Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in AI and Learning Design
Currently accepting students for the Fall 2026 Fall. Please contact Sanghoon Park at park2@usf.edu
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in AI and Learning Design prepares experienced professionals to lead the strategic and ethical integration of artificial intelligence in education, workforce development and organizational learning. This applied doctoral program equips scholar-practitioners with the knowledge and skills to design, implement and evaluate AI-supported learning innovations that improve teaching, training and performance outcomes. Grounded in the learning sciences, instructional design, learning analytics, leadership and responsible AI practices, the program emphasizes human-centered approaches to technology adoption and evidence-based decision-making. Students culminate their studies with a Dissertation in Practice that addresses a real-world challenge involving AI and learning design.
What you will learn
Students in the AI and Learning Design Ed.D. program develop expertise in:
- Designing AI-enhanced learning experiences and instructional systems
- Evaluating and implementing AI tools in educational and workplace settings
- Applying learning analytics and data-informed decision-making strategies
- Leading organizational change related to emerging technologies
- Addressing ethical, legal, and policy considerations surrounding AI
- Developing human-centered approaches to AI adoption and innovation
- Conducting applied research to solve complex learning and performance challenges
- Assessing the effectiveness and impact of AI-supported learning initiatives
Through coursework, applied projects and scholarly inquiry, students learn how to bridge the gap between emerging AI technologies and effective learning design practices.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the AI and Learning Design Ed.D. program are prepared for leadership positions across educational institutions, corporations, nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, military training environments and government agencies. Potential career paths include:
- Chief Learning Officer
- Director of Learning and Development
- Director of Instructional Technology
- AI Strategy and Innovation Leader
- Learning Experience Design Director
- Educational Technology Administrator
- Corporate Training Executive
- Workforce Development Leader
- Learning Analytics Specialist
- Digital Learning Director
- Organizational Learning Consultant
- Educational Innovation Specialist
- Higher Education Administrator
- Faculty Leader in Teaching and Learning Innovation
This program is particularly well suited for experienced educators, instructional designers, learning and development professionals, training managers, educational technology leaders and organizational change agents seeking to lead AI-driven transformation initiatives.
What to Expect
The AI and Learning Design Ed.D. is designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers while addressing real-world challenges in their organizations. Students can expect to:
- Engage with emerging AI technologies and their applications in learning and performance improvement
- Collaborate with a diverse cohort of educational and industry professionals
- Apply learning science and instructional design principles to authentic problems of practice
- Develop expertise in learning analytics, data visualization, and evidence-based decision-making
- Explore ethical, equitable, and responsible approaches to AI integration
- Build a professional portfolio demonstrating leadership and innovation
- Complete a Dissertation in Practice focused on solving a meaningful organizational challenge
Throughout the program, students work closely with faculty mentors and peers to develop the leadership, research and design capabilities needed to shape the future of learning in an AI-driven world.
