Check departmental information for any additional requirements. Graduate Program Learning Modality: This program can be completed fully online.
The Ph.D. program in instructional technology prepares students for positions of leadership in research and the development of new knowledge and applications in instructional technology. Students may explore issues and advances in performance, instruction, and computer-based and distance-learning environments. Graduates are prepared for technology leadership roles in diverse settings including all levels of education, industry, government, and not-for-profit agencies. The doctoral program builds on the practical competencies of the master’s program to prepare the student for the integration of theory and skills as the base for original research.
To be assured of consideration for admission to the doctoral program in instructional technology, completed applications and all supporting materials must be received by the Graduate School no later than April 1 for admission for the summer and fall semesters, and October 1 for admission for the spring semester.
Admission
In addition to the standard requirements for admission to the Graduate School at NIU, applicants will need to submit the following items:
Transcripts from an accredited institution of higher learning demonstrating completion of a master’s degree in either instructional technology or another discipline acceptable to the admissions committee.
Three letters of recommendation.
A personal statement that supports the applicant’s interest in the program.
A writing sample that demonstrates research and writing skills. Examples of writing samples may include, but are not limited to:
An academic or professional writing sample that includes research and citations.
An academic writing sample from a master’s degree program course.
Program Planning and Advisement
Following admission to the doctoral program in instructional technology, each new student is assigned an advisory committee of three faculty members. The chair of the committee is the major advisor and works with the student to develop a proposed program of courses. The remaining members review the proposal before departmental approval and submission to the Graduate School for final approval. Students are urged to maintain close contact with their major advisor throughout the program. Changes in the program of courses must be approved by the advisor, who is responsible for submitting such changes to the Graduate School for final approval.
Student-at-Large, Study-Abroad, and Transfer Credit
Students-at-large are normally prohibited from registering for graduate courses in instructional technology unless they are pursuing an approved endorsement for Technology Specialist or Library Information Specialist. A maximum of 15 post-master’s student-at-large and transfer semester hours in combination may be applied towards the doctoral degree in instructional technology. See “Requirements for Graduate Degrees” for limitation on study-abroad and transfer credit. With the approval of the student’s faculty advisor, a student who has completed endorsement and/or licensure requirements for technology specialist and library information specialist at NIU as a student-at-large may apply some or all of those student-at-large hours towards the doctoral degree in instructional technology. The faculty advisor has the authority to refuse any course credit he or she judges to be irrelevant to the doctoral degree in instructional technology.
Requirements
Program requirements are designed to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the field. The doctoral degree requires a minimum of 63 semester hours beyond the master’s degree as follows.
Research seminars (12)
Research writing seminars (12)
Applied research core (12)
IT core courses, excluding dissertation hours (15)
ETT 799 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (12)
Students focusing on performance technology, instructional design and development, technology specialist, or library information specialist licensure may be required to include internship or practicum courses as part of the required coursework.
Students entering the doctoral program with a master’s degree in instructional technology will typically complete 51 semester hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree, plus 12 semester hours of dissertation credit. Students whose master’s degree is in a field other than instructional technology typically take three or four additional courses to gain background knowledge in their new field of study. The student’s advisory committee makes the final determination of additional courses to be completed.
Candidacy Examination
The candidacy examination, administered by the faculty in instructional technology, includes sections on research skills, learning theory, and the major area of study. Early contact with the program advisor to discuss the examination is highly recommended.
If the first attempt at the candidacy examination is unsuccessful, the advisory committee will determine what remediation appears to be warranted and whether the student may retake the examination.
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