AUSTIN – Two new graduate degree programs and planning authority for another graduate degree program at institutions in The University of Texas System were approved by the UT System Board of Regents on Thursday (Nov. 16). The new degree programs will go to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for final approval.
The new degree programs are:
An Ed.D. degree program in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in bilingual studies at UT Brownsville – This doctoral program is designed to prepare graduates with expertise in teaching, research, and curriculum planning. The bilingual studies specialization provides in-depth content to include ESL models, theories of second language acquisition, and strategies for helping students acquire the English language in relation to literacy and content areas, as well as the assessment of student learning and programs.
The regents also approved preliminary planning authority for a Ph.D. degree in clinical psychology at UT Pan American. The program is designed to train licensed clinical psychologists with special competence in treating mental health disorders of children and adults.
Serving the educational and health care needs of Texans for over 125 years, the UT System is one of the nation's largest higher education systems with 15 campuses – including nine academic and six health institutions – and an annual operating budget of $10 billion (FY 2007). Student enrollment exceeds 190,000 in the 2006 academic year. The UT System confers one-third of the state's undergraduate degrees and educates three-fourths of Texas health care professionals. With more than 76,000 employees, the UT System is one of the largest employers in Texas.
Note: For more information about the degree programs see the Academic Affairs or Health Affairs committee background material accompanying the agenda for the regents' meeting. (URL provided below).
