Prior to 2013, Boise State University’s online Master of Science in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning (OPWL) was known as the Master of Science in Instructional and Performance Technology (IPT). This blog post contains testimonials from the classes of 2006-2008.
Jay Lambert, Class of 2006
CEO
Integrated Learning Services, Inc.
My experience with Boise State’s IPT online graduate program has been fantastic. I entered the program to refine my instructional design skills. I’ve not only done that, but have also developed a whole new career around performance improvement. The skills I’ve developed and the knowledge I’ve gained from the encouraging faculty and my new network of peers located around the country is invaluable. Because of the IPT program, my confidence in my abilities has soared, and as a direct result, so has the number of clients for my consulting firm.
Shaunda Paden, Class of 2006
Performance Consultant
DesignComm, Inc.
I did research on three other schools and chose Boise State’s M.S. in Instructional & Performance Technology program because the courses are taught by instructors that are practitioners and authors in the field. It is important to me to be learning from individuals that have their finger on the pulse of our field.
Tony Gonzalez, Class of 2006
Learning and Performance Solutions
DIRECTV
The IPT degree not only helped me get into the training and development field, but it has inspired me to make efforts to change the field. Unfortunately, the field continues to be dominated by the faulty belief that knowledge is a prerequisite to performance. By having IPT graduates at various levels of management we have been able to challenge this paradigm and we are saving our organization millions while doing so. I would recommend the IPT program to anyone who wants to change business by changing their perspective.
Shelley Ann Berg, Class of 2008
Senior Instructional Designer
Citigroup
I had decided to pursue a master’s degree to develop my instructional design skills; however, now that I have graduated, I’ve found that my skills have developed beyond my expectations and that they have expanded to include many additional areas of performance improvement. I’ve had the opportunity to develop these skills by working on client projects in my classes. And as a graduate assistant, I’ve become further immersed in the academic activities of the program by collaborating with faculty to publish research and present at conferences.
The supportive faculty and the program’s hands-on approach greatly enhanced my educational experience and provided invaluable professional development.
Award
Outstanding Graduate 2008
Kelly Brooks, Class of 2008
Education Coordinator
West Valley Medical Center
I had been thinking about going back for my master’s degree for some time but I was at a point in my life where we were thinking about starting a family and I was working full-time. I wasn’t sure how to fit it all in. Another graduate of the program told me about Boise State’s IPT degree and how the online option had worked so well for her. I researched the program and liked the technology piece that was part of IPT’s program in comparison to other programs and of course, definitely was sold on the online option. I ended up doing all but one of my classes online and loved it!
With the online option you can’t “hide” in the back of the room so I felt like everyone was really engaged in discussion and I honestly felt I learned more in the online environment. You are also exposed to classmates from all over the country and international students from major corporations to those brand new to the field . That piece of it just added to my learning. I ended up starting that family and had a newborn my last semester. While it was hard, the online option definitely allowed me to finish my program, something I would not have been able to do if I would have had to drive in for class. You can definitely do the program even with a busy life.
What I also really like about the IPT program is that every class had an application component to it so you could incorporate work projects if needed. I highly recommend this program and look forward to using what I have learned in my career.