Main Office
Matthews Hall, Room 117
940-565-2235
Fax: 940-565-4415

Web site: www.coe.unt.edu

Student Advising Office
 

Matthews Hall, Room 105
940-565-2736

Mailing Address:
1155 Union Circle #311337
Denton, TX 76203-5017

Web site: www.coe.unt.edu

 

Randy Bomer, Dean

Alexandra Leavell, Associate Dean for Educator Preparation Programs

Brian McFarlin, Associate Dean for Research and Undergraduate Studies

Ruth Lowery, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Faculty Affairs

Faculty  

 

Mission

Developing professionals who help others reach their full potential through powerful learning, social-emotional wellness, physical health and civic engagement.

Vision

The Metroplex, Texas, the United States, and the world will pursue increasing numbers of our graduates as informed and thoughtful practitioners.

The people our students serve will become personally committed to the processes in which our students engage them, and client/student outcomes will inspire those who know them.

The work of those practitioners, and the policies needed to support them, will be understood by the general public and by policy makers.

Our faculty research will be influential and useful to both practitioners and other researchers in their areas of inquiry; our researchers will be widely recognized for their expertise.

The College of Education will be recognized for its excellence – in rankings and in the quality of students and faculty who seek to join us.

The College of Education will be sought out for advice and partnership, across the university, and by international and community organizations.

We Value:

Whole people – Though our particular specializations may focus on the body, on learning, or on emotional well-being, our research and practitioners serve individuals as whole people.

Wellness – Our research and practice with communities and individuals focuses on physical, emotional, and intellectual wellness across the lifespan and across domains of experience.

Lifelong learning – Formal learning experiences, like school or therapy, should prepare individuals to remain inquirers and learners across their lives.

Social connectedness – Individuals live, learn, and recreate in communities; our research and teaching should strengthen interpersonal bonds and social improvement.

Equity – People from all social groups should experience fairness, access, similar opportunities, and satisfactory outcomes in their quests for learning and health.

Innovation – We create worlds of innovators. Our research and teaching break with past practices to expand possibilities, the practitioners and researchers we prepare learn to innovate in their own work, and the people they serve, in turn, invent and advance new practices in their spheres of influence.

The college offers 12 master’s and 7 doctoral degree majors in four academic departments. These departments are Counseling and Higher Education; Educational Psychology; Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation; and Teacher Education and Administration. This arrangement provides graduate students with opportunities for collaborative research and interdisciplinary course work.

Prospective graduate students must meet all admission requirements of the Toulouse Graduate School, the College of Education, and the selected graduate degree program within the college. Admission to the individual programs is done through a holistic review of the application portfolio of each candidate. Some financial support for graduate student teaching and research is available from the programs and from the College.

The College of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (1140 19th St. NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036; 202-223-0077; http://caepnet.org/) and the Texas Education Agency State Board for Educator Certification (https://tea.texas.gov). The program in counselor education is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) (5999 Stevenson Avenue, 4th Floor; Alexandria, VA 22304; 703-823-4800, ext. 301; https://www.cacrep.org/). The program in recreation and leisure studies is accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association/American Association of Leisure and Recreation Council on Accreditation (22377 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn, VA 20148; 703-858-0784).

Programs of study

Counseling and Higher Education

• Master of Education with a major in counseling
  • Elementary school counseling
  • Secondary school counseling
• Master of Education with a major in higher education
  • Community college leadership
  • General administration
  • Student affairs
• Master of Science with a major in counseling
  • Elementary school counseling
  • Secondary school counseling
  • Clinical mental health counseling
• Doctor of Philosophy with a major in counseling
• Doctor of Education with a major in higher education
• Doctor of Philosophy with a major in higher education

Educational Psychology

• Master of Education with a major in special education
  • Autism intervention
  • Educational diagnostician
  • High incidence disabilities
• Master of Science with a major in educational psychology
  • Family policy and program administration
  • Learning and development
  • Research and evaluation
  • Gifted and talented
• Doctor of Philosophy with a major in special education
  • Developmental Disabilities and Autism
  • Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders
• Doctor of Philosophy with a major in educational psychology
  • Human development and family science
  • Gifted and talented
  • Psychosocial aspects of sports and exercise
  • Sport pedagogy
  • Research, measurement and statistics
  • Learning Sciences

Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation

• Master of Science with a major in kinesiology
• Master of Science with a major in recreation, event and sport management
  • Program management
  • Sport management
• Collaborative PhDs
  • Biology-Exercise physiology
  • Educational Psychology-Psychological aspects of sport and exercise
  • Educational Psychology-Sport pedagogy

Teacher Education and Administration

• Master of Education with a major in curriculum and instruction
• Master of Education with a major in educational leadership
• Master of Science with a major in early childhood studies
• Master of Education with a major in teaching
  • EC-6 ESL generalist
  • EC-6 bilingual generalist
  • 4-8 mathematics
  • 4-8 science
  • Secondary education
• Doctor of Education with a major in educational leadership
• Doctor of Philosophy with a major in educational leadership
• Doctor of Philosophy with a major in curriculum and instruction
  • Curriculum studies
  • Early childhood studies
  • Language and literacy studies

Time-to-degree completion

Graduate students in the College of Education are expected to complete their degrees in a timely manner. In the following table, part-time students are those who, for most semesters, take fewer than 9 hours each long semester; full-time students take 9 or more hours each long semester. (Note that this is not the definition of full-time students used for financial aid qualifications.) Students are not required to take courses in the summer semesters, but should still finish in the expected time period for their degree.

Expected years to completion:
Hours on degree plan	Part-time student	Full-time student
36–44	4 years	2.5 years
45–59	5 years	3 years
60–71	6 years	4 years
72+	7 years	5 years

 

All degrees are expected to be completed in the time frames outlined in these procedures. Failure to complete the degree in the designated time limit may result in dismissal from the program.

Occasionally, students have legitimate reasons for needing more time to complete their degrees. Students who exceed the COE Expected Time-to-Completion may request an extension of up to one year. The student submits this request in writing to one’s major professor or program advisor. The recipient of the request, in consultation with the student’s advisory or dissertation committee or, if no committee is designated, with one other faculty member, decides whether or not to endorse the request. If the request is endorsed, the request is forwarded to the chair of the department for endorsement and on to the COE Dean for Academic Affairs for approval. Students for whom exigent circumstances arise during their degree programs are expected to take a leave of absence rather than just discontinuing course work. Both the COE and the Graduate School time-to-degree limits begin with the student’s first semester of enrollment; no student may exceed the Graduate School degree limit including time on leaves of absence.

Filing a degree plan

Each graduate degree student must file a degree plan no later than completion of the 21st semester credit hour for doctoral students and the 15th hour for master’s degree students. All hours taken after admission to the degree count towards this requirement. A continuing student who does not submit a degree plan within the hours required will be blocked from enrollment the following semester. A student who has not filed a degree plan after their one blocked semester will be dismissed from the program.

Continuous enrollment

Continuous enrollment refers to enrollment in at least 1 semester credit hour of course work each long (fall and spring) semester.

Doctoral students

A continuing doctoral student must be in continuous enrollment in the long semesters between the semester of the first course applicable to the degree and the completion of the degree. A continuing student who does not maintain continuous enrollment will be warned in writing of the need for continuous enrollment and, if circumstances warrant, recommended they apply for a leave of absence. If the same student continues with this pattern of non-enrollment and has a second long semester in which one is neither on a leave of absence nor taking classes, the student will be dismissed from the program.

Master’s students

A continuing master’s degree student is encouraged, but not required to maintain continuous enrollment from the point of admission.

Leave of absence

A continuing student who is experiencing exigent circumstances that temporarily prevent progress on the degree may request a leave of absence for up to one year. The student must make the request for a leave in writing to the major professor or advisor. If no major professor has been assigned, the student submits the request to the program coordinator.

