The University
Texas Woman's University is a comprehensive public university,
primarily for women. A teaching and research institution, the University
emphasizes the liberal arts and specialized or professional studies. Established
in 1901 by an act of the 27th Legislature as the Girls Industrial College,
the institution began classes in 1903.
In 1905 the Legislature changed the name to the College of Industrial
Arts. The college grew in academic excellence, in size and scope, and in
reputation. The rising academic qualifications of the faculty, the building of a
substantial library and research and instructional facilities, and the increasing demand
for graduate education for women led to the establishment of graduate studies
at the college in 1930.
In 1934 the name of the institution was changed to the Texas State
College for Women to describe more accurately the scope of the school.
Doctoral degrees were first awarded in 1953. Since 1957 the name has been
Texas Woman's University, reflecting its status as a major institution of
higher learning.
*Please note: TWU's area code (817) will change to 940 on May 25, 1997.
It is the special mission of Texas Woman's University:
- to serve as a distinct and unique institution among public institutions
of higher education in Texas in order to provide undergraduate and
graduate education of the highest quality in a learning environment that empowers
and affirms the full development of women;
- to place emphasis on the liberal arts, health related and other
professional studies, and research that will enhance the progress and welfare of
the people of Texas, the nation, and the world in a time of rapid technological
and social change;
- to encourage women to develop intellectual, humanitarian, and
leadership skills that will advance their potential for service in all areas of
human endeavor, and to provide these opportunities to men who wish to pursue
their education in the University's Institute of Health Sciences and
Graduate School;*
- to provide minority women an academic and social environment
for learning, involvement, and leadership development to enable them to
pursue and complete higher educational programs which afford economic
mobility and independence;
- to provide educational programs to meet the needs of adult
students, especially women, who wish to resume or initiate collegiate or graduate
study in preparation for career entry or advancement;
- to serve as a resource and depository for information and
knowledge about women and their particular contributions to the history and progress
of the State of Texas, the nation, and the world;
- to provide service to the wider community through its on-campus
health and educational clinics, continuing education programs, programs in the
visual and performing arts, and basic and applied research in nutrition, food
science, textile technology, and health sciences.
* Effective December 1994, following a vote by the Board of Regents, qualified applicants may enroll in
all programs of the General Divisions, Institute of Health Sciences and the Graduate School.
Organization
In 1972, the University adopted its present organization into three
major academic divisions the University General Divisions, the Institute of
Health Sciences, and the Graduate School. Under an academic reorganization
plan, effective September 1989, the University General Divisions offer
undergraduate instruction in the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Library
and Information Studies, and College of Education and Human Ecology.
The Institute of Health Sciences offers undergraduate instruction in the College
of Health Sciences, the College of Nursing, the School of Occupational
Therapy, and the School of Physical Therapy. The Graduate School
administers graduate programs in each of these schools and colleges.
Now in its tenth decade, the University has become a major university
with Institute of Health Sciences centers in Dallas and Houston, served by
approximately 500 faculty members and attended by more than 9,600 students.
The curriculum, which led to the award of baccalaureate degrees for the first
time in 1915, now accommodates studies that lead to doctoral degrees in each of
the colleges of the University. In addition, each school of the University
now offers work at least through the master's degree level.
The Board of Regents
The governing body of Texas Woman's University is the Board
of Regents, nine members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the
Texas Senate. The Board serves only Texas Woman's University. Three members
are appointed every two years from the state at large for six-year terms.
Statute requires that at least four of the nine members be women.
Accreditation and Approval
Texas Woman's University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane,
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone number 404-679-4501) to award
baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees.
Selected academic programs also are
accredited by appropriate state, regional, and national agencies. The Graduate
School is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States.
This general accreditation, recognizing the quality of all of the work done by
the components of the University, forms the basis for numerous
memberships which the University holds in selective associations and societies
which recognize and demand high standards in specific fields.
Texas Woman's University is a member of or is accredited by the
following organizations (partial listing):
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications
American Dental Association Commission on Accreditation
American Dietetics Association
American Historical Association
American Library Association
American Medical Association, Committee on Allied Health Education and
Accreditation in collaboration with the American Medical Record
Association
American Medical Association, Committee on Allied Health
Education and Accreditation in collaboration with the American
Occupational Therapy Association
American Physical Therapy Association
American Political Science Association
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas
Council on Social Work Education
National Association of Schools of Music
National League for Nursing, Inc.
