Applied Technology & Performance Improvement

Doctoral Degree Program

Graduate opportunities

The Applied Technology and Performance Improvement doctoral program at the University of North Texas builds on your core knowledge and allows you to design a program that reflects your interest.

Administered by the Department of Learning Technologies, the Doctor of Philosophy degree in ATPI prepares you for careers in university-level teaching and research or corporate training and development. It also helps you develop research skills that encompass various methodologies.

The degree program is supported by a strong minor that emphasizes and expands leadership perspectives. Job opportunities for Ph.D. graduates include:

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

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

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

UNT provides a wide variety of services exclusively to graduate students. The Graduate Student Writing Support office can help you with writing, and the Center for Interdisciplinary Research offers assistance with statistical research.

The Toulouse Graduate School ® offers several professional development workshops, including a Dissertation Boot Camp. Many of the workshops are available online for your convenience.

Research centers and laboratories

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

The Center for Knowledge Solutions empowers scholars and 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 Advanced Research 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'll need to meet the requirements for the graduate school and the following program requirements:

• Completed training experience form (found online here)
• Current résumé or 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 doesn't guarantee admission. You may be allowed to enroll for one semester without GRE scores. International students whose native language is not English may substitute UNT's Graduate Preparation Course for their GRE verbal scores. More information is available at the doctorate website.

Degree requirements

• 21 credit hours of required applied technology, training and development courses
• 18 credit hours of research and statistics courses
• 9 credit hours of dissertation
• 12 credit hours in a minor outside the ATPI major (Minors may include learning technologies, 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 learning technology and performance improvement.

In addition, after completing the degree requirements, you must submit a performance portfolio and a dissertation as proof of your writing ability.

Residency requirement

The residency requirement can be completed by enrolling in 9 credit hours in each of two contiguous semesters. An optional method is to take 18 credit hours during three consecutive semesters.

Financial assistance

We offer several financial awards to help you pursue your graduate degree. These include competitive scholarships, grants and teaching and research assistantships.

Visit the grad school website for more information on these opportunities. Information about other financial assistance programs is on the financial aid website.