Mar 19, 2024  
2013-2014 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2013-2014 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

About UNT Dallas



Accreditation

The University of North Texas at Dallas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of the University of North Texas at Dallas.

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of North Texas at Dallas is to enhance access to high quality education and to prepare students to become exemplary citizens who can assume leadership positions in a global environment. Our mission is accomplished through an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning, the pursuit of innovative research and technologies, and a commitment to improve the quality of life through civic engagement. Our teaching, research, and civic engagement will be conducted in an environment guided by respect for and understanding of diverse viewpoints and the core values of virtue, civility, reasoning, and accountability.

Vision

The vision of the University of North Texas at Dallas is to become a highly valued university serving Dallas, surrounding communities, and the State of Texas, recognized for its distinctive interdisciplinary approaches to education, for innovative research, and for its commitment to the well-being and full development of all students.

Achieving the Vision

UNT Dallas’ plan for growth as a learner-centered public university is shaped by its commitment to its educational themes. The curriculum at the university is structured around the themes of service leadership, interdisciplinary focus, partnerships and community outreach, global connectivity, information technology, and a bilingual focus.

Our educational themes speak to the underlying commitments that drive our work, emphasizing the importance of connection as a catalyst for change. They include a commitment to diversity, which draws a variety of voices into close conversation; to internationalization, which recognizes that global interchange is a vital part of education and research; and to collaboration, which includes partnerships within the university as well as alliances with external constituencies. These connections move the university forward, anchoring it within the context of a multicultural, interconnected, collaborative community and providing the synergy needed to accomplish its goals. The themes are woven throughout our goals in specific strategies and actions.

History of UNT Dallas

In the late 1990’s, State Senator Royce West of Dallas and other city leaders cast a vision for a new, four-year public university in Dallas. After several university systems discussed their ideas for higher education in the city, the University of North Texas System Board of Regents came forward with a plan to establish an independent public university in the city—the first in the history of Dallas.

The Southern Dallas County Feasibility Study Community Task Force accepted the plan, and in January 1999 the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the proposal from the UNT System. The THECB subsequently granted the UNT System permission to use the moniker “UNT Dallas Campus” for this endeavor. The campus was established in a DeSoto business park in January 2000 as an upper division, off -campus location of the University of North Texas.

On May 8, 2001, Governor Rick Perry signed Senate Bill 576 creating the University of North Texas at Dallas. State Representative Helen Giddings and State Representative Jesse Jones sponsored the companion bill in the House, HB 1417. Under the terms of the legislation, the UNT Dallas Campus would be allowed to open as a new four-year university when enrollment reached 1,000 full-time equivalent students (FTEs).

The City of Dallas contributed $3 million to purchase 202 acres of land in the southernmost portion of the city, and local developers, including Mike Boney and Vernon Jordan, donated additional acreage to bring the total size of the campus to 264 acres. In October 2003, the Communities Foundation of Texas awarded the UNT System a $500,000 planning grant to fund a master plan for UNT Dallas. That same year the Texas legislature authorized $25.4 million for the construction of the initial 75,000-square-foot academic building on the campus. In April 2009, the THECB officially certified enrollment at the University of North Texas Dallas Campus as greater than 1,000 full-time equivalent students. The certification enabled the legislation that created UNT Dallas, and the THECB declared UNT Dallas an independent, general academic institution.

With the enrollment threshold met, Gov. Perry signed Senate Bill 629 in May 2009. That bill allowed for the physical expansion of three university system centers in the state—Texas A&M Central Texas in Killeen, Texas A&M San Antonio, and UNT Dallas. With the release of $25 million in previously authorized tuition revenue bonds, UNT Dallas began construction on its second building in August 2009. The building was completed in August 2010 as UNT Dallas accepted its first freshman class, the Class of 2014.

UNT Dallas offers ten undergraduate and four graduate programs in high-demand fields such as criminal justice, teacher education, business administration, and counseling. Operating under the regional accreditation of its parent institution, the University of North Texas, UNT Dallas made application for separate regional accreditation in 2011.

For more information about UNT Dallas, call 972-780-3600 or visit the UNT Dallas web site (www.dallas.unt.edu).

Institutional Effectiveness

UNT Dallas is committed to continuous improvement in all of its operations. At both the institutional and the organizational-unit level, the University establishes expected outcomes for performance, assesses the extent to which the outcomes are attained, and makes changes to effect performance improvements on the basis of a careful review of outcomes assessment data.

With regard to student academic achievement, UNT Dallas regularly and formally evaluates student success in acquiring the skills, knowledge bases, and behaviors that are identified by faculty as critically important in the degree programs offered by the institution. The University also evaluates the effectiveness of its many services that support student learning. UNT Dallas believes that ongoing assessment of student learning and prompt implementation of improvements in curricula, pedagogy, and related educational support programs and practices when indicated are central to the efficacy of its academic mission.

Students should anticipate participating in a wide array of evaluation and assessment procedures throughout their educational careers at UNT Dallas. Students are expected to enter into these procedures openly and honestly so that they and UNT Dallas together can ensure continuous improvement processes are effective in maximizing each student’s educational experience.

