Trevecca Nazarene University is offering a new master's program in instructional design and technology, offered entirely online. The program began in September.

The 10-course, 30-credit hour program provides students with knowledge and skills based in animation and simulation, methods of training and course delivery, and designing effective instruction. Across industries, employers are seeking instructional designers to equip their teams with the tools needed to succeed in today's increasingly digital workforce.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual job growth rate for instructional designers is projected to be 13 percent year over year for the next eight years in the U.S.

"Not only is there job opportunity in this field, but we saw a need to help close the gap for training and development in the workplace," said LaMetrius Daniels, program director. "People are entering this [instructional design] field to not only work with technology, but they also want to do something that is interactive, engaging, and more creative in nature."

Daniels and other key leaders at Trevecca first saw a need for a master's program in instructional design and technology after identifying needs in the local Nashville school system. However, after further conversation, Daniels and her team quickly realized instructional design and technology has far greater reach, spanning government organizations, banking, healthcare companies, and more.

With cross-industry application in mind, Trevecca's program offers curriculum that is applicable from classrooms to boardrooms. Program instructors are current practitioners in the field, providing real-world perspectives right in the classroom. Students in the program will help develop the next generation of learning, including virtual and mobile, while also developing tools and utilizing platforms that are more interactive and engaging.

"Exciting methodologies of online employee training have become prevalent in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors," said Tim Eades, associate provost of the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies. "Trevecca's online graduate degree program in instructional design and technology will be a tremendous asset for individuals seeking a career pathway to meet this growing demand."

To learn more, visit online.trevecca.edu or call 844-TNU-GRAD.

--Trevecca Nazarene University