Best Doctorate Degrees in Instructional Design & Technology

Although admissions requirements for doctoral programs in instructional design and technology vary, it is fairly common for programs to require applicants to meet a minimum GPA requirement, such as a 3.0 or higher, and take the GRE. However, some schools offer waivers for the GRE if students meet certain standards, such as holding another doctorate degree. Depending on the program, students could be required to complete an interview process with the faculty of the program. Sometimes during this interview process, students also need to complete an on-site writing sample. Other common application materials for these degree programs include a resume, letter of interest or personal statement, transcripts, and/or letters of recommendation.

Most doctoral programs in instructional design and technology require applicants to hold at least a master's degree from an accredited institution. Usually, there is not a requirement for what field this degree needs to be in, but a GPA requirement may apply. Some programs also have a professional experience requirement that students must meet. For instance, some programs require students to have at least 3 years of work experience in education, training, or instructional design technology. These programs commonly accept other professional certifications or credentials in place of this experience. Sometimes, experience can also be replaced with a certain amount of prior graduate-level coursework, such as 15 credits in an instructional-design related area.

Typically, colleges and universities that offer doctoral programs in instructional design are regionally accredited. This means that the institution has met general academic standards for its various degree programs across degree levels and subject areas. Attending a regionally-accredited school allows students to collect financial aid and transfer credits more easily between institutions. Schools that offer doctoral programs in instructional design and technology may hold regional accreditation from groups such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC). Some programs have additional program-level accreditation, which is often preferred by employers because it is subject specific. However, doctoral programs in instructional design and technology do not usually have program-level accreditation.

The time that it takes to complete a doctoral degree in instructional design and technology varies by program and several other factors. Some of these programs are designed to be completed in as few as 3 years and typically require at least 2 years of residency. However, the time that it takes a student to finish can depend on factors such as how quickly they finish their dissertation, their course load each semester, and if they transfer in any prior graduate-level coursework, as some of these programs will accept up to 24 credits.

Coursework for doctoral programs in instructional design and technology is usually divided into 3 to 4 different categories. Typically, students are required to take some core courses, as well as research method courses. Course topics in these sections could include research design, educational statistics, doctoral writing, ethical issues in education/leadership, quantitative research, and qualitative research. Students also usually take some concentration or major courses in instructional design and technology. These instructional design courses get at the main theories, methods, and skills of the field. They could include topics in innovative learning environment, instructional design leadership, instructional design theory, instructional multimedia, and instructional technology tools. Some programs may also include an instructional design and technology practicum or internship experience for hands-on learning. Finally, students usually conclude their coursework with some electives that allow them to explore specific areas of the field. Students may be able to choose from courses such as instructional design for distance learning, multimedia authoring, history of higher education, organizational leadership, change management, and classroom management.

Preparing Your Instructional Design Dissertation

Most doctoral programs in instructional design and technology require a dissertation where students research a hypothesis of the field. Usually, programs help students work on their dissertation throughout the program by spreading dissertation credits throughout the program. The first big step in the dissertation process is completing the comprehensive exam. The details and process of this exam may be outlined in a capstone course that students take in their required core courses. After passing the comprehensive exam, students can be admitted to candidacy and begin taking more dissertation credits. Programs may require a minimum of 10 to 12 dissertation credits. Other programs may include as many as 30 dissertation credits. Programs that spread these credits throughout the program may begin with dissertation credits for directed readings, pre-prelim (comprehensive exams) planning, and research before taking the final dissertation credits to write and complete the dissertation. Students are also required to defend their dissertation, usually before their dissertation committee.

What Other Types of Instructional Design Degrees Are There?

There are specific degree programs available in instructional design and technology at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, in addition to doctoral degrees in the field. While students can also find education, instructional design, and curriculum-related programs, these programs specifically in instructional design and technology can help prepare students for doctoral study in the subject. Some of these programs may be available in online formats for flexibility. Students typically gain exposure to various tools and programs used in education, as well as skills in developing curriculum. Explore some of the degree options below.

Instructional Design Associate Degrees

Although associate degree programs in instructional design and technology are rare, there is at least one available Associate of Arts (AA) program specifically in the field. This program requires 68 credits and includes coursework in topics such as educational technology, introduction to leadership, web multimedia and animation, and Dreamweaver. Students discuss both the challenges and potential advantages of utilizing technology in the workplace. Other related associate degrees are available in areas such as education, and some of these programs can be completed online.

Instructional Design Bachelor's Degrees

Instructional design and technology degree programs are still not as common at the bachelor's level, but students can pursue degrees such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Instructional Design or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Applied Management with a concentration in instructional technology, training, and evaluation. Some of these programs are available in online formats and usually require around 120 credits of coursework. Students who have already earned an associate degree can likely transfer in additional credits to help finish their degree faster.

