Program Snapshot
Program Type: Full-Time, Part-Time
Location: Online
Program Length: 3 years / 9 semesters
Credit Hours: 72
Program Overview
With today's increasing reliance on technology both inside and outside the classroom, being able to use technology as both an instrument of teaching and a subject to teach is vital. IIU's Doctor of Education (D.Ed.) in Educational Technology prepares students to be industry leaders and shapers of the ways technology and curriculum blend together.
The Doctor of Education (D.Ed.) in Educational Technology addresses the ever-increasing demand for educational leaders who understand the effective use of technology in maximizing student achievement, as well as educators' professional development. Students will explore, design, and evaluate curriculum-based educational technology applications as they are, and will be, used in a wide variety of K-12 and adult learning contexts and systems. They will also understand and implement effective educational technology professional development models and practices appropriate for K-12 teachers, K-12 administrators, and post-secondary faculty.
This program is research intensive and builds a deep theoretical base in critical and innovative pedagogy as well as developed technology application skills. It provides different areas of focus, or cognates, including innovation and integration and instructional technology. You'll also explore your own research interests, publish your findings and present your work in scholarly venues. Earn your degree on campus with opportunities for in-person and blended learning a part of this unique doctoral program. The PhD program culminates in a dissertation of original research in the field.
The program provides a terminal degree in educational technology that culminates in a dissertation of original research in the field. Graduates work in a variety of learning contexts (PK-12, higher education, online environments, military training, business/organizational, and international settings) as professors, researchers, consultants, innovation officers, and scholars.
Once admitted, the student will work closely with their academic advisor to develop a plan of study that meets the individual professional needs. While all students are expected to complete the core content and research courses, electives are selected to tailor the program to meet various professional foci within the field of educational technology. Once admitted to a program, students must maintain a satisfactory grade point average of 3.0.
Program Highlights
As a student in our Doctorate in Educational Technology program, you will:
- Study where you live. All classes are offered fully online with recommended synchronous classes, and there are no face-to-face requirements.
- Create a practical dissertation you can apply in the real world. Your work will consist of several short, publishable sections; taken together, your dissertation will create an in-depth study offering different perspectives on the topic.
- Learn with students in diverse cohorts drawn from education, corporate, and non-profit sectors with tenured faculty who are experts in educational technology.
- Aspire to be an education professional or classroom teacher
- Seek opportunities for research that explores technology as a transformational tool to teaching and learning
- Or desire to develop a deep understanding in blending education theory and practice
...then this program is for you!
You’ll learn:
- Foundational theoretical knowledge of technology-infused pedagogy and its place in transformative teaching and learning.
- Theory and application of critical and innovative pedagogy as well as developed technology application skills.
Learning Outcome
At the end of the program, the student should be able to:
- Critically review and synthesize existing educational research.
- Identify appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods for research in specific professional contexts.
- Design rigorous research and evaluation programs for educational technology and technology-based training initiatives.
- Demonstrate strong writing skills in targeted professional contexts.
- Demonstrate strong oral communication and leadership.
- Continue to advance knowledge and its application in particular fields of study of Technology Education
- Conduct research independently at a high level of originality and quality.
- Explore the theoretical and applied knowledge of contemporary issues in educational Technology research.
- Apply philosophy, principles and practice of educational Technology to research.
Career Opportunities
The program prepares students for a variety of professional positions, which include:
- Educational technologists
- Instructional designers in universities, community colleges and schools
- Higher Education Faculty
- Professional Developer
- Innovation Officer
- Program Developer
- Curriculum developer
- Consultant
- Trainer of trainer
- Researcher
- Lecturer
- Writers
- Consultant
- Psychologist
- Curriculum developer
- School manager
- Policy maker
- Project manager
- College principal
Admission requirements
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- three email addresses for professional recommendations
- personal statement
- Resume
- GRE scores
- proof of English proficiency
Graduate Requirements
A student who has been admitted into the Educational Technology Ph.D. program may complete the Education Technology Master’s degree en route to completion of the doctoral degree. Students are required to submit a plan of study for both the master's and doctoral degrees. Once admitted to the Ph.D., students seeking the M.Ed. en route to the Ph.D. will complete the 30 credit M.Ed. program but may participate in doctoral classes concurrently. Students must complete all program requirements (including the comprehensive examination) for the M.Ed. degree in addition to the minimum requirements for the Ph.D. No courses applied to the Educational Technology M.Ed. degree may be used in the Educational Technology Ph.D. plan of study. Students must be conferred with the M.Ed. degree prior to admission to doctoral candidacy.
Phase II - Written Exam
Students will complete a take-home written exam consisting of two questions. The exam will be conducted over a set two-week period each semester.
Dissertation Format Options
- Traditional 5-chapter format consists of Introduction, Literature Review, Method, Findings, and Discussion.
- Articles format consisting of Introduction, Literature Review, Method, at least three chapters containing one Publishable Article each, and Conclusion.