Directory of Frequently Called Offices

When seeking information about the University, please visit, call, or write the office most closely associated with the subject of your concern or inquiry. Letters intended for offices other than those contacted will be forwarded. Directory assistance for all university offices is available through the main switchboard at 877-868-9857 or the main campus number: (972) 780-3600.

Admissions Offices

Office of Admissions (Undergraduate)

Mailing address:
7300 University Hills Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75241-4608
972-780-3642
877-868-3257
Fax: 972-780-3636
Contact UNT Dallas (web site): www.dallas.unt.edu/admissions

Admission information, applications and status reports for new undergraduate students (U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens).

 

Graduate Admissions

Mailing address:
UNT Dallas
Toulouse School of Graduate Studies
Dallas, TX 75241-4605
972-780-3621
877-UNT-DALS (868-3257)
Fax: 972-780-3694
E-mail: dallasgraduateservices@unt.edu
Web site: www.dallas.unt.edu/admissions

Admission information, application and status for new and former graduate students (U.S. citizens and permanent residents).

Academic Advising Center

Mailing address:
7300 University Hills Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75241-4605
972-780-3645
Fax: 972-780-3680
Web site: www.dallas.unt.edu/academics/university-college

The Academic Advising Center handles academic counseling, degree audits, graduation evaluation, adds/drops, concurrent enrollment, incompletes and overloads.

 

Robert B. Toulouse School of Graduate Studies

Office of the Dean
Eagle Student Services Center, Room 354
Mailing address:
1155 Union Circle #305189
Denton, TX 76203-5017
940-565-2383
Fax: 940-565-2141
Web site: www.gradschool.unt.edu

Information regarding graduate admission, general policies, regulations and degree requirements; GRE and GMAT score recording; final approval of graduate degree audits.

General Offices

Academic Readiness

Mailing address:
7300 University Hills Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75241-4605
972-780-3600
Fax: 970-780-3636

Advising, placement, support and assessment for students enrolled in developmental education to meet Texas Success Initiative requirements. Provides general support for campus undergraduate retention efforts.

 

Career Services

Mailing address:
7300 University Hills Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75241-4605
972-780-3632
Fax: 972-338-1789
Web site: http://dallas.unt.edu/why-unt-dallas/student-experience/career-services

Career Services: Career and job search resources; job announcements; online job listings; transmission of online resumes to potential employers; career and job search advising; on-campus interviews with employer representatives and career fairs.
 

Counseling and Testing Services

Mailing address:
7300 University Hills Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75241-4605
972-780-3632
Email address: studentlife@unt.edu

Individual and group counseling for career, emotional and personal concerns; interest, aptitude and personality assessments.

 

Office of Student Life and Success

Mailing address:
7300 University Hills Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75241-4605
972-780-3632
Email address: studentlife@unt.edu

General information; non-academic and personal assistance; policy interpretation; social adjustment problems; student activities; and registered organizations information.
 

Office of Disability Accommodation

Mailing address:
7300 University Hills Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75241-4605
972-780-3632
TYY access: 888-937-9291
Email address: studentlife@unt.edu

Assistance with provision of auxiliary academic aids for students who request reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Rehabilitation Act of 1973

 

Office of the Registrar

Mailing address:

7300 University Hills Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75241-4605
972-780-3664
Fax: 972-780-3636
Email address: dallas.registrar@unt.edu
Web site: www.dallas.unt.edu/registrar

Registration; transcripts; grade reports; academic status information; residency determination for continuing and former students; military waivers; enrollment verification/certification; services for veterans; notary service; and athletic eligibility and graduation.
 

Student Financial Services

Mailing address:
7300 University Hills Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75241-4605
972-780-3658 or 972-780-3659
Fax: 972-780-3636
Online assistance: unt.custhelp.com
Web site: http://dallas.unt.edu/offices-and-people/university-administration/office-admissions-and-enrollment-management/student-financial-services
Payments: my.unt.edu

Provide information and assistance regarding tuition and fee charges, waivers, installment payment of tuition and special fees; refunds; returned checks; identification cards.
 

 

Student Financial Aid and Scholarships

Mailing address:
7300 University Hills Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75241-4605
972-780-3662
Fax: 972-780-3636
Web site: http://dallas.unt.edu/financial-aid

Student Government Association

Mailing address:
7300 University Hills Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75241-4605
972-780-3632
Email address: SGAJaguars@unt.edu

 

University Police and Parking

Mailing address:
7300 University Hills Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75241-4605
Police Department: 972-780-3000
Fax: 972-780-3636
Parking Services: 972-780-3009
Visitor Information: 972-780-3600

University Police officers are licensed by the State of Texas and enforce state and local laws as well as university rules and regulations. University police provide protection on a routine and emergency basis, administer the crime prevention program; campus escort service and emergency phone system, and provide motorist assistance.

Campus Tour Information

972-780-3642
Web site: http://dallas.unt.edu/admissions/outreach-transition-programs/visit-unt-dallas