Applied Technology & Performance Improvement

Doctoral degree programs

Opportunities for graduate studies

The doctoral programs in applied technology and performance improvement at the University of North Texas build on your core knowledge and allow you to design a program that reflects your interest. We have an atmosphere that encourages the intellectual exchange of ideas and research in this multidisciplinary field.

Administered by our Department of Learning Technologies, courses are offered in a variety of styles to accommodate part- or full-time work or your particular learning style. Several courses are available online, while others may require a combination of online and campus-based instruction.

The Doctor of Education degree in Applied Technology and Performance Improvement prepares you for high-level leadership roles in a variety of organizational settings. It is a practitioner’s degree with an emphasis on secondary-level administration and supervision, curriculum development, and community college-level teaching. Career opportunities for Ed.D. graduates include:

• community college instructors
• curriculum technologists
• educational consultants
• evaluation specialists
• program administrators

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Applied Technology and Performance Improvement is research-oriented with an emphasis on university-level teaching and research or corporate training and development. This degree helps you develop research skills that encompass a variety of methodologies. The degree program is supported by a strong minor emphasizing a cognate area that expands leadership perspectives. Among the many job opportunities for Ph.D. graduates are:

• needs analysts
• organizational change consultants
• program designers
• researchers
• training consultants
• training technologists
• university faculty members

The College of Information is located at UNT’s Discovery Park, a nearly 290-acre research facility that also houses the College of Engineering and the Computing and Information Technology Center. Our programs have been nationally recognized by U.S. News and World Report, which ranked our college among the top 20 in the nation in the 2010 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools.

Research centers and laboratories

Graduate faculty members are committed to providing you mentoring that includes supervised guidance in all phases of your program of study and professional development. As a doctoral student, you are expected to enroll in at least 3 credit hours of a practicum, field problem or internship. You are also expected to participate in research and development activities conducted through the College of Information.

Several laboratories and research centers provide you the resources and facilities needed for in-depth study in the fields of information and technology.

The 3-D Learning Environment Research Lab looks into how three-dimensional environments impact learning and how such technology can be deployed into educational settings to engage and/or immerse the student in learning situations.

The Design+Research Initiative Laboratory creates digital designs for learning that are systematically studied for their effectiveness in capturing students’ imaginations and improving learning in various settings.

The Educational Computing Research and Development Lab serves the computer education and cognitive systems students and faculty in the areas of educational computing, instructional technology and technology-based learning systems.

The Institute for the Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning conducts research and implements best practices in the area of teaching and learning with technology. Its instruments and online data collection systems have gathered data from thousands of educators in recent years.

The Texas Center for Educational Technologies facilitates and conducts research; develops and evaluates collaborations among industry, education and educational communities; and serves as a focal point where instructional technology can be created and adapted for integration into the educational programs.

Admission requirements

You must meet the requirements of our Toulouse Graduate School and a set of specific program requirements:

• completed training experience form
• current resume/curriculum vitae
• one- to two-page statement of career goals
• three letters of recommendation
• samples of previous written communication skills
• sample of current written communication skills
• one- to two-page statement of research interest
• one- to two-page statement outlining your contributions to the doctoral program

Because of the program’s competitive nature, achieving a particular score on generalized tests does not guarantee admission.However, you may be allowed to enroll for one semester without GRE scores. International students whose native language is not English may substitute completion of UNT’s Graduate Preparation Course for their GRE verbal scores.

More information and additional details are available at lt.unt.edu/doc_atpi_admissions.html.

Degree requirements

Ph.D. degree

• 21 credit hours of required applied technology, training and development courses
• 3 credit hours of an applied technology, training and development elective
• 6 credit hours of support courses outside the College of Information
• 18 credit hours of research and statistics
• 3 credit hours of a required educational psychology course
• 12 credit hours of dissertation credit
• 12 credit hours in a minor outside the College of Information
  (Areas may include management, psychology, computer science, business communications, organizational behavior, philosophy, human resource management or sociology.)
• proficiency in a foreign language or completion of an additional 9 credit hours of research/statistics or computer education course work

Your Ph.D. dissertation is expected to make a significant contribution to the knowledge base in one of the traditions of thought related to applied technology and performance improvement.

In addition, you must show proof of your writing ability by the end of the degree requirements by submitting at least one manuscript for publication to a refereed journal or professional association journal.

Ed.D. degree

• 24 credit hours of required applied technology, training and development courses
• 9 credit hours of applied technology, training and development electives
• 12 credit hours of research and statistics courses
• 3 credit hours of a required educational psychology course
• 12 credit hours of dissertation credit
• 12 credit hours in a minor outside the College of Information
  (Areas may include management, psychology, computer science, business communications, organizational behavior, philosophy, human resource management or sociology.)
• three years of teaching/training experience or completion of an additional 9 credit hours of research/statistics or computer education course work

The Ed.D. program dissertation is designed to advance research and practice and contribute to the solution of important problems and issues in career and technical education.

In addition, you must show proof of scholarly work by the end of the degree requirements by preparing and submitting a professional paper for presentation at a state, regional or national conference.

Residency requirement

This consists of two consecutive semesters or two summer terms and one contiguous semester. A minimum enrollment of 9 credit hours in each of the two semesters is required. Residency must be completed prior to the doctoral qualifying examination. You are encouraged to take a leave of absence or a sabbatical from employment to satisfy the residency requirement.However, a leave of absence/sabbatical is not mandatory.

Financial assistance

We offer several financial awards to help pay for graduate education. These include competitive scholarships, grants, and teaching and research assistantships.Visit graduateschool.unt.edu for more information on these opportunities.