phd in educational communication and technology

Educational Communications and Technology (PhD)

Program description.

The Educational Communication and Technology (ECT) program awards a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). This PhD program focuses on conducting qualitative and quantitative empirical research and evaluation of the effectiveness and learning outcomes of such resources and environments. Students will become prepared to be world-class scholars to theorize and study the relationship between design, media, technology, and learning across a variety of paradigms and research methodologies.

Prospective doctoral students are strongly encouraged to contact in advance faculty members with whom they are interested in working. All admitted full-time PhD students are awarded a full funding package and are assigned to a faculty mentor. There is no separate application for this funding program.

Admission to graduate programs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development requires the following minimum components:

Statement of Purpose
Letters of Recommendation
Transcripts
Proficiency in English

See NYU Steinhardt's Graduate Admissions website for additional information on school-wide admission. Some programs may require additional components for admissions.

See How to Apply for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

Program Requirements

Research requirements and benchmarks.

The PhD requires the completion of 36-54 credits. The 54-credit curriculum is designed for students who do not have a master's degree in a related field of study prior to matriculation. Students entering the PhD program with a field-appropriate master’s degree may receive advanced standing for up to 15 credits in Instructional Design and 3 credits in Research courses and complete the program in 36 credits. Instructional design courses and a research or statistics course are typically required in related master’s degree curricula, including NYU’s own master’s degree programs in this same field. Students with partially relevant master’s degrees may be advised to take some core Instructional Design courses and will complete the program for 36-54 credits based on transcript and syllabus review.

The Coordinator of the doctoral program and faculty academic advisers assist students in making course selections and planning course sequences relevant to students' individuals goals and interests (all ECT faculty serve as academic advisers to doctoral students). All courses taken must be at the graduate level.

As doctoral students advance through their coursework and develop expertise in a particular area of inquiry, they begin to formulate the questions that will define their research process. This process consists of a series of benchmarks.

The candidacy paper
Candidacy approval Admission to degree candidacy
Appointment of dissertation committee
The dissertation proposal Application to University Committee on Activities Involving Human Subjects The dissertation proposal review
Dissertation research and writing Final oral examination Final dissertation approval

The first benchmark is the candidacy paper, a written, scholarly examination of a critical issue or problem at the intersection of learning, media and technology. With the guidance of an ECT faculty adviser, students review relevant theory and studies previously conducted concerning this issue or problem, with a view toward establishing important directions to pursue in their own dissertation research.

After admission to candidacy, the next benchmarks include developing the dissertation proposal and the appointment of a dissertation committee. These steps typically interact, as students make progress on the proposal while identifying appropriate committee members who, in turn, as selected, contribute to students' progress. During this period, students have the benefit of additional support in the Dissertation Proposal Seminar required of all doctoral students. Depending on the types of studies students plan, this phase might also involve applying for approval to conduct their studies from the University Committee on Activities Involving Human Subjects.

The dissertation proposal, once approved by the students' committee, is formally reviewed by an advisory panel of faculty with relevant expertise. When approved, students begin the longer process of conducting their studies with the continued guidance and support of committee members. The last benchmark is the final oral examination of the completed dissertation, conducted by the dissertation committee and two outside readers.

Sample Plan of Study

Comprehensive and culminating elements include: conference papers; candidacy paper preparation and presentation, dissertation prospectus preparation and presentation, dissertation defense.

Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a Maintain Matriculation ( MAINT-GE 4747 ) course. All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

Apply learning theories and principles from the learning sciences and cognitive science to make informed decisions in the design of educational media and learning experiences.
Identify, critique, and demonstrate understanding of key historical developments, theoretical shifts, and trends in practice within educational technology.
Generate meaningful research questions and design appropriate research methods that reflect current knowledge of the field.
Independently manage research processes, including obtaining IRB approval, designing research tools, recruiting participants, conducting studies, analyzing data, and reporting findings in academic formats.
Actively engage in a scholarly community by collaborating with fellow researchers and interdisciplinary teams and stakeholders, and participating in conferences and workshops.

STEM OPT Benefits for International Students

Nyu policies, steinhardt academic policies, program policies.

If you’re an international student, you may be able to work in the United States after graduation for an extended period of time. Most students studying on F-1 visas will be eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) off-campus work authorization. F-1 students in this program may also be eligible for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) OPT extension, allowing you to extend your time in the United States to pursue degree-related work experience for a total of 36 months or 3 years. For more information on who can apply for this extension visit NYU’s Office of Global Services: STEM OPT .

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages .

Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page .

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PhD Pathways in Education Technology

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Educational technology, commonly known as EdTech, refers to tools that facilitate active learning through collaboration, allowing educators to create interactive digital textbooks, gamify lessons, and more. Digital devices have increased education’s reach, enabling learning in remote areas and continuity through disruptions like pandemics.

Learn more about Ed Tech industry

Check out EdSurge , the Ed Tech industry news source
Overview of Education Technology
Stanford Report: How technology is reinventing education?
TED talks by Luis von Ahn (Duolingo’s CEO)

Key Career Opportunities

Career Development in Education Technology, ISTE
Job Board -EdSurge

Get Involved and Gain Experience

Teaching Online at Yale-Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning
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