Texas Education Agency
In addition, Texas Woman's University is a member of the
following organizations (partial listing):
Alliance for Higher Education of North Texas
American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business
American Association for Higher Education
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
American Association of University Professors
American Association of University Women
American Chemical Society
American College Theatre Association
American Council on Education
American Medical Association, Committee on Allied Health
Education and Accreditation in collaboration with the American Society
for Personnel Administration
American Occupational Therapy Association
American Psychological Association
Association for Library and Information Science
Education Association for School, College, and University Staffing
Association of Departments of English
Association of Departments of Foreign Languages
Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication
Association of Texas Colleges and Universities
Association of Texas Graduate Schools
College Art Association
College Placement Council
Conference of College Teachers of English
Conference of Southern Graduate Schools
Cooperative Education Association
Council for Advancement and Support of Education
Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences
Council of Graduate Schools in the United States
Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors
Council on Research in Dance
Dance Notation Bureau
Denton Chamber of Commerce
International Council of Fine Arts Deans
Modern Language Association
National Accreditation Association
National Art Education Association
National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions
National Association of Music Therapy
National Association of School Psychologists
National Commission for Cooperative Education
National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Council of Teachers of English
National Council on Accrediting
National Retail Federation
Oak Ridge Associated Universities
Radio-Television News Directors Association
Southern Association of Advisors for the Health Professions
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Inc.
Southern Association of Colleges for Women
Southern Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing
Southern University Conference
Southwest Association of Student Personnel Administrators
Southwest Education Council for Journalism/Mass Communications
Southwest Journalism Congress
Texas Association of Broadcast Educators
Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education
Texas Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
Texas Association for Community Service and Continuing Education
Texas Association of Deans of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Texas Association of Schools of Engineering Technology
Texas Daily Newspaper Association
Texas Intercollegiate Press Association
Texas Press Association
Texas Society of Allied Health Professions
Texas State Board of Education
Nondiscrimination Policy
Texas Woman's University strives to provide an educational
environment that affirms the rights of each individual, fosters diversity, and encourages
a respect for the differences among persons. Discrimination or harassment
of any kind is inappropriate.
Texas Woman's University is committed to equal opportunity in
employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, veteran's
status, or against qualified disabled persons except as provided by law.
The University complies with nondiscrimination regulations under
Title VI and Title VII, Civil Rights Acts of 1964; Title IX, Education
Amendments
of 1972; Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1972;
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990; the Age Discrimination Act of 1973; and other applicable statutes.
Inquiries concerning University grievance procedures may be directed
to the designated officials named below:
- Affirmative Action and Equal Employment
Officer: Director of Human Resources, Texas Woman's University, P.O. Box 425739, Denton,
TX 76204.
- Title IX Officer: Vice President for Student Life, Texas
Woman's University, P.O. Box 425379, Denton, TX 76204-5379.
- Disability/Handicap Officer: Dr. Ron French, Department of
Kinesiology, Texas Woman's University, P.O. Box 425647, Texas
Woman's University, Denton, TX 76204. Students should
contact the Coordinator of Disability Support Services, P.O. Box 425739, Texas
Woman's University, Denton, TX 76204.
Veterans Administration
Benefits for veterans are available to qualified students. Students
should contact the Registrar for information.
Alumni Relations
The University strives to stay in touch with graduates and former
students through a wide range of alumni activities, programs, and publications.
All former students are considered members of the National Alumnae Association.
Those who are active dues-paying members receive special mailings
and announcements, as well as the Pioneer magazine, which is published
three times during the year and includes class notes and chapter news. Life
members of the association receive certain benefits, including the opportunity to join
the TWU Wellness Center for the same fee as University employees.
Former students receive the TWU
Times, a tabloid newspaper containing news and features about the University, published three times annually by
the Office of Public Information. Academic component newsletters are
published by the Alumnae Association for many areas and are distributed to graduates.
