UNT enrollment up 7.2 percent for spring

As of the 12th class day for Spring 2002, unofficial enrollment at UNT is up 7.2 percent over last year. That's 27,501 students this spring compared to a 25,652 official enrollment last spring — a difference of 1,849 students.

This significant increase follows a growth trend that began in 1997 and is forecast to continue. Undergraduate enrollment jumped 4.3 percent — going to 20,643 students this spring from 19,784 students last spring.

A large portion of the overall increase can be traced to significant growth in the number of graduate students. One of UNT's strengths is its ability to adapt programs for specific student groups. For example, this spring, the College of Education initiated a special state-funded program to provide computer education certificates to up to 1,200 high school teachers and launched a program for alternative certifications in teaching. Simultaneously, the School of Library and Information Sciences, the Department of Rehabilitation Studies and the School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management expanded their distance learning programs. Thus, the expected 3 to 5 percent increase in master's students became a 20.3 percent increase — going to 5,679 students this spring from 4,720 students last spring.

"We are pleased and impressed with our growth in the graduate school," says Neal Tate, dean of the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies. "We recognize that the special initiatives in the College of Education may not be repeated in future years, and the programs in the merchandising and library schools are reaching capacity, but we have good potential for growth in other programs."

In addition, doctoral student enrollment grew for the first time in recent years with a 2.7 percent increase — going to 1,179 students this spring from 1,148 students last spring.

"Doctoral enrollments had been declining at UNT and elsewhere for a number of years, so it is good news indeed that our doctoral students are again increasing," Tate says.

Enrollment at the UNT System Center at Dallas, an extension of UNT at Denton, increased 78.5 percent, with 1,021 students enrolled this spring compared to 572 students enrolled last spring — a difference of 449 students.

The center opened its doors with the registration of its first students in January 2000. The initial enrollment was 250 students, and enrollment has been growing steadily since that time. All enrollment statistics are unofficial, 12th-class-day numbers. Enrollment does not become official until it is verified by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

BY KELLEY REESE kreese@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Hurley announces he will step down at fiscal year's end
• Search process for new UNT System chancellor is under way
• Campaign North Texas tops 75 percent
• Club at Gateway Center opens for spring
• UNT professor says Sept. 11 exposed vulnerability of cities as commercial centers
• UNT's Black History Month celebration under way
• UNT program participates in TRIO Day observance
• Two TAMS students named semifinalists in national Intel contest

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