Instructional Technology (GrDip)
Graduate Diploma (GrDip)
Offered by:Department of Education, Faculty of Arts & Science
Why pursue a Graduate Diploma in Instructional Technology?
The Graduate Diploma programme in Instructional Technology prepares you for careers as designers and developers of instructional materials, and as professionals who implement technology in educational settings.
While preparing for these roles, you learn how to assess and identify the needs driving requests for instructional materials and technology in education; design and implement instructional programs and other types of solutions, and evaluate the outcomes of these programs. These aspects represent what instructional technology is, a field that facilitates learning and improving performance by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological processes and resources.
Course-related projects that emerge from partnerships established by our faculty with local, national and international start-ups, NGOs, corporations, schools, colleges, CEGEPS, and universities provide opportunities to link classroom learning with its application in the real world. We offer an optional “field experience” to provide you with an opportunity to apply skills developed in the program in a work situation, as you launch your career in the field.
The program teaches you to:
- Analyze organizational contexts to identify underlying opportunities to improve individual and organizational performance through instructional (training) and non-instructional interventions (such as incentive systems, management, workplace design).
- Prepare individual instructional programs for maximum effectiveness with the intended learners, achieving the desired outcomes, and addressing the practical challenges in learning situations.
- Create a performance improvement campaign or curriculum that links several related instructional programs and other resources to achieve a complex goal while taking a systemic approach to developing competence among learners.
- Apply sound learning theories and results of educational research to solve performance problems and guide instructional design.
- Develop competence with the technologies used to create and deliver instructional and educational materials online, learning materials for classes, workbooks and multimedia materials.
- Appropriately choose technologies for instructional and educational purposes.
- Evaluate learning programs and educational materials.
- Lead instructional projects and educational technology groups.
- Conduct research that leads to further developments in the field.
Program details
Entry into the program is based on the individual backgrounds of applicants, who must possess a bachelor's degree with at least a major or the equivalent in any subject. The program is open to full-time and part-time students without preference. An interview may be required.
Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the Graduate Admission page for further information on the Language Proficiency requirements and exemptions.
- Credits. A fully-qualified candidate is required to complete a minimum of 30 credits.
- Course requirements will generally be completed in one year, including a summer term, or the equivalent.
- Courses. All candidates are required to take ETEC 513, ETEC 550, ETEC 551, and either ETEC 571 or ETEC 572 for a total of 12 credits, plus a minimum of 18 credits selected from the elective courses.
- Research papers, essays, examinations or preparation of audio-visual materials may be required as part of the work for individual courses.
- Language Competency Requirement for All Students. French or other language requirements for students undertaking a field experience are determined and assessed by the hosting organization. It is the student's responsibility to attain the competency level required.
Prior to applying, please email us to request the Instructional Technology program booklet.
Your completed application will include:
- Application form and fee
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form. Two academic references are required and one should be professional.
- Statement of purpose (500 to 700 words) outlining why you want to enter this program, what your career goals are and how you feel this program will meet those goals
- Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores, unless exempted.
Please apply online. Read the how-to guide for application procedures.
| DEGREE |
FALL (September) |
WINTER (January) |
SUMMER (May/June) |
| Instructional Technology | Diploma | Jan. 15* | Sept. 15 | n/a |
Courses typically offered include:
- Learning Theories
- Research Methods
- Fundamentals of Instructional Design
- Fundamentals of Human Performance Technology
Consult the graduate calendar for a complete list of current courses.
Our faculty members are a diverse group of researchers committed to excellence in teaching, research and community service. They are well known for their strong research profiles that inform their teaching and afford graduate students the opportunity to work on cutting edge research.
Faculty research interests include:
- pedagogical integration of technology
- distance education and online learning
- management of workplace learning and communication groups
- digital media theory and production
- collaborative action research
- communities of practice and online communities
- innovative emerging technologies for learning and performance
Take advantage of resources that are for the exclusive use of graduate students at our state-of-the-art facilities. Benefit from your own guaranteed research space, as well as privileged access to computer workstations and a media development lab.
Many of our graduate students and alumni have been published in a multitude of distinguished journals, including the Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, the European Journal of Training and Development, the Journal of Information Technology Education, Review of Educational Research, Computers and Education, Educational Technology Research and Development and Personal Construct Theory and Practice.
The Department of Education Interdisciplinary Graduate Student Association (DOEIGSA) supports initiatives that encourage student well-being in the department and the university at large. The DOEIGSA aims to engage students in social issues, inside and outside the university, which are pertinent to education.
The Graduate Symposium in the Department of Education (GSDE) is an annual event that invites students across Canada to present their research. The GSDE is a student-run conference and offers you the opportunity to learn more about grant applications and event planning.
According to economic forecasts for the coming decade, educational technologists have strong employment prospects. Our alumni find great success in a wide range of professional careers in instructional design, performance consultancy, and project management.
Recent graduates can also be found working as:
- training and support analysts
- training managers
- media developers
- e-learning developers
- curriculum developers
- pedagogical consultants
- process analyst
- pedagogical/training consultants
- manager of learning environments
- educational technology advisors
Join our active Alumni Association with hundreds of members and large network of graduates that work in all four corners of the world.
We have an extensive list of established partnerships with employers, including:
- Aviation industry
- Cultural institutions
- Education
- Food industry
- Gaming industry
- Health sciences
- Media industry
- Public sector and NGOs
- Retail
- Technology
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
