Frequently Asked Questions About the Master of Science
The following represents a list of frequently asked questions and responses related to the Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology program.
What is the difference between the MSIDT program and the M.A. in Educational Technology?
The MSIDT program is designed for individuals seeking to advance their knowledge of instructional design and improve their skill level. This can apply to educators (K-12 and higher education), those in the business, corporate, medical or military fields, as well as those interested in training in e-learning or curriculum development. With the MSIDT degree, you can pivot your career path at any time as the skills we teach you are diverse and can be applied to any field.
The Educational Technology degree is designed for K-12 educators with a teaching credential.
I don't have a bachelor's degree in instructional design or education. Can I still apply to the program?
Yes, we accept all undergraduate majors!
I am not a resident of California. Can I still apply?
It depends on which state you reside. Please contact our Grad Studies office.
Do you accept international students? What are the requirements for admission?
We do accept international students. It is important to check the International Graduate Eligibility Requirements before applying. Application and transcript deadlines still apply.
Please note that the MSIDT program does not provide visas as we are a 100% fully-online program. You are more than welcome, however, to participate from your home country!
What is the cost of the program? What are the online distance fees?
In state part-time graduate students generally pay approximately $3099 per semester, with five semesters total. These fees can vary by semester. Please check with Student Business Services (select "Tuition Fees," then "Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Program Tuition and Fees").
Students enrolled in the program take 6 units each semester and are considered part-time graduate students. Campus-based fees are required for online student. All on-campus resources are available to all students.
For online distance fees, there is an additional $198/semester or $99/course. These fees are part of Category III fees. These fees are required for students who participate in any online course and have been approved by the Chancellor’s Office. All fees are subject to change. Students are required to purchase the software used in the program, in 2025-2026 we are using Articulate Storyline.
Can I apply for financial aid?
Financial aid is available to students. Please visit the Office of Financial Aid's website to find out more information and to contact them with any questions you may have.
Are there any prerequisites to the program? What are the requirements for admission?
There are no prerequisites to apply to the program.
In order to apply, you must have the following:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Transcripts are verified by the University.
- A minimum GPA requirement for admission to the university of 2.50 cumulative undergraduate GPA. The MSIDT program requires a 3.0 GPA. Applicants with a GPA between 2.50 and 2.99 may be conditionally accepted based on review of resume, essay, and grades at the discretion of the MSIDT admissions committee.
Not required:
- GRE is not required.
- Letters of recommendation are not required.
If you feel you are below the GPA requirements, including those below the 2.50 university GPA requirement, please contact the program director to discuss options before applying.
What is the application process?
The application process consists of three steps.
Step 1
- Complete a formal online application to the university by the due date listed Cal State Apply site, indicating your interest in the MSIDT Program at CSU Fullerton. You will receive a username and ID and can manage your own application process. Submit your resume and personal statement through "Program Materials" on the application or email them to the MSIDT program at msidt@fullerton.edu.
- Essay - Please submit a personal essay (500 word limit) indicating your reason for applying to the M.S. in Instructional Design & Technology program at CSU Fullerton, potential research topic for your master's research, and your future academic and professional goals.
Step 2
- Please send your transcripts directly to the Admissions Office (P.O. Box 6900, Fullerton, CA 92834-6900) or send the transcripts digitally. If an email is required, please send them to admissions@fullerton.edu. Note that it usually takes 3-4 months for your transcripts to be submitted and evaluated. In the meantime, please continue on to Step 3 in the MSIDT program application process. Please note transcripts submission deadlines.
Step 3
- After your application, essay, and resume have been received, a member of the department staff will contact you by e-mail to confirm the receipt of your materials.
How and where do I send transcripts? Can I send digital copies of my transcripts?
Cal State Fullerton requires that all official transcripts be sent to the Office of Admissions. Do not send your transcripts to the program. Attaching them to your application will also not qualify as submitted transcripts.
Only transcripts from the University that awarded your undergraduate degree are required.
It is preferrable to send electronic copies as it is faster to upload them to your file. You can request your university to send electronic copies to admissions@fullerton.edu . If your university does not participate in sending electronic transcripts, please send sealed, official copies to:
California State University, Fullerton
Office of Admissions
P.O. Box 6900
Fullerton, CA 92834-6900
More information about sending transcripts can be found on the Admissions transcript page .
Deadline to send in transcripts for admission consideration: Fall admissions is July 1st and Spring admissions is January 1st
When will I know I've been accepted to the program?
After all transcripts are collected and your application status is considered complete, our admissions committee will review your application. You may be notified as early as 2-weeks after all transcripts are reviewed with an answer.
What are the technological requirements for the program? What kind of computer do I need?
An email account (preferrably your student email account), dependable internet, microphone, and video camera are required. An updated computer is suggested. The university provides long term check outs of laptops.
Regarding software: Students are required to purchase the software used in the program, in 2025-2026 we are using Articulate 360 which includes Storyline 360 and Rise 360.
Do I need any coding or programming experience? Do you use any software?
No. Coding or programming knowledge is not required.Students do not learn HTML, coding, or programming while in the program. Students will learn skills on authoring software, such as Articulate Storyline and Rise.Students are required to purchase the software used in the program, in 2025-2026 we are using Articulate Storyline and Rise.
