Established in 1890, the University of North Texas is a place where students transform their lives through education and opportunity.
The flagship of the UNT System, UNT has a legacy of excellence in a broad range of academic areas. It is one of the nation’s largest public research universities with 38,000 students and is the most comprehensive university in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. UNT graduated 8,900 students last year from its 13 colleges and schools and offers 101 bachelor’s, 82 master’s and 38 doctoral degree programs — many nationally and internationally recognized. Ranked a Tier One research university by the Carnegie Classification, UNT drives innovation and technology through high-level research and scholarship, and contributes to the region and state through intellectual capital and economic development.
UNT has been named one of America’s 100 Best College Buys® for 22 consecutive years, a ranking based on having a high-achieving freshman class and affordable tuition. The Princeton Review continually names UNT as a Best in the West school and Forbes has listed UNT as an America’s Top College for nine consecutive years.
Location
UNT is in Denton, a town of about 134,000 people located 40 miles north of Dallas and Fort Worth. The 900-acre campus includes 170 buildings including Discovery Park, a 300-acre research facility. Discovery Park is accessible by shuttle buses, as are residence halls, athletic facilities and other areas of campus.
The Dallas–Fort Worth area is one of the largest, most dynamic regions in the United States and home to many of the nation’s fastest growing cities. UNT fuels the North Texas region through innovation, education and research; forming partnerships with many business, industry, education, government and cultural organizations.
The university’s mission
UNT is a major public research university deeply committed to advancing educational excellence and preparing students to become thoughtful, engaged citizens of the world.
The university’s vision
As the most comprehensive public research university providing a top quality education in one of the nation’s largest, most dynamic regions, UNT will be celebrated for its academics, arts and athletics. UNT will be a diverse and inclusive institution creating knowledge and innovations that will shape the future, while cultivating excellence in the next generation of scholars and leaders for the global community.
Achieving the vision
UNT’s promise
The University of North Texas’ ultimate responsibility is to provide students with the best education possible, so they may achieve their goals, succeed at the highest levels and improve their communities, the state of Texas, the nation and the world.
UNT promises to offer students a challenging, rigorous, high-quality education and provide a supportive environment to help them successfully learn and grow.
UNT promises to contribute to the greater good through scholarship, research, creative endeavors and public service.
History of the university
UNT was founded in 1890 as Texas Normal College and Teachers’ Training Institute. Joshua C. Chilton, the founding president, leased facilities above a hardware store on Denton’s square to establish a teacher training institute. His opening-day remarks remains an important part of UNT’s value system: “It will be our aim to become leaders in the education of the young men and women of Texas, fitting them to creditably fill the most important positions in business and professional circles. We desire the cooperation of all who believe in higher education and who want to see our state in the very front of intellectual as well as material progress.”
The university has had seven names through the years:
1890 Texas Normal College and Teacher Training Institute
1894 North Texas Normal College
1901 North Texas State Normal College
1923 North Texas State Teachers College
1949 North Texas State College
1961 North Texas State University
1988 University of North Texas
Incoming students score well above the national and state averages on the SAT, and choose UNT for the quality of its programs. UNT “firsts” through the years include:
- First jazz studies program in the U.S.
- First undergraduate emergency administration and planning program in the U.S.
- First bachelor’s degree in digital retailing in the U.S. and first Master of Science program in merchandising offered completely online
- First school library certification program in the U.S. offered completely online
- First graduate applied anthropology program in the U.S. offered completely online
- First undergraduate program in applied behavior analysis in the U.S. and first accredited master’s program in behavior analysis in the world
- First and only PhD program in art education in Texas
- World’s first graduate program in environmental philosophy and world’s first field station in environmental philosophy, science and policy at Cape Horn, Chile
- First four-year aviation logistics program at a university in Texas and only such program in the nation
- First master’s program in international sustainable tourism in the U.S. and the first to require a year abroad
Faculty
At the heart of the university’s efforts to carry out its mission are the faculty. Individually, UNT faculty members have been singled out for contributions to their teaching and research fields through diverse national and international awards.
