Applied Technology & Performance Improvement

Opportunities for graduate studies

The University of North Texas' Department of Learning Technologies offers course work in applied technology and performance improvement and computer education and cognitive systems. A certification program in the department focuses on career and technical education.

Courses leading to master's and doctoral degrees are offered exclusively online or require a combination of online and campus-based instruction.

Within the Department of Learning Technologies, you may pursue a master of science, master of education, doctor of philosophy or doctor of education degree with a major in applied technology and performance improvement.

Admission requirements

You must meet the requirements of UNT's Toulouse School of Graduate Studies and a set of specific program requirements.

Achieving a particular score on generalized tests does not guarantee admission; program admission is competitive. However, you may be allowed to enroll for one semester without your GRE scores.

International students whose native language is not English may substitute completion of UNT's Graduate Preparation Course for their GRE verbal scores.

Master's degree programs in applied technology and performance improvement

The M.S. degree in applied technology and performance improvement is designed for professionals seeking careers in training and development. The M.Ed. degree is for those pursuing careers in education and those seeking certification in trade and industrial education, health education or marketing education.

Degree requirements

M.Ed. degree

The master of education degree is a 36-semester-hour program requiring course work in advanced computer technology, basic instructional strategies, principles of applied technology, research, facilitation skills and curriculum theory.

Course titles

• ATTD 5110 Curriculum Design and Instructional Resources
• ATTD 5120 Demonstrating Effective Presentation Skills
• ATTD 5130 Roles and Responsibilities of Career and Technical Education Professionals
• ATTD 5140 Developing Work-Based Experiences in Career and Technical Education
• ATTD 5160 Advanced Computer Applications in Education and Training
• ATTD 5440 Facilitation Strategies in Applied Technology and Training
• ATTD 5480 Research Techniques in Applied Technology and Training
• ATTD 5530 Curriculum Development in Applied Technology, Training and Development ATTD 5720 Evaluation Seminar
• EPSY 5210 Educational Statistics

This degree has a 6-hour minor field outside the major and 3 semester hours of applied technology and performance improvement courses determined in consultation with an advisor.

M.S. degree

This is a 36-semester-hour program consisting of course work in advanced computer technology, needs analysis, training analysis, introduction to training and development, facilitation skills, research, diversity, curriculum theory, and program evaluation.

Course titles

• ATTD 5010 Performance Assessment
• ATTD 5100 Principles of Applied Technology, Training and Development
• ATTD 5160 Advanced Computer Applications in Education and Training
• ATTD 5440 Facilitation Strategies in Applied Technology and Training
• ATTD 5480 Research Techniques in Applied Technology and Training
• ATTD 5490 Diversity Issues in Applied Technology, Training and Development
• ATTD 5500 Research Seminar in Applied Technology, Training and Development
• ATTD 5530 Curriculum Development in Applied Technology, Training and Development
• ATTD 5720 Evaluation Seminar
• ATTD 6470 Evaluation and Accountability in Applied Technology and Training
• EPSY 5210 Educational Statistics

The balance of the degree is completed with elective course work, taken in consultation with the advisor.

Doctoral degrees in applied technology and performance improvement

The doctoral programs' goals are:

• to expand the knowledge base of applied technology and performance improvement professionals through graduate study
• to develop opportunities for interdisciplinary study through a diverse program of graduate education
• to create an atmosphere for the intellectual exchange of ideas, research and issues related to the fields of applied technology and performance improvement
• to develop practitioners and researchers in disciplines of applied technology and performance improvement
• to provide a program of study that fosters the development of the holistic learner

The Ph.D. degree is research-oriented with an emphasis on university-level teaching and research or corporate training and development. This degree helps develop research skills that encompass a variety of methodologies and is supported by a strong minor emphasizing a cognate area that expands leadership perspectives. Job opportunities for Ph.D. graduates of the applied technology and performance improvement program include program designers, needs analysts, training technologists, researchers, training consultants, university faculty members and organizational change consultants.

The Ed.D. degree 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. Opportunities for Ed.D. graduates of this program include careers as curriculum technologists, program administrators, evaluation specialists, educational consultants and community college instructors.

Degree requirements

Ph.D. degree

The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 72 hours of course work, including a minimum of 6 hours of course work taken outside the College of Education that are related to the major. Areas may include courses in management, psychology, computer science, business communications, organizational behavior, philosophy, human resource management or sociology.

The program of study includes an 18-hour research and statistics core, 12 hours of dissertation credit and a minor of 12 hours outside the College of Education. The Ph.D. requires you to be proficient in a foreign language or to complete an additional 9 hours of research/statistics or computer education course work.

The 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 preparing and submitting at least one manuscript for publication to a refereed journal or professional association journal.

Ed.D. degree

The Ed.D. degree requires a minimum of 69 hours of course work, including 12 hours of research/statistics, 12 hours of dissertation credit and a 12-hour minor outside the program major.

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.

Mentoring and research opportunities

Graduate faculty members are committed to providing mentoring experiences for all doctoral students. Mentoring will include supervised guidance in all phases of your program of study and professional development.

Doctoral students will be encouraged and are expected to participate in research and development activities conducted through the department, as well as the College of Education's research academy. Research is viewed as an integral part of your professional development and may include individual or group activities conducted in educational or corporate environments.

Internships

As a doctoral student, you are expected to enroll in at least 3 credits of ATTD 6030, Practicum, Field Problem or Internship. Internship activities may include experiences in teaching, grant development, curriculum development, needs analysis, courseware development and corporate training.

Residency requirement

The residency requirement consists of two consecutive semesters or two summer terms and one contiguous semester. A minimum enrollment of 9 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

UNT offers a variety of scholarships for graduate students. Nearly 800 graduate fellowships and assistantships are available during the academic year. To ask about availability, call the financial aid office at (877) 881-1014, or visit www.unt.edu/finaid.