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

Academic Information and Regulations



Requirements of this Catalog

General University Requirements

UNT Dallas will confer the bachelor’s degree when the following conditions have been met.

 

  1. A minimum of 120 semester hours.
  2. Completion of all requirements in the university core curriculum (42-hour minimum) (see below).
  3. A major of at least 24 semester hours. At least 12 hours of advanced work (3000D/4000D level) in the major must be earned at UNT Dallas (except for the BAAS degree). See “Major” in the Academics section of this catalog.
  4. A minor, if required for a particular undergraduate degree, of a minimum of 18 semester hours, including at least 6 hours of advanced work (3000D/4000D level). For details, see the individual requirements under specific degree programs in this catalog.
  5. A minimum of 42 semester hours of advanced work, 24 of which must be completed at UNT Dallas. A lower level course that, when transferred, is determined to be equivalent to a UNT Dallas upper-level course does not satisfy the requirement of advanced hours.
  6. An official degree plan must be on file. It is recommended that the degree plan be made no later than the beginning of the junior year.
  7. A minimum grade point average of 2.000 (C) on all courses, including all transfer credits. It should be noted that the GPA that appears on grade reports and is used to determine the student’s academic status, does not include correspondence, extension and transfer work. Thus, a 2.000 GPA on the grade report does not necessarily imply eligibility for graduation.
  8. A minimum GPA of 2.000 (C) on all work at UNT Dallas. Transferred work may not be used to raise the GPA of work done at UNT Dallas.
  9. Twenty-five (25) percent of the credit hours required for a degree must be earned in residence.
  10. A proficiency in English composition. Students must show competence in written expression by receiving credit for or earning a grade of C or better in two general education English courses that have a strong writing component (ENGL 1310D , 1311, 1312, ENGL 1313D , 1315, 1320, 1321, 1322, ENGL 1323D , 1325, 2700 and 2702). Students who have earned a D in one or more of these two required courses must repeat the course and raise the grade to a C or better.  Students who are transferring to UNT Dallas with more than 90 hours and who have earned a D in any of the basic English writing courses must retake the course during their first term/semester in residence.

General Degree Requirements

Writing Proficiency

UNT Dallas is committed to the discovery, acquisition, development, preservation and dissemination of knowledge and the enhancement of the intellectual, cultural and proficiency levels of all who enter its programs. Fulfilling this commitment will contribute to both a better society and a more rewarding pattern of individual life. As students endeavor to complete their academic studies, they are expected to exhibit good college-level writing skills in all university course work as a consideration in grading.

Graduation under a Particular Catalog

A student may meet the graduation requirements noted in the catalog in effect at the time of admission to UNT Dallas or the requirements in any later catalog published before the student’s graduation.

Any student transferring directly from a Texas community college to UNT Dallas shall have the same choice of catalog published degree requirements as the student would have had if the dates of attendance at the university had been the same as the dates of attendance at the community college. Transfer students from senior institutions or out-of-state community colleges will use the catalog in effect at their date of enrollment at UNT Dallas.

All requirements of the chosen catalog must be met within eight years of that catalog’s publication. This catalog will expire at the close of the 2020 summer semester/term.

Changes in either major or non-major requirements made necessary by altered or discontinued courses or by requirements imposed by external accrediting or certification agencies become effective for degree audit purposes at the beginning of the academic year immediately following the academic year in which the changes are published in the university catalog. The changes may include additions, deletions and other changes in prerequisite requirements for existing courses. Whenever possible, new requirements are implemented with a beginning class or upon the expiration of the appropriate time limit.

Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a state legislated program requiring all undergraduate students (new students, transfer students, and international students) who enter a Texas public institution of higher education to either (A) Demonstrate readiness for college-level reading, writing and mathematics before enrolling in college-level academic course work by achieving the statutory threshold(s) on the state-approved readiness assessments or (B) Meet one of the conditions for exemption from the testing requirement. Students must satisfy all TSI requirements before receiving a baccalaureate degree.  STudents who do not meet TSI requirements must complete developmental coursework to attain TSI compliance.

Exemptions:

Students are exempt from readiness testing if any of the following exemption categories applies.

  1. Reading:
    • ACT: Composite 23 and English 19
    • SAT: Composite 1070* and Critical Reading/Verbal 500
    • TAKS: ELA 2200 with a writing score of 3
  2. Math:
    • ACT: Composite 23 and Math 19
    • SAT: Composite 1070* and Math 500
    • TAKS: Math 2200
  3. Writing:
    • ACT: Composite 23 and English 19
    • SAT: Composite 1070* and Critical Reading/Verbal 500
    • TAKS: ELA 2200 with a writing score of 3

*SAT Composite = Critical Reading plus Math scores; ACT and SAT scores are valid for five years from the date taken; TAKS scores are valid for three years from the date taken.

  1. A student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education.
  2. A student who transfers from a private or out-of-state institution of higher education and who has satisfactorily completed college-level course work as determined by UNT Dallas.
  3. A student who has previously attended another Texas public institution of higher education and has been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.
  4. A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment.
  5. A student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States.

Exemption documentation should be submitted to Academic Support Services, 7300 University Hills Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75241-4605.

Academic Assessment and Course Placement

UNT Dallas accepts scores on the ACCUPLACER, ASSET, COMPASS or THEA tests for assessment purposes. These state-approved tests measure college-level readiness in reading, mathematics and writing. Minimum score thresholds required to demonstrate college readiness in each subject area as follows:


Reading Math Writing
ACCUPLACER 78 63 80 objective w/ 5 essay/ 6 essay only
ASSET 41 38 40 objective w/ 5 essay/ 6 essay only
COMPASS 81 39 59 objective w/ 5 essay/ 6 essay only
THEA
230* 230 220

 Students applying to a major in education need a THEA score of 240

Students participate in a developmental program for each semester of enrollment for those subjects where readiness has not been demonstrated. Students may demonstrate readiness by either passing the highest level of indicated developmental course work (C or better) or by scoring above statutory thresholds on one of the approved tests.

Students are individually advised into the appropriate developmental program according to their developmental need. UNT Dallas offers course-based and non–course-based developmental programs. Developmental courses offered at UNT Dallas include:

Reading/Writing

Mathematics

  Math 1010D Math 1010D plus 2-hour lab
ACCUPLACER 57-62 Less than 57
ASSET 36-37 Less than 36
COMPASS 34-38 Less than 34
THEA 220-229 Less than 220

All students below reading and/or writing thresholds are placed in TECM 1200D . In addition to courses offered at UNT Dallas, students may meet their developmental program course needs through concurrent enrollment in equivalent course work at another institution of higher education. International students may meet their initial remedial needs through Intensive English Language Institute course work before enrolling at UNT Dallas full-time.

Non–course-based programs include workshops, tutorials and self-paced instruction. This program option is generally available to students for only one semester. Advisors monitor student progress in their non–course-based programs through the semester.

Demonstrating College Readiness

Students may demonstrate college readiness or otherwise satisfy TSI requirements by any of the following:

  1. Successful completion of the highest level of the appropriate developmental course with a C or better.
  2. Achievement of a score above the statutory threshold on an approved readiness assessment.
  3. Placement into college-level reading, math or writing according to UNT Dallas academic placement guidelines.
  4. Demonstration of an applicable documented disability and registering with the UNT Dallas Office of Disability Accommodation.

