Certificate Programs
The Department of Mechanical Engineering will provide students and professionals a quality education to prepare them for the practice of engineering.
Background
Students and professionals interested in obtaining additional broad-based technical education in a selected mechanical engineering area of concentration will have the option of pursuing a graduate certificate program. The current mechanical engineering research and graduate teaching areas include: mechanics and design, materials, and thermal-fluid sciences.
The certificate program is a professional-oriented program designed for individuals who possess at least one degree in engineering or closely-related field and desire additional specialized training in an area of mechanical engineering.
The certificate program makes available to working professionals valuable advanced training and professional development. The program is structured so that current employees can enhance skills relevant to employers' needs without leaving for training.
Overview
This is a twelve hour program consisting of four graduate courses. Most of the mechanical engineering graduate courses are offered during the evening, which is convenient for working professionals. The number of courses offered may vary per semester. Students receive a certificate upon completion of four graduate courses at UT Rio Grande Valley in a chosen area from the mechanical engineering graduate courses' list with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the certificate program in mechanical engineering, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements.
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
UT Rio Grande Valley undergraduate students are eligible to enroll in courses upon graduation.
Applicants who do not satisfy the specific program criteria above will be considered for conditional admission. Those with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than mechanical engineering may be admitted subject to completion of a set of undergraduate leveling courses prescribed by the graduate program director. Students admitted conditionally must successfully complete all leveling courses, if any, and successfully complete their first six hours of graduate work with a grade of B or higher.
Conditions and Limitations
All courses for the certificate must be taken at the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Transfer graduate courses are NOT considered for the certificate.
The maximum time limit for completion of the certificate program is four years. In the fifth year, a student must begin with four new graduate courses to earn his/her certificate.
The credit for classes may be applied toward the Master of Science in mechanical engineering should the student decide later to pursue an advanced degree. For instance, obtaining three different certificates will grant the professional a master’s degree in mechanical engineering upon completion of an oral and written comprehensive examination.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Considerations
Mexican nationals who will be living in Mexico while studying at UTRGV are considered border commuter students. Border commuter students can apply for a student visa to study part-time at UTRGV. However, international students, including Mexican nationals, who will be living in the United States while studying, can only apply for a student visa to study full-time at UTRGV (at least nine credits per semester).