Instructional Design Master's Degrees

In addition to a wide range of available master's degrees in education, at the master's level, students can begin finding many more program options in instructional design and technology. Students can commonly pursue a Master of Science (MS) or Master of Education (MEd) in the field, and several programs are offered in online formats. Usually, students are required to complete between 30 and 50 credits of coursework, which may include a final capstone course. These programs do not typically lead to teacher certification/licensure.

Instructional Design Graduate Certificates

Typically offered as a graduate certificate or post-baccalaureate certificate, there are several program options available in instructional design and technology. These programs are short in nature and commonly require between 12 and 20 credits of coursework. Programs are also available in online formats, and some programs allow students to count credits from the certificate towards a related master's program, such as an MA in Educational Technology.

Career information for those with a degree in curriculum or instruction does not have to be limited to schools. While many graduates in instructional design and technology may work as certified instructional designers or become instructional design specialists, students can also pursue jobs in businesses and other organizations. For example, in the business world, graduates may become leaders and managers in training and development or talent management. Other students could work in higher education as professors. Some students may also choose to specialize their careers within the field, such as becoming an instructional designer for E-learning programs. Below, we explore just a few of the potential job options for graduates.

Become an Instructional Coordinator

Instructional coordinators usually need to have at least a master's degree, typically in the field of education or curriculum and instruction. They also need to have at least some work experience as a teacher or educational administrator. If these professionals work in the public school system, then they will likely need to hold a teaching or education administrator license. Advancement in the field could come with additional education and/or experience.

Instructional coordinators are the ones responsible for overseeing the teaching standards of their school. This requires them to develop and assess curriculum for their school based on students' needs, and then assist in training teachers on how to implement the curriculum. They may suggest including different technologies or methods for teaching curriculum and assist teachers who need to further develop their skills.

Become a Postsecondary Teacher

Students who earn their doctorate in instructional design and technology may go on to work as a postsecondary teacher in education to help teach the next generation of educators. Most colleges and universities require teachers to have a doctoral degree and any necessary industry license or certification for their area of expertise, but some institutions may only require a master's degree. Typically, postsecondary teachers also need some work experience in their given field.

Postsecondary teachers may be responsible for conducting research in their area of expertise, but they are also required to teach various courses in their field. This requires them to develop their curriculum and assessments for each course and be available to assist students as needed. Some schools may also require these professionals to advise students and/or serve on various institutional committees.

Become a Training and Development Manager

Although training and development managers are usually only required to hold a bachelor's or master's degree, those with a doctorate may move into even higher positions in the field, such as training and development directors. In addition to a degree, these managers usually need to have some prior work experience in the field of training and development, teaching, or management. They could also pursue professional certification in the field to demonstrate their expertise.

Training and development managers help an organization's employees improve their skills and knowledge for the betterment of the organization. They oversee all aspects of training programs, from creating the program and managing the budget to evaluating the effectiveness of programs and adjusting them as needed. Training and development managers may also be responsible for training and overseeing the work of other training and development staff members.

Professionals in any field could decide to join a professional organization in their subject area to connect with other professionals, sharpen their skills and knowledge, and/or earn professional certifications to advance their careers. Professional organizations commonly offer membership, which may come with a membership fee, and a range of benefits for members. A couple of examples of instructional design and technology-related organizations include:

• Association for Educational Communications and Technology- The AECT is an international organization that is focused on improving learning around the world. The group helps those involved in instructional design and those wanting to create a systematic approach to learning. Professionals can take advantage of the group's reference library and various events, such as the AECT Convention and the Summer Research Symposium.
• International Society for Technology in Education- The ISTE works to assist educators in using technology for various educational challenges. The group provides information and resources for educators in a wide range of specializations, including higher education, online learning, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) learning. Professionals can also utilize the group's professional development resources, such as podcasts and journals.

The total cost of earning a doctoral degree in instructional design and technology varies by institution but primarily consists of tuition and fees. Many schools have a set tuition rate per credit hour, but some schools may have different rates for residents vs. non-residents. Although it varies greatly by program, with some of these factors, students could pay between $700 and $1,600 per credit hour for their doctoral degree. Students also need to consider any additional fees that programs or schools may charge, such as technology fees, library fees, student activities fees, and background checks.

Many schools provide various financial aid options to help students pay for their doctoral degree. Although doctoral students can and should still fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for federal and state loans and grants, it is common for doctoral students to be eligible for various funding opportunities at their institution. Some schools may offer different discounts, such as waivers for veterans, and some may offer assistantships for graduate students. These assistantships help students pay for their education in return for the student working as a research or teaching assistant. Most commonly, these assistantships will cover tuition but may not necessarily cover fees. However, students may earn a stipend that they can use to help cover costs. Students could be required to apply for these assistantships.

Scholarships are another great option for covering program costs. Some schools offer general awards based on merit that are open to new or returning students, such as the University of Cincinnati's Graduate Incentive Scholarship Awards (GIA). Other schools may also offer education-specific scholarships that doctoral students can qualify for.