The UNT Board of Regents unanimously approved the following new degree programs and options for existing programs at a Nov. 15 meeting.
Doctor of Education and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs with a major in educational leadership
These educational leadership programs currently exist at UNT’s Denton and Frisco campuses. Board approval allows for a portion of the degree to be offered online, said Jennifer Evans-Cowley, UNT's provost and vice president for academic affairs, at the meeting.
“This is in response to our students for greater flexibility,” Evans-Cowley said at the meeting.
A hybrid of online and in-person courses will begin spring 2020, according to university documents.
Doctor of Philosophy degree with a major in information science
The library science degree program will offer four courses at Frisco’s Hall Park location and online, per university documents. Courses will be available in spring 2020 at the Hall Park campus.
Bachelor of Science degree program with a major in project design and analysis
This fall, UNT at Frisco launched a pilot program in project design and analysis. The program is classified as a concentration under the Bachelor of Science in integrative studies degree. Operating out of a Hall Park, the undergraduate degree program covers project management and creative problem-solving skills.
The board voted in favor of formalizing the concentration in the shape of a bachelor of science degree with a major in project design and analysis.
“Now we’re far enough along in the approval process to bring forward this degree,” Evans-Cowley said at the meeting.
Students in the current cohort have the option to continue in the integrative studies major or transition into the project design and analysis major, Evans-Cowley said at the meeting.
“It’s absolutely one of the most exciting programs we offer,” UNT President Neal Smatresk said at the meeting. “This is a hot program; I’m very excited about this action.”
The major will begin fall 2020, per university documents.
Master of Business Administration with a major in sports entertainment management
UNT at Frisco currently offers a Master of Business Administration in sports entertainment management in the general MBA business studies program.
Board approval makes the sports entertainment management Master of Business Administration a standalone degree. This comes after the Dallas Cowboys tasked UNT with building the “best” sports program, Evans-Cowley said at the meeting.
The degree will include e-sports, or competitive gaming, with collaborations such as GameStop.
“The key thing the Dallas Cowboys emphasized with us is that it’s not just about sports, it’s about entertainment,” she said. “And sports is one form of entertainment.”
The degree will be offered online and in-person in Frisco in fall 2020, per university documents.
