Please note:
To view the Spring 2025 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2025/spring.
Educational Technology and Learning Design
Doctor of philosophy (PhD) degrees signify the acquisition of advanced knowledge in a field of specialization and advanced competence in conducting significant and original education research. This program develops highly qualified educational technology researchers and designers in academia, research and development labs, corporations, school boards or other settings. The program is organized in close conjunction with the master in educational technology and learning design program.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the University admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not meet these requirements may be considered if superior scholarly or professional achievement is demonstrated.
Admission is granted to a specific degree and to a particular program or specialization. Application information is available from the Faculty of Education.
Admitted students satisfy all requirements for the master in educational technology and learning design. Applicants are welcomed from a variety of educational and technical backgrounds, although they may be required to complete courses from the master of arts (MA) program before beginning course work on the PhD.
Program Requirements
This program consists of courses, a comprehensive examination and a thesis for a minimum of 43 units. The supervisory committee may require further work in the Faculty of Education or other faculties. Students are encouraged to complete additional courses from related units outside of the Faculty of Education. In addition to the course requirements listed below, students must also participate in the Educational Technology Program Institute each term.
Students must complete
and one of
and a comprehensive examination
and a thesis
The comprehensive examination is normally completed in the term in which course requirements are completed, or the term immediately following. A major part of this program is original research. A thesis describing this is submitted and defended. Normally, before the fourth course, a thesis research plan is presented to the supervisory committee.
* The prerequisites must also be satisfied, either prior to admission or during enrollment (see EDUC courses for prerequisites).
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program requirements within 18 terms.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.