North Texas Daily

Melissa Wylie / Senior Staff Writer

As of Jan. 30, the number of doctoral students is estimated to have increased by 4 percent compared to last spring.

According to the UNT Fact Book, the doctoral enrollment total for spring 2012 was 1,697. The unofficial enrollment total for the current semester is 1,775 doctoral students.

The 12th day of class each semester serves as census day, when all enrollment statistics are informally released.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will verify and officiate the numbers later in the spring.

In the past decade, graduate student enrollment has increased overall, but has now reached a plateau, dean of Toulouse Graduate School Mark Wardell said. The total number of doctoral students enrolled this semester is less than the 1,785 enrolled in the fall.

Graduate degrees in education are generally the most sought nationwide, Wardell said, but the engineering program at UNT has grown in the past three semesters.

Wardell also said he believes the increase in graduate school enrollment is the result of a more demanding job market, nationally and globally.

“The global competition, especially for doctoral students, has become quite fierce,” Wardell said.

In a November publication, the Council of Graduate Schools stated the necessity of increasing professionals with a higher learning degree for the U.S. to remain prominent in the global marketplace.

“Going forward, federal policymakers must provide support for students to pursue graduate degrees in areas of national need so that the country will have the innovation capacity necessary to compete in the global economy,” the Council said.

Wardell said the U.S. workforce prefers applicants to have at least a baccalaureate or master’s degree.

“Graduate education is globally viewed as a significant contributor to growing regional economies,” Wardell said.

The total annual cost of attendance for an undergraduate taking 15 credit hours per semester during the 2012-2013 academic year is approximately $20,244 for state residents living on campus, and $21,202 for residents living off campus.

The total cost for a graduate taking nine hours per semester is $18,084 for residents living on campus, and $19,042 for residents living off campus.

These estimates combine the cost of tuition, fees, transportation, room and board, books and supplies.

The Toulouse Graduate School application deadline for fall acceptance is July 15. More information can be found at tsgs.unt.edu.