Department of Educational Technology and Literacy (EDTL)

Ed.D. in Instructional Technology
Information Page (this is older program information)

Prerequisites

The Ed. D. in Instructional Technology requires 63 graduate credits beyond the master's degree.  Acceptance into the program requires completion of a master's degree in instructional technology or related field from an accredited institution.  In addition entry requires that students demonstrate scholarship by having attained a grade point average of 3.75 or greater in that program. Students must also demonstrate technology expertise by submitting a technology portfolio demonstrating integration of technology in instruction.

 Program Focus

The Ed. D. is based upon the understanding of education settings (schools and beyond) as learning communities immersed in a world of technology within which:  1) students are nurtured and challenged to meet the high expectations established for them; 2) community leaders are engaged in these communities to support them; 3) teachers, supervisors and administrators must take the lead in integrating technology into these communities through continuous professional development.  Thus, the program focuses on the development of instructional technology expertise to meet the present and future needs of technology integration in instruction across the educational spectrum.

Coursework

Coursework in the program includes 15 credits in the Instructional Technology core, 9 credits in research methodology, and 18 credits in one of two Instructional Technology Specializations, which includes the technology internship, 9 credits of doctoral seminar and 12 credits of dissertation research. There are two initial tracks in the Ed. D. program:  1) Instructional Design, and 2) Educational Technology.  After completion of all coursework and prior to beginning of the dissertation, students must pass a comprehensive written exam and/or submit a portfolio based upon the core domain and one specialization area.  Upon passing/approval, students will be admitted to the dissertation course. 

Objectives

The objectives of the Ed. D. in Instructional Technology are to:

• Develop knowledge and skills in the theory, foundation, and philosophy to employ instructional technology in a wide range of educational practice;

• Provide advanced skills and abilities for teachers and trainers who are innovative, change agents for integrating technology into education and human resource development organizations;

• Acquire advanced skills in research, assessments and evaluation strategies in the applications of technology in education and training environments;

• Provide experiences for employing technology effectively in PreK-16 learning environments to promote reform and enhance learning;

• Develop knowledge, skills and abilities for teaching via online and digital environments to create and ensure high quality and effective learning communities;

• Create skilled and highly capable professionals who are able to lead educational organizations to make effective decisions about the appropriate uses of technology in learning and teaching.

Online Courses

This Ed. D. in Instructional Technology will have a major online presence. Each course of the 51 credits of coursework will have significant web-based resources. Courses will include web discussion areas, case-based learning online, inter-institutional sharing of class resources and student lead discussions as some of the online features of this program.

Admission

• Successful completion of master's degree in instructional technology or related field from a regionally accredited institution,

• Letters of recommendations from two professionals one from a professional familiar with academic work of the candidate,

• Letter of Application describing professional goals in seeking the degree and area(s) interests/specializations,

• Academic writing sample,

• Interview may be required upon the request of the Admissions Committee of the Instructional Technology faculty,

• Submission and approval of a digital portfolio (organized by current ISTE standards) that demonstrates the integration of technology into their field of expertise (such as instruction or training),

• An overall GPA of 3.0 or above for undergraduate degree work and an overall GPA of 3.75 or above for graduate degree work,

• GRE test must be taken- submission of the 3 general scores in analytic, quantitative, and verbal areas,

• For international students:  A TOEFL score of 550 or above is required.

Application Process

Prerequisite Courses

Courses in instructional technology master's degree programs are useful prerequisites but generally are not part of the doctoral program.

The necessary prerequisite competencies for this Ed.D. are:

1. Applied psychology of learning
2. Educational statistics
3. Instructional development
4. Media design and production
5. Research in instructional or educational technology
6. Web-based instruction

We strongly believe that the best candidates for our program will have an extensive background in instructional technology and a degree in educational or instructional technology. These competencies are often obtained through the completion of a master's degree in instructional technology.

Next Steps