For professionals working at the intersection of education and technology, continuing education needs to be flexible, relevant, and immediately applicable. For Jason Waskovich, the Online Master of Education in Educational Technology from Kent State University offered exactly that.
Graduating in Spring 2025, Jason used the program to strengthen his instructional design skills, enhance his teaching practice, and deepen his expertise in online learning—all while balancing a full professional and academic workload.
Meet the Alum: Jason Waskovich
Jason Waskovich lives in Kent, Ohio and brings an impressive academic and professional background to his work. He is a full-time technical writer for an online learning company, a role he has held for nearly 18 years, and a part-time instructor in Kent State’s English Department, where he has taught since 2022.
Already holding master’s degrees in Exercise Physiology and English, Jason decided to pursue a third graduate degree when his part-time faculty role made it possible to take advantage of a tuition waiver benefit. After researching multiple options, he chose the Online M.Ed. in Educational Technology through Kent State Online because it aligned most closely with his work in the online learning industry.
Choosing Educational Technology to Advance an Online Learning Career
Jason’s decision to enroll in the Educational Technology master’s program was driven by his career in online training and course development. Working for a company that specializes in online worker safety training, he wanted to design more effective, engaging, and pedagogically sound courses.
The program gave him a stronger foundation in instructional design for online environments, allowing him to directly apply what he learned to real-world course development projects.
Jason explains, “I mainly chose the Online Educational Technology Master’s program at Kent State because I thought it would best help me with my job in the online learning industry. The company I work for specializes in online worker safety training and I hoped to apply what I learned in the program to designing better online courses.”
Flexibility That Fits a Full Professional Life
Balancing a full-time job, part-time teaching, and graduate coursework is no small task—but the program’s asynchronous, fully online format made it achievable. Jason especially valued the program’s half-semester course structure, which allowed him to take two classes per semester while focusing on just one course at a time.
In-Demand EdTech Skills with Immediate Impact
One of the biggest takeaways from the program was Jason’s growth in online instructional design—skills he now uses daily in both his professional role and teaching.
Two courses stood out as especially impactful:
- Designing Online and Blended Courses (ETEC 67442)
- Teaching Online and Blended Courses (ETEC 67444)
These courses strengthened his ability to design effective asynchronous learning experiences, structure content intentionally, and apply evidence-based design principles to online instruction.
Faculty Expertise That Shapes Real Teaching Practice
Jason credits the Educational Technology faculty with helping him translate theory into practice, particularly Dr. Ben Hollis, who taught Designing Online and Blended Courses. The principles Jason learned in that course now inform the design of his own online College Writing and Research Writing classes at Kent State, demonstrating how the program supports both professional and academic growth.
Staying Connected in a Fully Online Program
While building peer connections can be challenging in a fully online program, Jason continues to benefit from access to faculty mentorship and the broader Kent State community. He remains in contact with former professors and stays connected through his role as part-time faculty.
Career Impact Beyond Graduation
Although Jason has not made a major career change since earning his M.Ed. in Educational Technology, the degree has created new opportunities within his current path. Since graduating, he has taught more online writing courses, presented his online Research Writing course at the Kent State Writing Department Symposium, and begun completing a Teaching English as a Second Language Graduate Certificate to bridge educational technology with language learning.
Advice for Future EdTech Students
Jason encourages anyone considering a career in educational technology to act now as the field continues to grow. He believes the Online Educational Technology master’s program at Kent State stands out for its flexibility, comprehensive curriculum, and ability to fit into a busy professional life.
Take the Next Step in Educational Technology
Ready to take the next step in your educational technology career? The Online Master of Education in Educational Technology at Kent State University is designed for working professionals who want to build in-demand skills in instructional design, online teaching, learning technologies, and digital course development—without putting their careers on hold. With a 100% online, asynchronous format, expert faculty, and a curriculum grounded in real-world application, the program prepares graduates to lead in the rapidly growing field of online learning. Visit the program page to explore courses, review admission requirements, and request more information to see how Kent State Online can help you advance your career in educational technology.