Collectively, the faculty have contributed significantly to research and scholarship within various fields through numerous publications, presentations at scholarly conferences, concerts, recitals, exhibitions and performances.
Faculty leadership in teaching, research, creative activities, performance and service activities has created national and international reputations for excellence for a number of academic programs within the university’s 12 schools and colleges.
Student life
A wide array of student organizations gives UNT students the opportunity to build friendships with people of both similar and varied interests and provides avenues for organized and meaningful service. Student organizations represent many areas of interest, such as service professional, political, academic, spiritual, athletic, residential, and Greek. Being involved in a student organization promotes a sense of community and connection to the university, while serving to enhance the social, intellectual and developmental growth of students. For more information, see the Campus Resources section of this catalog, call the Student Activities Center at 940-565-3807 or visit studentactivities.unt.edu.
UNT libraries
A wide range of student- and faculty-centered services are the cornerstone of the Libraries’ integral role in the UNT community. As an essential component of education and research at UNT, the Libraries offer access to more than seven million items (print and digital), along with expert personnel to assist patrons in achieving their academic and scholarly goals. Visit us online at www.library.unt.edu.
Services
UNT Libraries’ services include:
- Willis Library open 24/7 during long semesters
- Mac and PC laptop checkout
- Free video games, movies, music and more
- The Study cafe in Willis Library
- Electronic resources, including journals, books and other research materials
- Library instruction, subject guides and tutorials
- Research assistance from subject experts
- The Factory in Willis Library, a makerspace promoting the creative use of technology
- Accessible tables, study carrels, and computers in Willis, Eagle Commons, Media and Discovery Park libraries
Libraries and collections
UNT Libraries have many exceptional collections:
- The Music Library is one of the country’s largest music collections, with an extensive phonographic disc and tape collection, and the private jazz collections of Stan Kenton, Don Gillis, Whit Ozier and Leon Breeden.
- Special Collections preserve and provide access to an incredible wealth of materials that document the history and legacy of Texas, as well as touch on numerous topics of national import. Collections include the history of the university, oral histories and Texas county records. Other important archival collections include those of Sarah T. Hughes, Enid Justin and Ruth Salmon. The holdings also feature an outstanding miniature book collection; the private library of Anson Jones, President of the Republic of Texas; Texas Society of Sons of the American Revolution; the Weaver Collection of Juvenile materials; and examples of important early publishing, printing and binding styles. Recently expanded collections include the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Archive; the Latino/Latina Archive; and the Photography and Visual Materials Collection, which includes the photographic archives of several prominent photographers.
- The Government Documents Department contains U.S. and Texas government documents, including the Texas Register. The library has received national recognition for its efforts to preserve online government information through the CyberCemetery and participation in the 2008 End-of-Term Harvest of U.S. government web sites. The UNT Libraries have the distinction of being one of ten affiliated archives of the National Archives.
- Through collaborative efforts such as the Portal to Texas History and the UNT Digital Library, the Libraries provide digital content to a worldwide audience. The Portal is a gateway to Texas history materials from more than 380 partners at libraries, museums and archives across Texas. The UNT Digital Library is ranked in the top 9 digital repositories in North America and is 13th best globally. Highlighted collections in the UNT Digital Library include UNT electronic theses and dissertations, the Federal Communications Commission Record, UNT Scholarly Works, a Virtual Music Rare Book Room and the World War poster collections.
In addition to Willis Library, UNT Libraries include the following:
- The Media Library in Chilton Hall, which houses a large collection of audiovisual materials, including videos, 16 mm - films and audio CDs. Video-on-demand service is provided for curriculum support. This Media library is also home to the Nest, an e-sports and game design space.
- The Discovery Park Library, which supports the College of Engineering and the College of Information.
