The Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Learning Technologies is a comprehensive program that provides knowledge and skills in areas such as:
- instructional systems design,
- learning and instructional theories,
- instructional materials development,
- design of learning environments using various emerging technology-based systems and tools.
Graduates from our program assume academic, administrative, and other leadership positions. Academic positions include professors; technologists or directors at the school district level. Many students also go on to work in the private sector as designers, managers, and researchers at companies, as well as instructional evaluators.
Program Overview
Minimum Coursework Total (including minimum 6 hours of dissertation): 69 hours
Department Requirements (Minimum 21 hours)
Foundations Requirements (9 hours)
- EDC 380F Sociocultural Foundations
- EDC 381F Introduction to Teaching & Teacher Education
- EDC 383F Curriculum Theory
Research Methodology Requirements (12 hours)
To be taken in sequence:
- EDC 381R Intro to Systems of Human Inquiry
- The following two courses (6 hours), in any order:
- EDC 385R Intro To Quantitative Research
- EDC 386R Intro To Qualitative Research
- One more advanced and specialized research methods course (either quantitative, qualitative or mixed) such as:
- EDC 385G Mixed Methods Design Based Research
- EDC 387R Survey Research
- EDC 388R Case Study
- EDC 388R Discourse Analysis
- EDC 388R Ethnographic and Qualitative Research methods
- EDC 388R Narrative and Oral Tradition
- EDP 380P 1-Measurement and Evaluation
- EDP 380P 4-Evaluation Models and Techniques
- EDP 382K 2-Correlation and Regression Methods
- EDP 382K 3-Factor Analysis
- EDP 382K 6-Structural Equation Modeling
- EDP 482K 1-Experimental Design and Statistical Inference
- EDP 384 4-Introduction to Survey Research
- EDP 384 16-Hierarchical Linear Modeling
- SOC 380L Social Statistics: Dynamic Models and Longitudinal Data Analyses
- SOC 384J Structural equation modeling
- SOC 385K Social Statistics: Discrete Multivariate Models
- SOC 385L Social Statistics: Linear Models and Structural Equation Systems
Directed Research Requirements (Minimum 12 hours)
All students in the doctoral program will take the following:
EDC 396 Doctoral Seminar: Learning Technologies (3 hours)
EDC 396T Directed Research in Curriculum & Instruction (9 hours) – can be taken more than once for credit.
Specialization Requirements (Minimum 30 hours)
Students who have already taken courses similar to the required ones listed below and need course substitution should discuss with their assigned coursework advisor and then seek approval from the LT Program Area Advisor. In general, course substitutions are discouraged.
Required Courses (12 hours)
EDC 390T Instructional Systems Design
EDC 390T Foundations of Learning Technology
EDC 385G Interactive Multimedia Design and Production
EDC 395T Humanizing Pedagogy & Technology Integration
Elective Courses (12 hours)
EDC 390T Advanced Instructional Systems Design
EDC 385G Analysis of Research in Learning Technologies
EDC 385G Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning
EDC 385G Current Issues in Learning Technologies
EDC 385G Designs and Strategies for New Media
EDC 390T Issues and Strategies For Technology Leaders
EDC 385G Learning Technology Planning and Management
EDC 385G Motivation and Design of Learning Technologies
EDC 385G Online Learning and the Future of Education
EDC 385G Technology & Preservice Teacher Education
EDC 385G Technology, Teacher Learning & School Change
EDC 398P Graduate Internship
Please note: Not all courses are offered every year. Other courses may be added. Please check the course schedule.
Special Interest (6 hours)
Two courses, selected with the assistance and approval of your advisor, that address a disciplinary or interdisciplinary interest area that relates directly to your research agenda or professional goals in Learning Technologies. These courses can be in or outside the department.
Outside Department Requirements (Minimum 6 hours*)
Coursework taken outside of the department (must not begin with EDC) and listed under the research course section or special interest section can fulfill this requirement.
*This is not an additional two-course requirement.
Dissertation (Minimum 6 hours)
Students are required to continuously register for at least three credits of dissertation once they have advanced to candidacy.
You must register in X99W (399, 699 or 999W) in each semester of candidacy until you graduate.
Please Note: Students receiving fellowships, assistantships, or other financial aid, may be required to take 9 hours of dissertation credit each semester.
Faculty
![]() Joan HughesAssociate Professor Research focuses on school contexts and teacher knowledge and experiences that support the establishment of digital equity for learning in K-12 schools, classrooms, and communities. |
![]() Min LiuProfessor, Area Coordinator, Advisor Designs and researches interactive learner-centered environments for all ages with emerging technologies; examines inequities in digital spaces and focuses on creating technology-enhanced learning opportunities for socioeconomically disadvantaged students. |
![]() Jason RosenblumAssistant Professor of Instruction Research interests include examining game-based, mobile, and augmented technology systems to support competency attainment and digital equity. |
Additional Information
Forms and a program checklist are available on our wiki.
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