Master of Professional Studies in Learning Experience Design and Technology – Online
Our Master of Professional Studies in Learning Experience Design and Technology (LXDT) teaches you today’s in-demand learning design skills through meaningful, learner-centered experiences and flexible, customizable coursework.
Take a Quick Look
We’re committed to creating an education as unique as your career path. So, whether your goal is a new career or moving up in your field, our innovative programs will get you going your way.
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Customize your plan
We work with you to map your path to your goal.
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Learn from experience
From real-world case studies to employer-based projects, we prepare you to manage what comes next.
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Choose your focus
Whatever you’re passionate about, you’ll find the classes to sharpen your specialty.
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Study anywhere, on your time
Part-time or full-time, we move at your speed, to get you where you’re going.
Overview
Today’s learning designers are facing unique and rapidly evolving challenges. They must create environments that combine in-person, online, and mobile learning while taking advantage of our media-rich, digital, networked world. For your educational design career to grow and thrive, you need to stay on top of not only today’s trends but also tomorrow’s advances.
Northeastern’s MPS in Learning Experience Design and Technology program provides an experience-based curriculum designed for the challenges facing today’s learning designers, educators, trainers, and instructional technologists in higher education, pre-K-12, government, corporate, and nonprofit organizations. You’ll strengthen your design and instructional thinking to create educational experiences that meet today’s demands and expectations.
You’ll receive both foundational and advanced design-related coursework taught by industry experts. And you’ll be able to hone your classwork through real-world, skill-building opportunities to expand your expertise and network. For example, participate in the optional LXD Skill Building Labs as part of the curriculum - shorter, more intensive courses, focusing on a key skill or knowledge base.
The evolving field of learning design requires that the LXDT programs remain agile and open to changes in professional practice, design methodologies, technology, and other emerging innovations in the field. LXD Skill Building Labs (SBL) are shorter intensive courses that provide students with opportunities to focus deeply on a key skill or knowledge base to support professional goals and enhance employability. SBLs are experiential in nature, including specific design challenges for learners to resolve using newly-honed skills, while also earning both elective credit and a skills-based badge upon completion. Examples of SBLs include Design Thinking, Design Blueprinting, Universal Design, Designing with Articulate 360: Rise/Storyline, Designing for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Backward Design, and Gamification.
More Details
Unique Features
- Create an ePortfolio that highlights your accomplishments and design skills.
- Earn a specific skills badge in every design-related course.
- Gain real-world experience before you graduate through experiential learning opportunities, including design studio electives and professional internships.
- Learn from industry professionals who provide practical and meaningful experiences.
- Receive flexible, personalized, and agile learning opportunities needed to succeed in today’s educational environment.
Career Outlook
Educators with the skills and experience to tackle today’s learning design challenges are finding themselves in demand across the industry:
- Employment for training and development specialists is projected to grow 9% between 2019 and 2029—much faster than the average rate. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- It’s projected that 37,300 job openings will be available for training and development specialists between 2019 and 2029. (O*NET Online)
Program Outcomes
- Apply learning design models, theories, practices, and technologies, based on the analysis of context, content, and learner needs, to develop engaging learning environments.
- Demonstrate constructive working relationships and collaborations in a range of professional contexts while responding to the nuances of organizational culture, diversity of learners, project demands, and allocated resources.
- Redesign learning experiences to create dynamic technology-enhanced and engaging environments by seeking out the learning design potential of new technologies.
- Demonstrate the ability to effectively present ideas in multiple mediums and to diverse audiences.
- Create learning designs that promote social justice, inclusion, and the building of intercultural and global networks, while demonstrating the capacity to perceive multiple perspectives.
- Respond innovatively to the learning design opportunities and challenges in diverse contexts of industry sectors and modalities, while creatively drawing upon the latest research in learning design.
Accreditation
The Learning Experience Design and Technology Master’s program falls under the accreditation umbrella of the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Therefore, the program will adhere to the NECHE guidelines and requirements necessary to maintain good standing. (https://cihe.neasc.org)
Experiential / Co-op Opportunities
Northeastern's signature experience-powered learning model has been at the heart of the university for more than a century. It combines world-class academics with professional practice, allowing you to acquire relevant, real-world skills you can immediately put into action in your current workplace.
