Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Instructional Design and Technology Online

Prepare to fill the growing workforce demand for graduates with bachelor’s degrees in IDT.

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Experience a hands-on, project-based curriculum delivered by expert faculty

Enjoy expanding job opportunities in instructional design and technology-related jobs

Develop expertise that lends itself to a variety of jobs and organizations

Instructional Design and Technology, B.S. Overview

The University of West Florida’s fully online Bachelor of Science in Instructional Design and Technology program provides students with a holistic perspective of human performance improvement based on foundations of instructional design, instructional technology and human performance technology. Throughout the program, instructional design and technology students demonstrate what they have learned through classroom assignments, hands-on activities, applied research and creative activities. Instructional designers and technologists are skilled in identifying the interrelationships and interdependencies of all the components of the learning system, including but not limited to: the learners, the instructor or facilitator, the information to be learned, how the learning will be used, the delivery environment and infrastructure support.

The curriculum emphasizes collaborative and individualized projects, building skills and engaging students in the application of classroom knowledge in real-world settings. All students are required to develop an electronic portfolio and complete a capstone project, demonstrating mastery of the program-level learning outcomes. Our faculty are experienced, responsive and caring. They provide invaluable, one-on-one feedback to every student.

After completing this program, students will be prepared for employment as training and development specialists, instructional designers, and face-to-face and online educators. Graduates from UWF’s online B.S. in instructional design and technology program are prepared for roles in healthcare, government, U.S. military, business, corporate positions, K–12 and higher education, or any organization that has a need to improve performance or integrate technology in the workplace.

UWF’s bachelors in instructional design and technology is one of the only undergraduate programs of its kind, and the only one in the Florida State University system.

Candidates for This Program Include:

Those seeking employment as training and development specialists, instructional designers, face-to-face educators and online educators
Those passionate about improving performance or integrating technology in the workplace
Recent high school graduates, non-traditional students seeking to enter the workforce or change careers and current/former military

You Will Be Able To:

Analyze individual and organizational performance problems from education and human performance perspectives
Develop performance improvement goals based on analysis of data and desired outcomes
Design and develop instructional and performance solutions
Develop strategies for implementation and evaluation of those solutions
Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders
Apply appropriate codes of ethics

Courses and Requirements

UWF’s online instructional design and technology degree includes a total of 120 credit hours, including 60 credit hours of general education. In the major’s core coursework, you will explore adult learning needs, instructional technology and design, needs assessment, multimedia design and technology integration. Then, 15 credit hours of department-approved electives provide the opportunity to study your topics of interest.

