Doctorado Cooperativo en Horticultura

The Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness and Environmental Sciences offers a cooperative Ph.D. program in Horticulture, through a partnership with the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University in College Station. The degree is awarded by Texas A&M University; however, much of the course work, research, and graduate advising can be completed at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and/or the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center. Graduate studies leading to this degree can include any aspect of horticulture. Students in the program are highly encouraged to spend at least two semesters in residence at Texas A&M University in College Station and to work under the direction of an advisory committee comprised of members of both university faculties with one committee co-chair from each of the two universities. The committee chairperson must be a faculty member with a faculty appointment from Texas A&M University.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville grew out of the teacher college or "normal school" movement that swept Texas and the nation in the early 1900s. Chartered in 1917 but not opened until 1925 because of America's entry into World War I, the University is the oldest continuously operating public institution of higher learning in South Texas. Shortly after beginning life as South Texas State Teachers College, its role was expanded to embrace a wider array of programs. As its mission has expanded, its name has changed to reflect its wider scope. Its first name change, to Texas College of Arts and Industries, came in 1929. In 1967 the name changed to Texas A&I University. The University became a member of the Texas A&M University System in 1989 and in 1993 changed its name to Texas A&M University-Kingsville to reflect that membership.

Texas A&M-Kingsville is South Texas' greatest university, offering more academic programs and degrees, providing better learning and living facilities, doing more research, awarding more scholarships, and producing more successful graduates than any other college or university in the region.

Texas A&M-Kingsville seeks to provide quality undergraduate and graduate programs for students of all ages through a judicious blend of liberal and career education programs. The emphasis is on providing an intellectually challenging education reflecting high standards of academic performance. Texas A&M-Kingsville is dedicated to serving an ethnically and culturally diverse population. The University is committed to its mission of teaching, research, and service in South Texas for the advancement of knowledge and of regional development.

Location: The University is located in historic Kingsville, a friendly, safe city of 25,000 that is the home of the legendary King Ranch. Corpus Christi and its beaches are just 40 miles to the northeast, and the border with Mexico is 120 miles to the south at Brownsville or 119 miles to the west at Laredo.

Students: Most of Texas A&M-Kingsville's approximately 6,357 students come from South Texas, but there is wide diversity in the population, with students from 40 states and 35 countries. The student body is split almost equally between men and women. About 80 percent of students are undergraduates. Ethnically, the campus reflects the demographics of the area, with 69 percent of the students Hispanic, 15 percent white, and 4 percent African American. About 7 percent are international students.

Faculty: Approximately 71 percent of the faculty hold Ph.D.`s.

Student/faculty ratio: The student/faculty ratio is 16 to 1.

Honors Program: Our Honors College provides stimulating coursework for high achievers and special distinction during commencement.

Undergraduate Research: The faculty at Texas A&M University-Kingsville recognize the value of "teaching through research" and provide undergraduate students unique opportunities to become involved in a wide variety of research projects.

Campus: The main campus consists of approximately 250 acres and more than 80 buildings. The University Farm consists of 545 acres of land located near the campus.