If a leave is granted, the major professor/advisor notifies the program coordinator who notifies the Graduate School. Doctoral candidates—those who have passed the qualifying exam and who are required to enroll continuously in dissertation during each subsequent long semester—must also request directly from the Graduate School a waiver of continuous enrollment in dissertation. During an approved leave, the COE continuous enrollment requirements are suspended and the duration of the leave is added to the COE time limit for degree completion.

A student who needs more time may request one or more additional leaves from the college. Approved college leave does not extend the Graduate School’s limit for total time to degree completion.

Graduate advising

For general information, contact the Toulouse Graduate School. For specific requirements for graduate degrees, contact the appropriate department chair or graduate advisor.

At least once a year, the graduate student’s advisor/major professor reviews the student’s progress toward degree with regard to submitting the degree plan, best course selections for the next semesters, continuous enrollment, time to degree completion, thesis, capstone, dissertation work, etc.

Student Advising Office

The Student Advising Office (SAO) and the TExES Advising Office (TAO) assist undergraduate students in the development of their academic plans. Advising staff partner with students to support a productive succession from the beginning of their College of Education experience through the successful completion of their programs, graduation and/or teacher certification. In addition to answering most questions about COE undergraduate programs and policies and procedures, the SAO and TAO staff serve graduate students in the following areas:

• Admission to the teacher education program for those seeking initial and some advanced educator certification via graduate programs
• Teacher certification plans for post-baccalaureate initial certification
• Teacher certification processing

Graduate students needing admission to the teacher education program or other services of the SAO should make an appointment with a graduate advisor early in their graduate career. Normally, these meetings are by appointment only, but limited walk-in advising is available during the regular registration period of the fall and spring semesters. Questions about educator certification are answered by the TAO. The SAO is located in Matthews Hall, Room 105 and the TAO in Matthews Hall, Room 119. To schedule an appointment, call 940-565-2736 or stop at the information desk in Matthews Hall, Room 105. Additionally, students can find information on the services of the SAO and the TAO at www.coe.unt.edu/SAO or www.coe.unt.edu/TExES.

Degree programs

Prerequisites for the master’s degree

Requirements for full graduate standing are substantially the same as those established for the university, as described in the Admission section of this catalog. Admission to a program is based on a holistic review of the application portfolio. Preregistration and registration are blocked for a second term/semester of enrollment unless formally admitted to a program.

Contact the department chair or graduate program coordinator for the portfolio components required for admission.

Master of Science

This degree prepares qualified students for further graduate work and for leadership positions in education, government, or community and human services agencies, and business and industry.

Degree requirements

1. The candidate must earn a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit (see individual degrees for exact number). A minor outside the major is required. All hours must be taken at the master’s level or higher (courses numbered 5000 or above if taken at UNT).
2. A checklist of the process for master’s students is available in the Student Advising Office, Room 105, Matthews Hall, or at www.coe.unt.edu/sao.
3. Each program requires the completion of a core of courses that depends upon the major field.
4. For students not writing a thesis, a comprehensive examination covering the candidate’s field of specialization or a project in lieu of thesis is required, typically during the final term/semester in residence. The examination may be oral, written or both.
5. For detailed degree requirements, candidates should consult the appropriate program coordinator and the program web site.

Master of Education

The Master of Education is designed to emphasize professional competence and to prepare leaders in certain fields of educational practice, service and inquiry. For professional and other certificates, consult “Graduate Teacher Certification Programs” in this section.

Degree requirements

1. The candidate must earn a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate credit. Some programs require more than 36 hours. All hours must be taken at the master’s level or higher (courses numbered 5000 or above if taken at UNT).
2. A checklist of the process for master’s students is available in the Student Advising Office, Matthews Hall, Room 105 or at www.coe.unt.edu/sao.
3. Each program requires the completion of a core of courses that depends upon the major field.
4. For detailed degree requirements, candidates should consult the appropriate graduate program coordinator and the program web site.
5. Ordinarily the requirements for the professional certificate can be met in the master’s degree program. When planning the program, students must designate any certificate they seek so appropriate courses are included.

Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies

College of Education faculty members are involved in the master’s degree with a major in interdisciplinary studies offered by the Toulouse Graduate School. This course of study is unrelated to the undergraduate major in interdisciplinary studies leading to initial teacher certification in grades EC–6 or 4–8. For further information about the degree, consult the “Toulouse Graduate School ”  section of this catalog.

Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Education

Note: Each program may have additional requirements that take precedence over the general requirements. See each program area for specific program requirements.

General requirements

1. A minimum of 90 semester hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, or 60 hours beyond the master’s degree, is required (see individual degrees for exact number). Course work beyond the 60-hour minimum ordinarily is required if the student changes the field of specialization when beginning doctoral study.
2. A checklist for all doctoral students is available in the Student Advising Office, Matthews Hall, Room 105 or in the Graduate Student section of www.coe.unt.edu/sao.
3. A maximum of 24 hours beyond the master’s degree may be transferred from other institutions; all such credit must be earned in residence at institutions that offer the doctoral degree. Transfer credit is evaluated for quality and appropriateness for the selected major. All transfer credit must be approved by the candidate’s advisory committee and by the dean of graduate studies.
4. The mere accumulation of credits does not prepare one for the doctoral degree. Emphasis is placed on the ability of the candidate to demonstrate proficiency in the major field. Leadership, overall scholastic attainment, research ability and formal examinations also are important factors in evaluating competency.
5. Candidates for doctoral degrees ordinarily are required to select a minor field. A minor is defined as graduate work completed outside the student’s major department or school; however, minors may not be required on certain graduate degrees. Consult subsequent sections of this publication for specific program regulations governing the degree sought.
6. PhD programs prepare candidates for positions in universities and for community and corporate environments. EdD programs prepare candidates for leadership positions in fields of educational practice and service. Consult the doctoral programs listed within each department for specific definitions and requirements.

Admission requirements

1. Requirements for full graduate standing are substantially the same as those established for the university, described in the Admission section of this catalog. Admission to the individual program is done through a holistic review of the application portfolio of each candidate.
2. For degrees with an admission exam, apply for the admission examination prior to completion of 12 semester hours. All applications are available at the departmental web sites.
3. Complete other program requirements of the major area department.
4. Meet with the appropriate graduate program coordinator to request an advisory committee, subject to approval by the College of Education and the dean of graduate studies.
5. Prepare and follow a degree plan with the aid of the advisory committee, to be approved by the advisory committee and dean of graduate studies.

Residency

See “Residence requirement” in the Doctoral Degree requirements section.

Qualifying examinations

1. Written qualifying examination. During the final term/semester of course work and upon completion of all the previously stated requirements, most doctoral students must pass a written qualifying examination. The examination covers the major, minor, educational research and statistics, and related fields. Students must have completed EPSY 6010  and EPSY 6020  or equivalent prior to taking the examination.
2. Oral qualifying examination. The primary purpose is to ensure an adequate evaluation of the student’s knowledge in the major and minor fields. This examination is conducted by the advisory committee.

Students who pass the qualifying examinations are eligible to continue as candidates for the doctoral degree. Less than satisfactory performance on any one or more phases of the qualifying examinations may result in modification of the degree program, repetition of one or more portions of the examinations, or termination of candidacy for the doctoral degree.

Admission to candidacy

Admission to candidacy is granted by the dean of the Toulouse Graduate School after satisfactory completion of all the above listed requirements.

Dissertation proposal and defense

Upon admission to candidacy and with approval of the advisory committee and at least 10 days after completion of the oral examination, the candidate presents the dissertation proposal to the committee. The application and procedures for scheduling the defense are available in the Student Advising Office, Matthews Hall, Room 105 and in the Graduate Student section of www.coe.unt.edu/sao.

Approval of data collection methods

Prior to initiating collection of any data, the candidate is required to obtain the necessary approval(s) of the appropriate university committee(s) regarding the use of human subjects and/or use of university computing services. Candidates may obtain the necessary forms to request approval from their departmental office or major professor.

