By TED Staff
November 2021
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of educational technology is projected to grow at a rate of 10% between now and 2030 — a much faster rate than average for other occupations in the field of education. That makes this an ideal time to upgrade your master’s degree to a doctorate!
Currently, opportunities abound in the following areas: web-based learning manager, multimedia designer, web instructor, course developer or designer, director of distance learning, online teacher, virtual reality specialist, coordinator of a computer learning lab, and educational software consultant, to name just a few.
Even without a degree in the field, if you teach, train, work as a human resource specialist, write or consult (and you have the appropriate educational background), it might be desirable to take a sideways journey into educational technology and put your skills to use in an innovative way.
Making such a change would likely be very lucrative since the salary of a technologist is often higher than that of a typical teacher. In fact, the field of educational technology earns some of the highest pay among educators. According to Payscale, the following average salaries were reported in 2020:
- Administrative Assistant: $40,294
- Learning and Development Specialist: $62,439
- Corporate Trainer: $57,056
- Director of Operations: $93,051
An educational technology specialist is in demand across many sectors of the economy–whether in the K-12 school system or inside corporations as trainers, consultants, and coordinators.
If attending classrooms full time is not possible for you at this time–because of work or other responsibilities–an online education is a wonderful solution. You can work and study at your own pace, and you can stay inside your own comfortable environment. The professors for your curriculum will be the same as those in traditional institutions. And, best of all, your degree will be authentic and exactly the same in appearance as if you had sat inside a brick-and-mortar classroom all those years.
Top Education Degrees has compiled a list of excellent online programs for doctorates in educational technology, with schools ranked by the criteria shown below. In cases of a tie, the advantage goes to the program with the lower tuition rate.
Annual Graduate Tuition:
Under $10,000: 5 points
Under $20,000: 4 points
Under $30,000: 3 points
Under $40,000: 2 points
Under $50,000: 1 point
US News & World Report Best Graduate Education Ranking (2022):
Top 5: 5 points
Top 10: 4 points
Top 25: 3 points
Top 50: 2 points
Top 100: 1 point
Graduation Rate:
Above 95%: 5 points
Above 90%: 4 points
Above 80%: 3 points
Above 65%: 2 points
Above 50%: 1 point
20-Year Net Return on Investment (ROI):
Above 9%+: 5 points
7%-8%: 4 points
5%-6%: 3 points
3%-4%: 2 points
1%-2%: 1 point
Indiana University, Bloomington
Online Doctor of Education in Instructional Systems Technology
Bloomington, Indiana
Annual Tuition: $9,786 (Indiana residents), $31,932 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 8
Graduate students earning Indiana University’s online Ed.D. in Instructional Systems Technology have the same resources and support as traditional, on-campus students. Consisting of 60 credit hours, IU’s Doctor of Education degree covers the acquisition of knowledge and the best practices for augmenting this process in an educational setting. Uniquely, admission to this online degree program does not require a GRE score, though students are required to complete both a dissertation and a 9-12 credit complementary minor.
University of South Carolina
Online Doctorate of Education in Education Systems Improvement
Columbia, South Carolina
Annual Tuition: $13,737 (South Carolina residents), $29,760 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 9
The University of South Carolina online doctor of education in curriculum and instruction, educational technology specialization is also fully online and 60 instructional hours in duration. The program offers a discounted rate of tuition of $515 per hour for certified teachers who reside in the Palmetto State. Students in the University of South Carolina EdD in curriculum and instruction, educational technology specialization online can expect to be asked for: proof of a master’s degree; two letters of recommendation that speak to the applicant’s ability to operate at the doctoral level; a letter of intent that meets the guidelines spelled out at the above website; and a GRE or MAT score.
University of Florida
Online Doctorate in Education in Curriculum & Instruction w/ emphasis on Educational Technology
Gainesville, Florida
Annual Tuition: $10,770 (Florida residents), $27,335 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 10
University of Florida offers an online Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis on educational technology. The 54-credit degree program follows the cohort model, and new cohorts begin every two years (the next cohort begins in fall 2022). Prospective doctoral students at University of Florida are able to transfer in a maximum of 15 credit hours from other accredited doctoral-level programs. Besides a master’s degree, admission to this doctoral educational technology degree program requires a recent GRE score, a statement of purpose, and multiple letters of recommendation.