Special activities for former students include Founders' Day in February
and Homecoming each April, in addition to special travel and tour
opportunities sponsored by the Alumnae Association. Career planning and
placement services, plus use of TWU Library facilities, are additional benefits
available to former students.
The National Alumnae Association, which was organized in 1905
to support the educational aims of the University, coordinates chapter
activities in many regions throughout the United States. Dues help support
special awards sponsored by the association, a general scholarship fund for
students, and various programs. Additional information is available from the
National
Alumnae Association, Texas Woman's University, P.O. Box 425795,
Denton, Texas 76204-5795; phone *817-TWU-ALUM (*817-898-2586); or visit
the offices of Alumni Relations and National Alumnae Association,
located adjacent to the Little Chapel-in-the-Woods, on the Denton campus.
All former students are invited to participate in the "Help Keep
the Promise" annual fund campaign to help meet the University's greatest
needs and opportunities, which include: academic and other enrichment
programs, equipment for classrooms and laboratories, student scholarships, library
resources, faculty recruitment and retention, and achievement and
recognition awards. Information about the annual fund and other alumni relations
programs is available from the Office of Institutional
Advancement, Texas Woman's University, P.O. Box 425618, Denton, Texas 76204; phone *817-898-3863.
TWU Foundation
The Texas Woman's University Foundation is a non-profit
corporation chartered under the laws of Texas and established in 1952. Its purpose is
to receive and administer gifts to enhance educational excellence at the
University. The foundation board seeks to identify potential sources of private
gifts, to enable donors to make appropriate contributions that match their
interests and needs, to provide for the prudent management of gift resources, and
to encourage the involvement of interested persons in the work of the foundation.
A person interested in giving opportunities through the TWU
Foundation may request information by writing the TWU Foundation, P.O. Box
425618, Denton, Texas 76204, or by calling *817-898-3863.
International Programs
The objectives of the International Study Programs are consistent
with traditional Texas Woman's University objectives in exposing students
to educational opportunities designed to enrich and broaden cross-cultural
educational experiences. International Study Programs provide study
opportunities abroad in environments which emphasize visual and performing
arts, history, language, literature, and comparative cultures.
International Study Programs are available in selected major
components throughout the University at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Typically, the programs are offered during the Summer Session. Students may earn up
to six (6) semester credit hours which may be applied toward degree programs
at Texas Woman's University.
Further information about Texas Woman's University International
Study Programs may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Associate
Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School.
*Please note: TWU's area code (817) will change to 940 on May 25, 1997.
Campus and Centers
The Denton Campus
The Texas Woman's University main campus is located in Denton,
Texas, a city of about 70,000 residents located 38 miles north of Dallas and
Fort Worth, the nation's ninth largest urban center.
The University's high-rise residence halls and academic and
administrative buildings dominate Denton's skyline. Blended with these are
historic buildings, including Old Main (the University's first building) and the
Little Chapel-in-the-Woods.
Other special features of the Denton campus are the "Texas Women:
A Celebration of History" exhibit; the DAR Museum, which contains
historic materials reflecting the culture and social life of Texas' First Ladies; and
the TWU Historical Collection, containing TWU artifacts and memorabilia.
A special campus landmark is the statue of the Pioneer Woman, which was
given to TWU in 1938 by the State of Texas in celebration of the Texas Centennial.
Campus recreational facilities include lighted tennis courts, athletic
fields, an 18-hole golf course and club house, indoor and outdoor swimming
pools, gymnasium, dance studios, and a wellness center.
The Dallas Center
As part of its Institute of Health Sciences program, the University
maintains a Dallas Center which includes sites near Parkland and
Presbyterian Hospitals. The Center provides excellent clinical experience and
educational resources for students enrolled in the programs of the Institute of
Health Sciences. Cooperating medical facilities include Parkland Hospital
(Dallas County Hospital District), Presbyterian Hospital, Children's Medical
Center, and St. Paul Hospital.
Students also have selected experiences in the City of Dallas
Health Department, Dallas County Health Department, Visiting Nursing Association
of Dallas, the Veterans Affairs Hospital, and other Dallas-Fort Worth hospitals.
