ksu excellence in actionDoctoral Program

The Educational Psychology/Instructional Technology program at Kent State offers a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in Educational Psychology, with the ability to specialize in either Instructional Technology or Educational Psychology. The close relationships between the educational psychology faculty and the instructional technology faculty allow us to offer a unique program that prepares both specializations to research and practice at the cutting edges of the disciplines. Students have opportunities to work with faculty on research and publications before doing their doctoral dissertations.

Our combined Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology doctoral program enables you to pursue a unique research degree that focuses on the overlap and interaction between these two fields. In addition to taking required research and foundational courses in the two areas, students specialize in either one. They have opportunities to work with faculty on research and publications before doing their doctoral dissertations.

Admissions

Criteria for admissions can be found on the Admissions page of this Website.

Coursework

A minimum of 45 credit hours of coursework beyond the masters is required for the doctoral degree in Educational Psychology/Instructional Technology. This does not include the dissertation, and the student's committee may require more credit hours.

For the Instructional Technology specialization, the course requirements include:

Required Basic Research Courses (9 hrs.)

  • EDPF 75510 Statistics I for Educational Services
  • EDPF 85515 Quantitative Research
  • EDPF 85516 Qualitative Research

Required Advanced Research Courses (6 hrs.)

Choice of:

  • EDPF 85517 Advanced Quantitative Research or
  • EDPF 85518 Advanced Qualitative Research

Choice of:

  • EDPF 78716 Educational Statistics II or
  • EDPF 68807 Evaluation in Education

Required Educational Foundations Courses (3 hrs.)

  • EDPF 80090 Doctoral Residency Seminar
  • EDPF 89091 Seminar: College Teaching (Required for Teaching Assistants)

Required EdPsych/ITEC Core (6 to 12 hrs.)

If not taken during Masters work:

  • EDPF 65524 Learning Theories
  • ITEC 57403 Instructional Design

Taken concurrently:

  • EDPF 78905 Educational Psychology
  • ITEC 77495 Instruction, Technology, and Learning

ITEC Specialization Electives (hrs. added to total 45 for all coursework)

  • ITEC 67413 Digital Video in Education
  • ITEC 67426 Networking Basics for Educators
  • ITEC 67434 Emerging Technologies
  • ITEC 67435 Virtual Reality
  • ITEC 67442 Designing Online Courses
  • ITEC 67444 Teaching Online Courses
  • ITEC 67449 Research in Online Teaching and Learning
  • ITEC 77417 Advanced Instructional Design
  • ITEC 77420 Current Issues in ITEC
  • ITEC 77425 Managing Technological Change
  • ITEC 77432 Designing Multimedia Instruction
  • ITEC 77437 Authoring Systems
  • ITEC 77438 Instructional Applications of the Internet
  • ITEC 77496 Individual Investigation-Ed Media
  • ITEC 77498 Independent Research in Ed Tech
  • Other Electives as approved by the Advisory Phase Committee

If specific courses were taken at the Masters level, then the committee should substitute others to bring the total course hours up to a minimum of 45. The Advisory Phase Committee can require more coursework beyond the 45 hours.

Comprehensive Examination

At the completion of the student's coursework, he or she writes a comprehensive examination covering topics that the student has specialized in within educational psychology and instructional technology. The topics and format of the examination are worked out in consultation with the student's advisor and committee.

The options for the comprehensive exam include:

  • A two-day, four-hour-per-day exam in which you respond to four questions.
  • An eight-week exam in which you have two weeks each for four questions. Please note that the criteria for passing are much higher than for the more traditional test.
  • A portfolio, along with two take-home exam questions. The portfolio must be extensive and include deep reflections about the work that you include in it. Note: This option must be declared during the first semester of coursework.

Dissertation

After the student has passed the comprehensive examination, he or she is admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree and must complete a dissertation. The student may form a new committee to advise her or him on the dissertation and must produce an original research contribution to the field.

Official Program of Study