Virtual PhD Degree

The Institute for Learning Sciences at BES La Salle offers a virtual PhD in Learning Sciences to qualified students who have demonstrated capability in developing online learn-by-doing courses or have related software experience. Graduates of the Learning Sciences master’s degree program offered by ILS at La Salle may also be eligible. The PhD program will allow students to focus on any of three areas:

• Technical areas involving creating new software tools
• Content areas involving creating content and designing methodologies in specific courses
• Testing of courses on real students and measuring success

The PhD course combines hands-on development work with the writing of a thesis. Students will work full-time in course development for one year. Thereafter, students will join a graduate seminar that meets both virtually and on campus with Professor Schank. After two years of seminar participation and three years of full-time course-building work, students are eligible to start to write the PhD thesis under Professor Schank’s supervision. During the thesis writing period, students work only part time. Students with sufficient relevant work experience may be allowed to begin writing the thesis immediately upon acceptance into the program.