Howard W. Smith, Interim Dean
Office of Student Services
John A. Williamson, Director
Some financial support for research is available from external grants and faculty research funds administered by the Office of Research and Academic Grants. The areas of research are described by each department.
The College of Education is accredited by the Texas Education Agency. The programs in counselor education and recreation and leisure studies are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs and Council on Accreditation for Programs in Recreation, Park Resources and Leisure Services.
The College of Education consists of four departments: Counseling, Development and Higher Education; Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation; Teacher Education and Administration; and Technology and Cognition.
The following programs of study, organized by department, are available in the college.
Students planning to teach in secondary schools must earn a major and degree in the academic discipline in which they plan to teach, and take a minor in secondary education to qualify for a teaching certificate. Students should check with the appropriate department for degree requirements.
The state of Texas teaching certificate requires completion of an approved four-year degree program and clearance on a criminal records search. Students must apply and be admitted to the teacher education program prior to taking education courses. Students who have completed requirements must apply for teaching certificates in the College of Education. For information and application forms, contact the College of Education Office of Student Services in Matthews Hall, Room 105.
A minimum of 12 semester hours must be completed in residence before a recommendation from UNT is made for any certificate. For the University of North Texas to recommend a student for teacher certification, that student must have successfully completed student teaching at UNT or received prior approval from the director of the Office of Student Services. Students being recommended for teacher certification by UNT must have the appropriate GPA requirements and have passed required ExCET exams.
As of May 1, 1986, to be approved for the provisional teacher's certificate, additional teaching fields, areas of specialization or endorsements, all candidates (including those holding valid out-of-state certificates) are required to achieve a satisfactory level of performance on appropriate sections of the Examination for Certification of Educators in Texas (ExCET).
Though a student's completion of an approved program or specialization for a degree and/or certificate should prepare the student for such proficiency tests, the College of Education cannot and does not guarantee that students will pass such tests.
Specializations: biology, earth science, English, geography, health, history, mathematics, communication, speech communications, theater arts and physical education.
Option II (certifies grades 1-8)
Specializations: biology, earth science, English, French, geography, health, history, physical education, mathematics, music, reading, Spanish, speech communications and theater arts.
Option III (certifies grades 1-8 general)
Specialization: generic special education (certifies grades K-12)
Specialization: life-earth science (certifies grades 1-8)
Option IV (certifies grades K-6)
Specialization: early childhood.
Single teaching fields: biology, chemistry, dance, earth science, economics, English, French, geography, history, industrial technology, life/earth sciences, mathematics, physical science, physics, sociology, Spanish and theater arts.
First Teaching Field only: life/earth science, physical science.
Second Teaching Field only: generic special education, reading.
First and Second Teaching Fields: biology, chemistry, speech, communication, computer science, dance, earth science, economics, English, French, geography, German, health promotion, history, journalism, physical education, Latin, mathematics, physics, government, psychology, sociology, Spanish and theater arts.
Driver education, early childhood, generic special education, English as a second language, gifted and talented, information processing technologies (I and II), learning resources, early childhood handicapped and emotionally disturbed and autistic.
The mission of the academy is to facilitate the dynamic involvement of College of Education faculty in research and professional development by:
Following are brief descriptions of each of these organizations.
The Center for Developmental Studies develops, implements and administers programs specifically designed to meet the educational needs of unique student populations, such as the financially and educationally disadvantaged, minorities and disabled individuals. The center currently administers five programs that provide services to students from middle school level through graduate school. Projects administered by the center have involved more than 85 school districts in North Central Texas, as well as many junior and community colleges throughout the state. Various programs provide services for in excess of 1,500 participants yearly, ranging from grade school to upper division undergraduate UNT students.
The Center for Parent Education was established to meet the needs of families through parent education research and training, as well as to act as a conduit for information about trends and research related to parent education. The program collaborates with faculty in the human development and family studies master's degree program and the child development undergraduate program and with other university faculty who have an interest and expertise in parent education.
The Center for Play Therapy facilitates the unique development and emotional growth of children through the process of play therapy. The center carries out this commitment by providing graduate courses in play therapy, a play therapy summer institute, an annual play therapy conference, research, scholarships, a directory of play therapy training in the United States and Canada, a bibliography of play therapy literature, an international clearinghouse for play therapy literature, play therapy for children and training for parents.
The Center for Professional Development and Technology is an integral part of the teacher education program at UNT. The CPDT offers field-based teacher certification in both elementary and secondary education. For further information, contact the Department of Teacher Education and Administration or the Center for Professional Development and Technology.
The National Center for School-to-Work Transition is involved in a variety of research, technical assistance and database management projects intended to improve the knowledge base about work force preparation and to facilitate youth's transition from school to work. Of particular interest is working with school districts, state agencies and national organizations involved with programs that serve youth who are greatest at risk of joblessness and underemployment upon leaving high school.
The Center for the Study of Educational Reform conducts research and serves as an information clearinghouse on educational reform initiatives. Created in 1990, the center has received grants to conduct a statewide survey on education reform and to conduct research on private and public school choice programs. The center also provides doctoral students with opportunities for dissertation research.
