Computer Education & Cognitive Systems

Master's and Doctoral Degree Programs

Opportunities for graduate studies

The computer education and cognitive systems master’s and doctoral programs at the University of North Texas provide an opportunity for you to expand and improve the use of technology to support numerous educational, instructional and learning goals. This is accomplished by exploring human cognition, human-machine interaction, artificial intelligence, and how these influence the design and development of learning systems used in a variety of educational and corporate situations.

Through our Department of Learning Technologies, we offer course work leading to a Master of Science degree in Computer Education and Cognitive Systems with program tracks in:

• instructional systems design
• instructional systems technology
• teaching and learning with technology

Our innovative courses enable you to become a proficient hardware and software user, and to understand and design instructional systems, learning technologies and cognitive systems. These skills are essential for careers in e-learning and learning delivery systems, educational technology integration and instruction supported by technology in K-12 settings, and instructional design in various education and industry settings.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Computing focuses on defining, understanding and expanding your theoretical and research knowledge regarding the roles of technology and instructional systems thinking to support learning. A key element of the Ph.D. is the emphasis on student-focused research that bridges gaps between theory and practice. This process will prepare you for academic appointments at universities and organizations whose mission is the creation, research and testing of innovative technologies to support learning, education and training.

Nationally and internationally recognized faculty members who have expertise in computer education, instructional technology, cognitive psychology, research methods and other related fields enhance the program.

The College of Information is located at 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 the American Library Association and 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 and training

Student research is an important aspect of our program. You will have access to labs and research centers such as the Educational Computing Research and Development Lab, which features state-ofthe-art learning technologies and systems. The Texas Center for Educational Technology and the Institute for the Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning are involved in a variety of regional, national and international projects focusing on learning technology and training activities.We also support the Technology and Applied Research in Autism Laboratory, the 3-D Learning Environment Lab, and the ThinkTankTwo Studio and Research Workshop.

The E. Bruce Street Award brings nationally recognized individuals to our campus to work with students and faculty members. The award provides funds for the exchange of ideas among scholars at UNT, universities across the country and school systems in Texas.

Admission requirements

Master's program

You will need to meet the admission requirements of the Toulouse Graduate School as well as provide our department the following materials:

• two completed recommendation forms from individuals who can give evidence of your critical thinking ability and your ability to work independently and in groups (The forms can be found at lt.unt.edu/graduate_cecs.html.)
• resume or curriculum vitae that includes your previous work or educational experiences
• a personal statement that outlines your career and learning goals; rationale for applying to the program; your career and research expectations; your current reading related to the field; your critical thinking, writing and mathematical skills; your relevant educational experiences and strengths; and your assessment of your ability to work independently

Doctoral program

Admission is competitive and meeting necessary requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. In addition to meeting the admission requirements for the Toulouse Graduate School, you will need:

• a master’s degree from an accredited institution (Under some circumstances, you could be admitted to the Ph.D. program directly following the bachelor’s degree.)
• three letters of recommendation (One must be from a faculty member currently working at an academic institution and focus on your potential success to complete the program.)
• personal resume that includes teaching, administrative and/or training experience
• one or more of the following:
  • an acceptable GRE score on the verbal section, first or second authorship of an article in a respected, peer reviewed professional journal or of a book published by a major publisher
  • an acceptable GRE score on the quantitative section, completion of 6 credit hours of graduate course work in mathematics or statistics with a 3.0 GPA
  • an acceptable GRE score on the analytical writing section or a written response to a problem provided by the educational computing program admissions committee

Degree requirements

Master's degree

• 24 credit hours of core/foundations courses
• 6 credit hours of program track
• 6 credit hours of electives

All courses for the instructional systems technology and teaching and learning with technology tracks are online. The instructional systems design track requires a minimum of two courses that meet face-to-face with a third course that is optional.

Doctoral degree

• 15 credit hours of core courses
• 21 to 27 credit hours of electives
• 12 credit hours of research and statistics
• 6 credit hours of a minor or cognate (optional)
• 12 credit hours of a dissertation
• 9 credit hours in either computer education or educational research (For students with a master’s degree in CECS, this requirement is automatically met through the prior degree.)