Ed.D. Educational Technology

Program Overview

Students enrolled in the Ed.D. in Educational Technology are required to enroll in at least six credit hours during each of the first four semesters. In so doing, a student will have completed 24 credit hours within two years. A student’s research interest will be developed from the start of the program, but concentration on the literature review and research proposal development tends to gain momentum around the same time as the required comprehensive exam (this happens after course work has been completed). Only select cognate and elective courses can be completed during the summer session, no online core or research courses are offered during the summer.

Students are encouraged to count previous graduate-level courses toward their cognate or elective credit requirements. Any transfer credits must have been taken within seven calendar years of the time of admission to the program, as well as meet other Graduate College requirements (see pp. 30-31 of the catalog linked below). Before transferring courses, or taking courses at other institutions to substitute for required courses, students are strongly encouraged have a conversation with their advisor.

Assuming the minimum 6 credit hour per semester load, a student could complete course work within two years provided s/he also had an appropriate number of qualifying transfer credit hours. Completing the dissertation proposal, data collection, and finalizing the dissertation could conceivably be completed with an additional year of work. Students have a total of seven years to complete the degree.

For more information about the Graduate College at Boise State, please review the most current catalog (2011-2012).

NOTE: The BSU Graduate College catalog does not yet have information about the Ed.D. in EdTech program, as it was printed in summer 2011, before the Ed.D. was approved by the Idaho State Board of Education. Information about the program will appear in the 2012-2013 catalog, but will be published here, first, as policies and procedures are approved.

High Quality

Regional Institutional Accreditation: Boise State University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Regional accreditation of the university has been continuous since initial accreditation was conferred in 1941. Boise State University is currently accredited at all degree levels (A, B, M, D). Regional accreditation was reaffirmed by NWCCU in 2010.

The scope of recognition of NWCCU includes, "the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidacy status") of postsecondary educational institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington and the accreditation of such programs offered via distance education within these institutions."

NWCCU Website

A common question has to do with the meaning of "regional accreditation." Some might wonder, "BSU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), but since I do not live in the Northwest. Is my degree still valid in other places?"

The answer is resoundingly YES! Accreditation for ALL universities in the United States is handled by regional commissions; there is no national accreditation. For example, the accreditation body for Stanford University is the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the State University of New York (SUNY) system is accredited by the Middle States of Commission on Higher Education, and institutions in the University of North Carolina system, for example UNC-Chapel Hill, are accredited by the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools. A degree earned at a college or university that is accredited by a regional commission is valid anywhere in the U.S. or the world.

From the U.S. Dept. of Education database, please see: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Index.aspx

Specialized Accreditation: Boise State University’s College of Education undergoes a rigorous review by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) every seven years; it was reaccredited in Spring 2010. NCATE requires extensive collection of data according to quality measures and rubrics to ensure that undergraduate and graduate students are meeting standards within their chosen field of study. In Educational Technology, the program adheres to standards established by two highly respected bodies: the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). The university is currently examining the “Quality Matters” rubric, which provides formative evaluation for online courses.

Program Review: Internal program evaluations will take place every five years as part of the normal departmental review process conducted by the Office of the Provost. This process requires a detailed self-study (including outcome assessments) and a comprehensive review and site visit by external evaluators.

Graduate College: The program will adhere to all policies and procedures of the Graduate College, which is assigned broad institutional oversight of all graduate degree and certificate programs.

Department Processes: The Department of Educational Technology conducts student surveys for every course, in every semester, to ensure the ongoing quality of their courses and instructors. Furthermore, the departmental leadership is working with state and national bodies (such as the International Council for Online Learning (iNACOL)) toward the establishment of state standards and an endorsement for K-12 online educators. Finally, various technical courses use certification standards established by industry (e.g., Cisco, Microsoft).

Admissions

All completed applications that meet the minimum criteria will be carefully reviewed by the doctoral committee of the Department of Educational Technology. Here are some particularly important aspects examined during application review (this is not a comprehensive list of all components to be considered):

1. The applicant is qualified due to an earned (or about to be earned) master’s degree. Preference will be given to applicants who have a degree in a field related to educational technology.
2. The applicant has a Grade Point Average for both undergraduate and graduate work that meets the minimum expectations (3.0 on a 4.0 scale).
3. Preference will be given to applicants who have earned scores on the Graduate Record Exam (and TOEFL, if required) that meet or exceed the standards listed below. All applicants are required to take the GRE; it will not be waived.
4. The applicant has a background and experience that lends itself to emerging as an innovative leader in the field.
5. The applicant expresses her or himself clearly in the required portions of the application (introductory letter and paper) that show her or his promise as a scholar.
6. An applicants references are positive and consistent with regard to evaluation of knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (http://www.ets.org/gre)
You can take this test at any time, but scores must be received and ready before your application is considered. The test must have been taken within five years of the application review period (the beginning of March).

The preferred candidate will have, at a minimum, the following scores:

• GRE taken prior to 01 AUG 2011 : Minimum score of 1,000 combined, and 4.0 Analytical
• GRE taken after 01 AUG 2011: Minimum of 300 combined, and 4.0 Analytical
  

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Students who are not native English speakers must also take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). This includes students who might have finished a degree in an English-speaking, but non-U.S. institution. The TOEFL must have been taken within 2 years of the application date.Required minimum scores are:

• Original test: 550
• Revised test: 213
• New TOEFL: 80
  

Other Requirements

• Master’s Degree is required (it does not have to be completed before the application is submitted, but must be awarded before a student is allowed to enroll in doctoral classes)
• A master’s degree in education, educational technology, or a field related to education is preferred.
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all previous graduate work is required

Apply

Step One:Departmental Application
An application guide for the Fall 2013 cohort is being updated (check back in September 2012). Departmental applications will start being accepted from mid-October 2012.
Reviews of applications will begin on 01 MARCH 2013.

