Check departmental information for any additional requirements.
The Ph.D. program in instructional technology prepares students for positions of leadership in research and the development of new knowledge and applications in instructional technology. Students may explore issues and advances in performance, instruction, and computer-based and distance-learning environments. Graduates are prepared for technology leadership roles in diverse settings including all levels of education, industry, government, and not-for-profit agencies. The doctoral program builds on the practical competencies of the master's program to prepare the student for the integration of theory and skills as the base for original research.
The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.
Application Deadlines
To be assured of consideration for admission to the doctoral program in instructional technology, completed applications and all supporting materials must be received by the Graduate School no later than April 1 for admission for the summer and fall semesters, and October 1 for admission for the spring semester.
Admission
Admission to the doctoral program requires a master's degree in either instructional technology or another discipline acceptable to the admissions committee. If review of all application materials supports further consideration of the application, the applicant will be expected to submit a writing sample that demonstrates research and writing skills and to participate in a personal interview with the doctoral admissions committee.
Program Planning and Advisement
Following admission to the doctoral program in instructional technology, each new student is assigned an advisory committee of three faculty members. The chair of the committee is the major advisor and works with the student to develop a proposed program of courses. The remaining members review the proposal before departmental approval and submission to the Graduate School for final approval. Students are urged to maintain close contact with their major advisor throughout the program. Changes in the program of courses must be approved by the advisor, who is responsible for submitting such changes to the Graduate School for final approval.
Student-at-Large, Study-Abroad, and Transfer Credit
Students-at-large are normally prohibited from registering for graduate courses in instructional technology unless they are pursuing an approved endorsement for Technology Specialist or Library Information Specialist. A maximum of 15 post-master's student-at-large and transfer semester hours in combination may be applied towards the doctoral degree in instructional technology. See "Requirements for Graduate Degrees" for limitation on study-abroad and transfer credit. With the approval of the student's faculty advisor, a student who has completed endorsement and/or licensure requirements for technology specialist and library information specialist at NIU as a student-at-large may apply some or all of those student-at-large hours towards the doctoral degree in instructional technology. The faculty advisor has the authority to refuse any course credit he or she judges to be irrelevant to the doctoral degree in instructional technology.

