Learning Design and Technology, PhD

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The PhD in Learning Design and Technology is designed to prepare influential professionals in the field of educational technology and the learning sciences. The program is research focused, designed to prepare future faculty and education leaders. Scholars in the field explore the uses of innovative media and technologies for education, studying aspects from student learning and cognition to impacts on individuals and institutions. The field provides the research base for effective utilization of new media in education and by default is interdisciplinary in its approaches and theories. From the beginning, students are expected to actively engage and contribute to the field through publication, conference presentations, and applied instructional projects. The PhD program is designed to enhance and facilitate educational, social, and economic growth locally, nationally, and internationally with a pool of highly qualified educational scholars and leaders.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Learning Design and Technology PhD program is only for the fall semester. Applications may be filed with Graduate Division beginning October 1 until the deadline of February 1 for the following fall semester; international students must file by January 1. Applicants are required to submit scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

In addition to the application materials required by Graduate Division, prospective students must also submit the following directly to the LTEC office (see LTEC web page for additional details):

3 letters of recommendation
Statement of purpose for pursuing a doctoral degree (narrative)
Curriculum vitae
Evidence of competency in formal writing (i.e. masters thesis, research paper, other formal writing)
GRE scores (within 5 years of the application deadline)

Because the number of students who can be admitted is limited, the admission process is highly competitive and meeting the minimum established criteria does not guarantee automatic admission. The program requires applicants to hold a master’s degree. A degree in educational technology is not required to enter the PhD in LTEC. Students without such a degree or equivalent experience may be required to complete additional course work.

Major Requirements

The LTEC program requires a minimum of 40 credit hours of course work and completion of a scholarly research project written as a dissertation. The LTEC PhD program is aligned with Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) standards. Courses are offered in a hybrid format, requiring limited weekends and/or summer study on campus. Online sessions are offered in the evenings to accommodate working professionals. All admitted students are required to be available for campus and online sessions. Schedule details may be found on the LTEC website or by contacting the LTEC office.

Research core (4 courses)
Design core (1 course)
Seminar core (3 courses)
Emphasis area (5 electives)
Minimum of one course of dissertation credit (1 credit minimum)

First and Second Year Requirements

LTEC doctoral students are part of a cohort experience that requires a minimum of two courses each semester during the first and second year. Students not able to commit to attending face-to-face and online sessions as scheduled by the department will not be accepted into the program. This may include summer session requirements. Students typically take a seminar or design course as well as a research course in each of the fall/spring semesters of the first two years. Full time students may add an elective course to the two required core courses. Additional detail on courses and schedules may be found on the College of Education website.

Elective courses are planned with the student’s advisor to meet both program requirements and personal goals. Students are able to select from a wide range of LTEC graduate courses, including online options for electives. After the first two years, students are required to enroll for a minimum three-credit seminar each fall and spring until achieving candidate status and having approval from Graduate Division to enroll in dissertation credits (LTEC 800 ). All students must have internet access to meet program requirements.