Graduate Catalog

This catalog was prepared based on the best information available at the time. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley reserves the right to change any information, including statement of fees, course offerings, admission and graduation deadlines and requirements without notice or obligation, in keeping with the policies of The University of Texas System Board of Regents and in conformance with the laws of the state of Texas.

Individuals with disabilities wishing to acquire this publication in an alternative format should contact the Office of the Registrar at 956-665-2201 or Voice/TDD 956-665-2215.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley operates subject to the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System. This catalog is a general information publication. It is not intended to nor does it contain all regulations that relate to students. The provisions of this catalog do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, between any applicant, student or faculty member of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or The University of Texas System.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley reserves the right to withdraw courses at any time and to change fees or tuition, calendar, curriculum, degree requirements, graduation procedures and any other requirements affecting students. Changes will become effective whenever officially implemented by proper authorities and will apply to both prospective students and those already enrolled.

Accreditation

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

In addition, these programs are separately accredited or approved by the:

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)

Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) - Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA)

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP)

Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

The Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE)

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)

National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)

Texas Board of Nursing (BON)

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a member of:

American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education

American Association of State Colleges and Universities

American Council on Education

Association for Continuing Higher Education

Council for Advancement and Support of Education

Council of Graduate Schools

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

Public Use of Facilities

The property, buildings or facilities owned or controlled by The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are not open for assembly, speech or other activities as are the public streets, sidewalks and parks. The responsibility of the UT System Board of Regents to operate and maintain an effective and efficient system of institutions of higher education requires that the time, place and manner of assembly, speech and other activities on the grounds and in the buildings and facilities of the UT System or component institutions be regulated.

No person, organization, group, association or corporation may use property, buildings or facilities owned or controlled by The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley for any purpose other than in the course of the regular programs or activities related to the role and mission of the university, unless authorized by the Regents Rules and Regulations and/or the UTRGV Handbook of Operating Procedures. Any authorized use must be conducted in compliance with the provisions of the Regents Rules and Regulations, UTRGV Handbook of Operating Procedures, and applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Anyone from outside the university who is seeking information about scheduling and use of University Special Use Facilities should contact Conference & Event Services (Student Union Department) at 956-665-7989 or email conferences@utrgv.edu. For more information, consult the Regents Rules and Regulations Rule 80101 and UTRGV Handbook of Operating Procedures Section: ADM 10-301 (Facility Use).

Non-Discrimination Policy Statement

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) declares and reaffirms a policy of administering all of its educational programs and related supporting services and benefits in a manner that does not discriminate because of a student’s or prospective student’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, or other characteristics that lawfully cannot be the basis for provision of such services. These programs, services and benefits include, but are not limited to, admission, class assignments, scholarships and other financial and employment assistance, counseling, physical education and recreational services, and the membership practices of registered student organizations. Pursuant to this policy statement, UTRGV will undertake a continuing program of compliance with all federal, state and local laws relating to equal educational opportunity and affirmative action, specifically those addressing the obligations of the institution under Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended.

UTRGV has designated the following individuals to direct inquiries or complaints to:

  • The immediate supervisor;
  • Director of the Office of Institutional Equity: 956-665-2103;
  • Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities: 956-665-5375 (UTRGV Edinburg Campus) or 956-882-5034 (UTRGV Brownsville Campus);
  • Student Accessibility Services: 956-665-7005 (UTRGV Edinburg Campus) or 956-882-7374 (UTRGV Brownsville Campus); or
  • Office of Human Resources and Talent Development: 956-665-3020 (UTRGV Edinburg Campus) or 956-882-2451 (UTRGV Brownsville Campus).

Notice of Non-Discrimination

Title IX of the U.S. Department of Education's Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX") prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex/gender in any aspect of a federally funded education program or activity. Such discrimination includes, but is not limited to: sexual harassment, sexual violence, sex or gender-based bullying, hazing, stalking, domestic violence, dating violence, and failure to provide equal opportunity in admissions, activities, employment and/or athletics.

As a recipient of federal funds, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley complies with Title IX and has designated a Title IX Coordinator to oversee all complaints of sex discrimination. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for identifying and addressing any patterns or systemic problems that arise during the review of such complaints. Additionally, other responsibilities include the coordination of training, education, and communications regarding Title IX procedures for the university community.

UTRGV has designated the following individual to serve as the Title IX Coordinator:

Ms. Florence Nocar
Director of the Office of Institutional Equity
Phone: 956-665-2103
florence.nocar@utrgv.edu

A student, staff, faculty member, or applicant for admission or employment who believes that he or she has been discriminated against on the basis of sex, may file a complaint with the Title IX Coordinator or a responsible employee as provided by UTRGV policy. The Title IX Coordinator will ensure that action is taken to resolve the complaint in a prompt and equitable manner.

Sexual Violence

To file a complaint of sexual violence, please contact the Title IX Coordinator. In addition, you may also contact:

University Police Department
Emergency : 911
Non-Emergency: 956-665-7151 (UTRGV Edinburg Campus) or 956-882-8232 (UTRGV Brownsville Campus)

Inquiries

Inquiries about Title IX and UTRGV's compliance may also be directed to:

U.S. Department of Education – Office of Civil Rights
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202
Hotline: 1-800-421-3481
TDD#: 1-800-521-2172
OCR@ed.gov
http://www.ed.gov/ocr

Academic Calender - https://www.utrgv.edu/_files/documents/admissions/utrgv-academic-calendar.pdf Graduate College - For more information, please go to: https://www.utrgv.edu/graduate/