Doctorate in Educational Technology

Prepare for leadership positions

What are you going to be doing for the next 3-4 years? Have you ever thought about extending your educational technology expertise with a doctoral degree? If not, now is a great time to strongly consider that option, because we are pleased to announce that Central Michigan University is now accepting applications for the next cohort of our Doctorate in Educational Technology, offered completely online.

As one of the nation's top-ranked providers of online education, you will be gaining experiences rich in the evaluation of educational technology or technology-based training that will be invaluable in the evolving field of education today.

The Doctorate in Educational Technology (D.E.T) is designed for those interested in professional research and a rigorous evaluation of educational technology or technology-based training. The D.E.T will prepare you for leadership positions in: 

  • K-12 schools 
  • Virtual schools
  • Community colleges
  • 4-year colleges, and universities as well as
  • Corporate, industrial, and military settings
  • Faculty member
  • Instructional designer
  • Director of technical operations
  • Online curriculum specialist
  • Evaluation and research associate
  • Educational researcher
  • Educational developer
  • Educational research assessment analyst
  • Online intervention specialist
  • Learning/curriculum coordinator
  • Instructional technology specialist
  • Learning and development facilitator
  • Training integration specialist
  • Academic technology professional
  • and many more

All of the above jobs are currently advertised on major online employment sites. The best part about the D.E.T. is that it also prepares you for these jobs and for related jobs that do not yet exist and will be increasingly in demand.

What is a Doctorate in Educational Technology?

The CMU Doctorate in Educational Technology (D.E.T.) is a terminal degree, the highest degree available in its field. It is designed with professional research in mind. That is, the research we train you to perform is primarily designed to provide a rigorous evaluation of educational technology or technology-based training in a local context. It is not research for research sake, but research with an explicit purpose, typically specific to where you work or may want to work. In this way, the goals of the D.E.T. are different than a Ph.D. degree, which is primarily about advancing core knowledge in the broader field. 

As you consider this option, know that the D.E.T. is not designed like a longer and more difficult M.A. experience. In many ways, it is a completely different way of thinking. You will be exposed to the various tools of social science research, both qualitative (e.g., interviewing, focus groups, observations) and quantitative (statistical analysis of objective data), and learn how to use these to ensure that you know, with the highest degree of confidence, how well educational technology or technology-based training programs are meeting their objectives. In so doing, you become an expert in that specific area and are prepared for any number of leadership positions related to it.

What does the D.E.T. experience look like?

As noted above, this degree is offered completely online. There are no required visits to campus, no required weekend visits to far-flung places, and no summer face-to-face requirements.

The program is taught completely online in a cohort format where students start and finish a set schedule of courses together.  

  • There are no face-to-face requirements.  
  • Courses are offered in full semesters and students take two courses at a time per semester year-round (Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters) over the first two years.  
  • Both synchronous and asynchronous communications are implemented into the courses for building relationships with other cohort members as well as the faculty. 
  • There are no seated classroom requirements.
  • Courses are offered in 16-week semesters. 

Upon completion of the D.E.T. program, you will be able to:

  • Critically review and synthesize existing educational research.
  • Identify appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods for research in specific professional contexts.
  • Design rigorous research and evaluation programs for educational technology and technology-based training initiatives.
  • Demonstrate strong writing skills in targeted professional contexts.
  • Demonstrate strong oral communication and leadership.