The handbook for our Master of Education in Learning, Design, and Technology degree program is a cornerstone of advisement for all students (master’s and certificate alike). The handbook describes the program, the admissions process (and options), requirements for completing the degree, the process for graduation, and the process for working with your advisor. Download the M.Ed. in LDT Student Handbook (PDF) here.
The LDT faculty developed a helpful set of course descriptions for our program’s online courses. The LDT Course Descriptions 
page includes course descriptions that are more detailed and insightful about the course’s content and purpose than the university’s official course descriptions. The page also has a sortable table to visually represent the degree and postbaccalaureate certificates that each online course can apply toward. Check it out—it is a handy planning tool for students!
Current and prospective students who browse the course catalog often notice the numbering system associated with our courses. The LDT Online programs utilize courses that are numbered in the 400s, 500s, and 800s. Students sometimes assume that 400-level courses are the easiest, and 800-level courses are the most challenging. That assumption is not totally accurate, and we’d like to offer a little explanation so that our students don’t miss out on great courses.
400-level courses at Penn State University serve two overlapping purposes: They can be advanced undergraduate courses, or introductory graduate courses. These courses usually focus on foundational knowledge and skills within a field or discipline. The LDT Program does not design 400-level courses to be “easier” than other courses, rather we designate certain topics as the strong and sturdy base upon which future courses can build. There is a limit on the number of 400-level courses that can count toward a master’s degree from Penn State. Students enrolled in the 30-credit Master of Education in Learning, Design, and Technology can take up to 4 courses (12 credits) at the 400 level.
500- and 800-level courses are often confused. The table below dissects The Graduate School’s definitions for each level of graduate course. [Read more…]