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The Graduate College Vaquero Pathway Program (VPP) is a program that offers outstanding UTRGV undergraduate students an expedited path to graduate studies at UTRGV by facilitating their entry into a participating graduate degree program. The VPP program is limited to specific graduate programs. See the list of participating graduate degree programs listed below.
Why VPP
- Streamlined Admission: Skip the usual application process and secure your spot in a participating graduate degree program.
- Gain a Competitive Edge: By pursuing your Master's degree now, you'll quickly acquire advanced knowledge and skills, giving you a competitive advantage that will put your resume at the top.
- Stay in School Mode: You're already in the academic mindset, and joining your peers in graduate studies is a seamless transition. Returning to school after a hiatus can be challenging, but you're already in the groove.
How VPP Works
During your final semester at UTRGV, eligible students are identified for the Vaquero Pathway Program (VPP). VPP offers are typically sent around the 20th class day of your last semester.
Students may receive one of the following:
Automatic Admission
If you are matched to one graduate program, you will receive an automatic admission offer.
No additional steps are required—your official admission letter will be sent directly to you.
Program Selection Required
If you are matched to more than one graduate program, you will be asked to select your preferred program.
Once your selection is submitted, you will receive your official admission letter for that program.
Important Information
- All VPP admission offers are contingent upon earning a bachelor's degree from UTRGV.
- Students must complete their undergraduate degree before beginning their graduate program.
What are the VPP eligibility requirements?
- Must be a UTRGV degree-seeking student.
- Must be enrolled in the last semester of undergraduate coursework.
- Must have a cumulative institutional GPA of 3.30 and be in good academic standing.
Participating Graduate Programs
To view the graduate programs available through the Vaquero Pathway Program (VPP), find your undergraduate major from the college drop-down menus below.
UTRGV students who graduate with one of the listed undergraduate majors and meet VPP eligibility requirements may qualify for automatic admission into the corresponding master's program(s) shown.
| Undergraduate Programs | Master's Program | Master's Program Specialization/Modality |
|---|---|---|
|
Accountancy (BBA) |
Accountancy (MACC) |
On-Campus |
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Information Systems (BBA) Business Analytics (BBA) |
Accelerated Online |
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Global Supply Chain Management (BBA) International Business (BBA) |
Accelerated Online |
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Economics (BA or BBA)* Entrepreneurship & Innovation (BBA)* Finance (BBA)* Hospitality & Tourism Mgmnt (BS)* Management (BBA)* |
|
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| Marketing (BBA) | Accelerated Online |
| Undergraduate Programs | Master's Program | Master's Program Specialization / Modality |
|
Early Care and Early Childhood Studies (BS)* Education (BS) - No concentration* Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) - No concentration* Special Eduation (BS)* |
Educational Technology (MEd) |
|
| Reading and Literacy (MEd) |
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| Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with Elementary Mathematics and Science Education Specialization |
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| Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with English Specialization |
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| Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with Mathematics Education Specialization |
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Education (BS)
Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS)
|
Bilingual Education (MEd) |
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| Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with Elementary Mathematics and Science Education Specialization |
|
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| Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with English Specialization |
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| Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with Mathematics Education Specialization |
|
| Undergraduate Programs | Master's Program |
| Civil Engineering (BS) | |
| Computer Engineering (BSCE) | |
| Computer Science (BSCS) | |
| Cybersecurity (BS)* | |
| Electrical Engineering (BSEE)* | |
| Engineering Technology (BS)* |
|
| Manufacturing Engineering (BSMF)* | |
| Mechanical Engineering (BSME)* |
|
|
Various undergraduate programs within the College of Sciences, Engineering and Computer Science, and Health Professions programs. Contact the Graduate Program Coordinator, Dr. Caruntu (Dumitru.caruntu@utrgv.edu), for more information. |
| Undergraduate Programs | Master's Program | Master's Program Specialization / Modality |
|
Art (BA) - Teacher Certification: Art* Music (BM) - Teacher Certification: Voice* Theatre (BA) - Teacher Certification: Theater* |