Michigan State University
Online Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology
East Lansing, Michigan
Annual Tuition: $18,858 (Michigan residents), $37,056 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 11
GRE scores are a required part of the admission process for the Michigan State University doctor of philosophy in educational technology online. Completed over five years, the 63 credit hour degree is comprised of coursework; preliminary and comprehensive examinations; annual reviews; and the dissertation process. Michigan State University’s online PhD in educational technology also asks for three letters of recommendation, a professional statement of goals, a writing sample, and a current resume or CV as part of the admissions packet.
Texas A&M University
Online Ph.D. in Learning Design & Technology
College Station, Texas
Annual Tuition: $6,775 (Texas residents), $19,048 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 11
Texas A&M offers a Ph.D. in Learning Design & Technology which can be completed entirely online. Earning the doctoral degree requires completing 64 credit hours of specialization coursework and a series of educational psychology classes. A dissertation and a component on research design and methodology must also be completed before graduation. To apply, you will need to submit three letters of recommendation, a recent GRE score, and a statement of purpose.
Sam Houston State University
Online Doctorate of Education in Instructional Systems Design and Technology
Huntsville, Texas
Annual Tuition: $5,765 (Texas residents), $13,127 (out-of-state)
Total Points: 11
The Sam Houston State University doctor of education in instructional design systems and technology online’s 60 units are offered 100% online with no on-campus component. The program follows a cohort model and asks a significant devotion of time, or the student will not progress. Sam Houston State University’s online EdD in instructional design systems and technology is looking for applicants who can provide evidence of: a master’s degree in IDT or a related field; a recent GRE score; a professional (preferably published) writing sample; three years of teaching experience; and three letters of recommendation as part of the admissions process.
Central Michigan University
Online Doctorate of Educational Technology
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Annual Tuition:
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Central Michigan University online doctor of educational technology’s 54 credits are experienced by the student as two classes per semester, three terms per year, for two years, and then the dissertation process. The program operates with a cohort model and runs two cohorts per year. The Central Michigan University doctor of educational technology online offers a GRE or MAT waiver for qualified applicants and also requires three letters of recommendation and an essay to go with the other more traditional admissions requirements.
Old Dominion University
Online Ph.D. in Education in Instructional Design and Technology
Norfolk, Virginia
Annual Tuition:
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The Old Dominion University doctor of philosophy in education in instructional design and technology online requires a master’s degree, but not in any specified field. The 60 unit program assumes prior coursework in the field and in statistics. Old Dominion University’s online PhD in education in instructional design and technology is on the lookout for applicants with an acceptable GRE score, three recommendations, a 500-word essay on the degree’s necessity in the achievement of your professional goals, and a phone or Skype interview with faculty.
New Jersey City University
Online Doctorate in Education in Educational Technology Leadership
Jersey City, New Jersey
Annual Tuition:
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The New Jersey City University doctor of education in educational technology leadership online’s 60 credits are pursued with six credits in the spring, six credits in the fall, and 8 credits in the summer (plus a one-week on-campus session each summer) every year for three years. This cohort model program starts every summer. New Jersey City University’s online EdD in educational technology leadership wants a minimum one thousand word essay on the student’s professional goals, three letters of recommendation, an acceptable LSAT/GRE/MAT score, and a current CV or resume.
Johns Hopkins University
Online Doctorate in Education in Instructional Design in Online Teaching and Learning
Baltimore, Maryland
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The Johns Hopkins University online doctor of education in technology integration in K-16 education requires 90 quarter graduate units of study. This is a four course specialization of the EdD and it runs on the cohort model. Applicants to the Johns Hopkins University EdD in technology integration in K-16 education online should be prepared to provide a graduate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA, a resume, a personal statement, and three signed letters of recommendation with their admissions materials.
University of West Florida
Online Doctorate in Education in Instructional Design and Technology
Pensacola, Florida
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The University of West Florida offers an online doctor of education specializing in instructional design and technology degree that is 45 credit hours. The program’s focus is on learning how to use technology to improve productivity and performance in the workplace and to design and develop distance learning programs for an organization. All students in the University of West Florida’s online EdD specializing in instructional design and technology degree program complete a common core of foundational knowledge, in addition to electives. The dissertation is your final step, an 18 semester undertaking in which you’ll work independently but under the guidance of the dissertation committee.
