OVERVIEW

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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” section.

What degree is conferred upon satisfactory completion of this program?

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration of Learning Design and Technology. This information will be listed on the transcript, and the diploma states the degree objective.

90
Credit Program Up to 30 credits from an accredited MS program may be used towards your degree.
Dec 1
Fall Application Deadline December 1 is the deadline for applicants interested in being considered for any available PhD funding. Applications are accepted until April 1 for all other applicants.
Oct 1
Spring Application Deadline
Feb 1
Summer Application Deadline

Courses

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Courses

  • 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)
  • Graduate competencies (if any) in addition to those addressed above

It is expected that students will enter the PhD 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 PhD program.

2 credit hours

  • EDCI 62800, Curriculum and Instruction Seminar (1 cr)
  • EDCI 63800, Curriculum and Instruction Seminar (1 cr)

21 credit hours

  • EDCI 66000, Learning Design and Technology Seminar (1 cr)
  • EDCI 62700, Intro to Critical Readings and Research in LDT (for students admitted Fall 2022 or later; for students admitted prior to Fall 2022, EDPS 53300 may fulfill this requirement)
  • 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.

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 55201, AI Integration In Education
  • 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

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.

12 credit hours

Students in the Curriculum and Instruction Department are required to complete these foundations and research requirements. Students should work with their advisors to find the appropriate sequence of courses that include quantitative and qualitative research methodology courses.

  • Qualitative Research I Course (3 cr)
    • EDCI 61500 – Qualitative Research Methods In Education 
  • Introductory Statistics Course (Select one) (3 cr)
    • EDPS 55600
    • STAT 50100
    • STAT 51100
    • PSY 60000
    • SOC 58100
  • Advanced Qualitative or Quantitative Course (Select one) (3 cr)
    • Qualitative Methods
      • EDCI 61600
      • EDCI 62100
      • COM 58300
      • ANTH 51900
      • ANTH 56500
      • ANTH 60500
      • ENGL 59900
      • SOC 60900
    • Quantitative Methods
      • EDPS 55700
      • STAT 50200
      • STAT 51200 
      • PSY 60100
  • Research Seminar Course (3 cr)

12-15 credit hours

Admissions

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Admissions

A graduate application must be submitted and application fee paid (if applicable) by the application deadline. In addition, the materials listed under the Application Requirements section below must be submitted by the application deadline in order for an application to be considered complete and for the application to be reviewed for admission consideration. Please review the How to Apply section below before submitting an application.

A completed master’s degree is required prior to admission.

Below are the materials required for this application. Visit the Office of Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS) website for more information about the requirements below.

  • 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 Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars

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.

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

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Licensure

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Licensure Information

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) before continuing with the 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.

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