The Child Development Laboratory is an accredited preschool program for young children ages 3 through 5. In addition, it serves as a model, an observation site and a training center for undergraduate and graduate students in fields related to young children. Research related to early childhood issues is conducted by graduate students and faculty members from across the university.
The Child and Family Resource Clinic (CFRC) is an interdisciplinary diagnostic and remedial clinic serving children, adults and families from the North Texas area. Services offered include interdisciplinary assessment, counseling, reading instruction, speech/language therapy and parent education classes. Fees for all services are based on a sliding scale. CFRC provides clinical training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students in counseling, reading and speech/language/hearing.
The Educational Research Laboratory offers services to graduate students and faculty members in the College of Education. Services include assistance in research design, measurements and analysis of data using either the SPSS or SAS statistical packages. Assistance also is given in the interpretation of computer output and display of data in the form of tables or charts.
The Maturational Assessment Clinic is devoted to the study and research of child growth and development, and assessment for proper school placement and school readiness. It is solely a diagnostic clinic and provides assessment and diagnosis in routine behavioral evaluation for ages 2 1/2 through 9 years; school readiness, ages 4 through 6; and proper school placement, ages 3 1/2 through 9.
The Office of Field Services was designed to link Texas school districts with the University of North Texas research and consulting capabilities. The goal of this center is to provide research and consulting services to school districts, private schools and businesses.
The Texas Center for Educational Technology (TCET) is designed to promote research and development collaboration among universities, school districts, the Education Service Centers and the technology industry for the purpose of integrating the use of technology into Texas schools. Educational technology information and products are disseminated statewide via monthly publications transmitted in print and electronically. Research projects focusing on technology development, use and quality are supported.
The UNT Institute for Behavioral and Learning Differences (UNT-IBLD) was created in 1993 for the advancement of research and educational issues and techniques related to individuals with unique behavioral and learning characteristics. The UNT-IBLD vision includes not only those individuals who are not keeping pace with their peer group, but also those who are advanced beyond normal expectations. The goals of the UNT-IBLD include: advancing the understanding of behavioral and learning differences, developing liaisons with public and private facilities, effecting in-service development of regular education faculty, focusing on transitional strategies for community, work and post-secondary education, developing technological innovations for enhancing educational and life opportunities and serving as a resource for professionals, parents, schools, community and state agencies.
The Center for Higher Education was created in the Department of Higher Education in 1983. The central purpose of CHE is to monitor and interpret the impact of major trends and legislation as they affect higher education. The office also engages in research activities for other agencies that are concerned about higher education issues at the state, regional and national levels.
Biofeedback Research and Training Laboratory (BRTL) makes biofeedback treatment of a variety of stress-related disorders available on a sliding scale fee basis. Biofeedback treatment is provided under counselor education faculty supervision by graduate counselors in training who are preparing to become nationally certified as biofeedback therapists.
Investigations of Talented Students is a research and support center for the recognition and development of high levels of talent and giftedness. The goal of the center is to help individuals, families and schools recognize and nurture the abilities and skills of individuals. ITS's research provides the educational and psychological community with insights into these issues. While ITS recognizes the variety of abilities and talents possible, its focus is primarily on those interests and competencies manifested by children in school or academic settings. Summer programs for elementary and secondary students are offered as graduate courses in gifted and talented education.
The Center for Private Support of Nonprofit Agencies provides assistance to public schools, community colleges and other nonprofit groups engaged in fund raising from private sources. The center also assists graduate students who wish to pursue a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis on resource development, and conducts applied research in advancement and development. The center offers noncredit courses and workshops for individuals working or seeking employment in nonprofit agencies.
The Counseling and Human Development Center offers individual, marriage, family and group counseling and play therapy for children. All counseling is done by students working toward master's or doctoral degrees. All sessions are supervised by a licensed professional counselor and confidentiality is closely guarded. A low-cost counseling fee is charged for the services provided.
The J.C. Matthews Chair of Research in Education, named for a former UNT president, acts as a catalyst in stimulating research in education at UNT. The holder of the chair conducts research on a variety of educational topics and disseminates results to the profession.
The Meadows Chair for Excellence in Education was established and funded by the Meadows Foundation to attract distinguished scholars to the College of Education to teach, interact with faculty and students and engage in scholarly work. Involving such scholars in the academic community should enhance professional development of the faculty, improve the quality of education for the student and ultimately lead to a better prepared Texas public school student body.
The Velma Schmidt Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Development was established and fully funded as a continuing memorial to Dr. Velma Schmidt and her work on behalf of young children. The holder of the chair is responsible for teaching and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, collaboration with faculty and schools, participation in professional and scholarly activities, and providing leadership in the university and community.
Individual courses of instruction are subject to change or withdrawal at any time and may not be offered each semester or every year. Any course may be withdrawn from current offerings if the number of registrants is too small to justify conducting it.
All Courses of Instruction are listed in one section at the back of the printed version of this catalog, or may be viewed online through the Undergraduate Course and Subject Guide (link listed below.)
Graduate course descriptions are carried in the Graduate Catalog, and may be viewed online through the Graduate Course and Subject Guide, (link listed below.)