Discovered ID in the last year..anyone from Boise State?

Mar 06, 2012

Hi all,

I have come to a crossroad in my life and have done so much reflecting on what I can see myself still doing 30 years from now. I have a BA in Mass Comm and have done previous work with marketing, television production, some education, and graphics.  I've spent many nights searching for what I wanted to do and programs that I thought were the best fit for me.

So after months of searching and contemplating, I've decided to go for the program at Boise State.

There is no doubt this is where I want to pursue this! But I'd also like to gain insight on what the courses and program are/is like from actual students who are in the program or graduated.

I thank you in advance for your response.

2 Replies
Eboni  DuBose

Thanks for the email MJ but if anyone else is looking for a great online graduate school in instructional design, then I would highly recommend Boise State University Instructional and Performance Technology (IPT).  Here are my thoughts

My experience in the IPT program has been really awesome.  My background is in chemical engineering and then I became a Teach for America teacher.  I taught for 5 years and decided I enjoyed designing instruction but wanted to do it for adults (and honestly, I needed more money).   Thus I began searching after my husband's friend told me about getting a degree in Instructional Design. (I really had never heard of it)

I started searching schools and found out about BSU IPT program.  I used the website Online School reviews (I believe that's the name) and heard pretty good experiences.  Boy, am I glad BSU IPT.  What I love about the program is on the focus that training is not the only solution.  It provides us with the skillset yes to be great instructional designers, elearning designers/developers but also the ability to be workplace performance improvement specialists.  We can partner with businesses and not only recommend training solutions but non-training solutions as well.  Thus we can really help shrink the performance gap by not just having training as ONE toolkit.  Eventually, I want to move up the ranks and become a workplace performance improvement consultant so this degree provides me a great foundation.


The core course are offered Spring and Fall.  I am a non-resident. For an out of state student the fees are $415 per credit hour (in state $375) .  I take 2 courses max (one core and one elective..I just started working from home but even when I wasn't that was my limit..I am a wife, mother and enjoy family time and gym).  I would suggest you do that (do not take TWO core class in the same semester..you will be burnt out).  

Your elective courses are usually in the summer and maybe sometimes in the spring/fall (I don't know anymore with the recent changes).  You will definitely need to check the available courses because they have changed what they are offering  http://ipt.boisestate.edu/AboutProgram/MSdegree.htm

The IPT program is broken down in to MS and also certificates (WELPs, HPT, and WIDE).  Since you want E-learning you need to get your Workplace E-learning and Performance Support certificate (WELPs). If you are getting your MS, then you should just add a WELPS certificate because the MS provides you with WIDE and HPT knowledge and skill  (I am doing MS + WELPS). As far as technology skills, you will need to purchase Articulate and Captivate definitely.  Of course you can use a 30 day trial but if you are serious about E-learning just purchase it.  You can get a student discount (just contact the companies).  The course provide you with a good starting point but it really depends on the person to continue their skill.  The Elearning course are all hands on, real world projects where use the software to develop a project. 

 I think WELPS is the way to go because companies want IDs who can develop E-learning and have know elearning instructional design.  Your WELPS certificate shows that.  As far as getting jobs, my degree has definitely opened up doors.  I am a contractor ($32 per hour) without my MS (I show them my resume + my portfolio).    So yes, you're degree opens doors but you have to market yourself. 

 Tips
--Join the IPT BSU group http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/2539629/
--Go for your MS and WELPS certificate (E-learning is the way to go)
---Develop your craft in ID (read blogs, attend webinars, go to conferences, join twitter chats on workplace learning).  I have learned alot  

   about what we do through informal learning as well.  The courses provides you great real world skills and products that you can use to

  market yourself
--Develop yourself a portfolio.  I have developed one just for my artificate through www.box.com .  Companies want to see your work so

  having a link to show is awesome and gets you through the door

I hope this helps and feel free to ask any more questions

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