Learning Technologies

Doctoral Program

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

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

  • EDC 380F  Sociocultural Foundations
  • EDC 381F  Introduction to Teaching & Teacher Education
  • EDC 383F  Curriculum Theory

To be taken in sequence:

  1. EDC 381R  Intro to Systems of Human Inquiry
  2. The following two courses (6 hours), in any order:
    • EDC 385R  Intro To Quantitative Research 
    • EDC 386R  Intro To Qualitative Research
  3. 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

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.

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.

EDC 390T  Instructional Systems Design

EDC 390T Foundations of Learning Technology

EDC 385G  Interactive Multimedia Design and Production

EDC 395T  Humanizing Pedagogy & Technology Integration

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.

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.

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.

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.

Photo of Joan Hughes

Joan Hughes

Associate 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. 

Photo of Min Liu

Min Liu

Professor, 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 Rosenblum

Jason Rosenblum

Assistant Professor of Instruction

Research interests include examining game-based, mobile, and augmented technology systems to support competency attainment and digital equity.

Forms and a program checklist are available on our wiki.

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