An Ed.D. in educational technology will give you the expertise to assess, develop, and implement technological learning tools to enhance students' learning and improve educational outcomes.
As the highest available degree for education professionals, a doctorate in education demonstrates expertise. An Ed.D. in educational technology prepares graduates for administrative roles within school districts and institutions of higher learning.
Doctoral programs in educational technology hone knowledge and skills related to both software and hardware used in learning. Students explore technology-based learning curricula, including how it can be used to help students learn more effectively.
The use of technology in education continues to increase, especially with online learning's growth amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With a doctorate in educational technology, graduates can meet the growing demand for technology professionals with education, training, and library backgrounds. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 5% growth in employment in these roles from 2019-2029.
The Best Online Doctorate in Educational Technology Programs
| Rank | School | Location | Apply | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
University of Florida |
Gainesville, FL Apply Now | ||
| 2 |
Michigan State University |
East Lansing, MI Apply Now | ||
| 3 |
University of South Carolina-Columbia |
Columbia, SC Apply Now | ||
| 4 |
University of Memphis |
Memphis, TN Apply Now | ||
| 5 |
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus |
Stillwater, OK Apply Now | ||
| 6 |
Indiana University-Bloomington |
Bloomington, IN Apply Now | ||
| 7 |
Duquesne University |
Pittsburgh, PA Apply Now | ||
| 8 |
The University of West Florida |
Pensacola, FL Apply Now | ||
| 9 |
Old Dominion University |
Norfolk, VA Apply Now | ||
| 10 |
Concordia University-Chicago |
River Forest, IL Apply Now | ||
| 11 |
Regent University |
Virginia Beach, VA Apply Now | ||
| 12 |
Boise State University |
Boise, ID Apply Now | ||
| 13 |
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Chicago |
Chicago, IL Apply Now |
End of list, bravo!
Online Doctorate in Educational Technology Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
What Is an Online Doctorate in Educational Technology?
Most doctoral programs in educational technology require a master's degree in education or a similar field. Applicants need experience working in education-related settings and typically must submit letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and a resume for consideration.
Educational technology doctorates vary in specific coursework, but most curricula blend courses in both research and practice. Core classes introduce students to leadership, global and cultural perspectives, and writing in educational technology.
Research coursework trains learners to conduct qualitative and quantitative data gathering and assessment, while technology and media classes teach students how to use modern technologies in the classroom. With access to virtual and augmented reality systems, digital toy and game design tools, and artificial intelligence technology, individuals gain practical experience innovating the use of technology in the classroom.
The length of an Ed.D. in educational technology differs between programs. Online educational technology doctorates may allow learners to earn degrees on an accelerated timeline or take classes part-time over five years or more. Synchronous programs with cohorts of students usually span a predetermined number of semesters.
What's the Difference Between an Ed.D. and a Ph.D.?
A doctorate of education and a doctorate of philosophy in education differ in focus and outcome. An Ed.D. offers a pathway for practicing education professionals to advance to leadership roles, while a Ph.D. in education emphasizes research.
Both an Ed.D. and a Ph.D. in education focus on educational technology, incorporating coursework in principles and policies as they apply to the topic. However, an Ed.D. trains students to incorporate that information into practical settings. An individual with an Ed.D. in educational technology can pursue employment as an academic provost or school district administrator, among other options.
Meanwhile, a Ph.D. in educational technology or instructional technology emphasizes research and analysis. As such, individuals with edcational technology Ph.D.s pursue careers as college professors, instructional technology directors, and training and development managers.
Choosing an Online Doctoral Educational Technology Program
Students should take multiple factors into consideration when choosing online doctorates in educational technology, including program length, course delivery format, and degree requirements. Tuition, fees, and eligibility can also influence the choice of an educational technology doctorate program.
While a Ph.D. in educational technology may take more than five years to complete, a degree-seeker can complete an online Ed.D. in educational technology in as little as three years. Programs vary in practical and research requirements, both of which Ed.D. students can complete within their current workplaces.
Candidates should also research accreditation status of their prospective schools and programs.
Accreditation for Online Educational Technology Degree Programs
When choosing an online educational technology program, students should take the regional or national accreditation status of a college or university into consideration. Accreditation attests to the quality and credibility of an institution, and regional accreditation indicates a school offers rigorous academic programs rather than vocational ones. Regionally and nationally accredited institutions also differ in admission requirements, costs, transfer opportunities, and financial aid options.
Programmatic accreditation is awarded through specialized or professional agencies. An education student should research whether their prospective Ed.D. in educational technology holds accreditation through an agency like the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
What Else Can I Expect From an Ed.D. in Educational Technology Program?
Common courses for an Ed.D. and a Ph.D. in educational technology focus on trends, tools, and techniques for using technology in educational settings. An Ed.D. in educational technology emphasizes pedagogical theory, instructional design, and information technology.
An Ed.D. trains educational technology leaders to become innovative creators while simultaneously meeting the social and cultural demands of students and instructors. Enrollees also explore various aspects of information technology, such as online learning, data mining, games and simulations, and mobile technologies.
Common Courses for an Online Doctorate in Educational Technology
- Emerging Trends in Educational Technology: By exploring industry literature and best practices in the field, students identify and discuss the practical applications of modern technology in education.