- The Eagle Commons Library in Sycamore Hall, which focuses on physics, chemistry, biology, art and psychology and includes an outstanding collection in mathematics. The Collaboration and Learning Commons offers the ideal place on campus to study in groups, create multimedia projects and record presentations.
- The Library Annex and the Research Collection Library—both located off-campus—which provide storage for and house the preservation and technical services departments.
Computer services
Centralized campus computing services that support instruction, research and student learning are provided through University Information Technology, UIT, it.unt.edu, in various offices of Sage Hall and the General Academic Building. University IT services include support for a wide range of research computing platforms, training, consulting and the UIT Help Desk, unt.edu/helpdesk, located in Sage Hall, Room 330.
In addition to the services directly supported by UIT, computer services also are available from the University Libraries, Classroom Support Services, Student Computer Labs, and many college, school and departmental computer support centers. Computer networks are installed in all academic departments to provide internet connectivity. Wireless networking, such as the UNT secure network, is available in most campus classroom buildings and public buildings, such as the University Union and UNT Libraries. Online courses are offered with support from the Center for Learning Enhancement, Assessment and Redesign, CLEAR, clear.unt.edu, using computing systems supported by the UNT System’s Information Technology Shared Services, ITSS, itss.untsystem.edu.
Student computing services
Fourteen general access microcomputer labs (computerlabs.unt.edu), housing approximately 1,000 computers, are available for use by all students. Laser printers are provided in all labs. For students who benefit from adaptive technologies, the UIT Adaptive Computer Lab is available in Sage Hall, it.unt.edu/adaptivelab. Approximately 30 additional special-purpose labs serve students in academic disciplines or living in the university residence halls. In addition, all residence hall rooms have network connections, allowing students to have high-speed access to the internet and the campus network on their own computers.
Information Technology Shared Services, ITSS, provides electronic mail to all students via EagleConnect, it.unt.edu/eagleconnect, a web-based e-mail and calendar system. EagleConnect is used as an official communication medium between the university and students. Through the EagleConnect service, currently enrolled students also can download and install Microsoft® Office to their personal computing devices.
Research computing support
University Information Technology supports UNT’s High-Performance Computing services, hpc.unt.edu, and the system that is used for computationally intensive scientific research.
UIT provides support for multiple statistical analysis and mathematics programming languages that are available for use in many of the general access computing labs and on personally-owned computers it.unt.edu/researchappsupport. Documentation, training and consultation support are available for all supported statistical programming applications through the Research and Statistical Support Office, it.unt.edu/research, located in the General Academic Building, Room 535.
UIT supports access to machine-readable data collections including the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research, ICPSR. The University Libraries also maintain many databases and other research materials that are accessible through the campus network.
Consulting, training and help desk services
Consulting and training are provided by University Information Technology to facilitate the use of research and instructional computing facilities. Short courses are offered on statistical packages and research techniques that are of interest to students involved in research activities through the Research and Statistical Support Office, General Academic Building, Room 535. Experienced consultants are available to assist students with research computing questions.
University IT operates the university computing Help Desk to provide students with information and help on a variety of computing problems, https://it.unt.edu/helpdesk. The UIT Help Desk is in Sage Hall, Room 330. The phone number is 940-565-2324.
Computer-based training programs are accessible within general access computer labs or via the web (it.unt.edu/lynda). Benchmarks Online, https://benchmarks.it.unt.edu, University Information Technology’s news journal, is published in even-numbered months and is an excellent source for news about computing and information technology resources in use at UNT.
Accreditation
The University of North Texas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s and doctorate degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools 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.
Note: The Commission should be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support the institution’s significant non-compliance with a requirement or standard. Normal inquiries about UNT, such as admission requirements, financial aid, and educational programs, should be addressed directly to UNT and not the Commission’s office.
In addition, the University of North Texas offers programs accredited by the following organizations.
