Learning Technologies
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Designed For
The Learning Technologies doctoral program is for scholars and professionals seeking to advance research, theory and innovation in technology‑enhanced learning. Ideal applicants are intellectually curious, research‑driven and interested in applying interdisciplinary perspectives from education, psychology, communications and technology to complex learning problems.
Career Objective
Our graduates are prepared to shape the future of learning as university faculty, researchers, instructional leaders and directors of learning and technology initiatives across education, government and industry settings.
At a Glance
Program Starts: Fall
Deadline to Apply:
December 15
Length of Program: 48-60 months
Schedule: Flexible
Program Location: Hybrid
GRE Required? No
Advance Research and Leadership in Learning Technologies
Our program focuses on the design, analysis, and advancement of learning environments supported by emerging technologies. Grounded in interdisciplinary theory and inquiry, the faculty prepares students to contribute original research that informs both scholarship and practice in learning technologies.
Doctoral students work closely with faculty mentors on cutting‑edge research and design projects using state‑of‑the‑art technologies. Coursework emphasizes instructional systems design, learning and instructional theories, instructional materials development and the design of technology‑based learning environments. Students also engage in the critical analysis of emerging educational technologies and explore the future of online and digitally mediated learning.
Program Area Coordinator
Joan Hughes
Program Area Advisor
Min Liu
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
Stephen Flynn
Program Details
Program Requirements
Foundation Requirements (9 Credit Hours Required)
- EDC 380F Sociocultural Foundations
- EDC 381F Introduction to Teaching and Teacher Education
- EDC 383F Curriculum Theory
Research Methodology Requirements (Minimum 12 Credit Hours)
To be taken in sequence:
- EDC 381R Intro to Systems of Human Inquiry
- The following two courses (6 credit 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
Specialization Requirements (Minimum 36 Credit Hours)
Required Classes (12 credit hours | Online only)
- EDC 390 Instructional Systems Design
- EDC 390T Foundations of Learning Technology
- EDC 385G Interactive Multimedia Design and Production
- EDC 395T Humanizing Pedagogy & Technology Integration
Electives (12 credit hours)
Students may select electives from the following courses according to their interests and needs in consultation with their advisor:
- EDC 385G Analysis of Research in Learning Technologies
- EDC 385G Current Issues in Learning Technologies
- EDC 385G Designs and Strategies for New Media (online only)
- EDC 385G Online Learning and the Future of Education
- EDC 385G Technology & Preservice Teacher Education
- EDC 385G Technology, Teacher Learning & School Change
- EDC 390T Advanced Instructional Systems Design
- EDC 390T Issues and Strategies For Technology Leaders
- EDC 395T Game Learning and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy
- EDC 395T Humanizing Pedagogy & Online Teaching Models for K-12 Education (online only)
- EDC 395T Technology Designs for Digital Justice (online only)
- EDC 395T Technology Innovation for Digital Justice (online only)
- EDC 398P Graduate Internship
Directed Research (Minimum 12 credit hours)
- EDC 396 Doctoral Seminar: Learning Technologies (3 credit hours)
- EDC 396T Directed Research in Curriculum & Instruction (9 credit hours – can be taken more than once for credit.)
Students who have already taken courses similar to the required ones listed above and need course substitution should discuss with their assigned coursework advisor and then seek approval from the program area advisor. In general, course substitutions are discouraged.
Outside Department Requirements (Minimum 6 Credit Hours)
Students are encouraged to select graduate‑level courses outside the department that support professional goals. Recommended options include:
- Computer Sciences
- Educational Leadership & Policy
- Educational Psychology
- Kinesiology & Health Education
- Moody College of Communication
- School of Computing
- Special Education
- Statistics and Data Sciences
Dissertation (Minimum 6 Credit 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 during doctoral candidacy may be required to take 9 credit hours of dissertation credit each semester.
Faculty
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.
Areas of expertise include designing and developing immersive, media-rich environments for learners at all age levels and research the effects of them using mixed-methods; studying the effect of other emerging technologies on learning and motivation;...
instructional technology innovation for learning transformation game-based learning playful learning & enactive role-play augmented / virtual reality for learning instructional systems design online / blended learning environments connected learning ...
Accepting new students
Additional Information