What is the structure of the program?
This is a cohort program, consisting of 10 courses. The program duration is 5 semesters, including a required summer semester. Each semester, students enroll in two graduate courses (3 units each course). Students are considered part-time graduate students.
Are the courses asynchronous? Are there any synchronous required meetings?
The courses are asynchronous. Usually, you will not have set day(s) or time(s) you meet for live lectures. Occasionally, instructors will hold special class meetings or meetings with students, but they will work around your schedule.
The MSIDT program has 2 mandatory full-day, Saturday meetings: Boot Up Orientation and Midpoint Research Symposium. The meetings are on campus and available through Zoom. Attendance and participation is a mandatory requirement for this degree.
These meetings have additional fees, which are non-refundable, subject to change, and assessed at the same time you take the first semester of the program. The fees have been approved by the Chancellor with a specific Executive Order that includes the $345 Boot Up fee and the $228 Midpoint fee.
The fees have been the same amount since 2002 and have not increased.
What is the Boot Up Orientation?
The Boot Up Orientation is scheduled prior to the start of the first semester. The orientation consists of a variety of workshops and experiences focusing on the overall program requirements, faculty and support staff, program technology requirements, library resources, course management system, final research project and practicum expectations, Titan Card, and software purchases. During the orientation you will spend time with all the program faculty and meet your classmates to get to know one another. We begin to establish the online community of learners during the orientation.
This event is mandatory and part of the program's requirements for graduation.
What is the Midpoint Research Symposium?
During the fourth semester of the program, students participate in a mandatory midpoint research symposium. At the midpoint symposium, students review progress to date in relationship to individual professional goals and learning outcomes, students confirm their final research project and practicum activities, and work intensively with a program advisor. This event is mandatory and part of the program's requirements for graduation
What is the Master's project?
As part of the Master's degree, students complete a research paper and create a digital instructional product. This requirement is completed during the final semester of the program in IDT 550 and IDT 597. However, each semester students will work on assignments that focus on aspects of their research topic. Since the culminating research project and practicum are essential program components, it should reflect each student’s overall professional goals and learning goals. Students should have preliminary ideas about their research and digital instructional product. One of the benefits of completing your degree at CSUF is that the program integrates components of the final research project in each graduate course. Each semester you will work on your research project, collect related literature for your literature review, and focus on your research ideas. This allows you time to consider your research and the focus of your digital instructional project ideas. Faculty will guide you through your research agenda and you will find that you are prepared to complete your research and design your digital instructional project.
Are there any opportunities to present at research conferences?
The MSIDT program incoporates several research-related opportunities for students. Students attend and can present at the annual Teaching Colleges and Community (TCC) Online Conference, sponsored by the University of Hawai'i.
Graduate students can also present their research during the poster session at the College of Education's yearly Education Week, a week dedicated to those sharing their insights on the field of education.
Additional research opportunities are added as they are arise and connect with graduate-level coursework.
Does the program have internships or networking events? Do they help with job placement?
The MSIDT program hosts networking events for current and former students to intermingle with each other as well as prospective employers. We also host online webinars and workshops each semester.
The program does not provide internships to students. We do, however, post any internships or available jobs given to us or we find to each cohort community page or our social media outlets. We actively post new jobs in Instructional Design. Cal State Fullerton also has the Career Center, which helps with mock interviews, resume building, job postings, and host hiring expos.
Does the program have an alumni chapter? Where might alumni typically work after they graduate?
The MSIDT program has an officially sanctioned and active alumni chapter, the MSIDT Alumni Association. Our alumni members are very collaborative and enthusiastic, often providing mentoring opportunities to current students advancing through the program. They also provide supplemental professional development and webinars, as well as participate in networking events.
Our alumni also work in various fields, including education, military, and business. We feature several alumni spotlight stories on our LinkedIn page to share our graduates' successes with our future and current students.
How can I find out more information about the certificate in Instructional Design?
Please visit our certificate page to find out more information about the certificate program. You can also contact us with any questions you may have.
When will I know if I've been accepted into the program?
Notification of admission can vary. It depends on how soon we receive your application items, including transcripts. Once we have all application items, we place your file into review. Although we usually notify applicants within a week or two after review, sometimes it can happen later, depending on how early you applied for the new upcoming semester.
I am a credentialed teacher. Do any of my teaching credential courses count towards my master's degree?
YES! We are able to substitute up to 6 units of your credential courses towards your MSIDT degree. There are specific criteria to accept credential courses, so please ask prior to applying if this is a consideration. Coursework must be completed within the last 5 years and aligned with our program curriculum goals and learning objectives. This will save you one semester of coursework. Please contact Dr. Gautreau cgautreau@fullerton.edu to find out more information about this option.
When you complete your MSIDT degree, you will also earn two certificates (Level 1 and 2) in Instructional Design and Technology. The certificates are one way to share your knowledge about instructional design with future employers. We award certificates and digital badges.
I have a question that isn't covered here. Who should I ask?
Please direct all MSIDT program questions to the department office at (657) 278-2842.
All questions concerning the online application and transcripts should be directed to the CSUF Admissions Help Line at (657) 278-3100, or submit an Admissions Help Desk ticket.
