Master's in Instructional Systems

On this Page:

Program Overview
Career Opportunities
Degree Requirements
Admission Requirements
Useful Links
Materials & Downloads
Program Contact

Program Overview

The field of instructional systems is concerned with the improvement of educational and training programs through the application of research and technology. Instructional Systems is a relatively new area of specialization that draws upon the fields of psychology, communications and management in order to improve human performance.

The Instructional Systems master's degree program offers the following three majors, all of which can be completed residentially or online:

• Instructional Design
• Open and Distance Learning
• Performance Improvement and Human Resource Development

Students who enter the master's program usually have little or no previous training in instructional systems. They represent a wide range of undergraduate majors including such areas as psychology, sociology and English, as well as art, music and teacher education. In the master's program, students learn the skills that will prepare them to take positions in many types of organizations including business, industry, government and education.

Those master's graduates who choose to continue in the doctoral program are joined by master's graduates from various related academic areas. The doctoral program builds upon the practitioner skills learned in the master's program and includes emphasis on research and management skills. Recent doctoral graduates have advanced rapidly in positions with universities and major industries. Numerous international students have been attracted to both the master's and doctoral programs in instructional systems.

Career Opportunities

The principles and techniques taught in this program cut across all organization and industry sectors — profits and nonprofits, public and private, products and services. Some specific occupations suited to this program include:

• Trainers
• Consultants
• K-12 Teachers
• Instructors, especially in the military or at community colleges
• Educational Technology Coordinators
• Faculty
• Instructional Designers
• Human Resource Specialists
• Higher Education Administrators
• Anyone contemplating a career in training and development, curriculum planning and
• Internet applications

Degree Requirements

Instructional Systems Major
Open and Distance Learning Major
Performance Improvement and Human Resource Development Major

Admission Requirements

Requirements:

• 3.0 GPA in last 2 undergraduate years
• Minimum GRE score of 1000 (verbal & quantitative scores must be 400 or more)
• Statement of purpose
• Three letters of recommendation
• TOEFL score of 80 (for non-native English speakers)

 *The preceding are minimum requirements to be considered for admission to the Master's program. These criteria do not guarantee admittance, which depends on a variety of factors, including maximum allowable enrollment levels of the programs.

Procedures:

Step 1: Apply for admission to the graduate school (Apply here)

Step 2: Submit Official Documents

• Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• GRE Scores
• TOEFL Scores (if applicable)

Mail all documents to:
Office of Admissions
The Florida State University
A2500 University Center
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2400

Also send a copy of your GRE scores to:
Mary Kate McKee

Step 3: Submit a statement of purpose

The statement should be no more than 2 pages in length.

Include:

• Academic and professional goals and aspirations
• Commitment and ability to complete program
• Related work and educational experience

Submission Options:
E-mail as an MS Word or PDF attachment to Mary Kate McKee

Mail to:
Mary Kate McKee

Step 4: Submit Three Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation should be written by persons who are in a position to comment on the likelihood of your success within the department.

International students may, if they wish, substitute Confidential Report forms for letters of recommendation.

Mail to:
Mary Kate McKee

Useful Links

FSU Admissions
FSU Career Center
Office of Academic Services and Intern Support (OASIS)
FSU Financial Aid
COE Scholarships & Aid

Materials & Downloads

Master's Program Handbook: Major in Instructional Systems
Masters Comprehensive Exam Portfolio Guidelines (Word)
List of IS Competencies

Program Contact

Mary Kate McKee
Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems
The Florida State University
3210 Stone Building
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4453
Phone: 850.644.4592
Fax: 850.644.8776
mmckee@fsu.edu