UNT HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER ENROLLMENT CONTINUES TO GROW
UNT Health Science Center UNT Health Science Center’s total enrollment continued to grow this year despite increases in tuition costs due to state budget cuts.Total enrollment grew to 1,046 students this fall from 1,021 students in fall 2004, according to the registrar’s office.
“This shows sustained commitment to growth in our student numbers, which has been slowed somewhat by our reduction in state funding, but the increase still indicates more education for more students,” said Ronald Blanck, DO, president of the health science center.
The Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine showed the greatest increase in students, with 520 students, including 135 new students.
“With the shortage of physicians in Texas and the nation, the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine has tried to keep pace by expanding the number of seats in our medical school,” said Marc B. Hahn, DO, TCOM dean. “In addition, TCOM has continued to serve a unique role in Texas with our curricular focus on primary care and rural medicine.”
The Physician Assistant Studies program enrollment increased from 81 students last year to 84 this year.
“We are excited about the popularity of the PA career,” said Henry Lemke, PA-C, MMS, director of Physician Assistant Studies program. “Last year we received over 530 applications, far exceeding the number of spaces we could offer.”
The School of Public Health’s enrollment was down from last year’s 233 to 223. Fernando Trevino, MPH, PhD, SPH dean, said that he expected that trend to change with the addition of new faculty and the opening of the Center for BioHealth. Dr. Trevino, however, emphasized the need for slower, measured growth for the school, which celebrated its five-year anniversary last year.
Enrollment numbers for the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences increased by 13 students from 206 students last year to a high of 219.
“We are excited to continue expanding our ranks, including 75 new Graduate School students,” said Thomas Yorio, PhD, GSBS dean.
The health science center’s enrollment increase of more than two percent followed a UNT trend, with enrollment growing on the Denton campus by 3.3 percent. Enrollment numbers at both campuses are all-time highs.
All enrollment statistics are unofficial until verified by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board later in the fall.
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