Ph.D. Learning & Technology Requirements

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Ph.D. in Learning & Technology

General Guide
Admission
Program Completion
Program Forms

Core Course Requirements
General Program Requirements
Research Methods
Learning,
Technology
Learning/Technology Electives
Dissertation

Graduate Degrees - Ph.D. in Learning and Technology

The Ph.D. program in Learning and Technology is designed to enable students to become independent scholars, who are able to make significant contributions to knowledge in the discipline of educational psychology and the field of educational technology. The focus of the program is on the assessment and understanding of learning outcomes and processes in technology-rich learning environments and in modifying those environments in ways that promote more effective learning.

The program will prepare students for a variety of professional careers related to teaching and research in both academic and non-academic settings. For example, students will be prepared to fill faculty or research and development positions at academic institutions, such as universities, community colleges, and K-12 school districts. In addition, students will be prepared to work in non-academic state and federal agencies that deal with issues related to learning and technology as well as in the private sector.

Admission:

Admission to the Ph.D. in Learning & Technology is imited to the most qualified applicants based on a combination of undergraduate grade-point average, standardized test scores, letters of reference, and statement of professional interest and goals. Applications must be received by February 1.

Click here for more information about admission requirements.

Residence Credit Requirement:

A minimum of 50 percent of the total credits required to complete the doctoral degree not including transferred and dissertation credits must be earned at UNLV after admission to the doctoral degree program.

Course Requirements:

Students are required to take core courses in three specialty areas: (1) research methods and statistics, (2) learning, and (3) technology. Students may specialize in either learning or technology, or a combination of both. However, all students are required to actively participate in research and research-related activities throughout their program of study. The Ph.D. in Learning and Technology will consist of 67 credits beyond the Master's degree. Of the 67 credits, 37 will be required courses, 18 will be electives, and 12 will be directed toward dissertation completion. Individual programs of study may exceed the minimum requirements and specific coursework will vary depending on particular area of emphasis.

4 credits in general program requirements
15 credits in research methods core
9 credits in learning core
9 credits in technology core
18 credits in learning and/or technology electives
12 credits in doctoral dissertation

Program Completion Requirements:

All doctoral degrees in the Department of Educational Psychology share some common program completion requirements. Click here for general information about these requirements, including the comprehensive examination, and the dissertation.

General Requirements- 4 credits

Course	Title	Credits
EPY 701	Proseminar in Educational Psychology	1 cr.
CIT 778	Instructional Design	3 cr.

Research Methods- 15 credits

	Required Courses are:

Course	Title	Credits
EPY 718	Qualitative Research Methodologies	3 cr.
EPY 722	Inferential Statistics and Experimental Design	3 cr.
EPY 723	Human Measurement	3 cr.
EPY 730	Advanced Research Methods	3 cr.

	Select one to complete core:

EPY 716	Evaluation Research Methods	3 cr.
EPY 719	Advanced Qualitative Research	3 cr.
EPY 724	Human Measurement II	3 cr.
EPY 787	Individual Research	3 cr.
EPY 790	Research Design in Education	3 cr.
EPY 733	Multivariate Statistics	3 cr.

Learning Core- 9 credits

Course	Title	Credits
EPY 757	Theory/Philosophy of Educational Psychology	3 cr.
EPY 767	Human Learning and Cognition	3 cr.
EPY 777	Cognitive Development	3 cr.

Technology Core - 9 credits

	Required Courses are:

Course Number	Title	Credits
CIT 770	Advanced Seminar in Educational Computing and Technology Research	3 cr.
CIT 780	Multimedia Learning Studio	3 cr. x 2 terms

Learning and/or Technology Electives- 18 credits

Illustrative learning elective courses include but are not limited to:

Course	Title	Credits
EPY 768	Problem Solving, Reasoning, and Expertise	3 cr.
EPY 770	Cognition and Instruction	3 cr.
EPY 787	Independent Research	1-3 cr.
EPY 789	Seminar in Learning and Cognition	3 cr.
EPY 791	Special Topics in Educational Psychology	3 cr.
PSY 703	Cognitive Psychology	3 cr.

Illustrative technology elective courses include but are not limited to:

Course	Title	Credits
CIT 620	Integrating Technology Teaching and Learning	3 cr.
CIT 643	Instructional Design of Educational Software	3 cr.
CIT 647	Foundations of Online Learning	3 cr.
CIT 653	Development of Educational Software	3 cr.
CIT 663	Educational Multimedia Production	3 cr.
CIT 667	Computer-Based Technology and Educational Change	3 cr.
CIT 668	Issues and Methods for Online Learning	3 cr.
CIT 669	Advanced Web Design and Development for Educators	3 cr.
CIT 772	Technology and Teacher Education	3 cr.
CIT 782	Distance Education Issues and Trends	3 cr.

Dissertation- 12 credits

After successfully completing Review I (satisfying the scholarly product requirement) and Review II (passing the comprehensive examination), the student may then submit a dissertation proposal to her/his doctoral committee and submit the accompanying "Dissertation Prospectus" form to the Graduate College. The doctoral committee will meet and determine whether to accept or reject the prospectus. A prospectus can be accepted provisionally given that the student follows the committee's suggestions in the dissertation.

A dissertation is an original contribution to current knowledge in the field and a demonstration of sufficient mastery in the field to pursue independent research and scholarship.

When the dissertation is complete, a defense will be scheduled and conducted in accordance with the Graduate College's policies for thesis and dissertation completion. It is the responsibility of the student to file the required "Notification of Oral or Written Examination" form with the Graduate College in a timely manner.