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Planning your LTXD coursework is as easy as 1-2-3. You will need 30-36 credits to graduate.

1. Required courses

All LTXD students are required to take four core courses, at 3 credits each, for a total of 12 credits. These courses are usually offered once each year. In any semester, you first should sign up for any of these that are offered that you haven't yet taken. Full-time students will finish all four in their first two semesters. Part-time students should not start taking electives until they have signed up for as many core classes as they can for the term.

  • EDCT-GE 2015 User Experience Design
  • EDCT-GE 2158 Design Process for Learning Experiences
  • EDCT-GE 2174 Foundations of Cognitive Science
  • EDCT-GE 2175 Foundations of the Learning Sciences
 

2. Electives

LTXD students have to take a total of 18 credits of electives. A minimum of 12 credits should be in-major. For out-of-major credits, you must take credit-bearing graduate courses. Typically, this is any course in the 2000 or 3000 level with a "-G" in the number. If you see a class you like and have space in your schedule for electives, take it, since that class may not be offered the following year; electives are never offered more than once in a year. Use ALBERT or the Registrar's Course Search to explore what is available.

If your adviser approves, you can take courses other than credit-bearing graduate courses, but these would not count towards your 15 credits of electives. Since some courses in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies are non-credit-bearing, these would not count. Similarly, graduate courses at the 1000 level or below are considered remedial and do not count towards your 36 credits.

 

3. Thesis Capstone

Your thesis capstone project will take two semesters. In your second to last semester, you should register for EDCT-GE 2095, the thesis capstone class, along with your other classes. In your final semester, you should typically register only for EDCT-GE 2095. Your adviser may allow you to take up to one class on top of EDCT-GE 2095 in your final semester if you need it to graduate. (Thesis capstone is offered in summer.)

 

Games for Learning concentration

If you take three of the following four courses as program electives, your degree can be notated as a degree in Digital Media Design for Learning with a concentration in Games for Learning.

  • EDCT-GE 2500 Games and Play in Education
  • EDCT-GE 2505 Simulations and Games for Learning
  • EDCT-GE 2510 Narrative, Digital Media, and Learning
  • EDCT-GE 2520 Research on Simulations and Games for Learning

Make sure your adviser knows if you are planning to concentrate.

 

Other considerations

Summer and winter term

The ECT and LTXD programs typically offer classes only in the fall and spring; students are not required to register for summer classes or for classes in the January intersession. However, summertime is a great time to do an internship for credit or out-of-major electives, and similarly you might be interested in study abroad as an out-of-major elective either in summer or the January term. The usual rules apply for which courses count. Consult with the financial aid office for implications for your aid package.

Part-time vs. full-time

You can switch from full-time to part-time at any point. Note that financial aid and international visa eligibility may be impacted, so make this decision carefully.

Minimum and maximum credits

Minimum credits. Part-time students must register for at least one course per semester (fall/spring only, not summer/January) for the duration of the program. If you need to take a semester off, you should either register for "maintenance of matriculation" (which does not grant credit, but does cost money), or talk to your adviser and Student Affairs about a Leave of Absence, which is granted for reasons such as parental leave, illness, hardship, etc. Financial aid, visa status, etc. typically impose higher minimum registration requirements. Consult the relevant office directly about your situation.

Maximum credits. Full-time students may not register for more than 18 credits in any semester, and may not register for more than 16 credits in summer. Again, consult with the appropriate office for implications for your financial aid.

Full-time equivalency

Your final semester working on the thesis capstone is considered equivalent to full-time status if you file the appropriate forms.

 

Sample Course Plans

Remember, your electives should include 12-15 credits of EDCT courses and 3-6 credits of non-EDCT courses, totalling 18 credits. Talk to your adviser about your particular situation.

 

Full-time student

  • Fall, Year 1 (12 credits)
    • EDCT-GE 2175 Foundations of the Learning Sciences
    •  EDCT-GE 2174 Foundations of Cognitive Science
    • EDCT-GE 2015 User Experience Design
    • 1 elective
  • Spring, Year 1 (12 credits)
    • EDCT-GE 2158 Design Process for Learning Experiences
    • 3 electives
  • Fall, Year 2 (9 credits)
    • First semester of EDCT-GE 2095 thesis capstone
    • 2 electives
  • Spring, Year 2 (3 credits)
    • Second semester of EDCT-GE 2095 thesis capstone

 

Full-time student on compressed schedule

Be sure to explore the implications for financial aid and international full-time status.

  • Fall, Year 1 (12 credits)
    • EDCT-GE 2174 Foundations of Cognitive Science
    • EDCT-GE 2175 Foundations of the Learning Sciences
    • EDCT-GE 2158 Design Process for Learning Experiences
    • EDCT GE 2211 Professional Applications of Educational Media in NYC
  • Spring, Year 1 (12 credits)
    • EDCT-GE 2015 User Experience Design
    • 3 electives
  • Summer, Year 1 (6-9 credits)
    • First semester of EDCT-GE 2095 thesis capstone
    • Internship or 1-2 electives
  • Fall, Year 2 (3-6 credits)
    • Second semester of EDCT-GE 2095 thesis capstone
    • 1 elective (if needed)

 

Part time student, two courses per term

Be sure to explore the implications for financial aid. International students are generally not permitted by their visa to study part-time. Also, note that you can take classes in the summer if you wish.

  • Fall, Year 1 (6 credits)
    • EDCT-GE 2174 Foundations of Cognitive Science or EDCT-GE 2175 Foundations of the Learning Sciences
    • EDCT-GE 2015 User Experience Design
  • Spring, Year 1 (6 credits)
    • EDCT-GE 2158 Design Process for Learning Experiences
    • 1 elective
  • Fall, Year 2 (6 credits)
    • EDCT-GE 2175 Foundations of the Learning Sciences or EDCT-GE 2174 Foundations of Cognitive Science
    • 1 elective
  • Spring, Year 2 (6 credits)
    • 2 electives
  • Fall, Year 3 (6 credits)
    • 1 elective
    • First semester of EDCT-GE 2095 thesis capstone
  • Spring, Year 3 (6 credits)
    • 1 elective
    • Second semester of EDCT-GE 2095 thesis capstone

 

Part-time student, one course per term

Be sure to explore the implications for financial aid. International students are generally not permitted by their visa to study part-time. Also, note that there is a six-year cap on the MA degree; extensions require prior permission.

  • Fall, Year 1 (3 credits)
    • EDCT-GE 2175 Foundations of the Learning Sciences
  • Spring, Year 1 (3 credits)
    • EDCT-GE 2015 User Experience Design
  • Summer, Year 1 (3 credits)
    • 1 elective
  • Fall, Year 2 (3 credits)
    • EDCT-GE 2174 Foundations of Cognitive Science
  • Spring, Year 2 (3 credits)
    • EDCT-GE 2158 Design Process for Learning Experiences
  • Summer, Year 2 (3 credits)
    • 1 elective
  • Fall, Year 3 (3 credits)
    • 1 elective
  • Spring, Year 3 through Spring, Year 5 (3 credits per semester)
    • 1 elective
  • Summer, Year 3 (3 credits)
    • 1 elective
  • Fall, Year 4 (3 credits)
    • First semester of EDCT-GE 2095 thesis capstone
  • Spring, Year 4 (3 credits)
    • Second semester of EDCT-GE 2095 thesis capstone
  • Summer, Year 4 (3 credits)
    • 1 elective