POTSDAM — SUNY Potsdam recently launched the new fully online master of science degree program in instructional design and educational technology.

The instructional design and educational technology program (IDET) prepares students for positions in the public and private sector that focus on designing instructional materials to support technology-rich teaching and training environments.

"SUNY Potsdam is proud to announce our newest online graduate degree in instructional design and educational technology. This program draws on our longstanding strength in teacher education while integrating the latest technology to help prepare students for rewarding careers," said Officer-in-Charge Dr. Philip T. Neisser '79.

The program places emphasis on instructional design, emerging learning technologies and online learning. Students will engage in hands-on, minds-on learning in courses that are designed around research and applied best practices from a variety of fields. Electives give students the freedom to focus on developing skills associated with their individual career aspirations. All theory is coupled with real-world application and examples, and students implement and evaluate their designs in authentic learning environments.

"This program challenges students to think boldly and creatively about the potential and possibilities that technology has to offer for facilitating and improving teaching and learning. The focus is not only on our formal educational institutions, but also on strengthening the fabric of our society and culture through the promotion of lifelong learning," said Dr. Anthony Betrus '93 & '94, a professor of business administration, who oversees the program.

The new IDET program was developed in response to demand from students who were interested in instructional design, but didn't want to pursue professional certification as K-12 educators in the field -- something that is offered in the College's Master of Science in Education degree program in educational technology specialist, which leads to New York State certification. No initial certification is required for admittance to the IDET program.

For more information, visit http://www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS/BusinessAdmin.