Instructional Design and Development Program

Man standing up talking with a group of people sitting and standing in an office listening.

 

 

The University of South Alabama Department of Counseling and Instructional Sciences offers the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Instructional Design and Development. Both programs provide high quality educational opportunities that combine practical, "hands on" activities with a solid theoretical foundation. Many courses are web-based, which adds additional flexibility to the learning process. In fact, it's possible to complete the master's degree entirely online! 

Instructional designers are in high demand in all sectors of the economy - business, industry, K-12 schools, higher education, and local, state, and federal government. Advance your degree at South. 


Careers in Instructional Design and Development

South graduates have been successful in finding employment and internships in Mobile, the surrounding region, around the nation and throughout the world. Alumni have recently been hired by Raytheon, BearingPoint, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, FedEx, the United States Sports Academy, Johns Hopkins Medical School and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Program graduates also work in K-12 settings as classroom teachers, curriculum leaders, grant-writers and technology experts.

Recent Ph.D. graduates have been hired as professors or staff instructional designers at the Johns Hopkins University Medical School, University of Tampa, University of West Georgia, Western Illinois University, Loyola University Chicago, Georgia State University, the University of Memphis, the University of South Alabama, the University of West Florida, and Mercer University; various community colleges; and other higher education institutions. 

▼   Why South

If you are looking for an instructional design graduate program that combines a great faculty, talented students from around the world, modern facilities, and hands on experience in a beautiful city, South Alabama is the place for you! We feel our program offers the perfect mix of the academic quality, professional experiences and research opportunities you'll find at a larger school with the small town, individualized, collegial atmosphere you'll find in a small school.

If there is anything we can do to assist you, please contact us. We'd love to tell you more about our programs and discuss how we can help you achieve your personal and professional goals. You may wish to set up a time when you can visit with us, talk to our faculty and students, and tour our facilities.

Thanks again for your interest in the University of South Alabama and Instructional Design & Development graduate programs. 


Sincerely yours, 


The Instructional Design & Development Faculty

Gayle Davidson-Shivers, Ph.D.
Joel Lewis, Ph.D.
Burke Johnson, Ph.D.
James Van Haneghan, Ph.D. (Program Coordinator)
Shenghua Zha, Ph.D. (Program Coordinator)

▼   Program Faculty

Our faculty are committed to making the IDD program here at South Alabama one of the best in the world. Our full-time faculty have practical work experience in instructional design and hold doctoral degrees from nationally and internationally-recognized universities, e.g., University of Georgia, University of Maryland, University of Minnesota, and University of Missouri. Each is dedicated to the mission of teaching and to keeping courses on the cutting edge of the field. In addition to teaching, the IDD faculty are active in research and scholarship and have authored numerous books, articles, and other papers on a variety of topics. There are excellent opportunities for Ph.D. students to work closely with faculty on research and consulting projects from the first day they enter the program.

Click here to view a list of our program faculty. 

▼   Internships
An internship is required for all doctoral students. Master’s students may select and take it as a field course. It provides firsthand experience for students to apply their IDD knowledge and skills in workplace settings.
▼   Graduate Assistantships
Use the graduate assistant application form at https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/graduateschool/information.html to apply for a graduate assistantship position. Please contact the program coordinator for information on available positions.
▼   Alumni Spotlights