Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education

School of Education

Instructional Design for Online Learning Specialization

Equip yourself to lead and manage instructional challenges in the growing field of online education. This PhD specialization in Instructional Design for Online Learning focuses on the theory and leadership of instructional design, including creating and applying instructional design models, leading the implementation of instructional solutions, leading strategic instructional design initiatives, and conducting and applying instructional design research. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing dean, director or other high-level leadership positions in a variety online learning settings, including educational institutions, corporations, the military, health care, and government.

The residential colloquia experience

As a doctoral learner, you will attend three one-week colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your doctoral studies and beyond. Learn more about residential colloquia:

• Interactive guide to becoming doctoral at Capella colloquia
• A preview of the doctoral colloquium experience
• Colloquia schedules and other details

Core Courses

• ED8002 - Foundations of Theory and Practice in Doctoral Studies - 4 quarter credits
• ED8113 - Advanced Study in Research Methods - 4 quarter credits
• ED8119 - Advanced Practicum in Research Design* - 4 quarter credits

Specialization Courses

• ED8100 - The Future of Educational Institutions: Topics and Trends: Topics and Trends - 4 quarter credits
• OR
• ED8111 - The Historical and Social Foundations of Education - 4 quarter credits
• ED5802 - Principles of Instructional Design - 4 quarter credits
• ED5806 - Designing Online Instruction - 4 quarter credits
• ED7624 - Theories of Learning and Instruction* - 4 quarter credits
• ED7620 - Theoretical Basis of Instructional Design* - 4 quarter credits
• ED8810 - Ethics and Social Responsibility in Distance Education* - 4 quarter credits
• ED7496 - Advanced Instructional Design* - 4 quarter credits
• ED7504 - Leadership for Instructional Design* - 4 quarter credits
• ED9919 - Doctoral Comprehensive Examination* - 4 quarter credits
• ED9920 - Dissertation Courseroom* - non-credit
• ED9921 - Dissertation Research 1* - 5 quarter credits
• ED9922 - Dissertation Research 2* - 5 quarter credits
• ED9923 - Dissertation Research 3* - 5 quarter credits
• ED9924 - Dissertation Research 4* - 5 quarter credits
•  
• Choose two from the following courses
• ED5804 - The Delivery of Distance Education - 4 quarter credits
• ED7814 - Interface Design - 4 quarter credits
• ED7503 - Instructional Media Tools - 4 quarter credits
• ED5810 - Project Management for e-Learning Development - 4 quarter credits
• ED7505 - Evaluation and Assessment of Instructional Design* - 4 quarter credits

Eleven Elective Courses

• Recommended elective courses
• ED7006 - Research and Writing for Graduate Learners - 4 quarter credits
• ED7007 - Focused Research and Writing for Graduate Learners* - 4 quarter credits
• ED7008 - Developing Voice and Style in Academic and Professional Writing - 4 quarter credits
• ED7212 - Administration and Leadership of Distance Education Programs - 4 quarter credits
• ED5312 - Strategies for Building Online Learning Communities - 4 quarter credits
• ED7673 - The Future of Corporate and Technical Training: Issues and Trends - 4 quarter credits
• ED7631 - Introduction to Training and Performance Systems - 4 quarter credits
• ED7641 - Needs Assessment: Models and Procedures - 4 quarter credits
• ED7672 - Delivery Systems for Training and Performance Improvement - 4 quarter credits
• ED7830 - Coaching for High Performance - 4 quarter credits
• ED8115 - Advanced Quantitative Research Methods* - 4 quarter credits
• OR
• ED8117 - Advanced Qualitative Research Methods* - 4 quarter credits

• The following electives are available for PhD learners as directed studies
• ED7495 - Research Strategies and Methodologies for Online Learning - 4 quarter credits
• ED6892 - Storyboarding for Instructional Design* - 4 quarter credits
• ED6893 - Needs Analysis for Instructional Design* - 4 quarter credits
• ED5313 - Curriculum Development for Online Learning - 4 quarter credits
• ED6895 - Internship for Instructional Design for Online Learning* - 4 quarter credits
• ED8895 - Special Topics for Instructional Design for Online Learning - 4 quarter credits
• OR
• Choose any graduate courses

Course Descriptions

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Master's degree

• Instructional Design for Online Learning
• Training and Performance Improvement

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