AACSB International — The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
ABET-Computing Accreditation Commission
ABET-Engineering Accreditation Commission
ABET-Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission
Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration
Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications
American Academy of Forensic Sciences-FEPAC
American Chemical Society
American Library Association
American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Association for Middle Level Education
Behavior Analysis Accreditation Board of ABAI
Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation
Council for Interior Design Accreditation
Council on Rehabilitation Education
Council on Social Work Education
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
National Association of Schools of Music
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Texas State Board for Educator Certification
See Accrediting Institutions for addresses of accrediting organizations.
In addition, the University of North Texas offers programs that are approved or recognized by:
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
Council for Exceptional Children
Educational Leadership Constituent Council
International Society for Technology in Education
National Council of Teachers of English
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Institutional memberships
The University of North Texas holds the following memberships.
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
American College Dance Festival Association
American Collegiate Retailing Association
American Council on Education
American Hotel and Lodging Association
American Mathematical Society
American Political Science Association
Association for Symbolic Logic
Association of Texas Colleges and Universities
Association of Texas Graduate Schools
Association of Women in Mathematics
Broadcast Education Association
Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities
Conference of Southern Graduate Schools
Council for Chemical Research
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Council for Public University Presidents and Chancellors
Council of Graduate Schools
Council on Undergraduate Research
Dallas Dance Council
Federation of North Texas Area Universities
Greater Denton Arts Council
Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International
International Council of Shopping Centers
International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education
International Textile and Apparel Association
Mathematical Association of America
National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges
National Collegiate Honors Council
National Restaurant Association
National Retail Federation
National Women’s Studies Association
Oak Ridge Associated Universities
Society for Cinema and Media Studies
Texas Association of Broadcast Educators
Texas Educational Theatre Association
University Film and Video Association
Administration, faculty and librarians
See the Administration, faculty and librarians section for lists of university officers, UNT System officers and academic deans.
Information regarding individual faculty members and librarians is available from the Faculty Profile System (faculty.unt.edu/index.php). Select “Faculty Profiles” from the Browse menu. To access faculty information from a specific department or from the Libraries, use the drop-down menu at the head of the faculty list.
Graduate faculty of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Public Health at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (UNTHSC) also are members of the graduate faculty of the University of North Texas and thus can serve as mentors or committee members of UNT graduate students appropriate to their graduate appointment. See the UNTHSC Graduate Catalog for UNTHSC graduate faculty listings.
UNT presidents
Joshua C. Chilton (1890–1893)
John J. Crumley (1893–1894)
Menter B. Terrill (1894–1901)
J.S. Kendall (1901–1906)
W.H. Bruce (1906–1923)
Robert L. Marquis (1923–1934)
W.J. McConnell (1934–1951)
J.C. Matthews (1951–1968)
John J. Kamerick (1968–1970)
John L. Carter, Jr. (acting, 1970–1971)
C.C. Nolen (1971–1979)
John L. Carter, Jr. (acting, 1979–1980)
Frank E. Vandiver (1980–1981)
Howard W. Smith Jr. (ad interim, 1981–1982)
Alfred F. Hurley (1982–2000)
Norval F. Pohl (2000–2006)
Gretchen M. Bataille (2006–2010)
Phillip C. Diebel (ad interim, 2010)
V. Lane Rawlins (2010-2014)
Neal Smatresk (2014-present)
From 1981 until 2000, the president also carried the responsibilities and title of Chancellor of the University and the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. Senate Bill 751 of the 76th Texas Legislature provided for the establishment of the University of North Texas System, and in July 1999, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board confirmed formal system status for UNT System Center (now in Dallas), including the Denton campus, UNTHSC at Fort Worth and the UNT Dallas Campus. In October 2000, the positions of president and chancellor were officially separated.
UNT chancellors
Frank E. Vandiver (1981)
Howard E. Smith (ad interim, 1981)
Alfred F. Hurley (1981–2002)
Lee Jackson (2002–2017)
Lesa Roe (2017-present)
On August 24, 2002, the UNT Board of Regents named Alfred F. Hurley Chancellor Emeritus of the UNT System and President Emeritus of the university.
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