Learning Design and Technology
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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Graduate programs in Learning Design and Technology at Purdue University prepare students to design effective learning experiences and environments that incorporate technology with a special emphasis on inquiry-based, authentic practices in face-to-face and distributed learning settings.
The PhD program in Learning Design & Technology program is a residential program offered on the Purdue West Lafayette campus.
Applications must be fully complete and submitted (including all required materials) and all application fees paid prior to the deadline in order for applications to be considered and reviewed. For a list of all required materials for this program application, please see the “Admissions” tab.
Application Deadlines
September 15 is the deadline for Spring applications.
December 1* is the deadline for Fall and Summer applications.
*Those applicants interested in being considered for any available PhD funding should submit completed applications by December 1 for the following Fall semester.
Program at a Glance
- Major/Department: Curriculum and Instruction
- Research Area: Learning Design and Technology
- Degree Objective: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Program Delivery: Residential
- Does this program lead to licensure? *No, this is a non-licensure program
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Courses
Prerequisites
- Introduction to Learning Design and Technology (e.g., EDCI 51300-Foundations of Ed Tech)
- Introduction to e-Learning (e.g., EDCI 56900)
- Learning Systems Design (e.g., EDCI 57200 or equivalent)
- Learning Theories and Instructional Design (e.g., EDCI 53100 or equivalent)
- Introduction to Educational Research (e.g., EDPS 53300 or equivalent)
- Graduate competencies (if any) in addition to those addressed above
It is expected that students will enter the Ph.D. program having satisfied these basic requirements in advance. If they have not, students will complete these courses at the beginning of the program in addition to other requirements. No more than 9 of these credits total may be applied toward the 90 credits required for the Ph.D. program.
C&I Department Seminar Requirements for PhD Students
2 credit hours
- EDCI 62800, Curriculum and Instruction Seminar (1 cr)
- EDCI 63800, Curriculum and Instruction Seminar (1 cr)
Core Ph.D. Learning Design and Technology Requirements
21 credit hours
- EDCI 66000, Learning Design and Technology Seminar (1 cr)
- EDCI 67600, Unpacking Research: Writing Literature Reviews In Learning Design And Technology (2 cr)*
- EDCI 67700, Unpacking Research: Writing Research Proposals In Learning Design And Technology (2 cr)*
- EDCI 59100, Unpacking Research: Data Collection and Analysis (2 cr), taken individually with advisor*
- EDCI 67800, Unpacking Research: Writing For Scholarly Publications In Learning Design And Technology (2 cr)*
- EDCI 67200, Advanced Instructional Development and Systems Technology (3 cr)
- EDCI 67300, Issues and Methods in Learning Systems Design Research (3 cr)
- EDCI 67400, Advanced Instructional Design Theory (3 cr)
- EDCI 69500, Internship in Learning Design and Technology (3+ cr)
*It is expected that students will take these courses in the designated order as each course builds off the previous course, resulting in a completed research study and write-up.
Electives in Learning Design and Technology
12-15 credit hours
Students will construct a cohesive program of electives in LDT and related areas of interest. Sample electives include the following. Please note that LDT faculty frequently offer special topic classes (generally listed as EDCI 627 or EDCI 591) which may be taken as Electives in Learning Design and Technology.
Educational Foundations
- EDPS 53000, Advanced Educational Psychology
- EDCI 58500, Multicultural Education
- EDPS 53100, Introduction to Measurement and Instrument Design
Design
- EDCI 56000, Educational Technology for Teaching and Learning
- EDCI 55600, Educational Game Design
- EDCI 67500, Instructional Strategies
- EDCI 62700, Current Topics in Learning Design and Technology
- EDCI 67500, Instructional Strategies
Development
- EDCI 56400, Integration and Management of Technology for Learning
- EDCI 56600, Educational Applications of Multimedia
- EDCI 57500, Blended and Online Learning
- EDCI 58800, Motivation and Instructional Design
- EDCI 66300, Interactive Multimedia
- EDCI 66400, Learning Environment Design
Workplace Learning
- EDCI 52800, Human Performance Technology
- EDCI 57700, Strategic Assessment and Evaluation
- EDCI 63300, Instructional Design Project Management
Outside Electives
6 credit hours
Students will take at least two related graduate-level courses in consultation with advisor in an outside area such as Adult Education, Educational Psychology, Management, Psychology, Educational Administration, Technology, Technical Writing, Computer Science, or another field of interest.
Educational Research
12 credit hours
Students are encouraged to complete an introductory research course (e.g., EDPS 53300) as part of their prerequisite requirements, as well as a sequence of research methods courses. Students should work with their advisors to find the appropriate sequence of courses that include quantitative and qualitative research methodology courses. Following are example courses.
- Introductory Statistics (e.g., EDPS 55600, STAT 50100, SOC 58000, SOC 58100, SOC 58300, PSY 5000, PSY 60000, PSY 68000, COM 58200)
- Qualitative Research (e.g., EDCI 61500, SOC 68600, ANTH 60500, TECH 69700, COM 58500)
- Advanced Statistics or Qualitative Research (e.g., EDPS 55700, EDCI 61600, EDCI 684, STAT 50200, STAT 51200, PSY 60000, PSY 60100, PSY 60500, PSY 61000, SOC 68000, HDFS 62700)
- EDPS 63000, Research Procedures in Education (REQUIRED)
*Some research courses may require prerequisite coursework or experience
Dissertation Research
12-15 credit hours
Admissions
In addition to a submitted application (and any applicable application fees paid), the following materials are required for admission consideration, and all completed materials must be submitted by the application deadline in order for an application to be considered complete and forwarded on to faculty and the Purdue Graduate School for review.
A completed master’s degree is required prior to admission.
Application Requirements
Here are the materials required for this application
- Transcripts (from all universities attended)
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- 3 Recommendations
- Resume/CV
- Academic Statement of Purpose
- Personal History Statement
- International Applicants must meet English Proficiency Requirements set by the Purdue Graduate School
We encourage prospective students to submit an application early, even if not all required materials are uploaded. Applications are not forwarded on for faculty review until all required materials are uploaded.
How to Apply
When submitting your application for this program, please select the following options:
- Campus and Program Tab:
- Select a Campus: Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
- Select your proposed graduate major: Curriculum and Instruction
- First Choice Program Details Tab:
- Please select an Area of Interest: Learning Design and Technology
- Please select a Degree Objective: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Primary Course Delivery: Residential
This program does not lead to licensure in the state of Indiana or elsewhere. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) at licensure@purdue.edu before continuing with program application if you have questions regarding licensure or contact your state Department of Education about how this program may translate to licensure in your state of residence.
