Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development | 2025-2026 Graduate Catalog | SIU

The School of Education offers a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development (OLID). Those pursuing the M.S.Ed. must select one concentration among the following options: (1) Human Resource Development (HRD),(2) Learning and Performance Technology (LPT), and (3) Workforce Training and Development (WTD).

Admission

Applicants for graduate programs must submit admission forms for both the Graduate School and the Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development (OLID) program at the School of Education.

General requirements for admission to graduate programs are within the Admission Policies, Requirements, and Procedures tab. In all cases, applicants are screened by a selection and review committee comprised of the faculty of OLID on the basis of prior undergraduate and graduate work, grade point average, standardized test scores, work/professional experience, and letters of recommendation as needed. The committee may recommend admission for candidates with specific academic deficiencies if, in its opinion, a candidate’s application materials demonstrate unusual professional promise.

Application materials may be obtained by addressing a request to the: Coordinator of Graduate Studies, School of Education, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, or from the program website at siu.edu. All programs require a nonrefundable $65 application fee that must be submitted with the application for Admissions to Graduate Study in Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development. Applicants may pay this fee by credit card. More information about the program may be obtained on the program website, or by contacting the School of Education at 618-453-2415.

Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development

The Master of Science in Education degree in Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development requires the completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work. At least 15 of the required credit hours must be at the 500 level and taken at SIU. The student must also meet OLID course requirements and research requirements. No more than six credit hours earned at another nationally accredited institution may be accepted toward this degree. All transfer credits must be approved by the Coordinator of Graduate Studies.

Admission and Retention

Admission to the master’s program requires:

• A 2.7 GPA or better (A=4.00) on the entire last undergraduate GPA earned at the time of application.
• A career goal consistent with the mission of the program.
• A TOEFL score of at least 550 (220 computerized score) that is no more than 2 years old for international students.
• Relevant professional or technical experience (at least two years is recommended), OR
• Recommendation of the faculty in the concentration.

Students must maintain an overall 3.0 graduate GPA to be retained in the master’s program. The progress of each student is reviewed periodically. Students who do not make satisfactory progress, or who violate the regulations of the program, school, or university, may be dropped from the program.

Program Requirement

The Master of Science in Education degree majoring in Organizational Learning, Innovation & Development (OLID) offers three concentrations: (1) Human Resource Development (HRD), (2) Learning and Performance Technology (LPT), and (3) Workforce Training and Development (WTD).

The degree prepares professionals who use research-based and industry best practices to create effective learning/training to improve performance in military, business corporations, healthcare, industry, government and educational institutions at all levels, as well as training development and administrative roles. Competencies developed include those employed in online learning, learning within emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, virtual reality, games and simulations), as well as content/learning management systems for corporate and military training.

Focuses on the principles and techniques of human resource, career planning, organizational development, training development, problem-solving, human performance improvement, creation of online learning artifacts and media resources through the analysis, design, development, implementation, evaluation, and management of training and learning system resources, as well as emerging technologies. Opportunities for internship, workshop, practicum, as well as independent research or readings are available. All three OLID concentrations (HRD, LPT, and WTD) can be completed online. Also, the concentration in Learning and Performance Technology (LPT) can be completed by taking in-person classes.

A minimum total of 30 credit hours (ten courses) is required to complete the Master’s degree without thesis. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required for graduation with M.S.Ed. in the OLID program.

Two post-baccalaureate certificates in: (1) Learning and Performance and Technology (LPT) and (2) Online Learning (OL) are also available.

Human Resource Development Concentration (30 credit hours)

• OLID 500: Foundations: Instructional Design, Training and Performance
• OLID 501: Design and Delivery of Online Learning
• OLID 520: Adult Education, Learning & Development
• ERES 531: Implementation & Assessment of Program Evaluation
• OLID 522: Career Planning and Development
• OLID 523: Theory and Practice of Human Resource Development
• OLID 524: Organizational Development
• OLID 525: Strategic Human Resource Development
• OLID 526: Emerging Trends in Human Resource Development
• OLID 527: Workforce Diversity

Learning and Performance Technology Concentration (30 credit hours)

CORE (9 credit hours)
• OLID 500: Foundations: Instructional Design, Training and Performance
• OLID 501: Design and Delivery of Online Learning
• OLID 520: Adult Education Learning & Development
   or OLID 512: Instructional Design Methods (*)

CAPSTONE (3 credit hours)
• OLID 506: Learning Performance & Project Management

ELECTIVES (18 credit hours)
• OLID 502: Interactive Media for Learning
• OLID 503: Universal Design & Accessibility
• OLID 504: App Design & Task Analysis
• OLID 505: Usability & Problem Solving with AI
• OLID 507: Online Content Management
• OLID 508: Design Studio with AI
• OLID 509: Emerging Technologies Research Studio
• OLID 510: Emerging Technologies and the Workplace
• OLID 511: Story-based Learning & Gamification
• OLID 512: Instructional Design Methods

* Students who take OLID 512 as part of the LPT core cannot count OLID 512 as an LPT elective.


Workforce Training and Development Concentration (30 credit hours)

• OLID 500: Foundations: Instructional Design, Training and Performance
• OLID 501: Design and Delivery of Online Learning
• OLID 520: Adult Education, Learning & Development
• ERES 531: Implementation & Assessment of Program Evaluation
• OLID 528: Occupational Analysis and Performance Development
• OLID 529: Needs Assessment for Workforce Development Professionals
• OLID 530: Digital Instructional and Training Materials
• ERES 532: Evaluating Learner Performance
• OLID 532: Training Systems Development
• OLID 533: Administration and Supervision

Certificates

Two post-baccalaureate certificates in: (1) Learning and Performance and Technology (LPT) and (2) Online Learning (OL) are also available. The certificates require 15 credit hours (5 courses) to complete and serve as partial completion towards the master's degree (additional 15 credit hours).

Certificate in Learning and Performance Technology (15 credit hours)

OLID 500: Foundations: Instructional Design, Training and Performance

ELECTIVES (Any 4 courses):
OLID 502: Interactive Media for Learning
OLID 503: Universal Design & Accessibility
OLID 505: Usability and Problem-Solving with AI
OLID 507: Online Content Management
OLID 512: Instructional Design Methods

Certificate in Online Learning (15 credit hours)

OLID 500: Foundations: Instructional Design, Training and Performance

ELECTIVES (Any 4 courses):
OLID 501: Design and Delivery of Online Learning
OLID 502: Interactive Media for Learning
OLID 503: Universal Design & Accessibility
OLID 505: Usability and Problem-Solving with AI
OLID 511: Story-based Learning & Gamification