Educational Technology (MEd) |
|
| Reading and Literacy (MEd) |
|
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| Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with Elementary Mathematics and Science Education Specialization |
|
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| Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with English Specialization |
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| Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with Mathematics Education Specialization |
|
| Undergraduate Programs | Master's Program | Master's Program Concentration |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropology (BA) | Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) in Anthropology | |
|
Communication Studies (BA) Mass Communication (BA) |
Communication (MA) | |
| Criminal Justice (BS) | Criminal Justice (MS) | On-Campus |
|
English (BA) in any of the following concentrations:
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English (BA) in the following concentration:
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| English (BA) - Teacher Certification, 4-8 |
Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with Elementary Mathematics and Science Education Specialization Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with English Specialization Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with Mathematics Education Specialization |
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|
History (BA) Philosophy (BA) Political Science (BA) Psychology (BS) |
Political Science (MA) |
|
| Public Affairs (MPA) |
On-Campus:
Accelerated Online:
|
|
|
Human Dimensions of Organizations (BA) Medical & Health Humanities (BA) Multidisciplinary Studies (BMS) Social Studies (BA) |
Bioethics (MS) |
|
| Sociology (BA) | Sociology (MS) | |
| Spanish (BA)* |
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|
Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with Elementary Mathematics and Science Education Specialization Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with English Specialization Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with Mathematics Education Specialization |
||
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| Spanish (BA) - Spanish Teacher Certification |
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|
Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with Elementary Mathematics and Science Education Specialization Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with English Specialization Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with Mathematics Education Specialization |
| Undergraduate Programs | Master's Program | Master's Program Concentration |
|---|---|---|
| Biology (BS)* | ||
|
Biology (BS) - Teacher Cert: Life Science (7-12) Chemistry (BS) - UTeach Certification (7-12) Physics (BS) - Physics/Math (7-12), UTeach |
Bilingual Education (MEd) |
|
|
Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with Elementary Mathematics and Science Education Specialization Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with English Specialization Curriculum and Instruction (MEd) with Mathematics Education Specialization |
||
| Chemistry (BS)* | ||
|
Mathematics (BS)* Statistics (BS)* |
Mathematics (MS) |
|
| Physics (BS) | Biomedical Engineering (MS) |
| Undergraduate Programs | Master's Program | Master's Program Specialization / Modality |
|
Nursing (BSN) |
Bioethics (MS) |
| Undergraduate Programs | Master's Program | Master's Program Specialization / Modality |
|
Social Work (BSW) |
Bioethics (MS) |
* For students in these undergraduate programs, an email notification will be sent to prompt them to visit the Vaquero Pathway Program Selection Request Form. Here, students can choose from the available programs, concentrations, or modalities.
Hear how Alainey’s journey to graduate school was transformed by the Vaquero Pathway Program—skipping the usual application process and creating a direct admission path.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no separate application for the Vaquero Pathway Program. Eligible UTRGV students are automatically identified during their final semester. If you qualify, you will receive a VPP admission offer by email.
Eligibility is based on your undergraduate major, academic performance, and completion of degree requirements.
Around the 20th class day of your last semester before graduation.
No. VPP is available for select undergraduate majors that align with participating graduate programs.
VPP does not guarantee funding, but students may be eligible for graduate scholarships like the Graduate Select Scholarship, assistantships, or financial aid.
Yes, if you cannot attend in the semester or module of admission, you may request a one-time deferral by submitting the online deferral form before the start of the term.
Yes. Participation in VPP is optional, and students may decline the offer without penalty.
No, if you are not interested in the program(s) being offered to you, you are still able to submit a regular admission application for your Graduate Program of interest at https://www.utrgv.edu/gradapply/
For additional questions on the Vaquero Pathway Program, email gradrecruitment@utrgv.edu.
