MIST Program

About MIST
The MIST Program is an interdisciplinary MS and/or certificate program that combines the fields of instructional design, education technology, and corporate training focused on enhancing learning in any teaching or training environment. This cohort-based program has curriculum relevant to K-12 and Higher Education learning theory, educational assessment and evaluation, instructional design for corporate training, research methods for scholarly publication, and develops foundational skills in how to better use 21st century learning technologies.

Our 16 month program emphasizes the use of technology to create effective and aesthetic web design, develops strong teaching skills, helps one to improve instructional coursework and training programs, and leads to the development of effective video production skills and programming-based design. As such, our students have done well in both private industry, public and private education, and many have gone on to doctoral programs as well.

We have had students go on or advance in their current careers as teachers, web designers, higher education professionals, corporate trainers, and multimedia specialists, which includes working at companies such as AutoDesk, Apple, National Geographic, McGraw-Hill, the Monterey County Office of Education, multiple CSU campuses, and within a myriad of other private and public sectors across the state and country. These opportunities are created through a robust instructional design internship experience tied into the program, which is required for graduation.

Master's Program
The Master's Program welcomes a new cohort each Fall. This program is offered through a fully online or a hybrid modality and is a stateside program, as such, the tuition structure follows the CSU tuition and fee schedule. This program is aimed at teachers, trainers, instructional designers or anyone interested in creating educational or training materials.

For the hybrid modality five weekend face-to-face seminars in total are required at CSU Monterey Bay during the 16-months of study.

Certificate Program
The graduate certificate program is for professionals working in all levels of education, private industry, or governmental institutions, who wish to improve their knowledge and skills in designing effective and efficient instructional programs enhanced by interactive technologies. The certificate will allow students to be able to design, develop, implement, and evaluate instructional programs, implement new teaching and learning technologies, and develop practical web-based design and project management skills.

The program takes two semesters to complete and all units completed can be transferred into the full master's program.

Program Curriculum
The following images layout the MIST Capstone Pathways for both full-time and part-time students, please note that these are the required outcomes each student should expect to make by the end of the respective course/semester.



Learning Outcomes
Design Students are introduced to the field and profession of Instructional Science and Technology. Topics include but are not limited to history, current issues, future trends and an overview of how the components of the field fit together. Students investigate and apply instructional design models to carry out small scale projects and generate a detailed instructional design document. Students are encouraged to incorporate projects from their current employment into the class assignments.

Learning Theories & Interactive Media Students learn to evaluate and select appropriate learning theories and instructional principles. And apply them for the design and implementation of instruction and training. Students construct a functioning learning module using interactive multimedia software, information technology and media.

Instructional Design, Assessment & Evaluation Students work on authentic instructional design projects individually or in small groups. Students engage in a real world design experience that deals with and balancing numerous additional variables, including project management, effective communication with clients, time management, application of professional knowledge and skills, and producing professional level products. Students are introduced to the theoretical framework of assessment as it applies to learner performance, effectiveness of curriculum design, and effectiveness of instructional delivery. Students develop techniques for judging the performance of instructional delivery and conduct appropriate usability, reliability and efficiency tests of instructional and learning management systems.

Breadth of Knowledge & Capstone or Thesis Students complete a Capstone project or thesis that connects with their careers as the culminating experience. Examples include a field study, a client-driven project or applied research.