June 19, 2009, Governor Rick Perry signed SB 956 into law, establishing the first public law school in North Texas. In addition to authorization, the Legislature appropriated $5 million in start-up funding for the UNT Dallas College of Law.

UNT System staff will now begin recruiting the Founding Dean, who will have the responsibility to develop the curriculum, hire faculty and staff, and establish the process for student recruitment and enrollment. We will continue to update our website as decisions are made regarding the application process, course offerings, and financial aid.

We plan to begin taking applications in 2011 for classes that will begin in the Fall 2012 semester in the UNT System Building (UNTS) at 1901 Main Street in downtown Dallas, formerly known as the Universities Center at Dallas (UCD). Courses will be offered at the UNTS Building while we undertake extensive renovations of the Old Municipal Building. We will continue to work with the City of Dallas on plans for renovations to this historic building, which will serve as the UNT Dallas College of Law's permanent home.

When the UNT Dallas College of Law enrolls its first class in 2012, it will be the fruition of a goal that began as early as 1980—when UNT initiated its law library collection. UNT System will continue to work with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as we develop the first new public law school in more than 40 years.