The University of Texas at Dallas

What is the history of The University of Texas at Dallas?

The University of Texas at Dallas began as a research institution rather than a traditional undergraduate college. Its origins trace to the Graduate Research Center of the Southwest, established in 1961 by founders associated with Texas Instruments. The center became the Southwest Center for Advanced Studies before joining the University of Texas System as UT Dallas in 1969.

That history helps explain the university's continuing emphasis on engineering, computing, science and research. UT Dallas initially concentrated on graduate education and later expanded into a university offering bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees across the arts, sciences, business and public policy. Prospective students should evaluate it as a broad public university, not solely as a technology school.

What are the faculties and departments at The University of Texas at Dallas?

UT Dallas organizes its degree programs into seven academic schools. They cover arts and humanities; behavioral and brain sciences; engineering and computer science; economic, political and policy sciences; interdisciplinary studies; management; and natural sciences and mathematics.

• The Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology includes fields connecting creative work, humanities scholarship and technology.
• The School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences offers subjects such as psychology, neuroscience and speech, language, and hearing sciences.
• The Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science includes computing and several engineering disciplines.
• The School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences covers subjects including economics, political science, criminology and public affairs.
• The Naveen Jindal School of Management offers business disciplines such as accounting, finance, marketing and information systems.
• The School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics includes biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics.

The School of Interdisciplinary Studies provides additional routes for students whose interests cross conventional departmental boundaries. UT Dallas awards undergraduate and graduate degrees; applicants should check the current catalog for a particular major's prerequisites, degree requirements and accreditation rather than assuming that rules are uniform across schools.

What is the location of The University of Texas at Dallas?

UT Dallas's main campus is in Richardson, Texas, in the northern Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. Richardson is a suburban setting, so campus travel and commuting can matter as much as access to the wider metro area.

Students can reach Dallas-area employers, cultural venues and transportation connections from Richardson, but travel times depend heavily on where they live and whether they use a car or transit. Dallas Area Rapid Transit serves the area; students planning to commute should check the route and schedule for their particular campus destination. Dallas Love Field is one regional airport option, while Dallas Fort Worth International Airport also serves the metro area.

What is the mission and vision of The University of Texas at Dallas?

UT Dallas states that its mission combines education, research and service. As a public university in the University of Texas System, it describes preparing students through undergraduate and graduate study while advancing knowledge and contributing to the region and state.

Its stated priorities include research, academic achievement and engagement beyond campus. Those are institutional aims, not guarantees of an individual student's experience. Applicants can test their fit more concretely by comparing a department's curriculum, undergraduate research access, advising arrangements and course availability with their goals. UT Dallas is a public institution without a religious affiliation.