Online Ed.D.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Ph.D. and Ed.D.?
Choosing between a Ph.D. and an Ed.D. in Education requires careful consideration of academic interests and career goals. While both are doctoral degrees, they differ in emphasis.
Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy):
- Ideal for those aspiring to pursue careers in academia, research, or leadership positions in technology-driven educational institutions.
- Emphasizes advanced research, theory development, and scholarly contributions in educational technology.
- Focuses on advancing knowledge and understanding of educational technology through rigorous academic inquiry and publishing scholarly work in peer-reviewed journals.
Ed.D. (Doctor of Education):
-
- Ideal for in-service educators and professionals seeking leadership roles that involve implementing and managing technology integration in educational settings.
- Offers a practice-oriented approach, focusing on applying research to real-world challenges in educational technology.
- Prepares graduates to address practical issues, drive innovation, and lead educational technology initiatives within schools, districts, or educational organizations.
Still have questions? Contact us!
Can I continue to work while completing this program?
All students in the online EdD in Educational Technology are professionals. The program is purposefully designed for those in full-time jobs.
Do I need to hold a Masters in Education to apply to this program?
No, you do not need to have completed a Masters in Education to apply to this program. Educational Technology is an interdisciplinary field and our students have majors in Education, Computer Science, Psychology, Business and just about any other field you can imagine. We do expect that applicants work in educational environments and use educational technology in those environments. Regardless of your previous, it is important that you write a strong purpose statement (required in your application) about how this degree in Educational Technology will help you meet your professional goals.
How can I apply to the Ed.D. program?
For complete information on the admissions process, please review our program-specific guidelines.
Please also visit the following application information for the School of Teaching and Learning.
The application for our program may be found on the UF application portal. Our application deadline is in January, which is different from other deadlines in the college that might be in February, so please use the deadline on this page and plan accordingly. Please read these FAQs carefully before you apply.
Is there a campus-based requirement (i.e., visit to campus)?
Yes. The online EdD in Educational Technology program is online except for an on-campus component for 2 days (in late August-early September) during your first semester and 4 days at the end of the first year (in late June) and 3 days in the second year (mid-May) of your program.
Attendance is required. You are required to sign an Application Agreement Letter committing to the on-campus component and submit it along with your online application. The University of Florida also requires that you be present for your dissertation defense, but that date can be decided according to your convenience and in agreement with your dissertation committee chair.
Am I able to transfer credits from my master's program?
The online Ed.D. program requires an earned Master’s degree. It is possible to transfer up to 30 credit hours from your Master’s program, depending on multiple factors.
Students typically transfer 25-30 credits from their Masters degree, complete 54 required Ed.D. credits and take additional electives to complete the minimum 90 credits needed to graduate from the program. Transfer approvals are based on many factors and are made at the university level so we cannot tell prospective students how many credits will transfer.
Transfer credit requests are submitted during students’ first semester in the program and are handled by the Graduate School after students have registered in the program. Once enrolled, your advisor will guide you through the credit transfer process. No questions about transfer credit can be addressed until after a student has begun the program.
For more information, please read the University of Florida policy on transfer of credit.
Are GRE scores required for admission to the online EdD program?
You do not need to provide GRE scores to apply for the EdD cohort. If providing scores, the University of Florida Office of Admissions will only accept scores sent directly from ETS. You can send the scores using code 5812.
Where can I find information about tuition and fees?
A primary concern for working professionals studying part-time is the tuition cost of an advanced degree. Completely online students who take no face-to-face courses receive an out-of-state fee waiver, therefore our costs are very reasonable.
For more information on the graduate cost of attendance, please view the most recent graduate tuition costs and distance learning fees at the College of Education Online Tuition and Fees page. This information may also be found on the UF Bursar’s website.
Students take a minimum of 60 credits (depending on credits transferred from the Master’s degree) to complete the program.
Program faculty cannot answer questions about tuition. Further questions can be answered by the Admissions office at 352-392-1365.
Are scholarships available?
The College of Education awards scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students through an annual scholarship process. For more information on current scholarships, please visit the college student affairs scholarship website.
Is financial aid available?
A primary concern for working professionals studying part-time is the tuition cost of an advanced degree. Completely online students who take no face-to-face courses receive an out-of-state fee waiver, therefore our costs are very reasonable.
For more information on the graduate cost of attendance, please view the most recent graduate tuition costs and distance learning fees at the College of Education Online Tuition and Fees page. This information may also be found on the UF Bursar’s website.
