Dolly Parton is making it even easier to figure out “What Would Dolly Do?” with the newly announced expansion of her “Dolly U” program at Belmont University.

And even if you don’t get a “Dolly U” degree, you can still score some Dolly U merch!

Belmont University has announced the expansion of its course and fellowship offerings in its “Dolly U” program. The private Christian university in Nashville launched the educational partnership with Dolly Parton and CTK Enterprises earlier this year.

In a press release from Belmont, the university says “Following the success of Belmont’s inaugural spring 2025 Dolly U courses, four new classes for the Fall 2025 semester will provide students with continued immersive learning experiences centered on Dolly Parton’s life, career and “Dolly: An Original Musical,” the Broadway-bound musical based on her life that will premiere this summer in Belmont’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts.

Belmont Will Offer Four New ‘Dolly U’ Courses

Starting this fall, Belmont students can take four new courses under the “Dolly U” umbrella.

Documentary Project, taught by Annie Price – A collaborative class where journalism students will develop story structure and scripts for “Dolly: The Making of a Musical,” using professional footage from CTK Enterprises documenting the musical’s Broadway development.
Dolly: Documentary Editing, taught by Jennifer Bergen – An upper-level editing course where motion pictures students will collaborate with writers to edit the behind-the-scenes film, “Dolly: The Making of a Musical,” using CTK Enterprises footage.
Dolly Parton: Songteller, taught by Jodi Marr and Victoria Banks – An exploration of Dolly Parton’s songwriting journey, analyzing pivotal songs, techniques and their impact on her career and the broader entertainment landscape.
Market Research, taught by Dr. Brandon Holle – A hands-on study of modern marketing research techniques, featuring a direct project connection to “Dolly: An Original Musical.“

Belmont has also chosen nine undergraduate students as the second cohort of “Dolly U Fellows.”

Those nine will get to work directly with the Broadway-bound production “Dolly: An Original Musical” in paid internships. From June 2 to Aug. 8, fellows will spend 28 to 40 hours per week embedded with specific departments of the musical production team.

Dolly Fans Can Score ‘Dolly U’ Merchandise Even if They’re Not Students

But even fans who live nowhere near Nashville and have no plans to attend Belmont University can show their Dolly U team spirit.

For the first time, the Dolly Parton Official Store is offering “Dolly U” merch for a limited time.

Right now, the store is offering five “Dolly U’ items- a white sweatshirt that says “DOLLY U at Belmont” in blue and red for $70, a gray “Dolly U” ballcap and a canvas “Dolly U” tote bag, both $35 each, a white “Dolly U” drawstring bag for $30 and a “Dolly U” sticker that says “studying 9 to 5” for $5.

Lainey Wilson Drops in On ‘Dolly U’ Course

Meanwhile “Dolly U” students are getting some pretty impressive guest lecturers.

Country star Lainey Wilson dropped in on Belmont’s “Dolly Parton: Icon & Influence” class in late March. Wilson shared how legends like Dolly Parton paved the way for artists like her.

She also told the class that Dolly continues to inspire her journey.