Dissertation

Students are strongly encouraged to create a journal-formatted dissertation. Upon completion of the dissertation and with the approval of the advisory committee, a final oral comprehensive examination of the dissertation is arranged by the major professor, and the complete form is forwarded to the Student Advising Office.

Post-baccalaureate teacher certification programs

The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) awards teaching certificates in Texas. Initial certification for educators is divided into categories of early childhood–grade 6, grades 4–8, grades 7–12, or EC-12 grade levels. Advanced and supplemental certificates are available in some teaching, administrative or support areas. To obtain initial, advanced or supplemental educator certification, a student must complete all requirements of the certification program to which they were admitted, pass the required state tests (if any), apply for teacher certification with SBEC, and obtain approval from SBEC.

Students who hold a baccalaureate degree but are not certified educators may pursue initial teacher certification alone or in conjunction with an advanced degree. No prior teaching experience is required for enrollment in the post-baccalaureate initial teacher certification options at UNT. Students seeking initial teacher certification in conjunction with a master’s degree must also be admitted to the respective degree program. Some programs have other options and certifications available through use of deficiency plans, which include undergraduate and graduate courses.

Certification areas available at the graduate level

• Art (EC-12)
• Bilingual Education Supplemental-Spanish (Grades NA) 
• Business and Finance (Grades 6-12) 
• Chemistry (Grades 7-12) 
• Computer Science (Grades 8-12) 
• Core Subjects (Grades EC-6) 
• Dance (Grades 6-12) 
• Educational Diagnostician (Grades EC-12) 
• English Language Arts and Reading (Grades 4-8) 
• English Language Arts and Reading (Grades 7-12) 
• English as a Second Language Supplemental (Grades NA) 
• Family and Consumer Sciences (Grades 6-12) 
• Health Science (Grades 6-12) 
• History (Grades 7-12) 
• Hospitality, Nutrition and Food Sciences (Grades 8-12) 
• Human Development and Family Studies (Grades 8-12) 
• Journalism (Grades 7-12) 
• Languages Other Than English - French (Grades EC-12) 
• Languages Other Than English - German (Grades EC-12) 
• Languages Other Than English - Spanish (Grades EC-12) 
• Life Science (Grades 7-12) 
• Marketing (Grades 6-12) 
• Mathematics (Grades 4-8) 
• Mathematics (Grades 7-12) 
• Music (Grades EC-12) 
• Physical Education (Grades EC-12) 
• Physical Science (Grades 6-12) 
• Physics/Mathematics (Grades 7-12) 
• Principal (Grades EC-12) 
• School Counselor (Grades EC-12) 
• School Librarian (Grades EC-12) 
• Science (Grades 4-8) 
• Science (Grades 7-12) 
• Social Studies (Grades 4-8) 
• Social Studies (Grades 7-12) 
• Special Education (Grades EC-12) 
• Speech (Grades 7-12) 
• Superintendent (Grades EC-12) 
• Theatre (Grades EC-12) 
• Trade and Industrial Education (Grades 6-12)

Students can obtain certain initial, advanced, and supplemental educator certificates while earning a graduate degree. The department, program and certifications available are listed below. The specific requirements for each degree and certification are found in their individual program sections.

Initial certification

Educational Psychology

• EDSP – Special Education

Teacher Education and Administration

• Generalist Elementary Education EC–6, Bilingual Generalist EC–6, ESL Generalist EC–6
• Generalist Elementary Education 4–8, Bilingual Generalist 4–8, ESL Generalist 4–8
• Secondary Education : all areas offered at UNT except music and art—these are offered in these colleges, not through Teacher Education and Administration

Graduate academic certificates

In cooperation with the Toulouse Graduate School, the College of Education offers graduate academic certificates for students who hold a baccalaureate degree and meet non-degree seeking graduate admission requirements. Completion of a graduate academic certificate is not the same as the State Board for Educator Certification for teacher certification. Some or all of the courses taken in the academic certificates may count toward an advanced degree; see the specific program areas for more information.

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