Masters and Certificate Programs -
(For Prospective Students)
What is the latest I can apply?
For Spring admission, the University has a November 1 deadline. For Fall admission,
it's May 1. Check the Academic Calendar in the SDSU
Graduate Bulletin to verify those dates for a particular semester. Those
deadlines are firm. To order a Bulletin, call (619) 594-2466. For more information, go to application
procedures.
How do I apply to the department?
To apply to the department (for the Masters' degree only), you'll need to submit
(as a packet) the following items:
Department application form (along with personal statement as to why you would like to study Educational Technology)
Three letters of reference
Transcripts are sent directly to Graduate Admissions. For more information, go to application
procedures.
Once your department materials have been received and the University has sent your application and transcripts to the department, the department will review your application and either
accept or reject it. If you have not yet completed the prerequisite courses
(EDTEC 540 and 541), you may be accepted "conditionally." To change your status to classified, you
must earn a B+ or better in both courses; (and meet any other conditions).
NOTE: The university application is available online at http://www.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/.
The department application and recommendation forms are available at Application to EDTEC.
Do I have to take the writing course (RWS503W, Technical Writing)?
If you do not earn at least a 4.5 on the writing portion of the GRE;
you will be required to take Technical Writing, RWS503W.
If I've been accepted as a grad student, can I still register for courses
through Open University?
No.
What's the difference whether I register as a grad student or through Open
University?
Open University students cannot pre-register, they must "crash" any course
they wish to take. Only 9 units of Open University credit can be applied towards
the Master's degree. (This is in addition to the 6 units of prerequisites, EDTEC
540 and 541.)
May I earn the certificate to start with and then switch to the Master's
degree program?
Yes. You can complete and receive the certificate and apply the same courses
to the Master's degree.
If I just want the certificate, do I still have to apply to the department?
No. However, you will have to take all courses through Open
University. If you apply to the University as a post-baccalaureate student,
you can pre-register for courses. When you apply
to the University, you must also apply to the department (whiich means completing the application and providing three letters of reference).The GRE is not required for the Instructional
Technology certificate.
As a campus students, can I take classes online?
No, currently matriculated students are not allowed to take online courses. We do offer our Master's degree online along with several other certificates.
Our online programs are offered through the College of Extended Studies. For more information on our online programs, go to http://edtec.sdsu.edu/distance/.
For Current Students
How can I make the most of my time in the program?
Our most successful students:
-
meet wih your advisor within your first two semesters. Faculty advisors help you select courses that align with your professional interests or find opportunities that you might not discover on your own. Advisors can explain what different courses focus on, the kinds of projects you might work on, and any prerequisite skills that faculty expect you to already have.
- get involved with SAGE, our student organization. SAGE lets you meet other students, and participate in different kinds of professional activities (some featuring alumni with whom you’ll want to connect/network).
- choose assignments (and build a portfolio) with an eye towards what you want to do professionally after graduation.
- become involved in professional associations (ISPI, AEA, ASTD, AERA, AECT). Most—if not all—offer substantially discounted membership rates to graduate students. Professional associations offer an array of networking opportunities—and exposure to key activities in our field.
- know the “rules” associated with the Master’s program. The Graduate Bulletin and Academic Calendar are your guides to processes/procedures with which you should be very familiar.
- get to know the faculty—their research interests, the projects on which they’re working, etc.
How many courses do students take each semester?
Most of our students are part-time (because they work and have families)—and so enroll in one or two courses per semester. However, those with solid time-management skills and a good support structure (or who have a flexible work schedule) often enroll in three courses. Your faculty advisor can help you determine if part- or full-time enrollment is wise for you—and which courses work well in combination.
Many of our entry level courses (500-level) are offered during summer session. Students enrolled in the distance program should contact Donn Ritchie (dritchie@mail.sdsu.edu) for information about summer options especially for them.
Although your advisor is the person to contact with questions specific to you, you might consider taking such classes as EDTEC 544, EDTEC 561, EDTEC 590, EDTEC 572, or ED 690 once you complete the program prerequisites (EDTEC 540 and 541).
When should I submit an official program for the Master's degree?
Contact your faculty advisor after you have completed (or will soon complete) 12 units towards the
Master's degree (excluding EDTEC 540 and 541). You might want to draft a program
of study beforehand -- keeping in mind that not all courses are offered every semester.
How can I change my official program?
Consult with your advisor via phone or email and then submit the proposed change
using the "Change
of Program" form for approval by the department chair.
Are graduate assistantships available? Are job openings posted?
Yes, we have many graduate assistants working in the department. Most students apply once they’ve completed one or two semesters of coursework. For more information on graduate assistantships, go to http://edtec.sdsu.edu/gradasst.htm.
Many local-area employers post job openings in our jobs database. Visit the job-board to see what’s currently available.
How do I go about doing a "special study?"
Arrange "Special" or "Independent Study" courses are 3 units with a
faculty sponsor. Submit a 2-page proposal, including a brief description of
what you intend to study, why it is an experience you can't get in an existing
course, and what you will deliver as a result of the study (a project, paper,
etc.). Special study deliverables often include
a proposal to present one's project or paper at a conference or other meeting
of an organization in our field. With rare exceptions, the special study option is available only to students who have completed 12 units beyond EDTEC 540 ad 541.
Who must submit an electronic portfolio?
All Master's degree students choosing Plan B (see below) will submit a portfolio.
What’s a “directed internship?”
The Directed Internship (EDTEC 775) lets students use their developing skills in the "real world," while giving members of the business community access to trained, enthusiastic interns. As interns, you bring your growing competence in the core areas of our field (instructional and information design, educational computing, new media and web development, distance learning, performance improvement, and evaluation) to clients who need your help. EdTec interns are a great asset to an interested organization (company, agency).
EDTEC 775 lets you get immersed in the day-to-day activities of a professional work setting. You work on different teams and an array of projects—and get personal mentoring from the organizational liaison.
The department chair approves and monitors all internships; each involves a contract for 180 hours of work (3 units)—and other student and client deliverables. Only students who have earned 12 units or more (beyond EDTEC 540 and 541) are eligible to apply. For more information (including current intern opportunities) visit the EDTEC 775 website.
What’s the difference between Plan A and Plan B?
Students earning an EDTEC Master’s degree must choose between Plan A (a thesis) and Plan B (a two-semester set of capstone courses, plus an electronic portfolio). Nearly all students opt for Plan B—but you’ll want to consult with your advisor before finalizing which option to choose.
Those choosing Plan B submit a electronic portfolio during their last semester in the program.
Opting for Plan B (rather than a thesis) doesn’t in any way hurt your chances for admission to a doctoral program. The experiences are similar in many ways. Both involve data collection, analysis and reporting; both call for you to conduct research in areas associated with our field.
Technology Requirement for Level 1 Clear Credential
What is EDTEC 470?
EDTEC
470 is required for all candidates in the teacher credential program.
The course meets the Level 1 technology requirement. All teachers in the
State of California who completed their preliminary credential prior to
July 1, 2002 must "clear" their preliminary credentials within five years
of the date they were issued. EDTEC 470, or the equivalent, is required
for a clear credential.
Who may take EDTEC 470?
To take EDTEC 470 you must be admitted to a teacher credential program or be
a credentialed teacher.
Can I "test out" of EDTEC 470?
Yes, exams to test out of EDTEC 470 are held once each semester. The dates
are listed at http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/testofc/edtec.html