Parkland Site
The Parkland site, located near Parkland and St. Paul Hospitals,
was established in 1966 and includes a two-story education building and a
student residence hall. Instructional facilities include general classrooms and
seminar rooms, simulation laboratories, library, and media resources. The
nursing program began in Dallas in 1954 at Parkland Hospital.
Presbyterian Site
Dedicated in 1977, the Presbyterian Hospital site in northeast Dallas
is adjacent to Presbyterian Hospital on Walnut Hill Lane just east of
North Central Expressway. Facilities include classrooms, library, laboratories,
auditorium, and offices.
The Houston Center
The TWU Institute of Health Sciences Houston Center is located in
the Texas Medical Center, a world-renowned 156-acre complex of
hospitals, health-related schools, and research institutions. Established in 1960,
the Houston Center includes two instructional buildings and two student
residence halls. Instructional facilities include simulation laboratories, classroom
and seminar space, as well as primary preparation rooms and faculty offices.
Texas Woman's University is a full participant in support and use of
the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library located
across from the Houston Center's instructional facilities.
The University Library
The Blagg-Huey Library, on the Denton Campus, offers students a
very modern facility for assessing both printed and electronic information in a
study and learning environment that provides both comfort and inspirational beauty.
The Library has holdings of 756,462 volumes, 2,673 current periodical
and serial publications, 692,749 microforms, and 9,809 audio visual materials
to support all major areas of study at TWU.
The Library's Media Services Department offers audio visual materials
in all formats to enhance learning skills in a study area that includes
both individual learning carrels and group study rooms. Multimedia resources
also are available as part of The Software & Instructional Technology
Exploration (S.I.T.E.) lab. The availability of specialized hardware and software
provide opportunities for discovery and innovation in the use of instructional
technology. The Media Services staff is available to assist with the utilization of
these materials for such varied requirements as language lab preview,
practicing interview skills, and creative use of multimedia applications.
In addition to the standard printed bibliographies, indexes, and
abstracts that are shelved in the Reference Department, OCLC's FirstSearch online
data bases number 30 and Ebscohost provides access to 1,000 full-text journals.
Additionally, access is available to more than 200 national
computerized databases through DIALOG. Many titles such as ERIC, PsychLit,
CINAHL, Business Periodicals Index, Dissertation Abstracts Ondisc, and MEDLINE
databases are available online. Users may access these resources within
the library from networked computer work stations or dial-in via modem to
gain access from outside the library.
The GEAC Integrated Library Information System includes both an
online catalog that is capable of printing out searches of materials within the
library and an online circulation system. The system also is available through
the University's mainframe computer for access on or off campus.
The Woman's Collection, established in 1932, is the largest depository
in the South and Southwest of research material about women and one of
only three major collections of its kind in the United States. A book collection
of over 40,000 volumes and a manuscript collection of over 2,500 linear feet
are augmented by more than 23,000 volumes in major microform
collections including the Gerritsen Collection of Women's History, the History of
Women, Women and the Law, the National Women's Party Papers, the League
of Women Voters Papers, and Herstory.
"Texas Women: A Celebration of History," initially developed by the
Foundation for Women's Resources, is a major permanent exhibit located
in the library. It tells the story of the accomplishments and the courageous
acts of Texas women as community builders as well as pioneers during
the development of Texas.
Satellite collections are available in the School of Library and
Information Studies, the Dallas-Parkland site (the major nursing collection in the
Dallas-Fort Worth area), and the Dallas-Presbyterian site. Houston students
utilize the resources of the outstanding 220,000-volume collection in the
Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library.
In addition to the multiple resources of the Texas Woman's
University Library, students and faculty may use the libraries of the Alliance for
Higher Education of North Texas, including the University of North Texas,
University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Christian University, and 19 other institutions
of higher education. Instant telecommunication and daily courier services
are used to locate and deliver books and films in the AHE libraries. TexShare,
a cooperative library program of the 54 Texas state institutions of
higher education, provides onsite circulation privileges, access to full-text on-line
databases and to Internet resources. The Texas Woman's University
Library is also connected by computer terminals (OCLC, Inc., in Columbus, Ohio)
with major academic and research libraries throughout the United States for
interlibrary borrowing and lending.
