College of Education

Overview

The College

The University of North Texas has been preparing school teachers and leaders since its beginning as a teacher training program. The College of Education is a major and diverse unit that continues to develop leaders in education, health, human services, business, industry and government. The college recognizes the challenges posed by our communities' increasing diversity and complexity and has integrated these themes into all curricula. The college's mission is to develop the human capacity in you - cognitively, socially, emotionally, physically - and ultimately, in the society you serve. Faculty members contribute to the cause by expanding knowledge through research and publications, teaching and learning, and service and outreach. The college is committed to preparing lifelong learners who can apply their knowledge in a viable and diverse society.

Opportunities for graduate studies

The College of Education has more graduate students than any other college or school at UNT. Graduate teaching and research assistantships are available in all four departments. Scholarships and a diversity scholars program are in place to support graduate students.

Counseling, development and higher education

The department's programs provide opportunities and experiences necessary to help individuals and families with diverse backgrounds develop their potential.

The counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs [5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, Va. 22304, telephone (703) 823-9800 ext. 301]. Graduates find careers as counselors in public and private schools, colleges and universities, public and private agencies, business and industry, and private practice. Degrees offered in counseling are the M.Ed., M.S. and Ph.D. The early childhood education program provides you with the background for teaching young children. The Velma E. Schmidt Endowed Programs offer opportunities for outreach and research. The M.S. and Ed.D. are available in early childhood education.

The development and family studies program gives you the background for a career in business, government, health care, social service and education. It also provides you an excellent background for developing and managing your own home and family. Course work leads to a M.S. in development and family studies.

The higher education program helps you become a well-prepared leader at a community college, four-year college or university and to improve the quality of higher learning institutions. The Bill J. Priest Center for Community College Education provides research and internship opportunities. The department also offers a M.Ed., M.S., Ph.D. and an Ed.D. in higher education.

Kinesiology, health promotion and recreation

The department educates you about health care reform, preventative health care strategies, lifestyle changes and wellness needs in a diverse society. Through strong collaboration with public and private agencies and state-of-the-art laboratories, you prepare to pursue a career in public and private schools, fitness programs, sports clubs and youth agencies. A new athletic training program and doctoral epidemiology and physical education program are being developed. The department also offers a M.S. degree in kinesiology.

The recreation and leisure studies program includes interest areas in leisure services administration, sports management and therapeutic recreation. The program grooms you for a career in federal, state and local parks; recreation agencies; commercial recreation agencies; youth organizations; sports organizations and agencies; campus and military recreation settings; churches; camps; hospitals; pediatric clinics; adult day-care centers; and long-term care. The degree offered is the M.S. in recreation and leisure studies.

Teacher education and administration

The department prepares you to work with one of the nation's most valuable resources - its youth.

The curriculum and instruction program develops highly competent master educators, instructional designers and college professors. This program offers you the opportunity to explore current theories and teaching practices through active learning courses developed from research-based practice. Graduates have knowledge of current trends and issues in elementary, middle and high schools; research design; curriculum development; and school reform and improvement. The M.Ed., Ed.D. and Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction are offered. Additionally, a post baccalaureate opportunity is available for those without teacher certification to gain a master's degree and concurrently earn teacher certification. Online alternative certification programs are also available.

The reading education program enables you to explore current trends and issues in literacy, become knowledgeable about current research and practices in reading instruction and assessment, and develop the expertise and background to assume leadership. Degrees offered are the M.Ed., Ed.D. and Ph.D. in reading education.

The educational administration program prepares administrators and researchers to assume leadership roles in public and private schools, government agencies and nonprofit foundations. Course work leads to a M.Ed., Ed.D. and Ph.D. in educational administration.

Technology and Cognition

The department examines the effectiveness of teaching and learning and the effects of the increasing use of technology and lifelong learning in your daily life.

The applied technology and performance improvement program helps you to confront the challenges of the school-to-work transition. Through course work, internships and research opportunities, you learn to enhance an employee's training and development. Graduates hold leadership positions in education, business, industry and government. Courses leading a M.S., M.Ed., Ed.D. or Ph.D. in applied technology and performance improvement are offered.

The computer education and cognitive systems program gives you an understanding of the application of technology in learning settings through exploration of human intelligence, human/machine interaction, artificial intelligence and development of intelligent tutoring system applications. Graduates are leaders in education and training as technology directors or managers. Degrees offered are the M.S. with a major in computer education and cognitive systems and the Ph.D. with a major in educational computing.

The special education program prepares you to provide services to people with physical, emotional, cognitive or social impairments, or other exceptional needs. Programs focus on gifted and talented and special-needs instruction with emphasis on behavioral differences and autism. Graduates find positions in teaching and leadership within educational programs, as well as related service positions and private-sector activities. The M.S., M.Ed. and Ph.D. degrees with a major in special education are available.

A master's degree in educational psychology is for those interested in exploring how people learn, how to design and interpret various types of tests, and how to use research and evaluation to enhance teaching and learning. The M.A. and M.S. degrees in educational psychology are offered.

The educational research program provides you the expertise in the areas of quantitative and qualitative research. Graduates hold prestigious positions in planning, research, administration and college teaching at leading universities, major industries and governmental agencies. The degree offered is the Ph.D. in educational research.

The academy

The College of Education's Academy for Research and Professional Development includes faculty and staff within the college, UNT colleagues from outside the college, educators from community colleges and public schools, and partners in business, industry, health care, human services and government. The academy's primary goal is to facilitate collaborative research, teaching and service activities among its members. Encouragement of group and cross-disciplinary research projects, professional development initiatives and grant solicitations are a primary concern.

Endowed chairs

The College of Education is the home of the Meadows Chair for Excellence in Education. The chair works with all disciplines to enhance the professional development of UNT faculty members and the preparation of educators.

Funded by a prominent Dallas businessman in honor of an outstanding leader in community college education, the Don A. Buchholz Endowed Chair addresses the professional development needs of tomorrow's community college leaders and educators. The chair works with the college's higher education majors to prepare them to become community college faculty and administrators.

The Velma E. Schmidt Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Education was provided by an outstanding educator at UNT who devoted her life to making the world better for children and families. The chair works with the college's early childhood education majors in research and application of research in practice.

Future of the College of Education

The College of Education continues to expand its collaborative partnerships with school districts, regional education service centers, and corporate and private-sector agencies to prepare effective leaders and educators through its professional development schools.

The college is committed to infusing technology into all aspects of teaching and learning, from preschool through adult education. Integrated educational technology provides the means for multimedia application, computer-based instruction, distance education and telecommunications technologies that will enhance student learning, improve equity of access, encourage change in educational systems and develop student potential.

The college, through its faculty and unique technological expertise, continues to expand its graduate education offerings beyond the UNT campus and the North Texas region. The college is striving to be nationally recognized for its teaching, research and service endeavors.