Frequently Asked Questions concerning the Instructional Design & Technology program

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the full program available online?
2. Is the program designed for individuals in corporate training, higher education or P-12 education?
3. How many credit hours should I take?
4. How many elective credit hours are allowed?
5. Do you accept transfer courses?
6. Can elective courses be transferred into the program?
7. Who approves electives and/or program courses?
8. How long are transfer credits valid?
9. How often are the classes offered?
10. How much do classes cost?
11. Can I take classes before being admitted to the program?
12. Does the program offer a K-12 license?



1. Is the full program available online?

All of the required courses are available via the internet. Some required courses, but not those in IDT, are also offered in traditional settings. All required IDT classes are only offered via the web. Most IDT elective courses are offered via the web, but some are also offered on campus in Emporia, Kansas.

2. Is the program designed for individuals in corporate training, higher education or P-12 education?

Instructional Design and Technology prepares individuals for leadership in the design, development, and integration of technology and online learning into teaching and private sector training.

Many of the individuals obtaining the IDT degree are practicing P-12 educators who wish to improve the quality of curriculum, instruction, and student learning through appropriate integration of technology into the classroom.  Others acquire leadership positions in post-secondary institutions or serve as instructional designers/trainers in business, industry, and the military, charged with training, development, and eLearning programs within their organizations.

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3. How many credit hours should I take?

We have developed the following suggested number of ours that students should consider taking when enrolling in our program:

Students w/ full-time jobs	A maximum load of 6 credits per semester, with one class being a required class and the other being an elective. For example, one core course and one elective course..
Full Time Graduate Assistants	9 credit hours is the recommended number of credits with a maximum of 12 credits per semester (not including summers). For summer enrollment, please contact your advisor.
Full Time Students w/part time jobs	9 credit hours is the recommended number of credits with a maximum of 12 credits per semester (not including summers). For summer enrollment, please contact your advisor.

If you consider taking more than the recommended number of hours, we highly recommend contacting your advisor before you enroll. We want to see you successfully complete the number of hours for which you enroll and try to prevent excessive hour dropouts.

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4. How many elective credit hours are allowed?

There are eleven (11) elective credit hours in the IDT program. The IDT department regularly offers non-required courses that students are encouraged to take..

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5. Do you accept transfer courses?

Yes. We can approve up to 9 graduate credit hours of electives from accredited institutions. Courses must be graduate level and must have earned a grade of B or better and must be related to the field on Instructional Design and Technology.

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6. Can elective courses be transferred into the program?

Yes, providing they meet goals of the program, are of graduate level, and have earned a grade of B or better.

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7. Who approves electives and/or program courses?

Each student works closely with his/her advisor (assigned randomly, unless student selects) who recommends the courses to the Chair of the Department and then Dean of the Graduate School.

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8. How long are transfer credits valid?

All courses, whether transferred or taken at ESU, must be less than seven (7) years old at the time of graduation.

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9. How often are classes offered?

There is a planned course sequence and all courses are offered at least twice per year.

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10. How much do classes cost?

The 2008-2009 tuition fees are $230 per credit hour for Graduate Resident students and $313 per credit hour for Graduate Non-Resident students. Web classes require an additional $60 Technology and Media fee per course. Courses at the Metro Learning Center require an additional $30 fee. A typical 3 credit web class will cost approximately $750 for Graduate Resident students and $999 for Graduate Non-Resident students.

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11. Can I take classes before being admitted to the program?

Definitely. Students are allowed to take up to 12 credits, with a Non-Degree seeking status, before being officially admitted. However, students are strongly advised to have contact with the IDT program Chair or other department faculty to make sure that they take appropriate courses.

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12. Does the program offer a K-12 license?

No. Most licensure is at the undergraduate level and all K-12 teachers hold a license in one or more areas. Kansas does not a have K-12 license in instructional design and technology. There is no special license for technology coordinators, thus none required but many of our graduates, and also those currently in the program, hold such a title. Postsecondary schools (i.e., community colleges and universities) typically do NOT require any certification.

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