Applied Technology & Performance Improvement

Doctoral Degree Program

Graduate opportunities

The doctoral program in Applied Technology and Performance Improvement at the University of North Texas builds on your core knowledge and allows you to design a program that reflects your interest. We have an atmosphere that inspires the intellectual exchange of ideas and research in this multidisciplinary field.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in ATPI is research-oriented with an emphasis on university- level teaching and research or corporate training and development. It helps you develop research skills that encompass a variety of methodologies. The core degree program is supported by a strong minor, emphasizing a cognate area that expands leadership perspectives. Job openings for Ph.D. graduates include:

• University faculty member
• Organizational change agent
• Consultant
• Researcher
• Learning technologist

Courses are offered in a variety of formats to accommodate work obligations or your particular learning style. Several courses are available online, and others may require a combination of online and campus- based instruction.

Graduate faculty members will mentor you in all phases of your program of study and professional development. As a doctoral student, you will enroll in at least 3 credit hours of a practicum, field problem or internship. You are also expected to participate in research and development activities conducted through the College of Information.

The College of Information is located at Discovery Park, a 300-acre research facility four miles north of the main campus. Our programs have been recognized by U.S. News and World Report, which ranks our college among the top 20 in the nation.

Research centers and laboratories

Several laboratories and research centers provide you the resources and facilities needed for in-depth study in the fields of information and technology.

The Center for Knowledge Solutions empowers scholars and scholar-practitioners to make evidence- based decisions that optimize learning and performance systems to improve organizational knowledge. The center’s unique focus is learning and performance across disciplines and professions. Its mission is to generate, integrate and disseminate knowledge solutions through learning and performance innovation for business and education.

The 3D Learning Environment Research Lab examines how 3D environments impact learning and how such technology can be deployed into educational settings to engage and/or immerse the student in learning situations.

The Design+Research Initiative Lab creates digital designs for learning that are systematically studied for their effectiveness in capturing students’ imaginations and improving learning in various settings.

The Educational Computing Research and Development Lab serves doctoral students and faculty members in educational computing, instructional technology and technology-based learning systems

The Institute for the Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning conducts research and implements best practices in teaching and learning with technology. Its instruments and online data collection systems have gathered data from thousands of educators in recent years.

The Texas Center for Educational Technology facilitates and conducts research; develops and evaluates collaborations among industry, education and educational communities; and serves as a focal point where instructional technology can be created and adapted for integration into the educational programs.

Attending UNT

Admission requirements

You must meet the requirements for the Toulouse Graduate School as well as the following program requirements:

• Completed training experience form
• Current ré´sumé´/curriculum vitae
• One- to two-page statement of career goals
• Three letters of recommendation
• Samples of previous written communication skills
• Sample of current written communication skills
• One- to two-page statement of research interest
• One- to two-page statement outlining your contributions to the doctoral program

Because of the program’s competitive nature, achieving a particular score on generalized tests does not guarantee admission. However, you may be allowed to enroll for one semester without GRE scores.

International students whose native language is not English may substitute completion of UNT’s Graduate Preparation Course for their GRE verbal scores. More information is available at lt.unt.edu/doctorate.

Degree requirements

Ph.D. degree

• 21 credit hours of required applied technology, training and development courses
• 3 credit hours of an applied technology, training and development elective
• 6 credit hours of support courses outside the

College of Information

• 18 credit hours of research and statistics
• 3 credit hours of a required educational psychology course
• 12 credit hours of dissertation credit
• 12 credit hours in a minor outside the College of Information (Areas may include management, psychology, computer science, business communications, organizational behavior, philosophy, human resource management or sociology.)
• Proficiency in a foreign language or completion of an additional 9 credit hours of research/statistics or computer education course work

Your Ph.D. should make a significant contribution to the knowledge base in one of the traditions of thought related to learning technology and performance improvement. In addition, you must show proof of your writing ability by the end of the degree requirements by submitting a performance portfolio and a dissertation.

Residency requirement

This consists of two consecutive semesters or two summer terms and one contiguous semester. A minimum enrollment of 9 credit 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

We offer several financial awards to help pay for your graduate education. These include competitive scholarships, grants, and teaching and research assistantships. Visit gradschool.unt.edu for more information on these opportunities. Information about other financial assistance programs is available at financialaid.unt.edu.