Educational Psychology

Doctoral Degree Program

Graduate opportunities

The educational psychology field is ever-changing because of federal and state mandates regarding effective practices. In the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of North Texas, we offer challenging course work that examines research design, human development, measurement, family studies, policy, evaluation and statistics, gifted and talented individuals, and sports and exercise psychology.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Psychology allows you to pursue a concentration in research, measurement and statistics; human development and family studies; gifted and talented; or psychological aspects of sports and exercise. Each concentration focuses on generating sophisticated data for key decision-makers. This data can be used:

• to help corporations remain competitive
• by faculty members to advance other fields using critical research methods and develop new approaches
• to demonstrate the value of programs serving children and families or social policy

Our faculty members actively obtain grants, write books and publish scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles. They have been recognized by or serve as officers and leaders for many national, international and regional academic professional organizations including the:

• American Educational Research Association
• National Council on Family Relations
• Society for Research in Child Development
• Association for Applied Sports Psychology
• American College of Sports Medicine
• American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
• National Association for Gifted Children
• Council for Exceptional Children

Challenge yourself

We provide you opportunities to present research at national and regional conferences, publish journal articles, apply for grants and participate in professional activities with faculty mentors. You can also collaborate with scholars in the department’s other graduate programs such as the special education program.

The College of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (2010 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 500; Washington, D.C. 20036; telephone 202-466-7496). This accreditation means we meet or exceed strict academic standards for excellence in education. The college is also one of Texas’ top producers of teachers, administrators, counselors and other school professionals.

Research centers and opportunities

The Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Analysis offers opportunities for practical involvement with program evaluation and methodological/statistical consultation. The staff assists with the conception, design, methods, analysis and interpretation of research projects, proposal writing, evaluations, dissertations and theses.

The internationally renowned Center for Parent Education provides research and outreach to parent and family educators, family support professionals and other students. Ongoing projects include:

• Continuing Education through Online Training
• Database Registry for Parent Educators
• The National Conference on Parent Education and Parenting
• Professional Development Recognition System

Additional research opportunities exist at our up-todate observational laboratory, a testing laboratory and computerized data analysis laboratory facilities.

Attending UNT

Admission requirements

You must meet the admission requirements for the Toulouse Graduate School, including a minimum 3.4 GPA on master’s degree work, and provide the department with the following:

• official GRE scores that are less than five years old
• personal résumé or curriculum vitae
• three letters of recommendation from academic or professionally applicable sources
• personal statement of career objectives explaining how this doctorate will advance those objectives

Program acceptance is based on a holistic review of these materials, and first priority is given to applicants who are strong in all areas.

Degree requirements

A master’s degree in a related field is preferred but not required. You must complete a minimum of 63 credit hours beyond a master’s degree (90 credit hours beyond a bachelor’s degree) to be a candidate for the Ph.D. degree. This includes:

• 9 credit hours of educational psychology department core courses
• 21 credit hours of educational psychology degree core courses
• 21 credit hours of concentration area courses (research, measurement and statistics; human development and family studies; gifted and talented; or psychological aspects of sports and exercise)
• 3 credit hours of supervised research/practice
• 9 credit hours of dissertation

Financial assistance

A limited number of teaching fellowships and assistantships are available to help you pursue your graduate education. These opportunities include working with professors on research grants and projects or as a teaching assistant, teaching undergraduate classes, and supervising student teaching.

You apply for these positions by submitting an application to the department. We also offer several scholarships.

Information about other financial assistance programs can be found on the Financial Aid website or on the Toulouse Graduate School site.