Requirements for a Second Bachelor’s Degree

To be eligible for a second bachelor’s degree, a student must have completed an undergraduate degree and also must meet all current catalog requirements for the second degree, including 12 hours of advanced courses in a field different from the major for the first bachelor’s degree.

Undergraduate Academic Certificate Programs

UNT Dallas offers upper-division undergraduate academic certificate programs to meet workforce needs or to provide students with life/career skills and knowledge and to allow for specialization in academic disciplines.

Admission

All students pursuing an undergraduate academic certificate must meet regular UNT Dallas admission requirements. Candidates for admission to the undergraduate academic certificate program must meet the minimum academic standards for the academic discipline. Post-baccalaureate students are eligible to pursue an undergraduate academic certificate.

Requirements

Undergraduate academic certificates require 12–20 semester credit hours, the majority of which must be advanced.

Students are responsible for all prerequisites specified in course requirements.

Students are expected to complete all hours for the undergraduate academic certificate requirements at UNT Dallas.

Upon completion of the requirement for an undergraduate academic certificate program, a student should apply to the academic dean of his or her division. Application forms are sent to the Registrar’s Office at the end of each term.

The Registrar’s Office posts undergraduate academic certificates to students’ transcripts at the end of the semester earned and prints the certificates, which are mailed by the division awarding them.

Note: Hours used for attaining an undergraduate academic certificate could potentially exclude a student from consideration for the $1,000 Tuition Rebate since all hours earned for the undergraduate academic certificate are counted in the total hours earned toward a degree.

Grading System

 UNT Dallas’ grading system uses the letters A, B, C, D, F, P, NP, I, PR, W, WF, and Z. 

A excellent work, four grade points for each semester hour.
B good work, three grade points for each semester hour.
C fair work, two grade points for each semester hour.
D passing work, one grade point for each semester hour.
F failure; given when a student (1) has failed the course while still officially enrolled at the end of the term/semester; (2) is failing a course and misses the final examination without satisfactory explanation; or (3) stops attending class without processing an official drop or withdrawal.
P passed; a credit grade (1) on pass/no pass option, (2) on student teaching, and (3) in selected undergraduate and graduate individual problems, research, thesis and dissertation courses.
NP not passed; a failing grade on the pass/no pass option; non-punitive.
I I is a non-punitive grade given only during the last one-fourth of a term/semester and only if a student (1) is passing the course and (2) has justifiable and documented reason, beyond the control of the student (such as serious illness or military service), for not completing the work on schedule. The student must arrange with the instructor to finish the course at a later date by completing specific requirements. These requirements must be listed on a Request for Grade of Incomplete form signed by the instructor, student and department chair and must be entered on the grade roster by the instructor. Grades of I assigned to an undergraduate course at the end of the Fall 2007 semester and later will default to F unless the instructor has designated a different automatic grade. See also “Removal of I” policy in this section of this catalog.
PR used to show that work is in process on thesis or dissertation in courses numbered 5950D
W drop or withdrawal without penalty. Given when a student drops a course or withdraws from the university prior to the end of the sixth week of classes of long terms/semesters or corresponding dates for summer sessions. After that time the student must have a passing grade for the instructor to assign a grade of W for a dropped course; otherwise, the grade of WF is recorded.
WF drop or withdrawal with a failing grade. Instructor may drop a student with a grade of WF from courses for nonattendance. May be assigned from the 7th through the 13th week of classes of long terms/semesters or corresponding dates for summer sessions.
Z used to indicate that a grade was not properly received and/or recorded for a course.

Note: No grade points are allowed for grades F, I, NP, P, PR, W, WF or Z.

A complete record of all previously used grades and grading systems is detailed on the official transcript.

Grade Point Average

The overall grade point average is used to determine student class loads, eligibility for admission to the university and certain programs, financial aid eligibility, and eligibility for graduation. It is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of semester hours attempted. All GPA calculations are subject to post-audit and correction by the Registrar’s Office.

The number of semester hours attempted includes all courses with grades of A, B, C, D, F and WF unless replaced by a later grade. Courses with grades of I, NP, P, PR, W or Z are not counted as courses attempted.  Students may repeat courses in which they receive a grade of “D” or “F”.

Dean’s List and President’s List

Undergraduate students enrolled in at least 12 hours of class work in regularly graded courses taken in residence during the long session with a grade point average of 4.0 are placed on the president’s list. Students enrolled in at least 12 hours of course work during the long semesters with a grade point average of 3.5 or above are placed on the dean’s list. Students are notified of this recognition by the president or the appropriate academic dean.

Academic Standards

Minimum standards have been set that a student must achieve at the end of a given enrollment period in order to remain in good academic standing. The minimum academic requirement for undergraduate students is a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (CGPA).

The CGPA upon which academic standards are based is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned in residence at UNT Dallas by the total number of semester credit hours (SCH) attempted in residence at UNT Dallas. Excluded in this calculation are all courses in which the student received grades of NP, P, W, Z or I. The cumulative grade point average as defined here is used only for determining a student’s academic status and is not necessarily related to the grade point average that governs eligibility for graduation.

In calculating grade points, grades count as follows: A = 4 points per semester credit hour, B = 3 points, C = 2 points, D = 1 point, F and WF = 0 points.

Classification for the purpose of establishing the academic standing of the student is determined by the sum of all hours attempted in residence in regularly graded courses at UNT Dallas, hours passed in pass/no pass graded courses at UNT Dallas, and hours transferred from other institutions. Not included in the definition of student classification for academic standards are hours granted by the university for extension, service experience, advanced placement, credit by examination, CLEP or transfer hours attempted but not passed or accepted by the university for academic credit.

A student is placed on academic alert or academic probation at the end of any enrollment period in which the CGPA on work attempted in residence at this university does not equal or exceed 2.0.

Academic Standards for Transfer Students

New UNT Dallas students who have fewer than 30 hours of transfer credit, excluding non-traditional credit, who are admitted via individual review and have less than a 2.0 grade point average will be placed on academic alert. Other transfer students with 30 or more hours of transfer credit who are admitted via individual review are placed automatically on academic probation if their transfer cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0. See “Transfer Students ” in the Admission section of this catalog for a statement of current minimum entrance requirements for transfer students. To avoid academic suspension, transfer students admitted on academic probation must make a grade point average equal to or exceeding the minimum 2.0.

Transfer students admitted to UNT Dallas in good standing are subject to the same minimum academic requirements as continuing students. Thus, if at the end of the first enrollment period a transfer student’s grade point average on all work attempted at UNT Dallas does not meet the minimum 2.0 CGPA requirement, the student will be placed on academic alert or academic probation for the next period of enrollment and the Regulations Governing Students on Academic Alert or Academic Probation will apply.

Transfer students who have more than 30 credit hours and are admitted to UNT Dallas on academic probation are evaluated at the end of their first long term/semester in attendance, at which time they are either cleared from probation or suspended. To avoid academic suspension, the student must have earned a CGPA on all work attempted at UNT Dallas equal to or greater than the minimum 2.0.

Additional information concerning academic status is available from the offices of the academic deans or the Office of the Registrar.