University of North Texas
Online Ph.D. in Learning Technologies
Denton, Texas
Annual Tuition:
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The University of North Texas offers a 60-69 credit hour, online doctor of philosophy in learning technology degree that equips graduates to be proficient in both content and process and prepares them to work at organizations or universities/colleges. New cohort classes start each summer semester, and classes run in 8-week formats with students taking 1-2 courses at a time. Program objectives of the University of North Texas’s online PhD in learning technology degree are six-fold: synthesize knowledge; create knowledge; communicate knowledge; think creatively and reflectively; engage in professional development, and participate actively in one’s profession.
Morehead State University
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Technology Leadership
Morehead, Kentucky
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Candidates for the online doctor of education in educational technology degree at Morehead State University must successfully complete and defend both a qualifying exam and their doctoral capstone. The 60 credit hour program devotes 18 core hours to the following courses: principles of leadership; understanding and conducting research; action research and grant writing; analysis and thesis; educational change; and legal and ethical issues and the exercise of judgment in education. Admission to Morehead State University’s online EdD in educational technology degree calls for a resume/c.v., goals statement, three letters of recommendation, and GRE/MAT/GMAT scores.
University of Memphis
Online Doctor of Education in Instructional Design and Technology
Memphis, Tennessee
Annual Tuition:
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The University of Memphis offers a 54 credit hour,100% online doctor of education in instructional design and technology degree that is designed to produce scholars and researchers who will work in academic environments. Students must commit to studying with a cohort, and the course-rotation schedule is available well in advance so you can make plans. The University of Memphis’s online EdD in instructional design and technology degree will prepare you for several careers, including the following: instructional designer; corporate trainer; professor of higher education; director of professional development; researcher; director of human resource training; and director of curriculum and instruction.
Duquesne University
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Technology
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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The online doctor of education in instructional technology and leadership degree offered by Duquesne University is a 54 credit, three year program whose graduates will be able to hold positions in the higher reaches of education and business. First-year students must attend a two-day orientation on campus at the beginning of the fall semester. Three advanced level seminars are required to guide the dissertation student in the EdD in instructional technology and leadership online program. A Catholic university in the Spiritan tradition, Duquesne University maintains a very admirable student to faculty ratio of 14:1.
Kennesaw State University
Online Doctor of Education in Instructional Technology
Carrollton, Georgia
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Kennesaw State University offers a 66 credit hour, online doctor of education in instructional technology online that has two tracks, initial or advanced. The initial track is for educators who wish to integrate technology into classrooms and to coach other educators. The advanced track is for educators who currently hold or aspire to hold a technology leadership position at the school, district, or state level. Both tracks of Kennesaw State University’s online EdD in instructional technology degree program require a 9 credit hour dissertation. Please visit the school’s state authorization site to make sure the online degree is available in your state.
Liberty University
Online Ph.D. in Education in Instructional Design & Technology
Lynchburg, Virginia
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Liberty University examines relevant topics and current events in light of a Christian worldview. Their 60 credit hour, online doctor of philosophy in education, specialization in instructional design and technology, is delivered in 8-week courses and will take up to 3 years to complete. You’ll study core curriculum critical to leadership in K-12 and higher education settings. Liberty University’s online Ph.D. in education includes the following courses in the specialization in instructional design and technology: principles of human performance technology; and models for instructional design and technology. A dissertation is required, and up to 15 credit hours may be transferred in.
Boise State University
Online Doctor of Education in Educational Technology
Boise, Idaho
Annual Tuition:
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Boise State University offers a fully online doctor of education in educational technology degree that is 66 credit hours. No campus visits are required, and all courses are online, available at your pace, but in some cases they are synchronous, requiring attendance. Students will engage in research in various facets of educational technology, including learning analytics, games and simulations, professional development, online learning, mobile technologies, and data mining. Check out scholarship opportunities from the College of Education. The online EdD in educational technology degree at Boise State University features several graduate student resources, such as writing coaches, formatting labs, and dissertation help.
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Online Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in Educational Technology
Edinburg, Texas
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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has a 60 credit hour, 100% online doctoral specialization in educational technology degree that is created to enable students to design, develop, and teach courses through Web-based instruction. You will be prepared to teach in colleges and universities. The cohort model courses in the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s online doctoral specialization in educational technology program include the following: theories and practices in effective online pedagogy; advanced instructional design; evaluation and assessment in instructional technology; course management and instructional systems in K-16; and trends in educational technology K-16.
More Rankings of Interest:
