Nature of the Doctorate

The doctoral degree in Applied Technology & Performance Improvement (ATPI) is offered through the Department of Learning Technologies at UNT. The program of study leading to the doctoral degree is designed to reflect the multidisciplinary nature of the fields of career and technical education and performance improvement. Competency requirements are flexible enough to allow for a wide range of professional interests and experience. Building upon a framework of core knowledge, a student can design a graduate program of study that reflects his/her professional interest area.

The program assumes an active stance on the part of the learner, and further assumes that the student is capable of planning a graduate program suitable for his/her own professional goals and objectives. Students are expected to demonstrate a high level of personal initiative and academic inquiry. Assistance, information, and encouragement in designing the doctoral program are available from the graduate advisor, the student's major professor, and other members of the graduate faculty. The doctoral program has been established as an interactive model, i.e., a model which allows interaction between the student and the graduate faculty, but places primary responsibility for success in completing the program directly on the student.

Employment Context

The career fields for individuals who seek employment in Applied Technology & Performance Improvement are rapidly expanding. The expansion of opportunities is due to the fundamental restructuring that exists in both the private and public sectors of employment. Education and training are key to a global marketplace in which the current workforce must develop new skills.
A professional applied technology educator or a professional training and development specialist with a doctorate in Applied Technology & Performance Improvement, depending upon prior experience and training, may be employed in positions such as:

These are only a few of the diverse education and training opportunities. As organizations recognize the strategic importance of training and education, employment opportunities increase significantly.

One of the most exciting aspects of working in the education and training field is that practitioners are continually redefining the scope of the field itself. Persons pursuing graduate studies with support work in Applied Technology & Performance Improvement become solutions in the dynamic, exciting, and changing process. By carefully addressing their skills and interests, and identifying his/her goals and objectives, students put together a professional development program. This opens career possibilities in a vitally important field and refines the fundamental change of organizations and institutions.

Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Technology & Performance Improvement

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is offered to prepare persons for careers as scholars/researchers. It is a research-oriented degree with an emphasis on university-level teaching and research or corporate training and development. This program is oriented toward developing research skills encompassing a variety of methodologies, and is supported by a strong minor emphasizing a cognate area which expands leadership perspectives.

The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 72 hours of course work, including a minimum of six (6) hours of coursework outside the College of Information related to the major in such areas as management, psychology, computer science, business communications, organizational behavior, philosophy, human resource management, or sociology.

The program of study includes an 18-hour research and statistics core and 12 hours of dissertation credit. The program includes a minor of 12 hours outside the College of Information. One requirement unique to the Ph.D. is the language proficiency/tool subject. The Ph.D. requires the candidate to be proficient in a foreign language or complete an additional nine (9) hours of research/statistics or computer education coursework.

The Ph.D. dissertation is expected to make a significant contribution to the knowledge base in one of the traditions of thought related to Applied Technology & Performance Improvement.

In addition, the candidate must show proof of writing ability by the end of the degree requirements by preparing and submitting at least one article for publication to a referred journal or professional association journal.

Major Courses - 30 hours

Research/Statistics/Computer Courses - 18 hours

Dissertation Courses - 12 hours

Minor Courses - 12 hours

  1. Outside the College of Information

    Suggested areas include:

    • Psychology
    • Sociology
    • Computer Science
    • Management
    • Business Communication
    • Organizational Behavior
    • Human Resource Management
    • Philosophy

  2. Language Proficiency/Tool Subject:

    1. Demonstrated proficiency on Foreign Language Examination
      - or -

    2. Tool Subject Option:

      • Nine additional hours in Research/Statistics
        - or -
      • Nine additional hours in Computer Education, which may be undergraduate hours from another degree

Doctor of Education in Applied Technology & Performance Improvement

The Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D.) is offered to prepare persons for high-level leadership roles in a variety of organizational settings. This program is oriented to the practitioner with the application of knowledge, theory, and research results to problems of administrative practice to educational settings.

The Ed.D requires a minimum of 69 hours of coursework and includes: 12 hours of research/statistics; 12 hours of dissertation credit; and, a 12-hour minor outside the program major.

The Ed.D. program dissertation is designed to advance research and practice; and contribute to the solution of important problems and issues in education. The dissertation can be a quasi-experimental model, a survey, or a qualitative study.

In addition, the candidate must show proof of scholarly work by the end of the degree requirements by preparing and submitting a professional paper for presentation at a state, regional or national meeting.

Major Courses - 33 hours

Research/Statistics/Computer Courses - 12 hours

Dissertation Courses - 12 hours

Minor Courses - 12 hours

Twelve (12) hours outside the program area. In addition, the candidate must show proof of scholarly work by the end of the degree requirements by preparing and submitting a professional paper for presentation at a state, regional, or national meeting.

NOTE: Student may be required to complete leveling courses in addition to listed courses. All doctoral candidates should review the ATPI Doctoral Handbook. This provide a clear and concise guide to doctoral studies.