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Applied Technology & Performance Improvement

Doctoral Degree Program

Graduate opportunities

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 helps you develop research skills that encompass various methodologies, and is supported by a strong minor that emphasizes and expands leadership perspectives. Job opportunities for Ph.D. graduates include:

Consultant
Learning technologist
Organizational change agent
Researcher
University faculty member

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

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

UNT provides several services exclusively to graduate students. The Graduate Student Writing Support office can help you with writing, and the Office of Research Consulting 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 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
One- to two-page statement of research interest
One- to two-page statement outlining your contributions to the doctoral program
Sample of current written communication skills
Samples of previous written communication skills
Three letters of recommendation

Because of the program's competitive nature, achieving a particular score on generalized tests doesn't 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 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 credit
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 coursework

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.

Graduate faculty and areas of research

Lynne Cox, Lecturer and Director of Graduate Programs; Ph.D., University of North Texas. Message and design to support organizational learning; project-based learning; career education; supply-chain management in learning organizations.

Demetria Ennis-Cole, Professor; Ph.D., Kansas State University. Computer education instruction and administration; systems development; user training.

Gerald A. Knezek, Regents Professor and Director of Institute for the Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning; Ph.D., University of Hawaii. Technology integration; telecommunications; educational research and measurement.

Lin Lin, Professor; Ed.D., Columbia University. Instructional technology; human computer interaction; online/hybrid teaching and learning; mind, brain and education.

Cathleen Norris, Regents Professor; Ph.D. & Department Chair, University of North Texas. Mobile technologies; computer-based education; human factors; teacher professional development.

Laura Pasquini, Lecturer; Ph.D., University of North Texas. Corporate training, evaluation; research.

Peggy Rouh, Lecturer; Ph.D., University of North Texas. Corporate training, course design; computer-based instruction.

J. Michael Spector, Professor; Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin. Complex learning; program evaluation; simulation-based learning.

Tandra Tyler-Wood, Professor; Ph.D., University of North Carolina. Assessing and determining appropriate curriculum for special needs populations.

Scott Warren, Associate Professor; Ph.D., Indiana University. Digital learning environments; games and simulations to support literacy and learning; technology-supported research methods.