Transfer Hours from Another Institution

Students who complete work at another institution, to be applied toward a bachelor’s degree at UNT Dallas, should make sure that the appropriate officer of the other institution furnishes to the Office of Admissions at UNT Dallas a complete official transcript of such work.

The Office of Admissions determines acceptable transfer credit from other institutions based on evaluation of course content as described in the catalogs of those institutions and in consultation with appropriate academic units at UNT Dallas as necessary for clarification.

Transfer credit may only be received for course work completed at an accredited institution of higher education. Transfer credit from other institutions will be converted to semester hours and a 4.0 grading system for evaluation purposes as appropriate. The student’s academic dean determines applicability of the credit to a degree program. Students seeking a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) degree should refer to the special provisions of the respective degree programs.

Students who have begun residence work at UNT Dallas and who have attained junior standing may, only with the prior written consent of their academic dean, enroll in and transfer hours from approved two-year colleges.

Grade points earned at other institutions are excluded in the computations of the CGPA, but transfer hours accepted are included in determining the classification and minimum required level of performance.

Additional information concerning academic status is available from the advising offices of the academic deans or the Registrar’s Office.

Because of the time required for receipt of transcripts, students otherwise eligible for graduation who complete their last course or courses elsewhere do not graduate at the end of the term/semester or summer session in which the work is completed, but receive their degrees at the close of a subsequent UNT Dallas term/semester or summer session.

Transfer hours from another institution are included in the overall GPA when determining honors for graduation.

Regulations Governing Students on Academic Alert

A freshman is placed on academic alert the first term/semester the CGPA drops below 2.0. To be removed from academic alert, the student must raise the CGPA to a minimum of 2.0 during the next period of enrollment.

A student on academic alert who does not raise the CGPA to at least the minimum 2.0 at the end of the next term/semester of enrollment is placed on academic probation.

Regulations Governing Students on Academic Probation

A student who is not classified as a freshman, or a student who is a freshman and has been on academic alert, is placed on academic probation at the end of any enrollment period in which the CGPA drops below a 2.0.

A student remains on academic probation at the end of any enrollment period in which the student earns at least a 2.25 GPA but does not achieve the minimum 2.0 CGPA.

A student remains on academic probation during any summer enrollment in which the student fails to raise the CGPA to the minimum 2.0 CGPA.

A student who, during a probationary fall or spring term/semester, fails to raise the CGPA to the minimum 2.0 standard, or who fails to make at least a 2.25 GPA for the term/semester, is automatically suspended from UNT Dallas for one or more long terms/semesters. (See “Regulations Governing Students Under Academic Suspension.”)

The electronic grade report and student’s academic standing are available online at the end of each term/semester at my.unt.edu. Each student is responsible for knowing whether the minimum CGPA has been achieved and whether they are eligible to re-enroll or remain enrolled in the university. Any student enrolled when ineligible will be withdrawn by the Registrar, and no special consideration will be given to such student on a plea of ignorance of academic status. If the cumulative record is believed incorrect, the student should contact the Registrar’s Office.

Regulations Governing Students Under Academic Suspension

A student who is suspended from the University for failure to meet the standards prescribed in the “Regulations Governing Students on Academic Probation” is prohibited from re-enrolling for the following long term(s)/semester(s) as outlined below:

  • First suspension: One long term/semester
  • Second suspension: Two long terms/semesters
  • Third suspension: Indefinite

A student who has been suspended for an indefinite period may request, at the end of two calendar years from the time of the suspension, a review of the case by the appropriate academic dean.

Each student is responsible for knowing the minimum CGPA requirements and the standards for academic standing. Any ineligible student who enrolls during a long term/semester will be withdrawn by the Registrar, regardless of whether the student has registered or pre-registered and paid fees. The student should be aware that course work taken at another institution while the student is suspended from UNT Dallas may not apply to a degree.

A student who has been suspended from UNT Dallas re-enters on academic probation. A student under academic suspension may attend the UNT Dallas summer enrollment periods. If, at the end of the summer enrollment period, a student raises the CGPA to the 2.0 minimum standard, the student will be reinstated in good academic standing.

Course Duplications

A student may take a course a second or subsequent time. The Office of the Registrar will post duplications at the request of the student, at the request of an academic advisor or upon review of the student’s record. Until a duplication is posted the Office of the Registrar includes a repeated course in the student’s cumulative record of hours attempted and grade points earned. The Registrar includes without exception any course repeated more than once in the student’s cumulative record of hours attempted and grade points earned. Departments may count the highest grade for departmental GPA requirements; however, the academic dean uses only the last grade recorded in certifying the student’s eligibility for graduation.

Undergraduate students who enroll in the same course more than twice may be charged additional tuition amounts.

Status Changes Due to Course Duplications

A student request for the recording of a course duplication made before or on the last class day of any term or session will be reflected in the hours attempted and grade points earned at the beginning of the term/semester or session.

If a student who is on academic alert or academic probation requests the recording of course duplications, and the resulting adjusted CGPA equals or exceeds the minimum 2.0 academic standard, the academic alert or probation status will be removed if the student notifies the Office of the Registrar on or before the last class day for that term/semester or session. Otherwise, the student will remain on academic alert or probation for that enrollment period and be subject to attendant penalties.

If a student is suspended at the end of a term/semester during which the student has repeated a course and the posting of that duplication will result in a CGPA that would have been sufficient to be continued on probation at the end of that term/semester (or to be cleared), the student will be reinstated if the student requests the duplication and applies for reinstatement at the Office of the Registrar. The delayed posting of course duplications completed during prior enrollment periods cannot be used as a basis for altering suspension history or reinstating lost registration schedules.

Courses duplicated Fall 2005 and later will result in a re-evaluation of a student’s suspension history beginning with the term that the duplication was completed. The delayed processing of course duplications and updating of suspension history cannot be used as justification for reinstating lost registration schedules.

Grade Reports

The electronic grade report and academic standing are available online at my.unt.edu at the close of each term/semester. If the grade report or the academic standing is believed to be in error, the student should contact the Office of Registrar within 30 days following the first class day of the succeeding term/semester.

At mid-term/semester in the long session, instructors may provide individual written warnings to students who are doing unsatisfactory class work. These warnings are mailed from the Office of the Registrar upon request by the instructor.

Transcripts

Transcripts contain the complete record of all courses in which the student was registered, including the grades, any degree, diploma, or certificate conferred.  Transcript request information can also be found on the Registrar web page (http://dallas.unt.edu/registrar). Students can request transcripts in person at the Registrar counter or may mail the request.

Before an official transcript can be released, all financial or administrative obligations to the university must be resolved. To check for blocks, please refer to the student center at my.unt.edu. UNT Dallas transcripts may be ordered in person at the Registrar’s Office or by written request. When sending a written request, include:

  • Your full name and any previous name(s), if applicable
  • Your student ID number
  • Your birth date
  • Your approximate dates of attendance at UNT Dallas
  • Complete directions where to mail the transcript
  • Your signature (required)
  • A daytime phone number, e-mail address and your home mailing address (to contact you if there are any questions)
  • Instructions for any “special handling” requirements (e.g., “place transcripts in separate, sealed envelopes,” “hold request until current term/semester grades are posted,” etc.)

