University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
AC-4: Graduate Program

The School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences offers a Master of Science (MS) in Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences (AESS). The AESS program provides students with a unique, integrative education and training experience that prepares them to meet the challenges and opportunities in the multiple dimensions of contemporary agricultural, environmental, and sustainability science disciplines. Specifically, the AESS program targets students wishing to pursue a graduate degree with the intention of entering the work force and contributing their expertise towards sustainable agriculture, stewardship of natural resources and ecosystem services, or the development of sustainable systems in general. This multidisciplinary degree program is designed to provide a rigorous applied and theoretical education in the natural and social sciences with emphasis on the causes and consequences of land use change and other anthropogenic and natural forces across Texas coastal watersheds and beyond. Students graduating from the program will be prepared to take on decision-making positions in a wide range of governmental agencies and NGOs. Students can expect a broad set of science careers, within and beyond academia, including private and public sector organizations concerned with agriculture, environmental conditions, or sustainability, or which recognize that food systems, watersheds, biodiversity, and functional ecosystems are fundamentally important to our societies.

The School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers a Master of Science in Ocean, Coastal, and Earth Science (OCES). The goal of the OCES program is to provide students a unique integrative education and training experience that prepares them to meet the challenges and opportunities in the multiple dimensions of contemporary marine, coastal, and environmental science disciplines. Specifically, the OCES program targets students wishing to pursue a graduate degree with the intention of entering the work force to contribute their gained expertise and comprehensive understanding of complex ecological and resource systems made up of biotic and abiotic components coexisting and interacting with human communities and relevant socio-economic activities in ocean and coastal zone environments. This multidisciplinary degree program is designed to provide a rigorous applied and theoretical education in the marine and coastal sciences with emphasis on the environmental impacts of anthropogenic and natural forcings along the Texas coastline and beyond. Students graduating from the program will be prepared to take on decision-making positions in a wide range of governmental agencies and NGOs. They can expect a broad set of science careers, within and beyond academia, including private and public sector organizations concerned with marine and coastal systems, recognizing that rivers, estuaries, and the oceans are fundamentally important to our societies.

The M.A. Degree in Disaster Studies at UTRGV provides students with critical training and experience in the field of emergency management to assist in preparing for and managing disasters when and where they occur. Offered on both the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses, the program is designed to accommodate the needs of professional students with coursework offered both online and evenings. Graduates from the program will enjoy a wide range of career opportunities as emergency management specialists, homeland security officers, hospital emergency preparedness administrators, public health planners, communication officers, and emergency response technicians. For those planning careers in research and teaching, the program also prepares students for Ph.D. programs in emergency management, public health, and related fields. Funding opportunities in the form of assistantships are available for both domestic and international students.

https://www.utrgv.edu/sustainability/academics-and-research/sustainability-degree-programs-and-certificates/index.htm

Sustainability has become the key requirement of all modern enterprises to survive and grow in today’s global environment. Managers equipped with tools on how to move towards sustainability are needed to guide enterprises into the globally competitive market. Those who complete the Certificate in International Sustainability Management will become sustainability champions who can drive socially beneficial, eco-friendly products and services that optimize resource usage and resource networks. Students graduating from this program will learn to rethink the value of the business model embedding sustainability in its core values.

The Graduate Certificate in Gender and Women’s Studies (GWS) promotes interdisciplinary and intersectional research and scholarship centered on the study of women, gender, and sexuality. The Certificate is a part of the curricular offerings of the Gender and Women’s Studies Program, which is housed in the School of Interdisciplinary Programs and Community Engagement.
The Certificate can enrich the academic curriculum and knowledge of students from various disciplines including (but not limited to) Anthropology, Art, Biology, Criminal Justice, Economics, Engineering, Health Services, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, and Sociology. Through fostering interdisciplinary analysis and dialogue, the Certificate enables students to effect social change in their communities, and poises them for careers in business, education, health care, international development, journalism, medicine, and computer science within local, national, and international job markets.

The Disaster Management and Sustainability Certificate is a 12-hour fully online certificate, which provides new professional development to current working professionals in public safety, private security, law enforcement, and other professions which are related to disaster and emergency management. The certificate provides opportunities for students and professionals to acquire new professional knowledge and develop essential skills to fulfill their professional responsibilities. Students can complete the program in one academic calendar year by successfully completing two courses per semester. Students who have completed this certificate program can apply to continue their study in M.A. in Disaster Studies program and the 12 credits could be used toward the master degree. To learn more and apply for the certificate.

Sustainable Community Health Promotion in Social Work (Certificate) site: https://www.utrgv.edu/graduate/for-future-students/graduate-programs/program-requirements/sustainable-community-health-promotion-in-social-work-certificate/index.htm

Soil Science (Certificate) site: https://www.utrgv.edu/soilscience/education/index.htm