Brief Description
Design and study technology-enhanced instruction, learning materials, and educational programs for varied settings (K-12, higher education, business, non-profit, government, military) as informed by the learning sciences. Through this Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences: Learning Design and Technology concentration, research how learning is mediated by intentional designs in technology-enhanced instructional methods and learning environments (game-based, virtual/augmented, spatial/mobile, social, online/open).
This concentration addresses:
- Learning theories and processes
- Digital-applied research methods
- Technology cognate areas selected by the student for emphasis
Learning, Design, and Technology is a concentration of the Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences. Our program learning outcomes are:
- Deep content knowledge and research expertise.
- Understanding of policy and its implications for education.
- Broad perspectives and effective responses to meeting the needs of diverse learners as they relate to educational and societal inequalities.
- Ability to engage in and use cutting-edge technology as a tool for innovation and change in an increasingly globalized world.
- Multimodal communication practices that enable graduates to engage in and translate research to different partners and stakeholders.
- Knowledge and capacity to engage global educational change initiatives
Concentration Details
CONCENTRATION DESCRIPTION
Research in Learning, Design, and Technology is guided by cognitive, social and/or cultural theories of learning and by the existing body of research informing how people learn in specific disciplines and professional settings. The field at large along with individual programs of research are influenced by educational technology and psychology, cognitive science, instructional design, communications/message design, graphic design, computer science, adult workforce training, human factors, and anthropology. Students will utilize quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods, along with emerging methods applicable to the study of contemporary learning environments (e.g., design-based research, learning analytics).
The goal of a doctoral student researcher is to generate theory and standards of disciplinary or professional practice that help to solve critical educational problems.
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
- Completed application to the NC State Graduate School
- Statement of research interests
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Academic writing sample (master’s thesis or academic paper showing APA or other writing style)
- Letters of recommendation (three)
- Transcripts (unofficial allowed for application; official required before enrollment)
- TOEFL or IELTS scores for international applicants whose first language is not English
COURSE OF STUDY
View the curriculum with credit hour details here.
Student Handbook
Please view our Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences Learning Design and Technology Concentration Handbook to find answers to your questions about the concentration and its structure, required and transfer credits, curriculum, ideal candidates, what we’re looking for in an application, sources of financial aid including assistantships, and the standard doctoral timeline. If you have other questions, please contact the doctoral program coordinator, Florence Martin.
TUITION AND FEES
Review the Estimated Cost of Attendance for information on tuition and fees set by the university. Students are funded through a variety of opportunities, some of which cover tuition and fees. Stipend and length of appointment varies based on funding source.
- Graduate Research Assistantships: Research assistantships are awarded to students working with a faculty member on an externally-funded research grant. Individual faculty select students for these awards.
- Teaching Assistantships: Teaching assistantships are rewarded to students with applicable experience to teach undergraduate courses or supervise teacher interns. Students are selected based on department needs.
- College Fellowships: Offices in the College of Education regularly offer assistantships for research and teaching positions. These are announced each spring.
- University Fellowships: The Graduate School offers several fellowships for new students, including the University Graduate Fellowship and the Provost’s Fellowship. The Director of Graduate Programs nominates applicants for these awards.
- External Fellowships: Applicants are encouraged to apply for fellowships from the National Science Foundation and other national programs.
Eligible students may receive coverage of their tuition and health insurance through the Graduate Student Support Plan (GSSP). Opportunities are available on a limited basis, and vary in: stipend amount; length of appointment; research/teaching area that is your focus; technical, research and teaching skill required; and where you are in your program timeline to completion. Therefore, funding is not guaranteed.
All applicants are automatically considered for funding opportunities that require department nomination. To express interest in being considered for other departmental funding, please complete the TELS Funding Interest Form.
FACULTY
- Daniela (Ela) Castellanos Reyes
- Joey Huang, Concentration Coordinator
- Shiyan Jiang
- Florence Martin
- Julia McKeown
- Kevin Oliver
Why study Learning Design and Technology at NC State
Collaborate on interdisciplinary research and evaluation projects alongside faculty across various disciplines who are nationally recognized for their research and innovation in Learning Design and Technology
Help solve today’s critical educational problems at a college of education that has research partnerships with over a quarter of school districts in North Carolina
Prepare to join graduates who go on to become faculty members at research universities, curriculum leaders in school districts, policymakers at local, state and national agencies and education-related organizations, among other career avenues