Mail your written request to:
University of North Texas at Dallas
Office of the Registrar
Attn: Transcripts
7300 University Hills Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75241

Or fax the written request to:
972-780-3636
Attn: Transcripts

If you have any questions concerning transcripts, please contact the Office of the Registrar in person or call the Office of the Registrar at 972-780-3664.

Grade Books

The University’s records retention schedule requires that grade books be retained by the departmental chair or associate dean for five years.

Tests

University policy requires that departments retain tests for one year after the term/semester has been completed or return tests to students. If the tests are returned, students are responsible for producing the tests should a grade appeal be necessary.

Grade Changes

No grade except I may be removed from a student’s record once properly recorded. Changes are not permitted after grades have been filed except to correct clerical errors.

Requests for error correction must be initiated immediately after the close of the term/semester for which the grade was recorded.

A faculty member who believes an error has been made in calculating or recording a grade may submit in person a request for a grade change to the department chair and the appropriate dean. The Registrar accepts requests for grade changes only from the academic deans.

Removal of a Grade of I

A student who receives a grade of Incomplete (I) should not register for the course again.  A student may remove a grade of I within one year by completing the stipulated work. After the student completes the stipulated work, the instructor records the final grade on a UNT Dallas Grade Change Form and obtains the department chair’s or associate dean’s signature. The instructor’s academic dean completes processing with the Registrar’s Office, where the grade point average is adjusted accordingly. For undergraduate courses taken Fall 2007 or later, if a student does not complete the stipulated work within the time specified, the grade of I will default to F unless the instructor has designated a different automatic grade. The GPA is adjusted accordingly, and the student will be subject to academic penalty should any exist.

Policy on Grade Appeal

The University of North Texas at Dallas establishes this grade appeal process based on the principles that UNT Dallas faculty are ultimately responsible for the assignment of grades and students should be free from prejudicial or arbitrary grading. The UNT Dallas grade appeal policy is designed to resolve a disagreement between a student and faculty member in a collegial manner through informal discussion and through a more formal process only when necessary.

Application of Policy

This policy applies to all students.

Definitions

  1. Arbitrary. “Arbitrary” means a decision based on inappropriate criteria or not in conformity with established procedures or standards.
  2. Prejudice. “Prejudice” means a decision motivated by ill will that is not indicative of the student’s academic performance in regard to grades.
  3. Error. “Error” means a decision that is based on a mistake in fact.

Procedures and Responsibilities (Grade Appeal)

  1. Faculty Responsible for Assignment of Grades. The responsibility for the evaluation of students rests with the UNT Dallas faculty. The university presumes that the judgment of the faculty member in a course is authoritative, and that all assigned grades are correct.
  2. Student Informal Consultation with Faculty Member. A student who wishes to complain about a final course grade must first discuss the matter with the faculty member of record. The discussion with the faculty member must occur as soon as possible after assignment of the grade and under no circumstances will a faculty member entertain a student’s complaint any later than one week after the start of the academic term following the assignment of the grade. The faculty member is expected to actively listen to the student complaint, provide an explanation for the awarded grade and be receptive to changing the grade if the student provides a convincing argument for changing the grade. The faculty member must inform a student of a decision within three (3) days of meeting with the student.
  3. Formal Petition for Grade Appeal. If a student’s concern remains unresolved after the informal consultation with the faculty member, the student may submit a written petition for appeal to the chair of the faculty member’s department within three (3) days of learning the result of the informal conversation with the faculty member.
    1. A formal petition for a grade appeal may only be considered based on a concern that the final grade in a course was assigned arbitrarily or based on prejudice, or was assigned in error. Students bear the burden of proof to support their petition.
    2. A student’s formal petition for grade appeal to the department chair must include:
      1. The stated grounds for the final course grade appeal and specifically the basis for the claim that a final course grade was assigned arbitrarily, prejudicially or was in error.
      2. Any additional supporting information.
    3. Within five (5) business days of receiving a student petition, the department chair will meet with the student to review the petition.
    4. If the chair believes that the student’s petition may have merit, within three (3) business days after meeting with the student, the chair will consult with the faculty member to consider an amicable solution.
    5. After consulting with the department chair the faculty member may choose to let the grade remain or change the course grade.
    6. The chair will communicate the decision of the faculty member to the student, or, if the chair determines that the student’s petition is without merit, that decision will be communicated to the student. Notice must be provided to the student no later than two (2) business days after the most recent meeting between the chair and the faculty member resulting in a decision on the grade appeal.
  4. Appeal to Faculty Committee.
    1. If a student’s concern remains unresolved after review by the department chair, the student may submit a written request for appeal to the dean of the division that offers the course taught by the faculty member. The written request must be delivered no more than three (3) days after the decision from the department chair is communicated to the student and must include:
      1. The stated grounds for the final course grade appeal and specifically the basis for the claim that a final course grade was assigned arbitrarily, prejudicially or was in error.
      2. Any additional supporting information.
    2. The dean may either:
      1. review the appeal on their own; or,
      2. appoint a committee of three (3) faculty members from the faculty member’s department or in a closely allied field to review the grade appeal (“faculty committee”) and report their findings back to the dean. Faculty members appointed to the committee must not have any apparent conflict of interest with the faculty of record. If any apparent conflicts of interest exist, the faculty member will be replaced on the committee by another faculty member appointed by the dean.
    3. The dean and/or the faculty committee (as applicable) will examine the available written information (including that from the department chair) and may meet with the student and the instructor, if necessary. The dean or faculty committee may request meetings with any other individuals as deemed necessary for their thorough examination of the appeal.
    4. The dean and/or the faculty committee (as applicable) will be charged to determine whether the grade was assigned in a fair and appropriate manner, or whether there is evidence of unfair treatment such as arbitrariness, prejudice and/or error that might justify a change in a grade.
    5. If the dean alone or with feedback from the faculty committee concludes that the grade was assigned in a fair and appropriate manner, the dean will report the conclusions to the student and faculty member in writing and the matter will be closed.
    6. If the dean alone or with feedback from the faculty committee determines that compelling reasons exist for changing the grade, the dean will request that the instructor change the grade and provide the faculty member with a written explanation for the request. If the faculty member declines to change a grade as requested, the faculty member will provide a written explanation of the refusal to the dean.
    7. The dean, after considering the faculty member’s explanation, and upon concluding that it would be unjust to allow the original grade to stand, may change the grade and notify the student and the faculty member of the action.
    8. Only a dean may change a grade over the objection of a faculty member.
  5. Miscellaneous.
    1. Time frames established for the grade appeal process may be extended by the department chair involved in the process for good cause.
    2. Grades issued by a faculty member will remain in effect during the appeal procedure.

Pass/No Pass Option

Undergraduate Students

An incoming freshman or any undergraduate in good standing with a C average or better on all work attempted in residence at UNT Dallas may schedule one course a term/semester on the pass/no pass option. Seniors may elect more than one pass/no pass course during their final term/semester.

A maximum of 18 semester hours of credit under the pass/no pass option may be applied toward the bachelor’s degree. Only courses counted as electives on the student’s degree plan may be scheduled under the pass/no pass option. These hours are not used in calculating the grade point average, but count as full credit.

