to slow down or take a break.
Affordability: An Added Benefit
An advantage of earning your Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology from St. Thomas University is that you can receive quality education at a competitive cost compared to many traditional programs. Many programs are designed with affordability in mind, helping reduce financial barriers for working professionals and adult learners.
The pay-as-you-go structure makes it easier to spread out the cost over time, and financial aid may be available for students who qualify. This flexible approach can help make graduate education more accessible while allowing you to balance other financial responsibilities.
Advancing Your Career in Instructional Design
Earning a master’s degree in instructional design can help you build the skills needed to design, deliver and evaluate effective learning experiences across a wide range of industries. With flexible formats, accelerated timelines and growing demand for digital learning expertise, this path supports both career advancement and professional transition.
Achieving your goal of obtaining your MS-IDT, whether for career advancement, a change in career, higher salary or personal satisfaction, can be a reality in under a year. The online Master of Science in Instructional Design & Technology program from STU provides the practical skills and structured learning needed to help you move forward with confidence in today’s evolving education and training landscape.
Learn more about St. Thomas University’s online Master of Science in Instructional Design & Technology program.