Online Performance Technology Degrees

Performance technology degrees online entails learning more about how to improve human performance in a working environment.

Many terms are used to define the field of human performance management, which is closely related to instructional design and instructional technology. The field of performance improvement is defined as the systematic process of discovering and analyzing human performance improvement gaps, planning for future improvements in human performance, designing and developing cost-effective and ethically-justifiable interventions to close performance gaps, implementing the interventions, and evaluate the financial and non financial results. Several accredited online colleges and universities offer coursework leading to an online performance technology degree at various levels including a Ph.D. in Education/Training and Performance Improvement.

Selected Instructional Technology Degree Programs

University of Phoenix

• Master of Arts in Education/Adult Education and Training
• Master of Arts in Education/Curriculum and Instruction-Computer Education
• Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership with a Specialization in Educational Technology

Walden University

• B. S. in Instructional Design and Technology - - General Program
  • Instructional Design and Technology - Business and Organizational Change
  • Instructional Design and Technology - Human Factors and Interface Design
• M. S. in Instructional Design and Technology - General
• M. S. in Instructional Design and Technology - Training and Performance Improvement
• M. S. in Instructional Design and Technology - Online Learning
• Instructional Design Certificate
• Master of Science in Education - Adolescent Literacy and Technology
• Master of Science in Education - Integrating Technology in the Classroom: Grades K-12
• Online Teaching (Post-Doc. Certificate)
• Education Specialist - Educational Technology
• Ph.D. in Education - Educational Technology

Capella University - Online

• MS - Instructional Design for Online Learning
• PhD - Information Technology Education
• PhD - Instructional Design for Online Learning

Kaplan University

• MS in Education - Instructional Technology (K-12)
• MS in Education in Instructional Technology - Adult Learning - Higher Education
• MS in Education in Instructional Technology - Adult Learning - Organizations
• Graduate Certificate in Teaching with Technology

Northcentral University - Graduate

• Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Education - Education Technology and E-Learning
• Master of Education (MEd) - Education Technology and E-Learning
• Doctor of Education (EdD) - Education Technology and E-Learning
• Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD) - Education Technology and E-Learning

Post University

• Master of Education (M.Ed.) - Instructional Design & Technology

Jones International University

• M. Ed. in K - 12 Instructional Technology
• M. Ed. in K - 12 Instructional Technology

• M. Ed. - Learning and Technology

Strayer University

• M.ED.: Instructional Technology

American InterContinental University

• Master's of Education (M. Ed.) in Instructional Technology

Devry University

• Master's - Educational Technology (Online Only)
• Graduate Certificate in Educational Management

Nova Southeastern University

• Doctor of Philosophy in Computing Technology in Education
• Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (M.A.T.L.) - K-12 Technology Integration
• Master of Science in Information Technology in Education

Boise State University

• Master of Science (M.S.) in Educational Technology
• Master of Educational Technology (M.ET.)

Search for Online Human Performance Technology Degree Programs

Locate Performance Improvement Degree Programs in your area

Performance Improvement Management Training and Education

So, what are online performance technology degrees all about? The American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) defines Performance Improvement as "the process of identifying and analyzing important organizational and individual performance gaps, planning for future performance improvement, designing and developing cost-effective and ethically justifiable interventions to close performance gaps, implementing the interventions, and evaluating the financial and non-financial results."

The International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) defined HPT as a "systematic approach to improving productivity and competence that uses a set of methods and procedures -- and a strategy for solving problems -- for realizing opportunities related to the performance of people. It is the process of selection, analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of programs to most cost-effectively influence human behavior and accomplishment. It is also a systematic combination of three important processes which can be applied to individuals, small groups, and large organizations." These are:

• Performance analysis
• Cause analysis
• Intervention selection

Human Performance Technology (HPT) is defined as a systematic approach that is used to improving organizational and individual performance, productivity, and output. It is also referred to as Performance Technology (PT), which is related to:

• Six Sigma
• Process Improvement
• Organization Development
• Instructional Design and Technology
• Motivation
• Human Factors
• Learning Design
• Performance Support Systems
• Knowledge Management
• Training

Human Performance Technology Courses

HPT courses may include the following depending on the program of study: Organizational Behavior, Principles of Human Performance Technology, Change Management, Adult Learning Theory, Performance Analysis, Evaluation, Performance Consulting, Project Management, Instructional Design Principles, Needs Assessment, among others.

Human Performance Careers

HPT rigorously analyzes the needs of an organization (need analysis), process and human performance for new design and identifying the causes for performance gaps, and tries to provide new designs and solutions to improve and sustain the performance and outcomes. It is also focused on evaluating the results and outcomes of the intervention (program evaluation). Performance technology degree programs combine aspects of the above areas in their PT courses.

Corporate training job titles include:

• Training and development specialist
• Training manager
• Training director
• Organizational development consultant
• e-Learning specialist
• Chief learning officer (CLO) or chief knowledge officer (CKO)
• Technical trainer
• Customer service trainer

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the market for corporate training jobs continues to grow. This growth is influenced by the trends in which corporations need to keep pace with the rising standard for worker productivity, technology and knowledge. Job growth in corporate training and performance technology is projected to grow by 16-18% over the next several years. The average annual income for trainers and development managers is around $92,000, with a base salary of about $52,000 for training specialists and others with experience and academic credentials campus and performance technology degrees and related instructional design training.