In April 2009, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board certified this enrollment and granted UNT Dallas status as an independent general academic institution.

Initially operated as a unit within the UNT System, the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law was founded in the fall of 2014, and was realigned within UNT Dallas on September 1, 2015.

Undergraduate programs include criminal justice, sports management and, strategic corporate communication; M.B.A's are also available at this campus.

The system is governed by the University of North Texas Board of Regents, whose members are appointed by the governor to serve six-year terms.

The system added its first student regent—a one-year appointment that does not carry voting rights—in February 2006.