Computer Education & Cognitive Systems

Master's and Doctoral Degree Programs

Opportunities for graduate studies

The computer education and cognitive systems (CECS) program is a part of the Department of Learning Technologies at the University of North Texas. CECS offers you a master of science degree in computer education and cognitive systems with program tracks in instructional systems technology or teaching and learning with technology. A Ph.D. in educational computing focuses on defining, understanding and expanding the synergy of technology and learning/instructional systems theory.

Teaching and research in these areas are enhanced by faculty members who have expertise in computer education, instructional technology, cognitive psychology and research methodology. Their expertise is the foundation for the innovative courses and programs of study offered.

At the core of all CECS programs and research is the opportunity for you to expand on and improve the use of instructional technology in society. Faculty members focus on research interests including hard and soft technologies in education and training.

Upon graduation, you are expected to be a proficient hardware and software user and understand instructional systems and cognitive systems. Instructional systems and cognitive systems explore human thinking, human/machine interaction, artificial intelligence and the development of intelligent tutoring systems that can be used in a variety of education and corporate situations.

You may contribute to educational institutions or manage training and development projects if you are prepared in advanced technology and have a foundation in cognitive systems. Graduates of the program often become school media specialists, training specialists, computer network directors or members of development teams who provide training materials to address various needs in the public and private sectors. A majority of graduates with the educational computing degree have entered into university assistant professor positions.

Admission requirements

Master's degree

You must meet the admission requirements of the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies in addition to these program requirements:

• a minimum of 18 semester hours in education, personnel training and management, or the behavioral sciences
• previous course work including CECS 5010 (Computer Education Tools - PC-based), 5020 (Computers in Education), 5030 (Introduction to Internet) and 5200 (New Technologies of Instruction) or equivalent ability
• bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• bachelor's GPA of 2.8 or higher overall, or bachelor's GPA of 3.0 or higher on the last 60 hours, or completed master's degree GPA of 3.4 or higher
• submission of GRE scores - verbal, quantitative and analytical writing (The program views high GRE scores as positive indicators of potential success in the program; however, low GRE scores need not exclude a candidate who shows positive indicators in other areas.)
• at least two letters of recommendation from individuals who can give evidence of the candidate's critical thinking ability to engage in graduate studies (The recommendations should also address the ability to work independently and in groups.)
• resume or curriculum vitae that includes previous work or educational experiences.
• personal statement expressing goals and rationale for applying to the computer education program and a brief description of career and research expectations with regard to work and further education.

Doctoral program

Admission to the Ph.D. program is competitive and meeting graduate school and program admissions requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. The number of openings depends upon the availability of faculty to mentor students.

Minimum requirements for admission must be met:

• bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution
• master's degree from an accredited institution (Under some circumstances, students may be admitted into the Ph.D. program directly following the bachelor's degree.)
• 3.4 grade point average on the master's degree
• submission of GRE scores - verbal, quantitative and analytical writing (The program views high GRE scores as indicators of potential success in the program; however, low GRE scores need not exclude a candidate who shows positive indicators in other areas.)
• either an acceptable score on the verbal section of the GRE, or first or second authorship on an article in a respected, peer reviewed professional journal or on a book published by a major publisher
• either an acceptable score on the quantitative section of the GRE or completion of 6 hours of graduate course work in mathematics or statistics with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 grading system).
• either an acceptable score on the analytical writing section of the GRE or a written response to a problem provided by the Educational Computing Program Admissions Committee
• three letters of recommendation (One must be from a faculty member currently working at an academic institution and focus on the applicant's potential success to complete the program.)
• personal resume that includes teaching, administrative and/or training experience
• letter of application containing a statement of scholarly goals (3-4 pages, double-spaced, standard typeface and margins)

Degree requirements

Master's degree

The degree is a 36-semester hour program. Requirements include a core of 12 semester hours as well as 24 semester hours of additional course work depending on the track selected (Instructional Systems or Teaching and Learning with Technology). These hours may be selected entirely from CECS courses numbered above 5030 and may include up to 6 hours of credit in approved courses in other departments.

Core courses (12 hours)

• CECS 5210 Instructional Systems Design
• CECS 5310 Human-Computer Interaction
• CECS 5580 Readings Seminar in Computer Education and Cognitive Systems
• CECS 5610 Analysis of Research in Educational Technology

Doctoral degree

The doctoral degree requires at least 60 hours past the master's degree.

Core courses (15 hours)

• CECS 6000 Philosophy of Computing in Education
• CECS 6010 Theory of Instructional Technology
• CECS 6020 Advanced Instructional Design: Models and Strategies
• CECS 6030 Emerging Technologies in Education
• CECS 6100 Theory and Practice of Distributed Learning

Electives (21-27 hours)

• ATTD 6450 Needs Analysis and Curriculum Development
• CECS 6050 Practicum/Internship
• CECS 6200 Message Design in Education
• CECS 6210 Interactive Video
• CECS 6220 Theory of Educational Technology Implementation
• CECS 6230 Advanced Educational Production Design
• CECS 6320 Designing Technology-based Learning Environments
• CECS 6400 Educational Technology Systems Design and Management
• CECS 6510 Analysis of Research in Educational Computing
• CECS 6600 Developing Educational Funding Opportunities
• CECS 6900 Independent Study (limited to 3 hours)

Research and Statistics (12 hours)

• EPSY 6010 Statistics for Educational Research
• EPSY 6020 Research Methods in Education
• EPSY 6210 Multiple Regression Analysis and Related Methods
• EPSY 6220 Classical and Modern Educational Measurement Theory
• EPSY 6230 Advanced Research Design
• EPSY 6240 Technology in Research
• EPSY 6250 Advanced Educational Measurement Applications
• EPSY 6280 Qualitative Research in Education

Minor (6 hours)

May be included on the degree plan with 6 hours taken as electives and an additional 6 hours from outside the program. This will increase the total number of hours for degree to 66 hours.

Dissertation (12 hours)

• CECS 6950 Doctoral Dissertation
• See Graduate Catalog for more information.

Research and training facilities

You will have access to several laboratories that provide the necessary research and delivery systems to meet the goals of CECS courses. These include a general access computer lab, which is equipped with PC- and Mac-based platforms.

The Advanced Technology Lab and Mac Lab are used primarily for research and advanced student projects. Five advanced technology areas are within the Advanced Technology Lab, and each is under the direct supervision of assigned faculty.

Because of the determination to provide leading-edge capabilities, the College of Information has one of the most advanced computer networks available in an academic institution. CECS classrooms have high-speed computer connections permitting access to several computer stations in each classroom.With this infrastructure in place, CECS is able to offer hands-on instruction for the Internet, intranets and local area networks.

CECS faculty members are involved in a variety of national and international projects pertaining to learning technology research and training activities. Requests for information and possible training programs have been received from many countries.

E. Bruce Street Award

In 1991, the computer education and cognitive systems program initiated the E. Bruce Street Award for visiting scholars in educational technology. The E. Bruce Street Award brings nationally recognized individuals to UNT to work with students and faculty members. This award provides funds for the exchange of ideas among scholars at UNT, universities across the country and school systems in Texas.