Learning Technologies, PhD

The learning technologies PhD is offered in-residence and as a distance-delivered program with online courses and a once-per-year meeting.

Admission requirements

Admission to doctoral study in learning technologies is competitive. Each prospective student will be subjected to a competitive evaluation by the learning technologies PhD program faculty. Admission to the program is considered only after the applicant meets or exceeds the university and College of Information admission standards. Admission to the Toulouse Graduate School and meeting the program standards does not automatically mean the student will be admitted to the program. The admission process is competitive and depends upon the availability of faculty to mentor doctoral students.

The minimum requirements for admission include the following:

A master’s degree from an accredited institution with a grade point average of 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale) or, under some circumstances, a bachelor’s degree with sufficient additional courses required to secure a master’s degree on the way to a PhD. A total grade point average of 3.0 or a grade point average of 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale) over the last 60 hours.
A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score and/or an equivalent examination must be on file at the time the application is reviewed, or submission of the following materials.
- A scholarly presentation at a professional conference related to learning technologies.
- Completion of 6 hours of graduate course work in the field with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
- A scholarly publication in a peer-reviewed setting.

For international students, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination or successful completion of the UNT Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) through level 6 must be on file. International students who have completed the IELI program through level 6 and successfully completed the UNT Graduate Preparation Course (GPC) may submit the GPC in place of GRE scores.

A personal resume that includes a summary of teaching, administrative and/or training experience.
An application to the program that indicates desired delivery format and indicates a preference of academic faculty.
Personal statement (500–1,000 words) of career objectives, which may include doctoral research areas of interest; research, professional or community experiences that demonstrate motivation, commitment and potential for doctoral work; accomplishments; communication skills; technology skills; and contribution to the diversity of the field.
Three letters of recommendation submitted for you. Letters should be from former professors or others, who can evaluate your academic qualifications and from job supervisors who can assess your potential for success in the learning technologies doctoral program.
Interview with program faculty, which is not a requirement, but may be requested by the admission committee.
Letter of intent submitted by a program faculty member who would work with the applicant if accepted into the program.

Degree requirements

This program includes formal course work, including a portfolio-based qualifying examination, independent study and research including, but not limited to, a dissertation. The student will spend a substantial portion of time in independent research and collaborative efforts with the faculty related to the dissertation and other projects. The doctoral degree will require a total of at least 60 semester credit hours past the master’s degree.

CECS 5030 or the equivalent skills are minimally required for leveling. Additional courses or experiences may be required depending on applicant ability.

CECS 5110 , CECS 5210 , CECS 5310 , CECS 5420 and CECS 5570 or the equivalent skills are considered prerequisite to this degree.

Course requirements

Core, 15 hours

Electives, 21 hours

Research, 12 hours

Minor

May be included on the degree plan in the residential offering with 6 hours taken as electives and an additional 6 hours from outside the program. This will increase the total number of hours for the degree. A minor is not available in the distance-delivered offering.

Dissertation, 12 hours

CECS 6950 - Doctoral Dissertation

Additional course requirements

Candidates for the PhD with a major in learning technologies must additionally complete a tool subject consisting of 9 hours of graduate learning technologies or 9 hours of educational research. If a candidate has a MS degree in an aligned degree area, the 9 hours of tools courses may be waived upon approval. The candidate’s academic advisor will determine which courses are appropriate for fulfilling this requirement with approval of the program coordinator.

No student will count more than 9 hours for this degree from independent studies (CECS 6900 ), practicum or internship (CECS 6050 ).

Doctoral committee

The doctoral committee is composed of a major professor or co-major professor, a minor professor (where the 12-hour minor option is selected) and an additional committee member. The minor professor must come from the academic unit of the minor. At least two members of the committee must be learning technologies faculty members.

The selection of the doctoral committee is a collaborative process between the doctoral student and the graduate faculty who will serve on the committee. Generally, the process begins with the identification of a major professor who will chair the committee. In establishing the committee, it is important to bring together a diverse group of faculty who have expertise in the various facets of the student’s research agenda.