University of North Texas Top Questions

What are the academics like at your school?

Jaylyn

the academics are the only reason im still here.

Anna

I am currently taking major-related classes at UNT and so far they have proven to be very competitive and mainly based on hands-on projects and class critiques.

Rachel

Coming from not taking many AP classes in high school, I imagined always being drowned in school work in college. The workload hasn't been that bad to my surprise! You have a few weeks where you will have a lot more to get done than other weeks, but if you keep a planner and stay organized you should have no trouble at all! Organization is a big time in college!

Alyssa

UNT is a tough school academically. A lot of freshman are disappointed when they start school because they expect to party all the time and study very little. It simply isn't possible to do that here. Students can be found studying anywhere they can sit or spread their books out. I am studying psychology along with around 1300 other undergrads. Many of us have hopes to go onto grad school, but this is not possible without hands on research experience. Unfortunately, there are only a couple hundred research positions open for undergrads each year. It is extremely competitive, but worth it. I was lucky enough to earn a spot as a research assistant with a professor in my field of interest. He has become my mentor and has begun to help me shape my senior thesis. This is not uncommon for staff to do at UNT. Many of my fellow Honors College students have mentors in their departments. Many of my professors know my name and even in my lecture courses, they know my face and often recall previous class participation. All of the these classes I have taken so far encourage learning for application. Professors do not teach to get students to pass the class, but to give them the skills to apply this education in life.

Shealana

The academic programs at UNT are truly fantastic. Most professors learn your names and genuinely try to make sure you are getting the most out of their classes. The professors also are truly overjoyed at peaking a students interest of seeing them excel. One of the best things about the departments at UNT, is that they are geared towards providing the students with an education that will land them a job after completing college. The classes aren't there just to provide you with information or knowledge, they provide you with the knowledge of knowing the information that your job will require so that you are fully prepared. In the graduation program, UNT also requires that you have an internship your senior year so that you will have experience in that field and know that you truly love your future career, in order to make sure you are completely ready to go out on your own and have a successful career.

Shealana

The academic programs at UNT are truly fantastic. Most professors learn your names and genuinely try to make sure you are getting the most out of their classes. The professors also are truly overjoyed at peaking a students interest of seeing them excel. One of the best things about the departments at UNT, is that they are geared towards providing the students with an education that will land them a job after completing college. The classes aren't there just to provide you with information or knowledge, they provide you with the knowledge of knowing the information that your job will require so that you are fully prepared. In the graduation program, UNT also requires that you have an internship your senior year so that you will have experience in that field and know that you truly love your future career, in order to make sure you are completely ready to go out on your own and have a successful career.

Dale

Classes intertwine. It's easy to get A's when you understand NPV, basic IRC sections, and some Finance models.

Jesse

For Academics, it's mixed, but I do find it cool that a lot of professors know you by name and get to know you a lot of the time, even in giant classes of 100-300 people. How often to students study? Mixed, a lot of people study a lot, a lot of people don't study at all and a lot are right in the middle (me). Students aren't really competitive, at least in my degree, international studies. But I do love the other students in the degree because we're all super friendly to each other and help one another out. Especially when it comes to our requirement for minoring in a language and of course the smart ones choose Mandarin or Russian which are hard languages and we push each other through and go on study abroads together. Amazing major.... And professors are generally easy to get a hold of, for smaller classes and upper level classes it's pretty common to see your professors outside of class and even give them phone calls. Office hours for professors are pretty lenient, most go out of their way to help you which is probably the thing I like the most about UNT is the professors. Out of about 15 professors that I've had, I've only not liked one. Pretty good ratio if you ask me. UNT is very geared towards getting a job, again, at least in my department which is all I can argue for because it's the only one I've had experience with.

Torry

the profesors could give a rats ass about you or there job. i had one profesor who would tell us about his prostate exams on a whim, he was suppose to be teaching botany. not a single person passed on of the test he gave us and some how we all got c's RIGGED!!! why even go to class.

