Innovative Design and Technology in Education (M.Ed.)

Quick links

Format

Full-time, In-person

Credits

33 Credit Hours

Internship & Capstone

Included

Additional Opportunities

Certificates and Dual-degree Available

Innovative Design and Technology in Education Online

Peabody also offers an online version of Innovative Design and Technology in Education (IDeaTE). Please note that these are separate programs, with their own courses, schedules and admissions processes. Students currently enrolled in the residential program will not have their schedules or curriculum change. Please see our IDeaTE landing page for more details about the two programs.

Master’s in Innovative Design and Technology in Education at a Glance

Full-time, in-person ed tech master’s degree for those who want to work at the intersection of learning, technology and innovation
One-of-a-kind education design program focused on learning theory, design thinking and analysis
Preparation for careers in ed tech, learning design and educational innovation across a range of settings
Ranked among the best curriculum and instruction programs by U.S. News & World Report

What Is the M.Ed. in Innovative Design and Technology in Education?

Formerly the M.Ed. in Learning and Design, Peabody College’s M.Ed. in Innovative Design and Technology in Education (IDeaTE) integrates learning theory, human-centered design and analytic methods to prepare students to design, study, and improve technology-enhanced learning environments.

Innovative Design and Technology in Education Highlights

33-credit-hour program completed across four semesters
Coursework in learning theory, design thinking and analytic process and resources
Internship experience embedded in the curriculum
Capstone project connected to real-world learning environments
Certificate and dual-degree opportunities available

Request Information

Innovative Design and Technology in Education (IDeaTE) Overview

Innovative Design and Technology in Education (IDeaTE), formerly Learning and Design (M.Ed.), is a master of education degree program for students interested in learning how to create and study interactive learning environments leveraging learning theories, human-centered design, learning analytics, and learning technologies. The goals of the program are to gain knowledge and skills in:

How people learn,
How contexts and tools, like AI, analytics and other emerging technologies, influence learning, and,
How to design learning environments and activities that are responsive to learners' and community partners' needs.

The program is centered around three main cores of education: learning, design, and analysis. The learning core focuses on theories of learning and their application and implications across different settings. The design core explores emerging learning technologies through a human centered design process. The analysis core focuses on systematic evaluation and program research efforts, including learning analytics that focus on program development and an iterative design process.

Pioneering Technology and AI in Education to Design Innovative Learning Environments

Get the Guide

Innovative Design and Technology in Education Curriculum

Learning Core

Focuses on learning theories, their application and implications across different settings
Design Core

Explores emerging learning technologies through a human-centered design process
Analysis Core

Focuses on systematic evaluation and program research efforts, including learning analytics that focus on program development and an iterative design process

#5
Best Curriculum and Instruction Program, U.S. News & World Report 2025

The IDeaTE M.Ed. program is an immersive four semester program that includes 33 credit hours with an internship and capstone project. Coursework is directly connected to learning theory, design thinking, and analytic process and resources.

All students enrolled in the program take courses that count toward a certificate in Learning Analytics or Emerging Learning Technologies and AI. Students who wish to can fill their two elective course spaces with the remaining course requirements for those certificates to be awarded upon successful completion of the program.

In addition to the coursework, students complete an internship experience and a capstone project. The capstone project takes place largely in the internship site and is guided by faculty mentorship from the director.

For current and prospective Vanderbilt Medical School Students, IDeaTE is an approved MD/MEd Dual Degree! Visit the medical school website to learn more.

Technology and Innovation in Education Coursework

Core Design and Educational Technology Courses (18 hours)
Students complete 18 core credit hours across learning, design and analysis, typically distributed over the first three semesters of the program.

