Dec 26, 2024

2023-2024 General Catalog

2023-2024 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences - PhD

Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Department of Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences

Our PhD students pursue a research-based experience with career options that range from academic research to corporate business, non-profit pursuits, and more. After completing a research core, students are free to select courses that will best meet their program requirements and long-term professional goals. The ITLS PhD program is nationally and internationally recognized for its research related to design and learning. Please see individual faculty bios to get a sense of active research going on in the department.

Doctoral graduates are well-positioned for tenure track positions at research or teaching institutions, for work in student services or higher education administration, engaging in faculty development, or as directors of instructional design. Some PhDs go on to leadership positions in corporate settings or use their doctoral degrees in K-12 as teachers or district specialists. All PhD students complete original research in the form of a dissertation.

The PhD is available at Utah State University’s main campus in Logan, Utah.

Major Requirements

All courses require a grade of C or better and students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. Planning sheets with course semester availability are available on the ITLS website at cehs.usu.edu/itls/.

The PhD degree program requires a minimum of 43 credits with a master’s degree in this field. A minimum of 52 credits, including ITLS master’s core courses, are required for students with a master’s degree in a field other than Instructional Technology or Learning Sciences. Students who do not have a master’s degree will be required to complete a minimum of 70 credits, including ITLS master’s core courses. Students have 8 calendar years to complete all degree requirements.

Core Courses (7 credits)

ITLS 6300 - ITLS Orientation 1 credit(s)
ITLS 7000 - Pro-seminar I in Instructional Technology 3 credit(s)
ITLS 7300 - Research in Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences 3 credit(s)

Research Methods Courses (12 credits)

All doctoral (PhD, AuD, EdD) students are required to complete the Utah State University Responsible Conduct of Research course that is offered on the CITI website. This course is also required for students who are supported by funding from some federal agencies (NSF, USDA, NIFA).

EDUC 6570 - Introduction to Educational and Psychological Research 3 credit(s)
EDUC 6600 - Statistical Foundations 3 credit(s)
EDUC 6770 - Qualitative Research Methods 3 credit(s)
Choose one of the following courses:
EDUC 6010 - Introduction to Program Evaluation: Evaluation Models and Practical Guidelines 3 credit(s)
EDUC 7610 - Regression Analysis 3 credit(s)
ITLS 7340 - Building Community Partnerships in Research Contexts 3 credit(s)
ITLS 7350 - Ethnography 3 credit(s)

Dissertation (12 credits)

ITLS 7970 - Dissertation 1-18 credit(s) (12 credits required)

Master’s Core Courses (9 credits)

Required if students do not have an ITLS master’s degree

ITLS 6520 - Instructional Design I 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6535 - Design Thinking 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6540 - Learning Theory 3 credit(s)

Elective Courses (12 credits)

Choose 12 credits from the list of electives below. Other electives may be chosen with major chairperson approval.

ITLS 5000 - School Library Foundation and Learning 3 credit(s)
ITLS 5015 - School Library Organization and Access 3 credit(s)
ITLS 5030 - School Library Literacy and Programs 3 credit(s)
ITLS 5040 - School Library Leadership and Administration 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6205 - Instructional Media Production 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6210 - Virtual Environment Development 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6215 - Video and Audio Design and Production I 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6220 - Video and Audio Design and Production II 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6230 - Graphic Design and Production I 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6240 - Graphic Design and Production II 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6245 - eLearning Authoring Tools 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6260 - Mobile Design and Development for Learning 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6265 - Internet Design and Development 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6270 - Digital Making and Learning 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6320 - Writing for Design 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6390 - Transformative Uses of Technology for Learning 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6510 - Evaluation and Research 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6520 - Instructional Design I 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6530 - Instructional Design II 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6535 - Design Thinking 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6540 - Learning Theory 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6545 - Advanced Learning Theory 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6560 - Project and Organizational Management 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6570 - Performance Systems 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6650 - Research Seminar 1 credit(s)
ITLS 6700 - Special Topics 1-3 credit(s)
ITLS 6720 - Instructional Technology in Adult Education 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6730 - Games and Learning 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6760 - Grant and Proposal Writing 3 credit(s)
ITLS 6870 - Current Issues Seminar 1-3 credit(s)
ITLS 6900 - Independent Study 1-6 credit(s)
ITLS 6910 - Independent Research 1-6 credit(s)
ITLS 6940 - Internship 1-6 credit(s)
ITLS 6960 - Creative Project 1-6 credit(s)
ITLS 7340 - Building Community Partnerships in Research Contexts 3 credit(s)
ITLS 7350 - Ethnography 3 credit(s)
ITLS 7820 - Practicum in Instructional Technology 2 credit(s)
ITLS 7900 - Independent Study 1-6 credit(s)
ITLS 7910 - Independent Research 1-6 credit(s)
ITLS 7990 - Continuing Graduate Advisement 1-9 credit(s)