Jordan

Most of my professors know me by name and it's awesome! You do a lot better in a small class of 20 where you can discuss topics and your professor can get to know you. My favorite class was Sociology. It's not my major or anything, but I've never paid attention or learned more than I did in that class. My professor was amazing and he brought up social problems and really made us think about the society we live in instead of being blind to the problems that really exist. Students study a lot. Every time I go to the library, I can't find a place to sit because the tables are all taken. Class participation is very common. Students at UNT love to voice their opinion and although you might not agree with the person speaking, we all respect each other's voice. Jupiter House is a coffee shop in Denton that students sit in for hours drinking coffee and talking about politics and school. Intellectual conversations are frequent so get used to hearing them. My major is Radio, Television, Film and I'm narrowing in on Broadcast Journalism. It's a great department, every professor is amazing. The department is rated something like sixth in the nation and North Texas Television is Emmy award winning. I walked into the News station for NTTV and said I wanted experience and to volunteer and they said, "Come on in!" They love volunteers and it's so much fun! UNT's academic requirements are easier than they should be. I think the standards could be raised a little more, but they are geared towards educating more students. The requirements for certain majors are overwhelming and you often wonder how you will be able to graduate on time...but it IS possible!

Mel

My professors are excellent and very knowledgeable. The classes are very challenging. It's too bad that the MBA program administration are doing much to advertise this to the rest of the country.

Jordan

At UNT we have a great student teacher ratio. Freshman classes are always a bit bigger than upper level and major specific classes. Nevertheless all the big classes I've been in still have a lot of class participation. I loved my social science classes like psychology and philosophy, they really challenged in a fun and interesting way. Math has never been a strong point for me but even with my struggles I learned a lot and had a great time doing so, both my Algebra and Statistics professors helped me outside of class time and helped make sure I understood the material. I took several upper level (Junior and Senior level) courses and had a great time, the challenge was nice and the professors helpful. Because of our diversity there is always great conversation going on in class, around campus and even off campus when your just hanging out with friends. Are we a competitive school? we have a program at UNT called TAMS, the Texas Academy of Math a Science, it basically allows high school students to attend and live at North Texas, its tough having high school students compete with you for that 4.0 but it makes you strive for perfection. I took and African Music and Movement class this year, it helped open my eyes to a different style of dance and a whole new culture, we performed at several schools, festivals and even for classes and concerts here at UNT. The College of Arts and Sciences hosts my department, psychology; its one of the largest colleges on campus and toughest departments. Our Psych professors are tough but fair, I've learned so much from the men and women that make up the department and am glad to be studying with and under them. I have no doubt that everything I am learning will prepare me for an outstanding career in Psychology.

Debra

UNT college algebra sucks. The math lab suck even more. The volunteers in the math lab think they are better than everyone else. Sorry not a math person. I am not a math genius, but I can whip out a wedding dress for you. Can they. We all have different talents and I don't attitude or feel stupid.

Ryan

Academics at UNT show a complete lack of similartiy. Identical classes taught by seperate professors don't even use the same text books. School and Departmental policies are ignored and mocked. Little if any time with professors are available.

Billy

Math is super hard, but if you pass, you know it. To many prof. don't speak english well, so it makes it hard sometimes.

Lauren

Some professors make an attempt to know your name, but I had luck with this bc I was an honors student. My favorite class was Philosphy of Food. My least favorite class is Psyc Experimental Methods because the teacher DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO MAKE THE CLASS INTERESTING. Students can be competetive. Class participation is not very common. I hated that I was required to take classes like Math and so much spanish when I felt it was irrelevant to my major.

Shelby

In my classes I'm not sure if my professors know my name,but i'm pretty sure they might. I'm an english major and about to graduate and I have yet to take a class that I absolutely love. My least favorite are the classes who have crappy uninspired teachers. For me, the professor makes all the difference in how well I enjoy or do in the class. I don't know how often students study,but I don't have much to study, I just have a crap load to read read read. Class participation is voluntary depending on your professor. Sometimes you might get someone who will randomly pick on to answer a question when you don't know the answer and you end up looking stupid. I'm pretty nosy and UNT students do talk about intellectual topics...surprisingly. Many students are very opinionated and stand strong to their beliefs....they LOVE to debate and you can see this usually going on down by campus green when some preacher is preachin'. Some students are competitive, but seriously?? we're at UNT here, not at some ivy league. Not to say I don't care about my grades or anything,I get my stuff done, but I don't go crazy and try to do better than better. I think the most unique class i've taken was principles of advertising. I had to work with a group of about 12 people and come up with an advertisement to present in front of judges. I'm the type of person that hates group work so when I found out I needed a group that large I considered withdrawing from the class to avoid failing, but it turned out that this group became extremely close and everyone got along with everyone. I've never had that experience in a group before. My major is english my department, I wish offered more classes. The saddest part of being an english major is that they don't offer a class to teach you proper grammar. I don't know the difference between past perfect, perfect present, and so on. I want to learn it !!! I don't spend time with professors outside of class unless I have an appointment with them for some academic purpose. UNT's academic requirements are reasonable.