A grade of D or better will be shown as a P. If the course is not passed, the record will show NP and the hours attempted will not be used in calculating the grade point average.

The pass/no pass option for a particular course is elected at the time of registration. Requests are processed after the term/semester begins. Students may change to the regular grading system in the office of their academic dean any time before the end of the sixth week of classes, or the corresponding point of a summer session, provided the eligibility requirements above are met.

Courses taken under the regular grading system may not be repeated as pass/no pass courses unless a grade of W was previously received.

A student who changes majors is not automatically denied credit for a pass/no pass course that becomes a degree audit requirement for the new major. The decision is made by the academic dean of the new department. However, under no circumstances is a grade of P changed to a letter grade.

Transfer students have the same pass/no pass privileges and restrictions, but they must pass 30 semester hours of regularly graded courses at UNT Dallas to be eligible for graduation.

Graduate Students

Graduate students may enroll under the pass/no pass option only for undergraduate courses that are not required as a deficiency makeup or as a graduate degree requirement.

Courses Automatically Graded Pass/No Pass

Certain graduate-level individual instructional courses will be graded pass/no pass when classes are taught on campus in those departments whose faculty have voted for the use of this grading system for individual instruction.

Graduate Credit for Work Experience

Graduate credit will not be granted for knowledge acquired through prior work or performance experience regardless of whether these experiences were of a paid or voluntary nature.

Quality of Work Required

The graduate student must maintain a B average on all courses that receive graduate credit, whether or not the courses are to be applied toward a graduate degree. Grades received in all courses numbered 5000 or higher are included in the computation of the graduate student’s grade point average.

The student whose graduate GPA earned at another institution is below B will be required to make up the deficiency either at the other institution or at UNT Dallas. This regulation applies not only to graduate work attempted elsewhere before the student was first admitted to the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies at UNT Dallas, but also to graduate work attempted elsewhere after the student’s admission at UNT Dallas.

Students must make satisfactory progress toward completion of degree requirements to remain in good standing within a specific degree program. Students whose progress is unsatisfactory may be removed from the program by the dean on recommendation of the major department or division. Courses in which the grade is D cannot be used toward completion of graduate degree requirements.

A grade of C or better must be earned in each undergraduate or graduate course assigned as a deficiency by the student’s major department. Departments that wish to do so may establish more stringent requirements.

Probation and Suspension (Graduate)

A student who fails to achieve the required cumulative average of 3.0 GPA (B average) on all courses carrying graduate credit in a term/semester will be placed on academic probation for the subsequent term/semester. If the student achieves a 3.0 semester GPA in the subsequent term/ semester, but the cumulative GPA is still below 3.0, the student will remain on academic probation. The student will be removed from probation when the 3.0 cumulative GPA is achieved. A student who is on probation cannot apply for graduation and cannot graduate.

A student who is placed on academic probation who does not receive either a semester or a cumulative 3.0 GPA during the term/semester of probation will be subject to academic suspension for a period of up to one calendar year before becoming eligible to re-enroll for further graduate courses. Graduate work completed elsewhere during a period of graduate suspension at UNT Dallas may not be counted for graduate credit at UNT Dallas. After the one-year period of suspension, students must reapply for admission to graduate school (see “Readmission of Graduate Students ” in the Admission section of this catalog); students may then enroll in graduate courses under probation with the same probation conditions as previously described. Students who are then suspended a second time without having returned to good academic standing by achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better will be dismissed from the university.

Special probation and suspension rules apply for all degree-seeking students in the Division of Urban and Professional Studies. Consult the Division of Urban and Professional Studies for further information.

The student whose UNT Dallas GPA in graduate work falls below 3.0 must make up the deficit, either by repeating courses in which the grades are low, or by completing other UNT Dallas courses with grades high enough to bring the UNT Dallas GPA up to 3.0. Low grades made in graduate courses at UNT Dallas may not be duplicated at other institutions.

Definition of Terms

Academic Status
This term is used as an indication of a student’s academic standing with the university. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0 to remain in good academic standing.  Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 to remain in good academic standing.

Academic Alert
A freshman is placed on academic alert the first term/semester the CGPA drops below a 2.0. To be removed from academic alert, the student must raise the CGPA to a minimum of 2.0 during the next period of enrollment. A student on academic alert who does not raise the CGPA to at least the minimum 2.0 at the end of the next term/semester of enrollment is placed on academic probation.

Academic Probation/Suspension
A student who is not classified as a freshman, or a student who is a freshman and has been on academic alert, is placed on academic probation at the end of any enrollment period in which the CGPA drops below a 2.0.

A student who, during a probationary fall or spring term/semester, fails to raise the CGPA to the minimum 2.0 standard, or who fails to make at least a 2.25 for the term/semester, is automatically suspended from UNT Dallas for one or more long terms/semesters.

A graduate student is placed on academic probation at the end of any enrollment period in which the CGPA drops below 3.0.

Academic Suspension (Graduate Students)
A graduate student who is placed on academic probation and who does not receive either a semester or a cumulative 3.0 graduate GPA during the term/semester of probation will be subject to academic suspension for a period of up to one calendar year before becoming eligible to reapply for graduate admission (see “Readmission of Graduate Students ” in the Admission section) and enroll for further graduate courses. After the one-year period of suspension, students may re-enroll in graduate courses under probation. Students who are then suspended a second time without having returned to good academic standing by achieving a CGPA of 3.0 or better will be dismissed from the university.

Certification-Only Students
Certification-only students are admitted to graduate studies to pursue professional or teacher certification only. Up to 12 graduate semester credit hours taken as a non-degree seeking or certification-only student may be used toward a degree with approval from the academic department. These students must meet graduate school admission requirements.

Classification of Students
Students are classified on the basis of term/semester hours passed. Semester hours passed are computed by adding transfer hours accepted, pass/no pass hours passed, graded hours passed and non-traditional credit accepted at UNT Dallas.

Undergraduate classifications are: freshmen, those who have completed less than 30 semester hours of college credit; sophomores, 30 to 59 hours completed; juniors, 60 to 89 hours completed; seniors, 90 or more hours completed but who have not received a bachelor’s degree. Graduate students are those who have graduated with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

Classification of Graduate Students
Any student who holds a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is classified as a graduate student, whether or not admission to a degree program has been granted, and is subject to the regulations contained in this catalog concerning graduate students. Records concerning admission, continuation and graduation of such students are maintained in the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Classification as a graduate student on this basis does not guarantee financial aid eligibility. Students should consult the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for details.

Concentration
A concentration is a recognized focus in a subfield of a major field of study. Concentrations are placed on the UNT Dallas transcript.

Concurrent Enrollment
Concurrent enrollment is enrollment for any course or courses at another institution while registered for courses at UNT Dallas. Enrollment through the Federation of North Texas Area Universities is not considered concurrent enrollment. Graduate students must secure written permission for concurrent enrollment from the Office of Graduate Admissions prior to registration, and students must not exceed the maximum enrollment limitation set by UNT Dallas.

Concurrent Programs
Concurrent programs are defined as programs (degrees, graduate academic certificates or teacher certification) that a student is pursuing simultaneously. Students in their first semester of graduate enrollment must satisfy the admission test requirement prior to submitting an application for a concurrent degree.

