A major is also commonly referred to as a field of specialization. The major includes a complement of courses that provide an opportunity to master a defined area of study. LEIT 698 is also recommended. Ordinarily, courses are taken in numerical order. A cognate or minor specialization may be chosen to meet a specific goal.
Cognates are courses taken in some other specialization area.
Ordinarily only doctoral students whose master's degree is in Instructional Technology complete a cognate. Courses in other departments may be selected for cognate or research areas, most commonly in Art, Business, Communications, Computer Science, and Journalism. As the culminating experience of the doctoral program, candidates plan, complete, and successfully defend a research-based dissertation. The dissertation should represent a major contribution to knowledge in the candidate's field of study as defined under Dissertation and Oral Defense below. A minimum of 15 dissertation credit hours is required, in blocks of at least 3 hours per term.