Instructional Psychology and Technology
PhD
Application Deadlines
Fall:January 15
Spring:January 15
Contact Information: 
150 MCKB
801-422-5097
ipt@byu.edu
Website
Program Requirements: 

The PhD program prepares students to assume positions of leadership in instructional design and evaluation. Graduates may take positions as faculty at colleges and universities, direct other instructional designers in private or public institutions, or work as an individual consultant.

The instructional psychology and technology doctoral program is designed for full-time study. All PhD students will be required to complete the equivalent of 15 credits per year to remain enrolled in the program (prior to completing non-dissertation coursework).

Requirements for Degree.

  • Credit hours (90 hours): 72 course work hours plus 18 dissertation hours (IP&T 799R).
  • Advanced writing (3 hours): IP&T 510 - Scholarly Writing and Argumentation.
  • Skills courses (15 hours): Research Methods Skills:  IP&T 651, 653, 674R, 730, 745, 747, 752, 753R, 754, 789, and/or Computer Science Skills: IP&T 560, 654, 655, 665, 760R.
    • Must include at least one qualitative methods course (e.g., IP&T 653, 753R, etc.) as a skills course.
    • Must include at least one quantitative methods course (e.g., IP&T 651, 752, 754, etc.) as a skills course.
  • Required (core) courses (18 hours): IP&T 520, 564, 620, 629, 652, (661 or 761).
  • Specialization: 22 hours as determined in consultation with graduate committee.
  • Internship: 6 hours (IP&T 599R).
  • Seminar: 2 hours (IP&T 690R).
  • Two projects: 6 hours (IP&T 657R, 667R, 677R, 687R).
  • Dissertation: 18 hours (IP&T 799R)
  • Examinations: Oral defense of dissertation.
  • Students must register for at least two consecutive 6-hour semesters on the BYU campus.
Admission Requirements: 

We strongly recommend that you have an MS degree in IP&T or related field prior to applying for the PhD program.  If you currently do not have an MS degree, we encourage you to first apply for the MS program and then apply for the PhD towards the end of your MS degree.  Those with MS degrees in IP&T are much more competitive for advanced study.  Starting as an MS student will not slow down your progress because all the core coursework required for the MS is also required for the PhD.  Up to 36 credits (of the total 39) can be applied from our MS program to the PhD requirements.  (We can also accept up to 36 credits from a comparable graduate program under the discretion of the department chair.)

  1. Priority application deadline is January 15th
  2. Final application deadline is May 15th
  3. Those who meet the priority application deadline will receive a decision in March
  4. Applicants who wait until May will be considered on a space-available basis and receive a decision in June

Required evidence:

  • GRE
  • Letter of Intent
  • All past post-secondary transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Current resume or vita

Optional evidence:

You may include one or more of these sources of evidence in your application to make the strongest case for your admission to the program.

  • MS degree or coursework in IP&T or related field – if your MS is in a related field, please provide a description of how it relates.
  • Record of Design-Related Work Experience – provide details such as employers, years of experience with each, and a description of the design-related work you were engaged in.
  • Evidence of completion of the BYU Design Thinking Minor or related coursework at another university.
  • Writing Sample – sample of academic writing that has been published or peer reviewed with a brief explanation contextualizing the sample.

Please include this additional evidence in the “Additional Information” section of the university application.

Video interview:

  • Once your application is submitted you should receive an email with instructions on how to complete the interview portion of the application.  This will consist of recording a brief video response to a small number of interview prompts.
Program Outcomes: 


Foundational Knowledge and Understanding

Demonstrate depth and breadth of understanding of the fundamental principles related to instructional design, development, evaluation, assessment, and research.

Ethical and Professional Practice

Develop a personal commitment to integrate into their lives the standards of professional ethics within the field, and demonstrate a willingness to live by high standards of ethical practice consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Practical Application Skills

Demonstrate ability to complete quality projects in the field by applying knowledge and skills related to design, development, evaluation, assessment and research.

Research Skills

Demonstrate the ability to design, implement, report, and critique quality research within the discipline.

Professional Communication

Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate research and evaluation findings.