What can i do with a doctorate in educational technology

If you aim to be an educational technology leader who applies research-based knowledge to facilitate change that improves educational environments, the online Ed.D. in Educational Technology at the University of Florida is for you. We invite students from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and professional contexts to apply – the diversity of our cohorts facilitates discourse from multiple points of view and provides our graduates with a well-rounded perspective of educational technology in different environments.

Our online doctoral program is grounded in theories of adult learning and online learning, designed to encompass educational technology research in multiple diverse environments, and led by faculty with decades of instructional design and online teaching experience.  The research-based nature of the program, the excellent faculty, small group and individual mentoring, and the emphasis on connections between theory, research and practice are the strengths of this program. The University of Florida’s College of Education has consistently ranked among the top three online graduate programs in education for the last five years.

Doctor of Education - Learning Design and Technologies

What will I study?

The 100% online Ed.D. in Educational Practice and Innovation with a concentration in Learning Design and Technologies (formerly the Educational Technology concentration) is designed to help you develop capabilities essential to the analysis, design, development, implementation, evaluation, and research of technology-based learning, instruction, and training (e.g., computer-based training, software/multimedia development, assistive technology modifications, online education, and distance learning).

Our program’s missions are:

• To prepare practitioners with sound principles and techniques of instructional systems design plus technological competence
• To prepare leaders for the meaningful integration of educational technology in teaching, learning, and performance environments
• To develop scholarly practitioners with the ability to solve significant problems of practice within their respective contexts.

We work towards completing these missions by creating a robust community of scholars among our students and faculty; focusing our coursework on current technologies, research, and theory; additional degree requirements; and the dissertation in practice.

As a doctoral student within the Educational Technology concentration, you will be expected to seek out, reflect upon, and research issues related to the broad foundations of technology-based learning. Our program subscribes to the definition of educational technology adopted by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology ([AECT]; 2008) and put forth by Januszewski and Molenda:

“Educational technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological processes and resources.”

What kinds of research will I be able to do?

As part of the dissertation in practice, you will work with your advisor to develop action research that lets you explore technology-enhanced teaching and learning important to you. Your research will involve persistent Problems of Practice within your context; and you will learn to use research-based resources to maximize learning for different learners across different contexts.

What kinds of work will I be able to do?

This program is focused on preparing educational practitioners who are interested in using focused inquiry to improve their practice. Potential new careers include instructional designers, curriculum developers, and instructional support leaders for K-12 school districts, higher education, or departments of education. Although this program does not prepare you to become research track higher education faculty, it does give you the option of teaching through adjunct, instructor, and clinical faculty work in higher education.

Special Tuition Rates

South Carolina certified teachers pay a reduced tuition rate. Out-of-state students admitted to this program pay regular South Carolina resident tuition rate:

* This rate applies for SC resident certified teachers completing fewer than 12 hours per semester. Fall I and II together is considered one semester, Spring I and II together is considered one semester, and all summer sessions are considered one semester.

These fees and rates are subject to change and are effective for the 2021-2022 Academic Year.

Financial Aid

Most students in this program receive assistance through loans and other forms of aid. Complete your FAFSA to be considered for these aid programs. 

Coursework

Courses are offered online in practical 8-week and 15-week formats.

Sample Program of Study (courses may vary)

12 Credit Hour Core

• EDCS 720 Introduction to Diversity and the Curriculum
• EDCS 820 Advanced Study of Diversity and Curriculum
• EDET 709 Applications of Learning Principles
• EDLP 755 Educational Policy Analysis

15 Credit Hours in the Concentration and Cognate

• EDET 722 Instructional Design and Assessment
• EDET 755 Design and Evaluation of Information Access and Delivery
• EDET 801 Doctoral Research in Educational Technology
• EDET 825 Evaluation of Educational Technology Research
• EDET 826 Synthesis of Educational Technology Research

9 Credit Hours in a Cognate Selected with Advisor

12 Credit Hours in Research

• EDRM 801 Principles and Applications of Educational Research
• EDRM 878/705 Ed Research Seminar/Intro Quantitative Research
• EDET 810 Principles of Applied Educational Technology Research
• EDET 811 Advanced Applied Educational Technology Research

12 Credit Hours in Dissertation Preparation and Writing

 What is the application process like?

• Official Transcripts
• 2 Letters of Recommendation – Submit 2 letters of recommendation from people who can speak to your ability to matriculate into this doctoral program and complete a dissertation.
• Personal Statement - Describe how the Ed.D. in Educational Practice and Innovation and your selected area of concentration is a good fit for you. The statement should include:
  • specific details describing how this program is a good fit for you
  • how the program supports your professional goals
  • an identified Problem of Practice for the Dissertation in Practice
  • any evidence of research methods, including action research, expertise.
• CV or Resume
• Recent Scholarly Writing Sample (e.g., graduate level paper from previous coursework or publication) with applicant as sole author and using American Psychological Association (APA) citations and references

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