Educational Technology (MA)
Master of Arts (MA)
Program overview
The MA in Educational Technology prepares you for a career as a designer and developer of instructional and educational materials. Graduates work with technology in educational settings, and act as performance consultants for a variety of teaching organizations. Students will learn how to assess needs and identify the cause of performance gaps in educational technology. You will design and implement instructional programs and evaluate the outcomes of these programs. The objective of the discipline is to facilitate learning and improve performance by creating and managing appropriate technological resources. Course-related projects include partnerships with start-ups, NGOs, corporations, schools and universities. An internship option is available. With a wide network of private, non-profit and government partners to choose from, you will be able to tailor your work environment to your specific interests.
Note: The Educational Technology degree does not provide the qualifications needed to teach in elementary and high schools in Quebec. To earn teaching qualifications from a Concordia program, apply to one of these BA programmes: (a) Early Childhood and Elementary Education, (b) Teaching English as a Second Language, or (c) Art Education.
Program details
- Bachelor's degree with at least a major or the equivalent in any subject.
- Average of at least a B in the major or equivalent.
- Students from the Diploma in Instructional Technology (who have not graduated from the Diploma) may apply for admission with advanced standing.
- 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.
Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.
You may choose one of two options.
We encourage students who plan to conduct field research or evaluation studies, or who wish to go on to doctoral studies, to pursue option A. Students who want to develop professional skills in an extended practicum with corporate, school, government or NGO clients are advised to pursue option B.
MA with Thesis
12 credits – Core Courses
ETEC 613 - Learning Theories (3 credits)
ETEC 640 - Research Methods I (3 credits)
ETEC 641 - Research Methods II (3 credits)
ETEC 650 - Fundamentals of Instructional Design (3 credits)
15 credits – Elective Courses
ETEC 607 - Philosophical Issues in Educational Research (3 credits)
ETEC 621 - Educational Cybernetics (3 credits)
ETEC 635 - Principles of Educational Message Design (3 credits)
ETEC 636 - Evaluation in Education and Training (3 credits)
ETEC 637 - Educational Gaming and Modelling (3 credits)
ETEC 652 - Knowledge Management (3 credits)
ETEC 660 - Introduction to Educational Computing (3 credits)
ETEC 662 - Social Technologies and the Sociocultural Aspects of Learning (3 credits)
ETEC 665 - Introduction to Digital Media in Education (3 credits)
ETEC 666 - Comtemporary Use of Simulation in Training and Education (3 credits)
ETEC 669 - Designing and Developing Interactive Instruction (3 credits)
ETEC 676 - Human Resources Development (3 credits)
ETEC 680 - Global Perspectives in E-Learning (3 credits)
ETEC 681 - Fundamentals of Distance Education (3 credits)
ETEC 690 - Field Experience (for Option A-Thesis/Thesis-Equivalent only) (3 credits)
ETEC 691 - Advanced Readings and Research in Educational Technology I (3 credits)
ETEC 692 - Advanced Readings and Research in Educational Technology II (3 credits)
ETEC 693 - Special Issues in Educational Technology (3 credits)
18 credits – Thesis (Area I) or Thesis-Equivalent (Area II)
ETEC 795 - Thesis Proposal (3 credits)
ETEC 796 - Thesis or Thesis-Equivalent (15 credits)
MA with Internship
15 credits – Core Courses
ETEC 613 - Learning Theories (3 credits)
ETEC 640 - Research Methods I (3 credits)
ETEC 650 - Fundamentals of Instructional Design (3 credits)
ETEC 651 - Fundamentals of Human Performance Technology (3 credits)
ETEC 671 - Administering Educational Technology Groups (3 credits)
ETEC 672 - Project Management (3 credits)
ETEC 673 - Consulting Skills for Educational Technologists (3 credits)
12 credits minimum – Elective Courses
ETEC 607 - Philosophical Issues in Educational Research (3 credits)
ETEC 621 - Educational Cybernetics (3 credits)
ETEC 635 - Principles of Educational Message Design (3 credits)
ETEC 636 - Evaluation in Education and Training (3 credits)
ETEC 637 - Educational Gaming and Modelling (3 credits)
ETEC 652 - Knowledge Management (3 credits)
ETEC 660 - Introduction to Educational Computing (3 credits)
ETEC 662 - Social Technologies and the Sociocultural Aspects of Learning (3 credits)
ETEC 665 - Introduction to Digital Media in Education (3 credits)
ETEC 666 - Comtemporary Use of Simulation in Training and Education (3 credits)
ETEC 669 - Designing and Developing Interactive Instruction (3 credits)
ETEC 676 - Human Resources Development (3 credits)
ETEC 680 - Global Perspectives in E-Learning (3 credits)
ETEC 681 - Fundamentals of Distance Education (3 credits)
ETEC 690 - Field Experience (for Option A-Thesis/Thesis-Equivalent only) (3 credits)
ETEC 691 - Advanced Readings and Research in Educational Technology I (3 credits)
ETEC 692 - Advanced Readings and Research in Educational Technology II (3 credits)
ETEC 693 - Special Issues in Educational Technology (3 credits)
18 credits – Internship and Internship Report
ETEC 791 - Internship (15 credits)
ETEC 792 - Internship Report (3 credits)
Prior to applying, please email us to request the Educational Technology program booklet.
Your completed application will include:
- Application form (signed) and Fee
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form
- 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, permanent resident status or refugee status (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) |
Educational Technology | MA | Dec. 1 * | Aug. 1 ** | n/a |
* Late applications may be accepted space permitting. ** Due to the time required to obtain study permits, international applicants are advised to apply for the Fall term. |
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.
Consideration for Entrance Awards is automatically part of the admissions process for all new students. Teaching assistantships are available and awarded to students on a competitive basis. Research assistant positions also exist for funded research but cannot be guaranteed. Individual faculty members determine if work opportunities are available based on their own research initiatives.
Other funding opportunities that are available include the Cheryl-Mackenzie Award, as well as multiple scholarships and fellowships offered through the Faculty of Arts and Science.
Students presenting their research at academic conferences are also eligible to receive conference travel funding.
Please also consult Concordia’s graduate funding page and Financial Aid and Awards.
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.
Review an inspiring list of thesis topics.
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. Students are also well placed to continue in the field by pursuing doctoral studies.
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
Our internships coordinator can help place you in a work environment you are interested in pursuing.