843-953-5097 zuckerfamilysoe@citadel.edu
http://www.citadel.edu/root/counselor-education

Dr. Jessica Higdon, Program Coordinator, jhigdon@citadel.edu

Dr. Tara Hornor tara.hornor@citadel.edu

Mission Statement

The mission of the Master of Science in Instructional Systems Design and Performance Improvement (MS-ISPI) program is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to create effective instructional materials for a variety of learning environments, from corporate environments to public school and college classrooms. Organizations are utilizing web-based courses, social media, visual simulations, social networks, and mobile learning in their education and training programs, and highly skilled instructional specialists are needed to design, implement, and assess these programs. The MS-ISPI curriculum focuses on the development of this complex expertise by drawing on the knowledge bases of instructional design, learning science, and performance improvement. Students will explore best practices in the field of learning design, engage in problem-based learning activities, and develop immediately applicable solutions for today’s evolving classrooms in P-12, higher education, military, healthcare, corporate, and community settings.

The target audience for the MS-ISPI program includes trainers, curriculum specialists, and those involved in corporate training, education, and other forms of instructional design. The ideal candidates for the degree program will hold a bachelor’s degree in business, healthcare, computer science, education, engineering, or other related fields.

Admission Requirements

Applicants from diverse academic, social, and cultural backgrounds committed to learning to design innovative learning environments and engaging in performance improvement are encouraged to apply. Applicants who do not meet a specific requirement (e.g., GPA), but show strength in other requirements will be considered on an individual basis. Admission is not based on any single factor, but on a composite assessment of the application materials.

1. Completion of the online graduate application along with the non-refundable application fee.
2. Submission of an official transcript directly from each accredited college or university from which a degree has been earned. Applicants are expected to have a 2.5 cumulative undergraduate grade point average.
3. Submission of a detailed personal statement or letter of intent (500 - 1500 words) which informs the faculty about the applicant’s personal and educational background, strengths and weaknesses, and understanding of and motivation for entering the MS-ISPI program.

Students must be initially advised in order to register and to plan a schedule for completion of required courses. This plan of study takes into account the prerequisites and sequencing of coursework for successful completion of the program. Prior to meeting with an advisor, each student should become familiar with the current applicable semester’s class schedule, and The Citadel Graduate College catalog.

Coursework taken prior to official program admission or coursework taken in other programs does not count toward the MS-ISPI program/degree without written approval from the faculty advisor and the Dean of the School of Education. Students who hold full-time employment should not register for more than 6 semester hours in any given term.

Program Objectives

1. To prepare professionals for roles as highly skilled learning specialists capable of developing systems-based learning environments focused on performance improvement.
2. To provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge essential to understanding instructional processes for varied learners in a range of settings.
3. To instill the ethical and professional values essential to work within the field of education, training, and development.
4. To provide students with practical experiences in the development of learning tools and environments.
5. To instill in students the value of lifelong learning and a desire for continuous professional improvement and renewal.

MS-ISPI Program Requirements

Students enrolled in the MS-ISPI degree program complete a total of 30 credit hours.

Transfer of Credits

MS-ISPI degree applicants may transfer a maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate coursework taken at other accredited institutions (see School of Education transfer policy).