MA in Education (Educational Technology)

Total units required for MA: 30
Minimum required GPA: 3.0; no units with a grade lower than "B" may apply

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Educational Technology (iMET) is a unique fully online program which has 2-3 optional face-to-face program and class meetings each semester. It is a rigorous 24 month program focusing on a full-range of instructional design and academic technology knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Instruction is centered on the learner and on what is required of teachers or trainers in today's technologically-rich learning environment. Coursework is project-oriented, utilizing eportfolios focusing on reflective learning practices and review by peers and colleagues.

The iMET program is designed to support students who want to develop their understanding of learning with technology and advance their ability to teach and design instruction involving the use of technology. Students will be able to design, create, present and evaluate instruction and learning for various types of education environments including for private industry and K-12 and higher education environments. Coursework focuses on learning theories, instructional design models, effective instruction, assessment, educational technology, multimedia tools and strategies, research and scholarship, leadership, project management, professional development, and socio-cultural aspects in education. Students focus on developing their Culminating Experience project connecting content learned throughout the program courses with their final project. Guidance is provided by advisors through courses on an individual basis connecting students with experienced practitioners. This program is currently offered only in cohort groups. Check with the Department (online or (916) 278-6155) for the next start date.

Admission Requirements

Admission as a classified graduate student requires:

  • a baccalaureate degree;
  • a minimum 2.5 GPA in the last 60 units;
  • proficiency in written English composition as by meeting the requirements set by the University Office of Graduate Studies;
  • international students must meet Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) requirements for International students, which are available on the OGS website.  

Applicants who have deficiencies in admission requirements that can be removed by specified additional preparation may be admitted with conditionally classified graduate status. Any deficiencies will be noted on a written response to the student's admission application.

Admission Procedures

Information to apply for prospective graduate students is available on the Office of Graduate Studies website (916) 278-6470, which will include the following

  1. online application procedures for admission 
  2. information to apply to a Sacramento State graduate program
  3. specific program application procedures in addition to apply to a graduate program at Sacramento State are available on the College of Education Department of Graduate and Professional Studies website
  4. To be admitted to a College of Education graduate program both #2 and #3 above must be complete, meeting the general admission requirements of the University and also the specific program admission requirements in the College of Education
    1. For more admissions information and application deadlines, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies website and the College of Education website.
    2. The graduate degree program is subject to general University and Departmental requirements. These requirements are explained in the Graduate Degree Requirements section of the University Catalog.

Specific Additional Admission Requirements

General Admission Requirements/Procedures for MA in Education apply, plus:

  • a minimum 3.0 overall GPA in the last 60 units attempted; potentially waived on approval of the Program Coordinator and Department Chair
  • applicants should have an intermediate level of educational technology knowledge and proficiency
  • an approved statement of purpose that addresses:
    1. why the applicant wants to enter this particular program which would include:
      1. an example of a successful experience you have had in using technology for learning or
      2. an example of a work experience where you helped lead or support others in using technology for teaching or learning, including a description of your level of involvement, and
      3. what you believe to be optimal ways that technology can successfully be used for teaching or learning 
    2. career objectives
      1. applicants must be proficient in using the Internet and have accessible Internet access to meet the requirements of a fully online program

Minimum Units and Grade Requirement for the Degree

  • Units required for the MA: 30
  • Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0; no units with a grade lower than "B" may apply toward the degree

Program Costs

  • Information on Tuition Fees and Campus Fees is made available on the University website.
  • Note: There is an additional Distance Learning Technology Fee of $40 per unit for the iMET Program courses.

General Advancement to Candidacy Procedures

Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy indicating a proposed program of graduate study. This procedure should begin as soon as the classified graduate student has:

  • removed any deficiencies in admission;
  • completed at least 12 units of courses in the graduate program (see Degree Requirements) with a minimum 3.0 GPA; and
  • fulfilled the “Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).” 
  • Requirements for the GWAR are available on the Office of Graduate Studies website.  
    • Information to complete the Advancement to Candidacy forms is available online and will be provided through the Program Coordinator. The Advancement to Candidacy entails the degree program in consultation with the appropriate M.A. Program Coordinator. A completed form must be submitted to the Program and Department for approval and to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval.

Approved Master's Thesis/Project Format: American Psychological Association (APA) - Latest edition. Before beginning the 500-level course to complete a Project, Action Research, or Thesis, students are required to have an approved Culminating Experience Proposal on file in the Department office. Dates for completing the form are announced by the Program Coordinator. 

Note: A completed Proposal requires the approval of the Culminating Experience Chair as well as Human Subjects approval if needed. The proposal and accompanying Protection of Human Subject forms must be reviewed by the EDTE Graduate Coordinator and approved by the Department and University Human Subjects Review Committee.

Enrollment in the 500 series Culminating Experience is for one semester. The expectation is that students will complete the thesis/project during the 500-level course. Continuous enrollment is allowed if the Culminating Experience Chair deems a reasonable amount of progress has been made as per the timeline in the Proposal and assigns a grade of "RP" for the 500 series. If students fail to make adequate progress according to their Proposal timeline, a grade of "no credit" is given, and the student must re-enroll in the appropriate 500 series Culminating Experience.

Program Requirements

Required Courses (27 Units)
EDTE 250IEducational Research for IMET 13
EDTE 251IEducation in Democratic, Pluralistic Society for Educational Technology 13
EDTE 280AFundamentals of Online Pedagogy & Instructional Design 13
EDTE 280BInstructional Design 13
EDTE 283Staff Development and Presentation Applications 13
EDTE 284Problem Solving and Project Development 13
EDTE 286Special Topics in Educational Technology 13
EDGR 287ASeminar in Culminating Experience Exploration and Design1
EDGR 287BSeminar in Culminating Experience Development and Proposal2
EDTE 298Capstone 13
Culminating Requirement (3 Units)
EDTE 507Culminating Experience: Educational Technology 23
Total Units30