Oct 18, 2024  
2024-2025 General Catalog 
  
2024-2025 General Catalog

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences - PhD


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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 48 credits with a master’s degree in this field. A minimum of 54 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.

Research Methods Courses (12 credits 3 required courses plus 1 additional course)


All doctoral (PhD, AuD, EdD) students are required to complete the online responsible conduct of research training, “social behavior research” focus: https://research.usu.edu/compliance/responsible-conduct-of-research/ This course is also required for students who are supported by funding from some federal agencies (NSF, USDA, NIFA).

Note: There are 3 required courses because the college is requiring the two-sequence minimum for basic quant methods. Taking as many methods classes as possible is encouraged, students can, in consultation with their advisor open up a methods slot by taking EDUC 6050  (applied statistics) instead of EDUC 6600  and EDUC 7610 .

Advanced Theory (3 credits)


If you want to take more than 3 credits of Advanced Theory you can take them as electives. Other Advanced Theory courses with chairperson approval.

Advance Theory OR Research Methods (3 credits)


Select one course from Advanced Theory or Research Methods Above

Dissertation


12 credits are required for students with a Masters; 18 credits are required for students with a BS.

Elective Courses (3 credits)


Choose 3 credits from the list of electives below. In addition to courses listed under Advanced Theory and Research Methods, these courses are suggested general electives, feel free to coordinate with your advisor on specific classes to support your program of study.

Master’s Core Courses (6 credits)


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

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