Graduate Programs
Master of Science - Information Technologies (Track I)
People interested in increasing their use of information and instructional technologies in classrooms and schools turn to the Masters of Science degree in Information Technologies, offered by the Center for Information Media (CIM) at St. Cloud State University, to help them advance in their careers. Students may choose to focus on curricular uses of technology or on the administration of educational technology.
The Information Technologies master’s degree builds upon the technology certificate program, a four-course IM offering. A master’s student develops the competencies that lead to a career as a technology coordinator in an educational setting. In addition to technology coordinators in K-12 schools, graduates of this program find employment as technology integrationalists, curriculum designers, and instructional designers in schools, business, and government agencies. This track also provides an opportunity for teachers to enhance classroom instruction through technology integration and to become more efficient users of computers and other technologies in the classroom setting.
Student Learning Outcomes
Standard 1: DESIGN Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to design conditions for learning by applying principles, theories, and research associated with instructional systems design, message design, instructional strategies, and learner characteristics.
Standard 2: DEVELOPMENT Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to develop instructional materials and experiences by applying principles, theories, and research related to print, audiovisual, computer-based, and integrated technologies.
Standard 3: UTILIZATION Candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to use processes and resources for learning by applying principles, theories, and research related to media utilization, diffusion, implementations, and policy-making.
Standard 4: MANAGEMENT Candidates demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions to plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise instructional technology by applying principles, theories and research related to project, resource, delivery system, and information management.
Standard 5: EVALUATION Candidates demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions to evaluate the adequacy of instruction and learning by applying principles, theories, and research related to problem analysis, criterion-referenced measurement, formative and summative evaluation, and long-range planning.
Standard 6: RESEARCH Candidates apply appropriate research methods and findings in professional practice: the candidates understand, apply, and integrate research into teaching and learning and uses various resources available to inform best practice and add to the professional knowledge base.
*Adapted from AECT advanced standards.
Career Opportunities
- Instructional development
- Technology coordinator
- Computer/technical services position
- Information delivery/network systems (including satellite, computer and communication technologies)
- Instructional technologies that support distributed learning
- Master teacher
Entrance Requirements for SCSU Graduate School Candidates
- A Baccalaureate degree
- Completed an SCSU graduate school application
- Submitted three letters of recommendation
- Paid the matriculation fee
- Taken the Graduate Record Exam (the general test)
- Earned an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or earned a combined score of 1,000 on the GRE verbal and quantitative tests, or a score of 480 on the verbal test.
Acceptance into the graduate school permits students to attend graduate courses at SCSU. It does not automatically admit them into the Information Media graduate program.
Entrance Requirements to the Information Media Graduate Program
In addition to meeting SCSU Graduate School requirements, IM candidates must:
- Write a preliminary examination in Information Media
- Complete an interview with the IM graduate faculty
A candidate will be assigned a graduate adviser upon acceptance to the Information Media program. Students may take a limited number of graduate courses prior to being accepted into the IM graduate program.
Courses for Track I: Information Technologies
Information Technologies Program of Study
Plan A – 42 credits, including thesis
Plan B – 39 credits, including starred paper
Plan C – 39 credits plus portfolio
(All courses are 3 credits unless indicated)
I. Research
Plan A: 9 credits
Plan B: 5 credits
Plan C: 3 credits
IM 608 Research Methods in Media
IM 697 Starred Paper, 2 credits (Plan B only)
IM 699 Thesis, 6 credits (Plan A only)
II. Major Core
Plan A, B, and C: 14 credits
IM 502 Information Media: Theory, Research, and Practice, 2 credits
IM 504 Instructional Design I
IM 552 Access to Information
IM 554 Developing Skills for Online Learning
IM 555 Design and Preparation of Multimedia Presentations I
III. Applications
Plan A, B, and C – 9 credits
IM 556 Design and Preparation of Multimedia Presentations II
IM 612 Technologies in the Workplace
IM 616 Social Implications and Human Factors in Information Technology
IV. Electives
Plan A: 10 credits
Plan B: 11 credits
Plan C: 13 credits
Courses to be selected in consultation with adviser.
V. Course Sequencing
Preliminary course work:
Students should take the courses in the IM Major Core (II above) at the beginning of their program.
Culminating course work and activities:
Students finish their Information Technologies program by taking IM 608 and IM 697, 699 or preparing the Plan C portfolio.