Continuing Students
Continuing students are those students who have been officially enrolled at UNT Dallas at least once during the 12 consecutive months prior to the term/semester of planned enrollment and/or have not received a degree during the same period. Students who receive a degree and reapply to the university are considered new graduate students.

Core Complete
A student who transfers to UNT Dallas as core complete has successfully completed a 42- to 48-hour common core curriculum at another state-assisted institution of higher education in Texas and will have satisfied the core curriculum at UNT Dallas.

Inactive Continuing Students (undergraduate students only)
Inactive students are undergraduates who have not been officially enrolled at UNT Dallas in the last 12 consecutive months and who have not received a degree during the same period.

Inactive students are required to complete the following requirements to re-enroll:

  1. complete the Texas Common Application for returning students;
  2. submit transcripts from all colleges attended, if any, since leaving UNT Dallas;
  3. if previous UNT Dallas enrollment was as a transient, dual credit, summer visiting student or special student, all academic credentials are required prior to re-enrollment; International students should contact the Office of International Admissions.

Course Numbering System
Freshman courses, 1000-1999.
Sophomore courses, 2000-2999.
Junior courses, 3000-3999.
Senior courses, 4000-4999.
Graduate courses, 5000 and above.

The graduate student enrolled in a 5000-level course that meets with a senior-level undergraduate course will be expected to complete additional requirements beyond those expected of undergraduates in the same course.

Courses 2900D, 2910D, 4900D and 4910D, Special Problems, are used upon approval of the department chair or dean for individual instruction in any department to cover course content in special circumstances. Courses 5900D, 5910D, 5920D and 5930D are used in any department that offers graduate work.

Experimental Courses, 1980D, 2980D and 4980D, are new courses offered on a trial basis for 1–4 hours credit each. Registration is permitted only upon approval of the department chair.

Advanced Courses, numbered 3000D to 4999D, are open to students who have 12 semester hours of credit in a given subject or who have the indicated prerequisites, and to those without the prerequisites who have the consent of the department. In some instances, division requirements may vary. Students should consult individual areas prior to enrolling in advanced courses.

Cumulative Grade Point Average
The cumulative grade point average (CGPA) upon which academic standards are based is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned in residence at UNT Dallas by the total number of semester credit hours (SCH) attempted in residence at UNT Dallas.

Not included in the definition of student classification for academic standards are hours granted by this university for extension courses, service experience, advanced placement, credit by examination, CLEP or transfer hours attempted but not passed.

Excluded from the calculation of the CGPA are all courses in which the student received grades of I, NP, P, PR, W or Z.

The cumulative grade point average as defined here is used only for determining a student’s academic status and is not necessarily related to the grade point average that governs eligibility for graduation or graduating with honors.

Degree Plan (Undergraduate Students)
The degree plan is an official document prepared in the office of the student’s academic dean. It lists all courses completed, courses not completed, proficiency examinations and all other requirements for a particular degree sought. A student should have a degree plan prepared no later than the beginning of the junior year. See also the entries for Major at http://dallas.unt.edu/academics/university-college. Information regarding Double Major and Minor information is also listed in this section.

Degree Plan (Graduate Students)
The degree plan is an official document prepared and approved in the student’s major department that lists courses completed, courses to be completed, proficiency examinations and all other requirements for a particular degree program. The master’s plan should be prepared and approved in the department and submitted for approval by the Office of Graduate Admissions during the student’s first term/semester of enrollment. The degree plan is subject to the requirements of the catalog in effect at the time the degree plan is approved.

Changes in either major or non-major requirements made necessary by altered or discontinued courses or by requirements imposed by external accrediting or certification agencies become effective for degree plan purposes at the beginning of the academic year immediately following the academic year in which the changes are published in the university catalog. The changes may include additions, deletions and other changes in prerequisite requirements for existing courses. Whenever possible, new requirements are implemented with a beginning class or upon the expiration of the appropriate time limit.

Former Students (Graduate Students only)
Former students are those graduate students who have not been enrolled at least once during the 12 consecutive months prior to planned enrollment and/or those who have received a degree.

Grade Point Average
The overall grade point average is used to determine student class loads, eligibility for admission to the university and certain programs, and eligibility for graduation. All GPA calculations are subject to post-audit and correction by the Office of the Registrar. See http://dallas.unt.edu/academics for additional information.

The GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of semester hours attempted. The number of semester hours attempted includes all courses with grades of A, B, C, D, F and WF unless replaced by a later grade. Courses with grades of I, NP, P, PR, W or Z are not counted as courses attempted.

Leave of Absence
Leave of absence applies to students admitted to the master’s degree who wish to discontinue work toward the degree for a specified period of time due to exigent circumstances.  Leave of absence may be granted by the academic program, which then notifies the Office of Graduate Admissions.  Degree requirements and graduation must be completed within the appropriate time limit for completion of the degree.  (See “Time Limitations” in the master’s degree requirements sections of t his catalog.

Non-Degree Students
Non–degree seeking students are admitted to graduate studies to enroll in graduate or undergraduate courses and are not admitted to a degree program or do not intend to complete a degree at UNT Dallas. Up to 12 graduate semester credit hours taken as a non–degree seeking student may be used toward a degree only with approval from the academic department. Non–degree seeking students must meet graduate studies admission requirements.

Students who continue to register for courses beyond the first 12 hours risk earning credits that cannot be applied to a degree program if admission is obtained later. Satisfactory completion of course work and/or other degree requirements does not imply acceptance of those credits toward a degree program. It is the responsibility of the student to know his or her admission status and seek admission to a degree program in a timely manner.

Major
At least 24 semester hours in a given subject are required for a major, including 12 hours of advanced work. The number of hours required depends on the department selected

The term “professional field” is used in the Division of Urban and Professional Studies to designate the major for the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and the Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management (MBA) degrees.

Double Major
A student seeking a double major must consult with an advisor from the second department. If approved, the requirements for the second major are incorporated into the student’s degree audit.

Minor
A minor requires at least 18 semester hours in a given subject, including 6 hours of advanced work. Specific course sequences for a minor are determined by the department offering the minor. Not all degrees require a minor.

Prerequisite
A prerequisite is a course or other preparation that must be completed before enrollment in another course. All prerequisites are included in catalog course descriptions.

Schedule Changes (Add/Drop, Withdrawal)
Students may make adjustments to their schedules by adding and/or dropping classes or by withdrawing. Specific procedures must be followed in making these changes. (See Enrollment  section of this catalog for details.)

Note: Students dropping all of their courses must go to the Registrar’s Office or send a written request to the Registrar’s Office to withdraw.

Semester Hour
A semester hour is the unit of credit at UNT Dallas; the credit allows for 1 lecture hour a week for 15 weeks or the equivalent. In course listings, figures in parentheses following the course credit hours indicate the number of clock hours per week devoted to lecture and laboratory. When it appears, the third and final number in these parentheses indicates the number of recitation hours per week.

Summer Visiting Student
A summer visiting student is an undergraduate student (U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien) who has been enrolled at another college or university and who enrolls at UNT Dallas for any summer session/term with the intent of returning to the home institution upon completion of summer studies. Summer visiting students must reapply each summer that enrollment is sought.

