Instructional Technology (Ph.D.)

Why Earn a Ph.D. in Instructional Technology?

• Develop expertise and skills as a leader and serve as an innovative change agent in teaching, learning, and performance environments.
• Advance your knowledge of learning theory and pedagogy for meaningful design, creation, and integration of technology in diverse learning and training environments.
• Establish advanced skills in research, assessment, and evaluation to investigate the role and design of technology in understanding and enhancing learning and improving performance.
• Build an understanding of current professional ethics to design culturally inclusive learning environments.
• Apply educational technologies to achieve and establish equitable educational learning opportunities.

About the Program

The instructional technology doctoral program is offered in face-to-face, online and hybrid formats. 

The program is housed within the National (CAEP) and State (MSDE) accredited College of Education in the Department of Learning Technologies, Design and School Library Media (LTDM) at Towson University.

The intended students for this program are professionals seeking to deepen their expertise in instructional technology, including educators, corporate trainers, e-learning developers, instructional designers, and performance consultants. These individuals aim to drive change in teaching, learning, and performance environments by applying cutting-edge technology, research-based practices, and inclusive design strategies to improve learning outcomes and organizational performance.

The Ph.D. program focuses on preparing professionals to become leaders and innovators in instructional technology, learning design, and performance improvement. The program emphasizes the integration of advanced learning theories, technology, and pedagogy to create impactful learning environments and training programs. Students will engage in rigorous research, gaining the skills to assess, evaluate, and design effective technological solutions for diverse educational and professional settings.

Accelerated M.S./Ph.D. Program 

Individuals who hold a bachelor's degree with outstanding academic records are invited to apply for our accelerated master's-to-doctorate program.

This pathway allows students to obtain a Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a focus on either Educational Technology or Instructional Design and Development and, subsequently, a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) within an expedited timeline.

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Degree Requirements

The Instructional Technology doctoral program is designed for post-master’s students seeking to deepen their expertise in learning technologies, research and instructional design. This program offers a comprehensive, research-intensive curriculum that prepares graduates for leadership roles in the field.

Degree requirements and course descriptions are available in the Graduate Catalog.

The accelerated Instructional Technology doctoral program, open to post-bachelor’s students, fast-tracks individuals through a rigorous combination of advanced coursework and research.

This pathway enables students to quickly build expertise and leadership skills, preparing them to meet the growing demand for innovative technology solutions in education and training environments. This option also allows students to obtain a Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a focus on either Educational Technology or Instructional Design and Development and, subsequently, a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) within an expedited timeline.

See degree requirements for the accelerated program option.