Blake

Class participation really depends on the class and who is teaching that class.

Colinn

Economics department is exceptional.

Alex

Once you get into your upper level classes, you begin to know people within your major and professors know you on a one-on-one basis. At first when you're in college you take core classes with up to hundreds of other people, but it's nice taking major classes and being able to communicate better with your professor. Students' studying obviously varies...the ones who make it generally plan out their time well and study often, and those who just have fun all of the time end up disappearing after a few semesters!!! So their fun doesn't normally last too long. Depending on your major, students can be very very competitive. Not really against each other, but more striving to do their best for themselves. I love my major, but it can be very stressful. I'm a BCIS major (business computer info systems) and often the workload is extreme. People will say, "you're only taking 12 hours???" but they don't realize that each class has projects to work on each week that take hours within themselves. It's very very demanding. But it's a small major so I'm getting to know my peers pretty well. I have about 20 people max in most of my classes and in one there is only about 12. I think the education here is mixed between learning just to learn, and geared towards jobs. I would like to have more hands on learning than just reading my books all of the time. Being a computer major, I would like to have classrooms in computer labs so we can actually get a feel of what we're doing. But the career center has great resources for getting jobs so I'm not too worried on that end.

Amanda

I would have to say that the core curriculum at UNT is very basic similar to other universities in Texas. You usually will finish these courses by the end of your sophomore year. It is very easy to meet people during the first round of classes because they are probably at the same stage in their college career as you are. Where you really branch off is in your classes that you have decided to take specifically for your major. In these classes, you will meet lots of the people that you will compete with, work with, and possibly befriend. So obviously, in these classes is when you kick up your networking. I feel that UNT has done an impeccable job in selecting instructors not only for my major, but many others. I always hear students raving about the great advice that their real estate professor gave them, or the information that their economic professor shared with them. These instructors have real-world experience that they are itching to enlighten the next generation with. I personally feel like my professors don’t see their position as a job, they see it as a chance to inspire. The students of UNT are also very involved in academics. If you find the major that feels right for you and you want to learn more about it and hear from students that have already been there, FIND THE CLUB! I say, “find the club” because no doubt about it, there is one. As I have said before, students at UNT are very proactive about what is important to them, so chances are, they have already developed the club that helps you get your foot in the door, get real world experience, and learn more about the industry you love!

Nic

Yes my professors know my name. The willis library is usually prettty crowded through out the week. the business department is amazing. I dont think ive had a professor that i didnt like since ive been at UNT. The biggest downfall i think of UNT is it is really easy to get in it doesnt seem like students have to try its like well ill apply to UNT and i know i will get in.

Parker

Currently all my professors know my name, but I am in classes that do not have more than fifty students in them. I do not like the 500 plus students in the basic courses. My favorite course at UNT are my social work classes. I feel like they are really preparing me for the real world. I think that students do not study as often as they should and then wonder why they are not doing well in their classes. In some classes, class participation can be painful, no one wants to talk, or the teacher does not want to discuss, just read off their powerpoints. Living in the dorm, one of our goals is to have intellectual conversations outside of class that are not only educational, but also fun for our residents. The most unique class i've taken was the Psycology of Death and Dying. I am a double major in Soical Work and Applied Gerontology. Both of my majors are in the PACS college. I feel that the advisors are amazing, espcially with Gerontology, but the Social Work advisor, really does not help much and useless to go and see. I do not spend time with professors outside of class.

Aaron

The professors at UNT are excellent. They are all very personable, and the 20:1 student to teacher ratio provides, for the most part, small class sizes with a more intimate learning environment. They also offer an abundance of great study abroad opportunities, which gives you the chance to become good friends with the professors running the trip. I personally have attended one trip, which was an opportunity of a lifetime, and I forged lasting relationships with many people that I traveled with. It was so great that I am signed up for another trip to Thailand and Vietnam with the same group of professors for this summer.

Sara

the academics are top notch