Term/Semester/Session
The academic year includes three terms/semesters: fall, spring and summer. During the summer term, a number of sessions are scheduled. Presently the options include 3W1 (three week one), 5W1 and 5W2 (five week one and two), 8W1 (eight week one), 10W (ten week) and the full summer term.

Time Limitation (Master’s Degrees)
A time limitation is the length of time a student has to complete all requirements for the degree program. Master’s students have six to eight years to complete their degree requirements depending on the number of semester hours required for the degree. Students anticipating that they will exceed the time limit must apply for a time extension through the academic department and division, then approval by the Office of Graduate Admissions before the time limit has expired. Information on filing a time extension can be obtained by contacting the Office of Graduate Admissions.  Time limitations also apply to transfer credit used toward a degree.

Track
A track is a group of courses designed for students seeking specialized training toward specific career objectives or a group of courses designed to meet a specific need within a degree program.

Transient Student
A transient student is an undergraduate student who has been enrolled at another college or university and who plans to attend UNT Dallas for one long term/semester only and then to return to the college or university where previously enrolled.

Undergraduate Academic Certificates
UNT Dallas offers upper-division undergraduate academic certificates to meet workforce needs or to provide students with life/career skills and knowledge and to allow for specialization in academic disciplines. Undergraduate academic certificates require 12–20 hours, the majority of which must be advanced. See http://dallas.unt.edu/academics for additional details.

Academic Information and Regulations

Ease your transition into college life. Here you’ll find academic information and regulations, a set of UNT Dallas the list of degrees offered at UNT Dallas and the group of classes known as the University Core Curriculum. To get your UNT Dallas degree you will need to meet the requirements of the core curriculum and complete the courses deemed necessary for your major. Also in this section, you will find important information about grades, transfer credits, transcripts and graduation.

Note: A definition of academic terms may be found in the above section of this catalog.

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS)
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Education (MEd)
Master of Science (MS)

Divisions

UNT Dallas is organized into the following academic divisions.

  • Education and Human Services
  • Liberal Arts and Life Sciences
  • Urban and Professional Studies

These divisions offer the degrees, majors, concentrations under majors, minors, and certifications listed under http://dallas.unt.edu/academics. See individual areas in this catalog for information about undergraduate offerings. Information about advanced offerings may be found at www.tsgs.unt.edu

Current Academic Programs

Undergraduate programs: accounting control systems, applied arts and sciences, criminal justice, general business, accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, organizational behavior and human resources, human service management and leadership, information technology, interdisciplinary studies (teacher education), logistics and supply chain management,mathematics,  mathematics with 8-12 teacher certification, and sociology.  Specific application practices for each program are available in respective departments.

Graduate programs: master’s level: business administration, counseling, criminal justice, and educational administration (principal preparation).

Certificates: Applied gerontology, alternative dispute resolution, logistics and supply chain management, and substance abuse addictions certificate.

See the Academic Degree Program Options Tables below for specific degree option listings.

Academic Area Undergraduate Program Options
Applied Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS)
Information Technology Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Mathematics Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Mathematics
Bachelor of Arts (BA), with Secondary Certification 8-12 grade mathematics
Sociology Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Logistics and Supply Chain Management Bachelor of Science (BS)
Accounting and Control Systems Bachelor of Science (BS)
Business Administration

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

in Accounting
in Entrepreneurship
in Finance
in General Business
in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science (BS)
Human Services Management and Leadership

Bachelor of Science (BS)
A minimum of 12 hours in one of the approved human services specialization or certificate programs is required:

Alternative Dispute Resolution
Applied Gerontology
Substance Abuse and Addictions

Interdisciplinary Studies

Bachelor of Science (BS)
Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared to sit for teacher certification examinations:

Early Childhood-6 Grade Generalist and All Level Special Education Teacher
Early Childhood-6 Grade ESL Generalist Teacher
Early Childhood-6 Grade Bilingual and Generalist Teacher
4-8 Grade Mathematics and ESL Teacher

Biological Sciences Minor
Business Foundation Minor (non-business majors)
Chemistry Minor
Computer Science Minor
Criminal Justice Minor
English Minor
History Minor
Human Services Management and Leadership Minor
Management Minor (non-business majors)
Mathematics Minor
Political Science Minor
Psychology Minor
Sociology Minor
Spanish Minor
Alternative Dispute Resolution Academic Certificate
Applied Gerontology Academic Certificate
Logistics and Supply Chain Management Academic Certificate
Substance Abuse and Addictions Academic Certificate
Academic Area Graduate Program Options
Business Administration Master of Business Administration (MBA), with a concentration in strategic Management
Counseling Master of Education (MEd),
Educational Administration Master of Education (MEd)
Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared to sit for principal certification examination
Criminal Justice Master of Science (MS)

Note: Degrees, majors, concentrations under majors, professional fields, minors, and certifications are selected in consultation with an advisor and, if approved, are incorporated into the student’s degree plan and/or program of study.

Masters Degree Requirements

Application for Admission

Applications must be submitted online at www.applytexas.orgApplication is made through the UNT Dallas Office of Graduate Admissions.  Most master’s degree programs require supplemental application materials.  Contact the academic unit for additional information.

General Requirements

The candidate must earn 30 or more hours of graduate credit, depending upon the requirements for the degree sought.  Specific graduate degree requirements are determined by the catalog currently in force at the time the student’s degree plan is approved by the graduate admissions office.

Consult subsequent sections of this publication for the specific course requirements for each master’s degree.

Level of Work Required

All of the course work to be credited toward the master’s degree plan must be numbered 5000 or higher.  Deficiencies or background courses are completed in addition to course work to be credited toward the master’s degree plan regardless of course number.  A maximum of 12 semester hours earned in non-degree or certification status prior to admission to a degree program may be counted toward degree requirements.

Time Limitations

All course work and other requirements to be credited toward the master’s degree must be completed within the following time periods, depending on the number of semester hours required for the degree.

  • 42 or fewer hours: 6 years
  • 43 to 49 hours: 7 years
  • 50 or more hours: 8 years

As individual courses exceed these time limits they lose all value for degree purposes.  Credits more than six years old at the time of first registration for graduate work are not transferable from other institutions.

Time limits are strictly enforced.  Students exceeding the time limit may be required to repeat the comprehensive exam, replace out-of-date credits with up-to-date work, and/or show other evidence of being up-to-date in their major and minor fields.  Students anticipating they will exceed the time limit should apply for an extension two semesters before the normal time period to complete the degree expires.  Holding a full-time job is not considered in itself sufficient grounds for granting an extension.  For time extension procedure/forms contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Time spent in active service in the U.S. armed forces will not be used in computing the time limit.  However, career members of the armed forces should consult the graduate admissions office concerning the credit given to work completed before or during active military service.

Leave of Absence

Leave of absence applies to students admitted to the master’s degree who wish to discontinue work toward the degree for a specified period of time due to exigent circumstances.  Leave of absence may be granted by the academic program, which then notifies the Office of Graduate Admissions.  Degree requirements and graduation must be completed within the appropriate time limit for completion of the degree.

