UNT has unveiled a new partnership and degree program designed to give students a leg up in various high-demand industries. The university recently partnered with the UNT Health Science Center's College of Pharmacy to offer a faster, cheaper option for students earning a bachelor's degree while attending pharmacy college. The agreement will allow students in the HSC pharmacy program to earn dual credit for classes from their first year in the pharmacy college, which also will apply toward a Bachelor of Arts in biology from UNT Denton.

UNT's College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism Management also began offering a bachelor's degree in event design and experience management this fall -- the first such degree program in Texas. Through collaborations with partners across the university such as the UNT CoLab, The Club at Gateway Center and UNT Dining Services, students will engage in real-life event planning and management experience. Along the way, there will be optional study tours to major travel destinations around the world where students will be immersed in leading events in the industry. At the culmination of the program, students will plan and execute a large event.

"Almost everything we do now in hospitality and tourism is about the experience," says Kim Williams, professor and chair for the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management. "We're taking it a step further to give students a holistic understanding of all aspects of event planning to make sure they have the knowledge and skills to execute a flawless experience for guests."