Program type:

Major
Format:

On Campus
Est. time to complete:

3-4 years
Credit Hours:

63 with prior Master's78 with prior Bachelor's
Shape the future of Gifted and Talented curriculum.
Doctoral students specializing in gifted and talented education will study the theory of exceptionality, individual differences related to cognitive ability, and the psychology of giftedness. Students will have opportunities to conduct research in the areas of exceptional abilities, advanced learning designs, and talent development.

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Why Earn a Gifted and Talented Educational Psychology Ph.D.?

At the University of North Texas, the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Psychology focuses on generating sophisticated data for key decision-makers. The data can be used:

  • 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
  • To help corporations remain competitive

The Department of Educational Psychology offers challenging coursework that examines research design, human development, policy and gifted and talented individuals.

Marketable Skills
  • Synthesize and apply relevant literature
  • Advanced research methods/statistical analysis
  • Provide technical assistance to agencies
  • Advanced oral and written communication
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to improve outcomes

Gifted and Talented Educational Psychology Ph.D. Highlights

You have the opportunity to collaborate with scholars in the department's other graduate programs, such as the special education program.
Students accepted into this program are continually involved in research and service projects that focus on problem finding and creative problem-solving.
Focuses on theoretical foundations and practical applications of teacher leadership
Theory of exceptionality, individual differences related to cognitive ability, and the psychology of giftedness
Conduct research in the areas of exceptional abilities, advanced learning designs, and talent development
The College of Education is also one of Texas' top producers of teachers, administrators, counselors and other school professionals.

What Can You do With a Gifted and Talented Educational Psychology Ph.D.?

This concentration prepares students for a number of careers, including the professoriate, gifted and talented district program coordinator, curriculum specialist, and state education agency director, among others.

Gifted and Talented Educational Psychology Ph.D. Courses You Could Take

Foundations of Educational Psychology (3 hrs)
History of educational psychology, advanced philosophical and empirical foundations of learning, cognition, development, individual differences; applications to teaching and learning contexts.
Individual Difference, Creativity and Problem Solving (3 hrs)
Focus on how to teach and instruct from examining theories, models, and research of creativity and problem solving and their applications to the development of individuals. Individual differences that result from an interaction among personality, creativity and ecological factors are related to the design of learning environments that meet the changing abilities and needs of learners.
Theories and Paradigms of Giftedness (3 hrs)
A survey of the history, theories, paradigms, and conceptions of giftedness and gifted education. Coverage includes the history of what we label “giftedness,” the field of intelligence, the genetic and environmental influences on giftedness and talent development, and the current state of the field of gifted education.
Special Populations in Gifted Education (3 hrs)
Bridges the fields of gifted education, multicultural education and special education. Theory and practice are considered to enable educators, counselors and others working with gifted students to understand special populations.
Developing Psychosocial Skills in Gifted and Talented Individuals (3 hrs)
A review of social and emotional needs and issues in the gifted and talented, the psychosocial skills necessary for the development of talent, theories of social and emotional development with an emphasis on differing developmental trajectories, and asynchronous development among the gifted and talented.
Learning Theories (3 hrs)
Examination of theories of learning and their applications to teaching and learning contexts.

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