Learning Core (6 hours)
- EDUC 6030 Foundations of Learning Sciences
- EDUC 7010 Technological Innovation and AI for Learning
Design Core (6 hours)
- EDUC 7020 Designing Future Learning Technologies
- EDUC 6080 Designing for Contexts
Analysis Core (6 hours)
- EDUC 7810 Inquiry and Impact in the Digital World
- EDUC 7715 Foundations of Learning Analytics
Elective Courses and Optional Certificate Pathways (9 hours)
Students complete 9 elective credit hours, which include:
- 6 elective credits selected from graduate-level courses across departments
- 3 credits in ethics, focused on responsible and equitable design of learning environments
Electives allow students to tailor the program to their professional interests. Students may choose courses across a range of topics or intentionally group electives to meet the requirements for an optional Learning Analytics Certificate or Emerging Learning Technologies and AI Certificate, which are awarded upon successful completion of the required coursework.

Electives for the Certificate in Learning Analytics (two courses):
- SPED 7720 Educational Language Analysis
- LPO 7500 Machine Learning for Educational Applications or SPED 7500 Learner Database Management
Electives for the Certificate in Emerging Learning Technologies and AI (two courses):
- Cognitive Learning Technologies
- Cognitive Science to the Classroom
- Embodied Cognition
- Computational Language Analysis
- Intelligent Learning Environments
- Special Topics: Sociology of AI
- Technology-Based Entrepreneurship
- Foundations of Human–Computer Interaction
- Virtual Reality Design
Internship and Capstone (6 hours)
The internship and capstone together account for 6 credit hours (3 credits each). Internships typically span at least one semester and are supported through partnerships with campus-based innovation centers and local community and corporate organizations.
Capstone projects vary by student interest but draw directly from coursework and field experience. Projects are developed over time with faculty mentorship and often address real-world learning challenges.
Recent capstone topics include:
- Podcasts and education
- Redesigning museum education programs
- Technology, motivation and math learning
- Human-centered curriculum implementation
- Empathy-driven workplace learning
- Civic design and youth empowerment
- Engineering through making and literacy
[H4] Example Course Structure
Fall (Year 1)
- Foundations of Learning Sciences
- Foundations of Learning Analytics
- Technological Innovation and AI for Learning
Spring (Year 1)
- Inquiry and Impact in the Digital World
- Designing Future Learning Technologies
- Ethics course and/or elective
Fall (Year 2)
- Designing for Contexts
- Elective (certificate or pathway)
- Internship
- Capstone development
Spring (Year 2)
- Capstone Seminar
- Elective (certificate or pathway)

Alyssa Wise, Director of LIVE Learning Innovation Incubator

Wise’s research combines the tools of data science, the theory of learning sciences and the practices of human-centered design to build and study the use of learning analytics systems that promote equitable and effective education. From large introductory science courses to graduate level humanities seminars, her work applies techniques of machine learning, natural language processing, social network analysis and more to provide information that supports students and faculty in intentional teaching and learning.

Education Design and Technology in Career Outcomes

Graduates of the IDeaTE M.Ed. are prepared for careers in educational technology, learning design and education innovation across a wide range of settings. Alumni work in schools, museums, libraries, nonprofits, ed tech companies, corporate learning and development teams and research organizations, or continue their studies in doctoral programs.

Whether your goals are to advance your career as an instructional designer, technology specialist, curriculum developer, corporate learning specialist, or to pursue a PhD, we are so excited about what this program has to offer to support your learning through innovative and engaging online modules, a capstone design project based on real world experience, and the opportunity to earn micro-certificates. This is a one of a kind degree.

Andrew Hostetler
Program Director, Innovative Design and Technology in Education

Where Graduates Work
IDeaTE graduates apply learning theory, design thinking, analytics, and emerging technologies in roles and industries such as:
- Museum and exhibit design
- Nonprofit and community-based learning organizations
- Corporate training and talent development
- Interactive and digital publishing
- App and platform design for social impact
- Computer science and STEM education
- Learning analytics and educational research
- AI-enabled learning tools and applications
- Prompt engineering and human-centered AI design
Career Paths After the IDeaTE M.Ed.
With a master’s degree in Innovative Design and Technology in Education, graduates pursue roles including:
- Instructional designer
- Learning designer/e-learning designer
- Learning experience designer (LXD)
- Educational technology specialist
- Technology coordinator
- Learning and design specialist
- Education analyst
- Classroom teacher or instructional leader

How to Apply to the IDeaTE Program

Program Director: Andrew Hostetler
Admissions Coordinator: Shawn Blomker
Admission Term: Fall
Credit Hours: 33

Key Application Dates

Priority Decision 1

January 3*
Priority Decision 2

February 3
Rolling Decision

After February 3

*For more information on application dates and requirements, and the benefits of Priority Decision, see the How to Apply page.

