Educational Communication and Technology

The PhD program in Educational Communication and Technology is a rigorous research-oriented doctorate that prepares scholars who study the relationship between people, technology/media, and learning in all contexts. ECT doctoral students are trained in cognitive science, the learning sciences, game studies, and design-based methodologies to conduct original research on how technology and media can support learning. Students can also participate in our design-oriented studio-based learning courses, and are encouraged to combine theoretical research with design and practice in appropriate learning contexts. The program is highly selective and fully funded for full-time students.

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 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. 

The Ph.D. in ECT is a 57 credit program, comprised of two major categories of course work: ECT coursework (21 credits); and "School-wide doctoral requirements" (36 credits), research- and dissertation-related coursework required of all doctoral students in The Steinhardt School. The Coordinator of the doctoral program and faculty academic advisors assist students in making course selections and planning course sequences both appropriate to general doctoral guidelines and relevant to students' individuals goals and interests (all ECT faculty serve as academic advisors to doctoral students). All courses taken must be at the graduate level which, at NYU, are numbered at the 2000- and 3000-levels (and at equivalent graduate levels in other schools at NYU, should doctoral students take their electives in NYU schools other than Steinhardt).

ECT Specialization Courses  (21 credits required)

Requirements

• ECT Foundations 
• E19.2174   Foundations of Cognitive Science  (3) 
• E19.2175   Foundations of the Learning Sciences  (3)

Doctoral Seminars 

• E19.3076   Advanced Seminar in Research & Practice in Instructional Technology (3)

Electives, selected remaining 12 credits from courses in these categories:

• ECT Foundations 
• Design Foundations 
• Design Electives 

Research Courses

Steinhardt Doctoral Requirements (36 credits required)

• Educational Foundations (6)
• Content Seminar, in ECT (3)
  E19.3311   Content Seminar: Research in Instructional Technology
• Research Electives  (15)
• Specialized Research Method (3)
• Dissertation Proposal Seminar (3)
• Cognates, professional electives related to specialization (6)

Requirements

The ECT PhD program is a highly competitive, fully funded program. Less than 5% of applicants are typically admitted. Applicants for the doctoral program are required to have:

1. A bachelor's and master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education
2. A minimum cumulative grade credit average of 3.0 for the master's degree
3. Graduate Record Examination scores commensurate with graduate study
4. Applicants whose first language is not English are required to take one of the following English proficiency exams and submit the scores: TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic. 

The following additional criteria will be used for all students:

1. Professional Interests and Career Goals
2. Knowledge of the Field of Educational Communication and Technology or Related Fields
3. Professional Experience in the Field and/or Contribution to Related Fields
4. Strong and Varied Communication Skills
5. Mature Professional Attributes
6. Scholarship and Research Potential

Part-time study is also possible when an individual's circumstances permit active participation in the scholarly community without allowing full-time participation in graduate studies (for example, when an applicant has full-time employment in a research-oriented job). The program is not focused on providing a credential to teach at the college level or on developing applied design skills beyond the Master's level; consider instead the Advanced Certificate. Part-time students are not eligible for fellowships or funding guarantees.

Scholarships

• Research assistantships