Use of Transfer Credit and Extension Credit

Subject to the approval of the Office of Graduate Admission and the department or division concerned, a student who holds a bachelor’s degree and who has been admitted to graduate studies at UNT Dallas may apply toward a master’s degree the following amount of graduate work completed elsewhere:

  1. up to 6 semester hours in a 30- to 35-hour program,
  2. up to 9 semester hours in a 36- to 41-hour program,
  3. up to 12 semester hours in a program of 42 hours or more.

Subject to the approval of the Office of Graduate Admissions and the department or division concerned, UNT Dallas extension credit may be applied toward the master’s degree in the same ratio as transfer credit stated above, or in combination with transfer credit, so long as the total number of semester hours of combined transfer and extension credit does not exceed the limits stated above.  Extension and correspondence credit earned at other institutions will not be counted toward a graduate degree at UNT Dallas.

It is the student’s responsibility to make sure official transcripts of courses completed elsewhere are furnished to the Office of Graduate Admissions, and that graduate credit has been assigned by the other institution or institutions to whatever courses are to be counted toward the UNT Dallas degree.  Such courses, although listed on the UNT Dallas degree plan, will not be counted toward the degree until official transcripts showing graduate credit have been received and the credit has been approved by the graduate office.  All transfer courses are subject to the time limitation described previously.

If transfer credits do not show a B average, the student is required to make up the deficiency either at the institution where the credit was earned or at UNT Dallas.

In accordance with the rules of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, at least one-third of the semester hours required for any graduate degree must be completed in course work on the campus of UNT Dallas.

Degree Plan: Admission to Candidacy

The student who desires to become a candidate for the master’s degree should, before or at the time of registration, confer with the major department concerning the selection of a major professor and, if a minor is desired, with the intended minor department concerning the selection of a minor professor.  The major professor, minor professor, and the chair of the major department or a representative designated by the chair will constitute the student’s advisory committee.  The major professor will act as chair of the committee.  The student’s program is planned under the direction of the major and minor professors immediately after the completion of the first term/semester of graduate study.  The degree plan is submitted to the graduate office when all admission provisions are complete.  When the degree plan is approved by the graduate office the student will then be admitted to candidacy for the master’s degree.

Certain degree programs require successful completion of a specific course for admission to candidacy.  Consult the appropriate section of this catalog for the specific course requirement.  Immediately after the student has completed the admission course, the proposed degree plan will be sent to the UNT Dallas Office of Graduate Admissions for final approval.  When the degree plan is approved the student is admitted to candidacy for the master’s degree.

All changes in the degree plan must be approved by the major professor and the department chair or department graduate advisor, and must be submitted in writing to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Courses listed on the degree plan must carry letter grades, with the exception of those courses in which the student is engaged in individual research and is not attending an organized class.  These courses, with the approval of the department, may be assigned pass/no pass grades.

No student whose academic or personal record is unsatisfactory will be admitted to candidacy for the master’s degree.

Applicants will be notified by the Office of Graduate Admissions of their admission to candidacy for a graduate degree program.

Major and Minor Field

The candidate for the master’s degree ordinarily is required to select a major and a minor field.  To major in any field, the candidate must have completed a minimum of 24 semester hours of undergraduate courses in the field, including at least 12 hours of advanced courses prior to beginning graduate course work.  Certain graduate majors require more extensive undergraduate preparation.  Consult the section of this catalog describing the particular major desired for information concerning undergraduate preparation requirements. 

A minor is defined as graduate work completed outside of the student’s major department or school.  Minor areas of study can only be chosen from academic areas in which UNT Dallas is already authorized to offer a major or concentration, or where specific Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approval has been given to offer courses for the purposes of a minor.  When an official minor is required or opted, the candidate’s graduate advisory committee must include a faculty member from that area who will verify accountability in the minor area through comprehensive examinations, thesis, problem in lieu of thesis, dissertation projects, or other appropriate means.

For a master’s degree, the student must complete at least 6 hours in a single area to have the area count as a minor.  For master’s students all hours counted toward a minor must carry graduate credit and must be numbered 5000 or above.

Twelve hours of undergraduate credit are the usual prerequisites for a minor in any field. (Exception: In the case of a minor in a foreign language, the student is required to have completed the second term/semester of the sophomore year of study in the intended minor language.)  In departments that offer no freshman courses only 6 hours of undergraduate credit are required as prerequisite to a graduate minor in that field.

Minors are not required on certain graduate degrees.  Consult subsequent sections of this publication for specific regulations governing the degree sought.

The Master’s Degree without Thesis Requirement

In programs leading to the master’s degree that do not require the preparation of a thesis or problem in lieu of thesis, required or elective courses are substituted for the thesis requirement.  The graduate curricula at UNT Dallas foster research and/or independent learning including research experiences, mentoring between graduate faculty and graduate students, and practical training that allows for contributions to the field of study, the development of new knowledge and practical experience.  These programs are identified and described in subsequent sections of this catalog.

The candidate for the master’s degree under the non-thesis option is required to pass a comprehensive final examination, scheduled in accordance with the rules governing the comprehensive examination.  Information concerning this requirement is available from the student’s major department or school.

Requirements for the Second Master’s Degree

Subject to the approval of the Office of Graduate Admissions and the department or division concerned, a graduate student may be allowed to apply up to 12 semester hours previously earned at UNT Dallas and applied toward a master’s degree at an accredited institution toward a second master’s degree, providing the 12 hours are in a minor or related field of study for the second master’s degree.

This provision is subject to the rules governing the maximum amount of transfer and extension work that may be credited toward any master’s degree and the age of work offered on a master’s degree.  A student simultaneously pursuing two master’s degrees must complete the requirements for one degree in full before any final decision is made concerning application of any of the work on that degree toward the second degree.

Milestones for the Master’s Student

  • OGA - Office of Graduate Admissions, Director
  • ADCom - Advisory Committee
  • GA - Graduate Advisor
  • MP - Major Professor
  • DC - Department Chair
Procedure Initiate Through Approved By Time
1.  Apply for admission.  Submit all official transcripts and an official copy of the appropriate standardized test score. OGA DC and OGA At least six weeks prior to registration (seven to eight months prior to registration for foreign students). Note: Some programs have specific deadlines in advance of these suggested time periods.
2.  become familiar with general regulations and appropriate master’s degree section of catalog. Student   Before registration.
3.  Meet with graduate advisor assigned by department chair to plan course of study for first semester. Admiss and GA GA Before first semester registration.
4.  Establish advisory committee; prepare proposed degree program. GA and DC MP, DC, and OGA Upon or before completion of 12 semester hours.
5.  Submit degree plan to the Graduate Admissions Office for approval. MP, GA, and Student OGA Upon or before completion of 12 semester hours.
6.  Apply for graduation. OGA OGA See graduate deadline at www.unt.edu/catalog/calendar.htm
7.  Check to be sure degree program and Advisory Committee are up to date and all course work is complete. Student   Well before final comprehensive examination.  Follow regular procedures for changes.
8.  Schedule and complete final comprehensive examination. ADCom   Follow deadlines at www.unt.edu/catalog/calendar.htm
9.  File graduate application to continue graduate study, if the student so plans. OGA DC and OGA Immediately upon completion of all requirements for master’s degree.
10.  Arrange for cap and gown at University Bookstore.     By deadline date for placing order.