This makes a Northeastern education a dynamic, transformative experience, giving you countless opportunities to grow as a professional and person.
Get Set With a Custom Course Plan
Please note: The following is a sample curriculum and is subject to change. Enrolled students should reference the academic catalog for current program requirements.
General Requirements
Foundation Courses
| 5.00 | ||
| 4.00 |
Core Courses
| 4.00 | ||
| 4.00 | ||
| 4.00 | ||
| 4.00 | ||
| 4.00 |
Capstone
| 4.00 |
Electives
Electives may be satisfied by any EDU 6000-level course not already being used toward degree requirements. Suggested EDU 6000-level courses are listed below. Additionally, CPS graduate-level courses that may also be used to satisfy elective requirements are listed below:
| 3.00 | ||
| 4.00 | ||
| 2.00 | ||
| 4.00 | ||
| 4.00 | ||
| 4.00 | ||
| 4.00 | ||
| 1.00 | 4.00 | |
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 4.00 | ||
| 4.00 | ||
| 4.00 | ||
| 2.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 4.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 4.00 | ||
| 2.00 | ||
| 4.00 |
Follow Our Leaders
Our faculty represents a wide cross-section of professional practices and fields ranging from instructional design to grant development and management to staff development. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside students to solve the most pressing educational design challenges.
"The MPS in Learning Experience Design and Technology is a skill-based experiential program, where design practice takes center stage. Learning and design models provide a solid grounding as students create authentic learning experiences while building skills of immediate relevance to their professional lives." - Dr. Elizabeth Mahler, Teaching Professor and Lead Faculty, LXDT Programs
As someone looking to change careers and enter the field of Instructional Design, I appreciate the opportunity to participate in XN experiences where I work with clients to create real-world products that help me develop industry-specific skills and build my resume.
Jacquelyn Bertman, Assistant Director of Operations, Higher Education
Now Let's Talk Admissions
You know where you are headed and you've seen how our program will lead you there. So let's get going. Here's what you need to know before you enroll.
Application Requirements
- Online application
- Statement of purpose (500–1000 words): Identify your educational goals and expectations of the program. Please be aware that Northeastern University's academic policy on plagiarism applies to your statement of purpose.
- Professional resumé
- Unofficial undergraduate transcripts; official transcripts required at the time of admission
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who have either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities such as a faculty member, colleague, or mentor, preferably one from your current employer
- English language proficiency proof. Students for whom English is not their primary language must submit one of the following:
- Official associate or bachelor's degree transcript from an accredited college or university in the U.S., stating degree conferral and date
- TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, or NU Global Exam scores
International Requirements
Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.
Admissions Details Learn more about the College of Professional Studies admissions process, policies, and required materials.
Financing Requirements
Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.
How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.
Cost and Tuition
Estimated Total Tuition
This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2023-2024 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Select programs at select campuses offer additional scholarships of up to 25% off the listed price for domestic students studying on campus. For more detailed information, please visit Student Financial Services.
For students interested in pursuing financial assistance or educational loans, additional educational costs, known as Cost of Attendance (COA) components, can be included in the calculation of aid and loan eligibility. Components may include food, housing, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional licensure. You can find comprehensive details on the Student Financial Services website. Please keep in mind that COA can vary significantly depending on academic program, enrollment intensity, and individual circumstances.
Application Deadlines
Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:
Domestic Application Guidelines
International Application Guidelines*
*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.
Student Body Profile
Below is a look at where our Education & Learning alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.
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Where They Work
- Boston Public Library
- Thomas Edison State University
- Middle School
- Large Retail Corporation
- MIT
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Real Estate Company
- Employee Union
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What They Do
- Training Coordinator
- Instructional Designer
- Teacher
- Regional Training Manager
- Faculty
- Training Specialist
- Director of Education & Events
- Training Coordinator
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What They're Skilled At
- Library Science
- Design & Quality Assurance
- Special Education & Technology
- Leadership
- Hispanic Language & Culture
- Continuing Education
- Licensing
- Safety
Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on Linkedin.