- Leadership in Educational Technology: This course explores contemporary, innovative modes of leadership used in the field, emphasizing the models, processes, and theories that drive programs and projects in educational technology. Learners build teamwork, human resources, and organizational psychology skills.
- Global and Cultural Perspectives in Educational Technology: This course takes a global approach to educational technology, exploring various international communications systems.
- Statistics for Educational Technology: This course introduces students to concepts like confidence intervals, chi-square, analysis of variance, central tendency and variability, and one and two-sample tests, all with the aim of helping them understand how statistics apply to education.
- Research in Educational Technology: Students focus on quantitative and qualitative methods as the primary mode of conducting educational technology research. The course also covers the building blocks of doctoral research and the use of case studies.
How Long Does It Take to Complete an Online Doctorate in Educational Technology Program?
Online doctorates in educational technology vary in length. Earning a Ph.D. in educational technology or a Ph.D. in instructional technology may take five years or more, but an Ed.D. often features a shorter timeline.
Working professionals can pursue online Ed.D. degrees while still tending to personal and professional commitments. Students can even complete programs with asynchronous coursework on accelerated timelines to earn their degrees in just three years. By contrast, cohort-based, synchronous doctoral programs in educational technology follow a specific curriculum across a predetermined number of semesters.
Other factors that affect program length include prerequisites, research requirements, and practical activities. Individuals who need to make up coursework at the beginning of a doctoral program often take longer to graduate, and conducting research and completing internships or practica may also add to the length of the degree.
Educational Technology Jobs
Graduates of online Ed.D. programs in educational technology become prepared for advanced careers in IT, education, and instructional design. Candidates holding terminal degrees in educational technology qualify for top jobs in computer science, instructional research, and higher education. Some of the most common careers for educational technologists are listed below.
Computer and Information Systems Manager
| Median Salary: $146,360 | Projected Job Growth: 10% |
|---|
IT managers coordinate and oversee all computerized operations within a school or educational organization. They typically help organizations identify and implement the high-functioning computer systems needed to facilitate learning programs. Graduates of online Ed.D. programs in educational technology may qualify for advanced positions, including chief information officer or chief technology officer.
Computer and Information Research Scientist
| Median Salary: $122,840 | Projected Job Growth: 15% |
|---|
Computer and information research scientists design new learning technologies and update existing systems. These professionals also provide critical services to the science, medicine, and corporate business sectors. A computer scientist with at least a master's degree and advanced skills in data mining should remain in high demand over the next decade.
Software Developer
| Median Salary: $107,510 | Projected Job Growth: 22% |
|---|
Software developers create computer software and applications to meet the needs of students and educators in the digital landscape. While most entry-level software developer jobs do not need a doctoral degree, a candidate who earns a Ph.D. in educational technology online may qualify for high-level jobs like IT project manager, overseeing the development of new learning tools.
Computer Systems Analyst
| Median Salary: $90,920 | Projected Job Growth: 7% |
|---|
Sometimes called systems architects, computer systems analysts evaluate school computer networks to ensure maximum efficiency, safety, and effectiveness, often implementing new or modified designs. Graduates of online doctorate programs in educational technology, especially those with considerable IT experience, are poised for significant advancement in this field.
Postsecondary Teacher
| Median Salary: $79,540 | Projected Job Growth: 9% |
|---|
Becoming a postsecondary teacher of education technology requires a terminal degree in the field. Graduates of online Ed.D. programs in educational technology can become professors of education technology or related subjects at colleges or universities. They may also conduct and publish graduate- and postgraduate-level research.
Instructional Coordinator
| Median Salary: $66,290 | Projected Job Growth: 6% |
|---|
Instructional coordinators oversee school curricula, monitoring teaching practices, and develop, implement, and assess educational materials. Instructional coordinators work closely with teachers and school administrators while adhering to district, state, and federal guidelines and regulations. Many instructional coordinators focus on specific grades, subjects, or types of students.
Educational Technology Professional Organizations
Sitting at the nexus of education, technology, and communication, professional organizations can help educational technologists network with other professionals, pursue continuing education opportunities, access field advocacy efforts, and engage in discourse about educational technology policy reform. Many professional organizations also offer affordable memberships and financial support through scholarships and awards.
Members can attend exclusive workshops and seminars, subscribe to member newsletters, and pursue job placements through career services. Some of the field's most visible organizations are listed below.
- International Society for Technology in Education ISTE is an international organization that serves a diverse group of educators specializing in technology-based education. Member benefits include networking, publishing, and continuing education opportunities.
- State Educational Technology Directors Association SETDA connects educational technologists together in each state, engaging members in advocacy and policy reform events that affect each state's educational system. Through SETDA, educational technology professionals can attend webinars, conferences, and other public events that support the organization's four main priorities: equity of access, digital content, digital learning, and interoperability.
- Association for Educational Communications and Technology AECT is the nation's premier organization for educational technologists and instructional designers, promoting values such as leadership, professional standards, sustainability, financial stability, and collaboration. The organization administers a system of standards for professional education programs and offers an endorsement for individuals without degrees through a certificate program.
- Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education Formed to advance information technology in education, AACE also fosters e-learning research, development, and practice. AACE unites scholars, researchers, and practitioners through conferences and events, awards programs, and career development resources. Members receive access to its extensive learning and technology library, association publications, and discipline-specific updates.
