Learning, Design, and Technology (LDT) is a doctoral instructional design and technology program designed for students with a wide range of interests. Students in this program engage in research, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of learning environments.
The name of the program, LDT, reflects the changing nature of the field to become more inclusive of formal and informal learning environments.
LDT supports graduate study of learning environments from an instructional design and technology perspective, as well as an educational technology perspective, in various formal and informal settings such as K-12 education, higher education, non-profit agencies, military, and corporate settings. The program also supports both part-time and full-time students.
Information for Potential Applicants
December 1 is the priority deadline for fall. Applicants may still apply through March 1, with the understanding that funding will be highly unlikely and space may be limited.
October 15 is the deadline for spring.
Includes EPC GA Application form, departmental fellowships/scholarships, and links to other funding sources around UT Knoxville.
Sukanya Moudgalya
Assistant Professor
Enilda Romero-Hall
Associate Professor
Graduate Coordinator,
Learning, Design & Technology Doctoral Program
Rachel Wong
Assistant Professor
Graduate Coordinator,
Instructional Technology Master Program
Information for Current Students
Course Sequence for Student with no Master’s in IT or Equivalent
Once admitted, students are required to complete the basic core courses to gain a foundational understanding of both theory and practice related to the design and development of learning environments. In the advanced core and research apprenticeship courses, students will work closely with faculty to pursue potential research projects as members of an interdisciplinary research team or on their own. Students are required to engage in additional coursework in research methods, electives, and cognates. With these additional courses, students may obtain a graduate certificate in areas such as Cultural Studies in Education, Online Teaching and Learning, Qualitative Research Methods in Education, and Evaluation, Statistics, and Measurement.
Admission requires an MS in Instructional Technology or another field with the completion of prerequisites prescribed by the admissions committee. Students meet regularly with their advisor to determine courses, follow Graduate School and LDT program requirements, and set personal scholarly goals. Students who have obtained a master’s degree in Learning, Design, and Technology, Instructional Technology, Educational Technology, or a related field following the Graduate School guidelines and upon doctoral committee approval may apply master’s level courses to meet the doctoral course hour requirements. Students also have an opportunity to pursue the LDT doctoral degree concurrently with the Instructional Technology (IT) master’s degree. In addition to required coursework, all students must complete a minimum of 24 dissertation credit hours. Residency requirements will be met by taking a full load (minimum of 9 hours) two consecutive semesters in the concentration, and this includes dissertation hours.
Sukanya Moudgalya
Assistant Professor
Enilda Romero-Hall
Associate Professor
Graduate Coordinator,
Learning, Design & Technology Doctoral Program
Rachel Wong
Assistant Professor
Graduate Coordinator,
Instructional Technology Master Program
Updated 01/29/2020