Doctorate in Educational Technology Online (PhD)

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Credit Hours

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Become a Creative Leader in Education with a Doctorate in Instructional Design and Technology

Technology is a part of our everyday lives, making it an integral part of online and in-class education. Students from kindergarten through college rely on technology to complete assignments and learn critical skills needed for academic success.

Conferring Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education – Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) degree program can help expand your knowledge, skills, and training in instructional design. You will complete advanced course content and in-depth research. You will study cognitive development, evaluation and assessment, and the design and implementation of distance learning programs and job aids.

You will examine the design, development, and implementation of new learning processes and products designed for student success. Throughout our online PhD in instructional design and technology, you can learn how to effectively communicate. You can learn to create effective and engaging learning programs for school administrators, teachers, and students through various mediums. Through research and innovative use of today’s educational technology, you can enhance your skills and market your abilities in this growing field.

Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026

Private Nonprofit University
600+ Online Degrees
No Standardized Testing for Admission
Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Why Choose Liberty’s PhD in Educational Technology Online?

Liberty’s educational technology doctoral program online is designed to provide advanced training to instructional design specialists. This degree is for those who are seeking promotions, new opportunities, or a career change. In whatever capacity you plan to develop innovative learning management systems (LMS), our program can help you reach your career goals.

We designed our PhD in Instructional Design and Technology to be 100% online. This means you are not required to attend courses on campus at any time as you pursue your degree. We are committed to helping you obtain your degree in a way that is most convenient for you.

Liberty University’s mission is Training Champions for Christ. You will also receive training and instruction from professors who are grounded in their Christian faith.

What Will You Study in Liberty’s Instructional Design PhD Program?

Liberty University’s IDT courses enhance your knowledge of instructional design. This will allow you to develop support products and processes that enhance and increase the efficiency of learning. Our instructional design and technology courses provide training in the development of web-based courses as well as printed educational aids.

As you begin your PhD in instructional design and technology, you will improve your knowledge of the various styles of learning. You will also learn how instructional design and technology play a part in reaching the unique needs of students and teachers. From there, you can learn advanced techniques using existing technologies for web-based learning. You will also study new developments in technology and their possible implications for the future.

Potential Career Opportunities

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Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

Doctoral Full Time	$610/Credit
Doctoral Part Time	$675/Credit

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $375/credit hour (learn more).

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Admission Information for Our Online PhD in Learning Design and Technology

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Start Online Application

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

Active Duty
Reserve/National Guard
Veterans/Retirees
Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $375/credit hour. Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

View Military Benefits

Frequently Asked Questions

What degree do you need for instructional design?

Whether you want career advancement or are just getting started in the field, you are probably wondering which instructional design program you should pursue. If you want to work in management or administration and be at the height of your education career, then consider a doctorate program.

We believe that Liberty offers one of the best instructional design PhD programs available. Here’s why:

Courses grounded in a biblical worldview to help you become a leader who values ethics and integrity
Flexibility to complete your doctorate 100% online
Professors with doctorates and years of experiences who are excited to mentor you

Does this degree require any culminating project?

Does this PhD have any campus requirements?

What are the benefits of pursuing a program like this?

Are you ready to change your future?

Apply Now

App Fee Waived This Week*

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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PhD in Education: Instructional Design and Technology Pioneer New Instructional Strategies

Become a Creative Leader in Education with a Doctorate in Instructional Design and Technology

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose Liberty’s PhD in Educational Technology Online?

What Will You Study in Liberty’s Instructional Design PhD Program?

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for Our Online PhD in Learning Design and Technology

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

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Military

Frequently Asked Questions

What degree do you need for instructional design?

Does this degree require any culminating project?

Does this PhD have any campus requirements?

What are the benefits of pursuing a program like this?

Are you ready to change your future?

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