University Catalog

University Profile

The University of Texas at Arlington is a Carnegie Research Institution (High Research Activity) whose mission is the advancement of knowledge and the pursuit of excellence in research, teaching, and service to the community. The mission statement affirms UT Arlington’s commitment to expanding academic research; to attracting and retaining high quality faculty scholars who actively engage students; to providing a well-rounded academic experience that promotes student involvement, service learning, and free discourse; to employing alternative access venues to meet students’ needs; and to developing public and private partnerships.

Founded in 1895 as a private liberal arts institution, UT Arlington has evolved through a succession of names and missions. The institution achieved senior college status in 1959 and became part of The University of Texas System in 1965. The government of UT Arlington is vested in a nine-member Board of Regents of The University of Texas System, nominated by the governor and approved by the Senate. The Office of the Chancellor is the chief administrative office of The University of Texas System and is located in Austin. The chief administrative officer of UT Arlington is the University president, under the authority of the Office of the Chancellor of the UT System and the Board of Regents. A complete statement of the authority and duties of the Regents and of the several officers, together with an account of the organization of the system, is published in the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System.

Authorized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, UT Arlington offers 81 baccalaureate, 70 master’s and 31 doctoral degree programs. The University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award these degrees. In addition, many of UT Arlington's academic departments and schools have received national accreditation from specific agencies. These accreditations are detailed under the individual listings for departments and schools in this catalog.

UT Arlington currently serves 33,329 students, including more than 7,600 graduate students. Our student body is drawn from almost every state in the United States and more than 100 countries. The average age of all students in fall 2012 was 27, while the average age of all graduate students was 30. UT Arlington’s student population is becoming more traditional and residential. The size of the incoming freshman class for fall 2013 was more than 3,900. Approximately 58 percent of our students are enrolled full-time. Since becoming a degree-granting institution at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels, UT Arlington has awarded more than 158,400 degrees with 9,221 of those degrees awarded during the 2011-12 academic school year.

UT Arlington is categorized as a “selective” institution by U.S. News & World Report. In fall 2011, 69 percent of first-time freshman applicants were accepted and 77 percent of graduate applicants were accepted. More than 22 percent all fall 2011 first-time undergraduate students ranked in the top 10 percent of their graduating high school class.

UT Arlington is one of the most ethnically diverse campuses in the United States, according to rankings of national universities published by U.S. News & World Report in September 2013. In fall 2012, the student population was 20.9 percent Hispanic, 14.3 percent African American, 10 percent Asian, 8.5 percent international, and 0.2 percent Native American. It is estimated that the Hispanic student population will be UT Arlington’s fastest growing student segment in the coming decades.

In response to societal needs, UT Arlington has evolved into a renowned university within the state and one of emerging position nationally and internationally. The University's history of achievement can be attributed to its outstanding faculty; a strong student body; a record of success by graduates in their respective fields; and the growth of the Dallas/Fort Worth area as a nationally and internationally significant metropolis.

The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive research, teaching, and public service institution whose mission is the advancement of knowledge and the pursuit of excellence. It is committed to the promotion of lifelong learning through its academic and continuing education programs and to the formation of good citizenship through its community service learning programs. The diverse student body shares a wide range of cultural values and the University community fosters unity of purpose and cultivates mutual respect.

As a University, we affirm our commitment to the following objectives:

• The University is committed to comprehensive programs of academic research. This research effort requires attracting and retaining scholars who promote a culture of intellectual curiosity, rigorous inquiry, and high academic standards among their fellow faculty and the students they teach.

• The University values intellectual discovery not only as a manifestation of advancing human knowledge for its own sake but also as a vital prerequisite for fostering innovation, developing and transferring new technologies, and supporting the commercialization of products and services that enhance the standard of living and quality of life of the region, the state, the nation and the world.

• The University prepares students for full, productive lives and informed and active citizenship. To that end, we have developed undergraduate and graduate curricula and classroom practices that engage students actively in the learning process. Outside the classroom a wide range of student organizations and activities contribute to the learning environment. Our service learning program offers students the opportunity to supplement their academic study with internships in a variety of community settings, testing their skills and aptitudes and challenging their values. State-of-the-art teaching technologies, distance education, and off-site instruction afford access to off-campus as well as traditional students. Non-degree certificate and continuing education programs offer practical, aesthetic, and intellectually stimulating opportunities for community learners, for individual courses or a sustained program of study.

• The University’s mission can be achieved only when its students, faculty, staff, and administrators value and promote free expression in an atmosphere of tolerance, responsibility, and trust. The University regards these attributes as prerequisites for any community of learners and vigilantly strives to maintain them.

• Mindful of its role as a resource to the community, locally, nationally, and internationally, the University continually seeks partnerships with public and private concerns in order to advance the economic, social, and cultural welfare of its constituencies. We serve the needs of the North Texas community by sponsoring public lectures and academic symposia, as well as artistic, musical, and dramatic productions.

Non-Discrimination Policy and Procedure

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, disabilities, genetic information, and/or veteran status, be denied employment with or admission to the University; or be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subject to discrimination under, any program or activity that the University sponsors or conducts. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally-protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy.

The University of Texas at Arlington complies with the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act and their subsequent amendments, as well as other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System, and policies and standards issued by The University of Texas System Administration.

This policy applies to all students and employees of the University, to visitors to the University, and to applicants for admission to or employment with the University. For further details, including definitions, complaint procedures, and contact information, please review the University policy Procedure 14-2 .

Sexual Harassment and Misconduct, and Consensual Relationships Policy

The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to an academic and working environment free from inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment and misconduct is prohibited and will be in violation of this policy. Sexual harassment is a prohibited practice for employees under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act as amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1973 and the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act, and under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 for students. The university will take prompt disciplinary action against any individuals on this campus who engage in actions that violate this policy.

This policy and its complaint procedures apply to all administrators, faculty, staff, students, visitors, and applicants for employment or admission. It is also applicable regardless of the gender of the complainant or the alleged harasser. For further details, including definitions, complaint procedures, and contact information, please review the University policy Procedure 14-1 .