Become an Expert in One of the Fastest-Growing Segments of Workforce Training and Education
Point Park University’s new Master of Arts in Learning, Design and Technology will prepare you for leadership, administration and management positions in the learning, design and technology fields. This innovative program is tailored for those who work and teach in public, private, non-profit, corporate and other technology-rich learning environments, including higher education, health care, banking and training settings.
Why Should I Choose Point Park for Learning, Design and Technology?
- Fully online 30-credit program — We understand adults have busy schedules! Point Park online learning allows you to work, study and balance your personal life while earning a career-oriented degree in a flexible, "any time, any place" format.
- Cohort model — Students can complete our learning, design and technology program in five semesters with a cohort of supportive peers.
- Skills-based curriculum — Immerse yourself in educational technologies, such as course management systems used in the design and delivery of face-to-face, online and blended learning programs. Develop knowledge and skills in inclusive instructional design, emerging technologies, digital media, pedagogical approaches, learning analytics and digital accessibility.
- Field work and practicum experience — Authentic career-building experiences expand your professional skills while you work alongside leaders and mentors in learning, design and technology settings.
- Career advancement — Demand for jobs related to educational and instructional technology is on the rise. The past decade has seen extensive growth in online learning, and the projected need for quality online educators is of paramount importance and expected to continue to grow.
Fully Online in a Flexible Format
Our fully online, 30-credit, cohort-based program will prepare you to effectively integrate technology into lessons, facilitate learner-centered activities, and develop interactive professional development programs in a wide range of learning organizations.
The program is built to accommodate adult learners with professional responsibilities and competing demands for their time. Each course will be offered online in eight-week sessions, enabling each student in the program time to enroll in two courses per semester, completing the program in five semesters.
Online students have access to the same great benefits as those on campus:
- Point Park faculty with real-world experience.
- Small online class sizes for individualized attention.
- A full spectrum of University resources.
- A student success advisor offering support from application to graduation, who will guide you to successfully complete your degree.
Cohorts begin every semester. Apply now!
Outstanding, Experienced Faculty
Point Park's education faculty are recognized experts in their fields, bringing valuable real-world experience to online learning. Learn more about the educators leading this program below.
Dr. Revilla Beltrán is a professor of education and one of the early adopters of online teaching in the 1990s. She has experience in the development, design, evaluation and delivery of traditional, blended and online courses and extensive consulting experience at all education levels. Dr. Revilla Beltrán is recognized as a successful leader, trainer, licensed counselor and board-certified coach. Her passion for student success and customized learning are hallmarks of her teaching practice.
During her career, Dr. Revilla Beltrán has received numerous awards and recognitions. In 2019, she received the prestigious Faculty Distinguished Teaching Award. Her areas of expertise include online learning, culturally responsive teaching, adult education and training. Dr. Revilla Beltrán has received over $2.6 million dollars in grants for special projects and initiatives. Her research led to the development of the in learning, design and technology program. Read more about her experience and background on her faculty bio page.
Learn more about the new M.Ed. in learning, design and technology from Dr. Revilla Beltrán in this blog post.
Dr. Chambers is an associate professor of education. Before beginning her doctoral program at the University of Pittsburgh, she was an elementary teacher in the Washington, D.C. area. At Point Park, Dr. Chambers teaches courses at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral level. Dr. Chambers has developed new M.Ed. programs in reading specialist certification, as well as athletic coaching and administration. She has served as a chair of dissertations in the doctoral program, focusing on research on technology integration in K-12 settings.
Dr. Chambers currently serves as a board member of Matt’s Makerspace, Inc. In 2021, Dr. Chambers presented her work on using poetry in makerspace classrooms at the UKLA International Conference in Oxford, England. Read more about her experience and background on her faculty bio page.
Dr. Frey is a recognized leader in the design, development, evaluation and teaching of online programs. She is a prolific author of numerous publications in the field of online learning and digital accessibility. She has presented at national and international conferences. Her extensive experience as a teacher, designer, trainer, consultant and practitioner in online learning spans 30 years. As a consultant, Dr. Frey has served professional organizations, community colleges, universities and the military in the application of best practices for online teaching and learning. Dr. Frey was a consultant in the development of the learning, design and technology program.
Visit the links below to read some of Frey's publications related to online learning and technology.
- "Course Design for Digital Accessibility: Best Practices and Tools," Quality Matters, 2021.
- "Administrative Supports for Digital Accessibility: Policies and Processes," Quality Matters, 2020.
- "A Model for Developing Instructional Design Professionals for Higher Education Through Apprenticeship: Blending Theory and Practice," Journal of Applied Instructional Design, 2020.
Dr. Kearns specializes in academic transformations at the course and program levels, pedagogical innovation and the advancement of knowledge in the fields of higher education teaching, online and blended learning and large-scale course redesign. She is recognized for her expertise in program development and the administration of online education. Her experience spans all aspects of the planning, development, delivery and assessment of online programs and courses. She has published and presented on topics such as assessment in online learning, faculty development for online teaching and faculty professional learning. Dr. Kearns was a consultant in the development of the learning, design and technology program.
Learn More
Contact Jodi Golis, admissions counselor in the Office of Graduate and Online Admissions, at 412-392-3812 or jgolis@pointpark.edu. Click here to schedule a call with her.
I took a class as an undergraduate that seems the same or has the same name as a class in this program. Do I need to repeat it? How would the class at a graduate level be different?
The classes have been developed and adapted to meet PDE competencies. While some M.Ed. courses may have the same name as undergraduate courses, the M.Ed. courses contain advanced graduate-level material designed to meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) criteria. These courses cover the most recent work in the field, and your instructors will address how to apply this information in the classroom.
Is this completely online? Will I need to attend any live sessions?
The program is fully asynchronous and online. Instructors will often hold optional virtual meetings. The student teaching practicum is the final semester and is in person at your school placement location.
How can I order books?
On our website, students can find the books required for their classes. Using the drop-down menus, select the Semester and the appropriate department name (EDUC or SPED), course number, and section (you may use any online section designation as books are the same no matter the section – for example, OAON, O2ON, OCON, etc.) ISBNs are provided for your use. Rental and digital download options may be available from the bookstore. Students can arrange to have books shipped to them for a nominal shipping fee through our bookstore. If a course does not list required books, the instructor may be using a combination of open source materials, research articles, book chapters and online resources.
Learn more: step-by-step guide to ordering books on our website.
I am a Point Park alumni. Can I use the alumni discount?
The School of Education discount exceeds the 25% Alumni discount. Unfortunately, discounts cannot be stacked.