Students take a minimum of 60 credits (depending on credits transferred from the Master’s degree) to complete the program.
Program faculty cannot answer questions about tuition. Further questions can be answered by the Admissions office at 352-392-1365.
How many students comprise each cohort?
Each cohort is between 18-25 students.
How quickly can I complete the program?
A doctorate degree requires students to complete a minimum of 90 hours beyond their bachelor’s degree. The online Ed.D. in Educational Technology is designed such that students complete the required courses as a cohort and work on their dissertations at their own pace. Degree completion depends on the student’s ability to complete program requirements to a level commensurate with doctoral level work. Graduates of the program have taken a minimum of 3 years to complete the program.
How many credits can I transfer into the program from my previous graduate studies?
The online Ed.D. program requires an earned Master’s degree. Students should have completed a Master’s degree before they begin the Ed.D. program. It is possible to transfer up to 30 credit hours from your Master’s program, depending on multiple factors. It may be possible to have additional credits transferred if students hold a specialist degree from an accredited doctoral degree granting institution.
Transfer approvals are based on many factors and are made at the university level so we cannot tell prospective students how many credits will transfer. Transfer credit requests are submitted during students’ first semester in the program and are handled by the Graduate School after students have registered in the program. No questions about transfer credit can be addressed until after a student has begun the program. For more information, please see the University’s official policy on transfer of credit.
I completed an online certificate. Can I move into the Ed.D. program?
The admissions processes for online certificates and degree programs are different so you would need to apply to the Ed.D. program. The credits earned from a certificate can transfer to a program once a student is accepted as long as a B or better was earned. Please note that only a total of 36 credits can transfer if you completed your Masters at UF and a total of 30 credits if you completed your Masters elsewhere.
Do letters of recommendation have to come from University faculty?
The admission requirements for our department state that letters of recommendation must come from university faculty. However, our program recognizes that many applicants have been away from university studies for many years. Thus, we prefer to see letters of recommendations from individuals who can speak to your current work and your likelihood of success in graduate school. These may or may not come from university professors.
Can letters of recommendation come from UF EdTech faculty?
No, the Ed Tech faculty review applications so this would mean that we would be writing letters to ourselves. Current Ed Tech students who wish to apply to another Ed Tech program are welcomed to talk with faculty about it and to let us know they are applying but we cannot write letters of recommendation.
Can I see a list of courses in the program?
The list of courses look slightly different for each cohort. This is a cohort-based program, all requirements and activities have to be completed as an online cohort. The curriculum includes core courses in Educational Technology, research courses, doctoral seminars and electives. Students are required to take two courses a semester that total six credits (Fall, Spring and Summer) for the first two years of the program. The courses for the last offered cohort are listed on our website.
What are the program's prerequisites?
Acceptance requires a completed master’s degree from an accredited institution. We do not require applicants to have a background in educational technology or education; however, it does help.
Are there some classes I can take to see if this is the program for me?
You can register for courses as a non-degree seeking student when they are offered each semester. View the course calendar for more information on when courses are offered throughout the year.
Before you register for a course, if you are planning to apply to the Ed.D., please email Dr. Olesova to ensure that the course you are taking will transfer into the Ed.D. program if you are accepted.
Please note that successfully completing courses does not guarantee admission to the Ed.D. cohort.
Do I need to identify a faculty member as a mentor or discuss my research interests before I apply?
Students will have the opportunity to get to know core faculty members in the program during the first year. Students then work with a research mentor in the second and third years of the program, once they have determined their area of specialization.
Will this program help me further my professional goals?
This program is designed for professionals wishing to conduct research in Educational Technology. Our students come from diverse disciplines and backgrounds. We work with students individually to help them achieve their professional goals. Almost all our students have advanced in their professional context, many have also changed jobs as a result of completing this degree. It is common for students’ goals to change during the degree. Reading our articles about how this program has impacted Ed.D. students (Kumar & Dawson, 2012; Kumar, 2014) will help prospective applicants.
If you wish to know more about the program, please consult our book:
Kumar, S. & Dawson, K. (2018). An Online Doctorate for Researching Professionals: Program Design, Implementation and Evaluation. Athabasca University Press. http://www.aupress.ca/index.php/books/120272
Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
If you have questions about the admissions process, please contact GradAdmissions@coe.ufl.edu. If you have questions about the program, please contact Dr. Olesova at edtechedd@coe.ufl.edu.
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