Ed.D. in Instructional Systems Design and Technology

The Doctorate in Instructional Systems Design and Technology is a cohort-based online professional practice and scholarly doctoral program designed to prepare individuals to lead the integration of technology in instructional systems. Primarily, this doctoral program prepares individuals as leaders of instructional technology in PK-16 education. These prepared technology leaders will guide districts, campuses, and instructors toward achieving meaningful technology integration. Secondarily, the program prepares people in business and industry to lead in the improvement of technology integration as it relates to training and continuing education programs. Tertiary to the first two categories, the degree produces instructional technology leaders working in a school district, community college, university, or business in a support and service role regarding instructional design, assessment of learning/management systems, networking, and assessment/implementation of instructional software.

Candidates who complete the doctoral degree, serving as leaders in instructional/learning technology, will be able to:

1. Inspire and lead the development and implementation of a shared vision for comprehensive technology integration to promote excellence and support organizational transformation.

2. Create, promote, and sustain a dynamic, digital-age learning culture that provides a rigorous, relevant, and engaging education for all learners.

3. Promote an environment of professional learning and innovation that empowers educators to enhance learning by infusing contemporary technologies and digital resources.

4. Provide digital-age leadership and management to continually improve the organization by effectively using information and technology resources.

5. Model and facilitate understanding of social, ethical, and legal issues and responsibilities related to an evolving digital culture. 

​Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

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Application Deadlines

Applicants seeking admission to the doctoral program in Instructional Systems Design and Technology must submit the following:

• A Graduate Studies Application with the application fee.

• Official transcript(s) showing receipt of a baccalaureate and master's degree from accredited institutions. Candidates for admission to the professional practice Doctoral Program in Instructional Systems Design and Technology must have a master's degree in Instructional Systems Design and Technology or a related degree which includes the foundational knowledge required for this program. Documentation of the candidate's graduation from accredited institutions at the baccalaureate and master's levels will be required. Additionally, the candidate's graduate GPA must be 3.5 or higher.

• A sample of the candidate's professional work, such as a published article or an instructional technology design/multimedia design product. This product should provide evidence of the candidate's potential for doctoral-level scholarship and be accompanied by a statement of the candidate's professional goals.

• A current resume or vita

• Three letters of recommendation from educational or direct service settings, two of which should refer to direct experiences with instructional technology or multimedia design and speak to the candidate's potential for success in this doctoral program.

A minimum of three years of teaching, direct service, or administrative experience directly or significantly related to instructional technology or multimedia design is preferred. These types of professional experiences in an applicant's background will be viewed as evidence of both direct service roles as well as a commitment to the field of instructional technology.

Applicants meeting the above criteria may be invited to complete a recorded interview for the doctoral admissions committee. This interview, conducted through Interviewstream, provides the candidate an opportunity to demonstrate potential for leadership, commitment to service, and interest in applied research. A candidate who fails to meet one of the criteria may receive probationary admission if sponsored by a doctoral faculty member.

The program requires a minimum of sixty hours of graduate credit, successful passing of a comprehensive examination, and completion of a dissertation.

After completing forty-two hours of required coursework, candidates complete a comprehensive examination (called the dossier process). The doctoral dossier serves to organize and present evidence of competencies attained by individual candidates within the Doctorate in Instructional Systems Design and Technology Program. The doctoral program committee will review each candidate's scholarship, learning design, and service competencies to determine whether the candidate should pursue the dissertation process. The candidate must be enrolled during the semester the dossier review is conducted. After successfully completing the written and oral dossier process, the candidate may defend the dissertation proposal. 

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ISDT 8333 must be taken at least three times for a minimum total of nine credit hours. Once enrolled in this course, the student must enroll in it until graduation.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those valued by employers and graduate programs that can be applied in various work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The Ed.D. in Instructional Systems Design and Technology is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

• Identify learning, instructional, and training problems and needs
• Use technology to solve learning, instructional, and training issues
• Design theory and research-based learning, instructional, and training environments
• Evaluate and assess learning, instructional, and training environments and programs
• Analyze learning, instructional, and training data using statistical and computational methods
• Write, edit, proofread, and critique scholarly research papers and grant proposals
• Present learning, instructional, and training ideas creatively using technology
• Efficiently and effectively collaborate in virtual teams