The request to revise Graduate Certificate in Instructional Systems Technology and add concentration

Date: January 30, 2015
To: College of Education
From: Office of Academic Affairs
Approved On: January 8, 2015
Approved by: Graduate Council
Implementation Date: Summer 2015

Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.

Catalog Copy

Graduate Certificate in Instructional Systems Technology

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Instructional Systems Technology is designed for school system personnel who currently hold a valid “A” or “M” level teaching license and who are seeking the Special Endorsement in Computer Education by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Others seeking the graduate certificate would include non-school personnel who are working in the area of Training and Development.).

The Graduate Certificate program requires admission through the Graduate School with completed applications filed no later than June 30th of each year for admission during the fall semester of that year.

This 18-credit hour graduate certificate program prepares instructional design professionals to create, analyze, use, integrate, implement, assess, evaluate and manage instructional and performance solutions. When students graduate they hold instructional design and technology positions in education (P-12 and higher education), corporate, government, or military organizations. The program develops professionals who are solidly grounded in instructional technology foundations, principles, theories, applications, and current trends and provides opportunities for them to integrate different forms of technology to enhance teaching and learning.

This Graduate Certificate is offered as an Online Program through the Office of Distance Education.

Program Objectives

Aligned with the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) standards, this program prepares graduates to:

  1. Create, use, assess, and manage theoretical and practical applications of educational technologies and processes.
  2. Demonstrate effective analysis, integration and implementation of educational technologies and processes based on contemporary content and pedagogy.
  3. Facilitate learning by creating, using, evaluating, and managing effective learning environments.
  4. Design, develop, implement, and evaluate technology-rich learning environments within a supportive community of practice.
  5. Explore, evaluate, synthesize, and apply methods of inquiry to enhance learning and improve performance.

Concentrations

The Instructional Systems Technology graduate certificate has three concentrations

  1. School Specialist
  2. Training and Development
  3. Online Learning and Teaching

School Specialist

This concentration is for those who work in the P-12 system and who already hold either an “A” or “G” level teaching license from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (or from another state). School system personnel who currently hold a valid “A” or “M” level teaching license and are eligible for the Special Endorsement in Computer Education (079 License ) by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction at the end of this graduate certificate.

Training and Development

This concentration is for those who wish to do training and development in corporate, higher education, government and military.

Online Teaching and Learning

This concentration is for those interested in designing, developing, or managing online learning and teaching.

These professionals in training and development or online learning and teaching concentration would receive the Graduate Certificate only (i.e., without the Special Endorsement in Computer Education by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction).

Course Requirements

School Specialist Concentration (18 hours)

  • EIST 5100 Technology Integration in Education (3)
  • EIST 6135 Learning, Media, Resources, and Technology (3)
  • EIST 6100 Foundations of Instructional Systems Technology (3)
  • EIST 6110 Instructional Design (3)
  • EIST 6120 Current Trends in Instructional System Technology (3)
  • EIST 6130 Instructional Multimedia Development (3)

Training and Development Concentration (18 hours)

  • EIST 6100 Foundations of Instructional Systems Technology (3)
  • EIST 6110 Instructional Design (3)
  • EIST 6130 Instructional Multimedia Development (3)
  • EIST 6170 Human Performance Technology (3)
  • EIST 6160 Designing Learning Systems with Simulation and Game Technology (3)
  • EIST 6120 Current Trends in Instructional System Technology (3)

Online Learning and Teaching Concentration (18 hours)

  • EIST 6100 Foundations of Instructional Systems Technology (3)
  • EIST 6110 Instructional Design (3)
  • EIST 6130 Instructional Multimedia Development (3)
  • EIST 6150 Design, Development, and Evaluation of Online Learning Systems (3)
  • EIST 6101 Learning Principles in Instructional Systems Technology (3)
  • EIST 6120 Current Trends in Instructional System Technology (3)

Admission Requirements

We accept applications for Fall, Spring and Summer admissions. Check the instructional systems technology program website for the application deadlines.

Admission applications are completed online through UNC Charlotte’s Graduate School at the Graduate School’s Online Application. Admission requirements published are in compliance with Graduate Council Policies.

The admission process is competitive and determined by the following, equally weighed, application components:

  • B.A. or B.S. degree in an appropriate field of study from a regionally accredited institution
  • An overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or better Official Transcripts
  • An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher for the last two years of coursework
  • Acceptable GRE or MAT scores that meet or exceed the 45th percentile
  • Evidence of strong written and oral communication skills
  • For those seeking the 079 endorsement the following additional documents are required:
    • A valid North Carolina teachers license (For those seeking the 079 license)
    • A minimum of 2 to 3 years teaching or other professional experience for those seeking admission to the program to gain the 079 license
  • Documents reviewed in the admissions process:
    • Undergraduate transcripts
    • GRE or MAT scores
    • Letters of recommendation
    • Written statement of future goals
    • A written statement explaining how the candidate will help the College reach its Diversity Goal
    • Copies of North Carolina teaching license
    • Interview with the Instructional Systems Technology program faculty

Instructional Systems Technology Statement of Purpose Guidelines

  • Statement of Purpose of no more than 750 words in 12-point font and double-spaced, written definitively, coherently, and incorporating thoughtful expression in response to:
    • How will this program help you to achieve your professional goals?
    • What skills and knowledge do you hope to acquire and develop as a result of this program?
    • Characterize what you would contribute to the collective learning experiences of your cohort fellow students.
    • Develop your narrative so that it clearly responds to the prompts and provides the reader with definitive, coherent, and thoughtful expression.