UNT Home | Graduate Studies | College of Information | Computer Education & Cognitive Systems
Demetria Ennis-Cole, Associate Professor; Ph.D., Kansas State. Computer education instruction and administration; systems development; user training.
James Greg Jones, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Texas-Austin. 3-D virtual environments; games and simulations; cyber infrastructures; web authoring; distance delivery of instruction; 3-D communications.
Gerald A. Knezek, Professor; Ph.D.,Hawaii. Technology integration; telecommunications; educational research and measurement.
Lin Lin, Assistant Professor; Ed.D., Columbia. Instructional technology; online teaching and learning.
Cathleen Norris, Regents Professor; Ph.D., North Texas. Computerbased education; human factors; teacher productivity.
James L. Poirot, Regents Professor; Ph.D., Texas Tech. Computerbased education; artificial intelligence; computer-assisted instruction.
Scott Warren, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Indiana. Digital learning environments; games and simulations; technology used in literacy education.
Graduate Advisor
3940 N. Elm, G150
Denton, Texas 76207
Phone: 940-565-2057
Fax: 940-565-4194
TTY callers: 940-369-8652
Discovery Park, Room G150
www.unt.edu
lt.unt.edu
940-565-2383 or
toll free 888-868-4723
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.
You must meet the admission requirements of the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies in addition to these program requirements:
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:
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)
The doctoral degree requires at least 60 hours past the master's degree.
Core courses (15 hours)
Electives (21-27 hours)
Research and Statistics (12 hours)
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)
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.
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.