Innovative Design and Technology in Education Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the program? 
Our program is four semesters and 33-credit hours with an opportunity to complete a professional certificate in either Learning Analytics or Emerging Learning Technologies and AI in Education.  Most classes meet for 3 hours once a week.

The recommended course schedule is: 
Example Course Structure
Fall 1
- EDUC 6030 Foundations of Learning Sciences
- SPED 7500 Foundations of Learning Analytics
- EDUC 7010 Technological Innovation and AI for Learning
Spring 1
- EDUC 7810 Inquiry and Impact in the Digital World
- EDUC 7020 Designing Future Learning Technologies
- Ethics in Designing Learning Environments course; Elective (finish certificate or pathway)
Fall 2
- EDUC 6080 - Designing for Contexts
- Elective (in chosen certificate or pathway)
- Internship
- Capstone Meetings
Spring 2
- EDUC 7992 - Capstone Seminar
- Elective (finish certificate or pathway)
What background or experiences do I need to apply?

We are not a licensure program so there are no pre-requisites to apply. Our students come to us with experiences in learning environments that include: teaching, the military, corporate HR, non-profit, and more. IDeaTE is built for people with a goal to design learning environments that are responsive to people and context and enhanced by technologies and analytics.
What careers does an education technology or learning design master’s prepare you for?

Some of our students are teachers and choose to stay in the classroom but most of our students pursue non-teaching careers in education technology and beyond, including roles such as instructional designer, learning experience designer, corporate learning specialist or educational technology specialist. Some graduates continue into doctoral programs.
Who should apply to an education technology master’s program like IDeaTE?

The program welcomes students from diverse professional backgrounds, including education, corporate learning, nonprofits, museums, HR, military training and ed tech. No prerequisites are required. The students who thrive are curious, committed to their long-term goals, and eager to grow as educators, leaders, or researchers. We review each application with an open mind, looking for individuals who are ready to engage deeply and make an impact in the field of education.
What does a typical week look like in the IDeaTE program? 

In the fall and spring of year one, you will experience three seminar-style courses a week and start to consider a capstone focus and internship opportunities. Each semester we host an IDeaTE on the town even on a Saturday where we get together to explore a learning environment together off campus. Courses typically have you engaged in discussion-based learning, practical projects, and targeted readings designed to deepen your understanding and expand your skills in the areas of human centered design, emerging learning technologies, learning analytics, and learning theories. 
How do I apply?

You can start your application now through our application portal. Our admissions page can give you more information about our community at the Peabody College of Education and Human Development and . When you apply for admittance to the program, you’ll automatically be considered for a merit-based scholarship to support your studies.
Is the IDeaTE M.Ed. a teaching or licensure program?

No. This program does not lead to teacher licensure. It prepares students for education technology and learning design careers outside the classroom.
How long is the Innovative Design and Technology in Education (M.Ed.) program?

Students complete the program in two academic years (four semesters), totaling 33 credit hours.
How does the IDeaTE program incorporate AI in education and learning analytics?

AI and emerging technologies are embedded throughout the curriculum. Students study AI in learning and development, learning analytics and data-informed decision-making, while also examining the ethical and human-centered implications of using AI and educational technology tools in learning environments.

Funding and Scholarships

A professional degree from Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development can take your career to the next level. Yet, we know that the cost of higher education might feel like a barrier.

All applicants are automatically considered for merit-based aid during the admissions application review. No additional application is necessary. Students in the IDeaTE program may also qualify for our Nashville Metropolitan Area K-12 Public School Scholarship.

Explore Funding Opportunities