: Students must satisfy 60 credit hours of general education requirements. The general education requirements are the basic studies that provide students with a broad educational foundation and are essential requirements for all baccalaureate degree programs. Included in the general education requirements are subjects in communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, multicultural studies and lower-level electives.
: EDG 3661 - Adult Learning Theory and Curriculum Development
3.0 Credit Hours
Adult Learning Theory and Curriculum Development
Examines the unique characteristics of adult learners and their impact on the design and development of education and training programs. Addresses adult learning theories and the role of motivation, relevance and autonomy in adult learning.
EME 2040 - Introduction to Educational Technology
3 Credit Hours
Introduction to Educational Technology
Assists educators in developing skills and competencies which are essential to the integration of technology into the delivery of classroom instruction. Students will survey a wide variety of instructional technology materials and systems. They will also learn to use these tools in a classroom environment.
EME 3233 - Technology Integration Planning
3.0 Credit Hours
Technology Integration Planning
Provides students with the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes necessary to implement instructional technology. Students will learn to identify the constraints and risks associated with instructional technology planning and implementation. Students will utilize software tools associated with the implementation of instructional technology.
EME 3312 - Technology Supported Learning
3.0 Credit Hours
Technology Supported Learning
Examines the use of current and emerging technologies to facilitate learning. Topics covered will include distance learning, formal and informal technology based learning and mobile learning. Strategies for integrating technology in educational settings will be explored.
EME 3351 - Introduction to Instructional and Performance Technology
3.0 Credit Hours
Introduction to Instructional and Performance Technology
The distinct purposes of instructional technology and human performance technology are explored in depth in this course. The foundations and evolution of each discipline serve to establish distinct definitions that will be investigated. The similarities and differences will be compared to include the historical basis, models, major tasks, and desired outcomes.
EME 3624 - Training Needs Assessment
3.0 Credit Hours
Training Needs Assessment
Examines the role of training needs assessment in instructional design. Students will be introduced to techniques used to collect and analyze data to identify and clarify training needs. Prepares students to employ needs assessment techniques to determine who needs to learn what and why prior to engaging in the design and development of instructional materials.
EME 4043 - Instructional Technology Leadership
3.0 Credit Hours
Instructional Technology Leadership
Students will examine the role of the technology leader in effective integration, management and use of technology in a variety of settings, including education, training, military, public sector and non-profits. The course focuses on technology, information, and information literacy. Special attention is paid to the role of systems thinking in effective technology leadership. Offered concurrently with EME 5316, graduate students will have additional work.
EME 4083 - Program Evaluation in Instructional Design and Technology
3.0 Credit Hours
Program Evaluation in Instructional Design and Technology
Students will develop skills used in selecting the appropriate model for conducting various types of evaluations. A series of models will be reviewed and aligned with evaluation purposes and questions. Applying the appropriate evaluation model is critical to ensuring that interventions, programs, and projects are successful. Development of a comprehensive evaluation plan will provide students with the opportunity to align an evaluation model with data collection strategies and techniques for a specific evaluation purpose.
EME 4343 - Multimedia Design and Development
3.0 Credit Hours
Multimedia Design and Development
The basic visual and typographical elements and technical aspects of multimedia design and development to support learning are the focus of this course. Students will apply instructional design strategies and principles of multimedia learning to the design and development of multimedia. Included are a selection of software applications and services, design principles, hands-on production, and discussion of issues and useful resources. Prerequisite: EME 3312
EME 4350 - Human Performance Technology
3.0 Credit Hours
Human Performance Technology
Introduce students to the field of Human Performance Technology (HPT). Students will be introduced to research, theories and models associated with HPT, preparing them to conduct comprehensive performance, gap and cause analyses in organizations to identify and provide both training and non-training based solutions to address organizational performance concerns. Prerequisite: EME 3351
EME 4352 - HPT Intervention Selection and Design
3.0 Credit Hours
HPT Intervention Selection and Design
Human Performance Technology (HPT) interventions are selected to resolve gaps in desired performance. The skills required to align interventions with the cause(s) of the problem are the focus of this course. Students will classify interventions using various models of Human Performance Technology and select potential interventions to resolve identified problems in human performance scenarios. Students will also develop a formal proposal to communicate recommendations to stakeholders. Prerequisite: EME 4350
EME 4673 - Foundations of Instructional Design
3.0 Credit Hours
Foundations of Instructional Design
Introduces students to the field of instructional design, a systemic and systematic, research-based means of designing effective, efficient, learner focused instruction. Students will use the ADDIE process to design a lesson. Prerequisite: EME 3351
EME 4674 - Development of Instructional Materials
3.0 Credit Hours
Development of Instructional Materials
The pedagogical, technical, and logistical aspects of instructional messages will provide the foundation for students to learn the fundamentals of instructional development in this course. Message design principles and individual preferences are considered as they relate to the development of instructional materials. Media and technology aspects relating to effective message delivery will be addressed and related to the logistical constraints of time and cost.
EME 4684 - Instructional Design and Technology Capstone
3.0 Credit Hours
Instructional Design and Technology Capstone
The capstone is designed to enable students to demonstrate mastery of the Instructional Design and Technology knowledge, skills, and abilities developed during the academic program. Students will identify, propose, and complete a capstone project and develop an electronic portfolio highlighting their attainment of the program level learning outcomes.
: MAN 4102 - Management of Diversity
3.0 Credit Hours
Management of Diversity
Roles, behaviors, career paths, motivational strategies, obstacles, and collegial reaction to managing diversity within the labor force are an integral aspect of the course. Personal assessment of communication styles and diversity in management styles. Discussions focus on diversity awareness and strategies to enhance productivity through team effort. Emphasis on proactive steps to integrate a diverse work force toward a more productive unit. Offered concurrently with MAN 5116; graduate students will be assigned additional work. Meets Multicultural Requirement. Prerequisite: Completion of 60 hours of college course work is required prior to taking this course.
MAN 4280 - Business Leadership and Change Management
3.0 Credit Hours
Business Leadership and Change Management
A course on Leadership and Change Management to prepare students to respond to the needs of a dynamic global business climate. Prepares students to take responsibility to work collaboratively with others in developing change management strategies in bringing about change and overcoming resistance. Prerequisite: Completion of 60 hours of college course work is required prior to taking this course.
: Students must complete sufficient 3000/4000 level electives chosen from an approved list in order to meet UWF’s requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division. Alternatively, students must complete all departmental requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to UWF’s online bachelors in instructional design and technology program, you must:

Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all previously attempted college work
Successfully complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better
Be at the level of a sophomore or higher

How to Apply

To apply for admission to this program, you first need to submit an application for undergraduate admission (plus a $30 application fee) and be accepted for admission to the University of West Florida. In addition, you must:

Submit official transcripts from all institutions previously attended whose accrediting agency is included on the list of UWF approved accrediting agencies
Submit ACT or SAT scores
Complete the residency application form for tuition purposes
Complete the departmental application form

Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Contact our undergraduate admissions team at admissions@uwf.edu.

Costs & Financial Aid

Component	Cost	Total*
In-State Tuition	$218.98 per credit hour	$26,277.60
In-State Tuition with Maximum Transfer Credits (Up to 90)	$218.98 per credit hour	$6,569.40
Full Out-of-State Tuition	$648.37 per credit hour	$77,804.40
75% Out-of-State Tuition Waiver	$341.67 per credit hour	$41,000.40

Tuition waivers cover up to 75% of the non-resident portion of your tuition and are available to non-Florida residents (including international students) admitted to online programs and registered for online courses in active pursuit of that degree or certificate. You must pay all other assessed tuition and fees. Review Tuition Waiver Information to learn more.

Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes 48 months to complete, depending on transfer credits.

Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.

* Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition

Residents of Alabama are eligible for Alabama Differential Tuition, a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. For more information and to verify residency status for tuition purposes, new undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and new graduate students should contact the Graduate School. Current enrolled students should contact the Office of the Registrar.

Active Duty Military

All active-duty members of the U.S. military who are residing or are stationed outside the state of Florida shall have all (100%) out-of-state fees waived by the university. Contact the Military & Veterans Resource Center to apply for the Active Duty Military Out-of-State Waiver.

UWF Short-Term Financial Assistance

The University of West Florida provides eligible students with an alternative to paying the full amount of tuition at the beginning of each term in the form of an installment payment plan or a short-term loan.

Military Students

UWF is a Military FriendlyⓇ School proudly serving active-duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.

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Financial Aid

Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.

Learn More About Financial Aid

Frequently Asked Questions

: You may either contact your enrollment counselor or log into your MyUWF account to view the status of your application.
: No, you may be enrolled part-time and be eligible for financial aid. Different awards have different enrollment criteria. For example, federal direct loans require at least half-time enrollment. All students are awarded assuming full-time enrollment. If you change enrollment plans, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships must be notified immediately, and we will revise your award if necessary.
: UWF will only accept credits from institutions whose accrediting agency is included on the list of UWF approved accrediting agencies, and the amount of transfer credits allowed depends on the program. For detailed information, visit our Transfer Students page.
: Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates for more information.