Step Two: University Application

Applications:

• U.S. Citizens Application
  
  
• Non-U.S. Citizens Application

Graduate Assistantships

If you have a problem or question(s) with any part of the application process, please contact us*:
edtech@boisestate.edu

* responses to email inquiries sent over holidays or weekends may be delayed

Applicants can expect to be informed of their status within 60 days of their initial application.
Please do not contact department faculty or staff about whether or not a decision has been made.
Only contact departmental personnel if you have a problem or question about the application itself.
You will be notified by the department once your application is complete.

Financial Support

The cost is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Because the Department of Educational Technology is a self-support program, employees of the university do not receive a tuition break.

A very limited number of Graduate Assistantship positions will be available; these will be very competitive.

Departmental Financial Support

Boise State University Financial Aid (general)

Graduate Assistantships
The Department of Educational Technology offers a limited number of full-time and part-time graduate assistantships each academic year, lasting from August to May. We hire both local and distance-based GAs, but any applicant MUST BE a U.S. citizen or legal resident of the U.S.

Students who are employed full-time should not apply for a graduate assistantship. The number of hours per week required for another regular job, plus the GA job (10 to 20 hours per week), plus the time required for course work, make it unrealistic to work at another job.

The GA application deadline for doctoral students must be submitted at the same time as the application to the program. If a student is accepted, and decides at a later date to apply for an assistantship, a different form is required (the student must contact her or his advisor).

EDTECH graduate assistantships provide an excellent opportunity to:

* gain practical experience on real world projects or online co-teaching with a faculty member
* collaborate with faculty on research projects
* immerse yourself in the scholarship of educational technology
* include your work experience with the department on your resume.

Full-time or Part-time?
Full time GAs work for the EdTech Department 20 hours per week, take 9 credits (3 classes), receive a full-tuition waiver for three classes each semester, and a $10,000 stipend paid out over two semesters.

Part-time GAs work for the department 10 hours per week, take 6 credits (2 classes), and receive a tuition waiver, and a $5,000 stipend paid out over two semesters.

Application
The only application accepted for new students will be the one they complete within the initial application to the program. Please do not apply through any other mechanism unless you have already been accepted into the doctoral program.

Degree Requirements

Ed.D. EdTech Degree Requirements

Dissertation Requirement

FAQ

Do I have to come to Boise to take any classes?
- We’d love to have you – it’s a great city! However, the program is entirely online, and there are no on-campus requirements, even in the summer.

How much does it cost?
– We provide exceptional value for our masters degree program, and this will continue for the doctorate. The current cost, per 3 credit hour course, is $1,138.00 (same for in-state and out-of-state students).

When can I start?
- The first cohort of students will start courses in fall 2012.

Can I transfer in courses from my other graduate work?
– Yes, but they must be approved, and all must meet requirements of the Graduate College and departmental policy.

The following policy governs courses taken outside the doctoral program that a person may wish to transfer as credit once s/he has been accepted as a student.

First, please be aware that previously completed credit hours can only be applied to: Research courses, Cognate courses *, & Elective courses (see “Degree Requirements”).

1. Any course that a student wishes to use as a transfer credit must be consistent with the program of study planned by the student and her or his advisor and supervisory committee. The Dean of the Graduate College is the final arbiter of whether the credits are accepted or not.
2. No student can transfer more than 22 total credit hours to the Ed.D. program in EdTech (university policy).
3. No undergraduate course (even upper level) will be accepted as transfer credits for the doctoral program.
4. Any course transferred must have a grade of B or better.
5. Any course transferred cannot represent effort for a graduate culminating activity or for experiential learning (ex., portfolio or thesis).
6. Credits earned for post-graduate work, but which are not graduate courses (ex., professional development workshops) cannot be used for transfer credit.
7. Any course transferred must have been taken at an accredited institution.
8. Graduate credits earned either as part of a master’s degree, or taken as part of a graduate degree that was not completed, are eligible for transfer. Courses ineligible would be those restricted by other elements of the transfer course policy.
9. A course eligible for transfer should have been completed within 7 years of a student’s proposed graduation date from the doctoral program. Academic adjustments can be made depending on the course and a student’s subsequent experience, but this is the purview of the Graduate College, as advised by the student’s academic committee.
   
   * Courses that are transferred for the cognate will require the student to provide an explanation how the course(s) create an area of specialization.
   
   Questions about the transfer course policy should be directed to the program director, Dr. Ross Perkins (edtech@boisestate.edu).

How long does it take to complete?
– This will vary from student to student, but it is expected that students will complete the program in four years.

How do I apply!?
– To apply, please go to https://cedar.boisestate.edu/gradcoll/apply.asp. But before applying, please read the application guide.

How likely am I to be accepted?
– We expect an extremely competitive program given the demand we have already seen expressed. Starting in the first year, we are likely to accept only 20 or fewer students total.

Can I get a graduate assistantship while in the program?
– A very limited number of assistantships will be available, and the selection for them very competitive. For more information, please see http://edtech.boisestate.edu/web/grad_assist.htm

Am I expected to stay within a cohort?
– Incoming classes start at the same time (in the fall), and all new students will take at least the first course together (EDTECH 601), but students do not have to take certain courses at certain times. There is an expectation that students will enroll in 6 credit hours per semester. Even though students can choose classes as they need them, not all classes will be available each semester – so students must pay particular attention to the "Program Development Form" that they will create with their advisor once they enroll.

Do I have to have a master’s degree in EdTech or background as a teacher?
– Though some preference will be given to those with a background in educational technology or in teaching, it is not a requirement for admittance.