Department of Educational Technology

The ETEC PhD Specialiation

The PhD Specialization in Educational Technology is designed to prepare influential professionals in the field of educational technology (ETEC). 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.

Program Structure

The ETEC specialty has been designed to encourage intellectual excellence and participation in a scholarly community. The PhD in Education in Educational Technology follows the design of other COE programs with

• a college core (4 research courses),
• the educational technology doctoral core (3 seminar courses),
• emphasis area (5 courses in educational technology),
• cognate field to be selected by the student with approval of an advisor (4 courses),
• field study or internship (1 course), and
• a minimum of one course of dissertation credit (1 credit minimum) for a total of 52 hours.

Depending on previous graduate-level course work, some credits may be waived with the approval of an advisor.

The program is campus based but courses are offered in the evenings to support working professionals. Many courses are offered in hybrid or online formats. Initial required seminar courses are completed within a cohort system where students entering at the same time take these seminars together to build support and professional community. The selection of the cognate and elective emphasis area courses is based on students' orientation and career plans within the broad field of educational technology. Students attending full time are typically able to complete pre-dissertation course work in two academic years although this schedule is not easily accomplished by students with full-time jobs.

Who may apply?

Any student with a Master's degree is eligible for the program. Prior experience in education or a technology area is helpful but not required. Your doctoral program will be planned with your advisor to ensure you have the depth in the required disciplinary areas.

For more information, download the ETEC PhD Program Guide. Applications are due no later than Feb. 1 for the following fall (Jan. 1 for international students).

The ETEC Doctoral Cognate

Who may select the ETEC doctoral cognate?

• Students in the College of Education Ph.D. program (with specializations in curriculum & instruction, educational administration, exceptionalities, educational foundations or educational policy studies) or the PhD program in Educational Psychology.
• A doctoral student interested in some aspect of Educational Technology and whose doctoral program allows such a cognate area.

Designation of Educational Technology as the cognate should be done with the guidance of the student's major advisor. The doctoral student should hold a preliminary consultation with a member of the ETEC graduate faculty at an early stage, and the dissertation committee should be formally established before the student enrolls in ETEC courses (particularly in the electives).

What courses are included in the cognate?

1. The cognate is comprised of five (5) graduate ETEC courses, of which one (1) is required to assure a solid foundation in educational technology.
2. Required: ETEC 600 Theory & Practice in ET (3 credits) The profession of educational technology and the role of instructional designers. Theoretical and philosophical foundations underlying practice that includes instructional system theory, needs assessment, change theory, and relevant learning models. Practical applications of these theories to solve instructional problems in real-life situations.
3. Four (4) elective courses are to be selected by the student in consultation with his/her dissertation committee members, all which must be at the 600 or above level.
4. Additional EdTech courses may be taken to enhance the student's research.