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Mission
The School of Interdisciplinary Programs and Community Engagement (SIPCE) combines the expertise and knowledge drawn from a broad array of faculty across UTRGV. We pursue an intersectional approach to multidisciplinary research, teaching, and learning that not only attends to the unique region of Río Grande Valley and South Texas but also the nation and world. SIPCE prepares students to address complex questions and develop meaningful solutions that promote a democratic society, social justice, and sustainable futures.
About the Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies (BMS)
Housed in the College of Liberal Arts' School of Interdisciplinary Programs & Community Engagement, the BMS allows students to custom design a plan of study that brings together coursework from three disciplines.
Students completing the BMS program will be able to apply the knowledge and skills to contribute to society in meaningful ways and to expand their career and employment opportunities as a result of a multidisciplinary education. They can also continue their studies in a graduate degree or post-baccalaureate professional program being fully prepared with the analytical skills necessary to succeed within demanding and highly competitive fields.
In order to earn a BMS, students have to fulfill the requirements for three different minors of their choice in addition to the general education core and free electives.
Academic Programs
Bachelor's
Bachelor's Degree
Human Dimensions of Organizations (BA)
Bachelor of Arts in Human Dimensions of Organizations
Program Modality: Campus
The Bachelor’s degree in Human Dimensions of Organizations (HDO) teaches students to use the disciplines of the liberal arts – the humanities and the social/behavioral sciences – to understand workplace interactions and how organizations can best serve their employees, customers, and clients. This major is intended for students who envision themselves solving human-centered problems in organizations including business, government, nonprofits, and the military.
Bachelor's Degree
Medical and Health Humanities
Bachelor of Arts in Medical and Health Humanities
Program Modality: Campus
Go beyond traditional healthcare education with a program that bridges the gap between science and the humanities. The Bachelor of Arts in Medical and Health Humanities is designed for students who want a well-rounded education that blends the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
This program will prepare students to do more than just understand the human body—it equips them with the knowledge and skills to see the bigger picture in healthcare. Students will learn about the importance of ethics, empathy, and communication in medicine, making it an ideal foundation for those planning to pursue medical, pharmacy, or other professional degrees in the healthcare field.
One of the best features of this major is its flexibility. Choose from a variety of practical courses, such as nutrition, addiction studies, and clinical Spanish, all of which are highly relevant to a future in healthcare. Plus, there's room in the degree plan to add a minor or even pursue a double major, giving students even more options to tailor their education to their career goals.
Bachelor's Degree
Mexican American Studies (BA)
Bachelor of Arts in Mexican American Studies (BA)
Program Modality: Campus
The Bachelor’s degree in Mexican American Studies is a social justice-oriented program that prepares students to work, serve and research in their communities, and to address and navigate the complex socio-political/historical conditions surrounding Mexican American/Chicanx/Latinx communities. The program prepares students to be leaders and advocates in their communities and professions to transform conditions and promote a just society. Students learn to critically investigate community knowledge and socio-historical, economic, political, educational, cultural, and artistic conditions of and contributions by Mexican Americans, Chicana/os, and Latina/os to the history, culture, and institutions of the United States and the Americas.
Bachelor's Degree
Multidisciplinary Studies (BMS)
Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies in Multidisciplinary Studies
Program Modality: Campus
The bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies at UTRGV lets you build your path by combining three different areas of study. With this flexible program, you can choose three minors that interest you and create a degree that’s uniquely yours. This means you can explore multiple fields at once, giving you more options for your future career. Check out the list of minors that you can choose from.
In this program, you’ll learn skills that will help you succeed in today’s fast-changing world and open doors to various career opportunities. Whether you want to go into the workforce or continue your studies in graduate school, the Multidisciplinary Studies program will prepare you with the tools you need to succeed in whatever path you choose.
Bachelor's Degree
Public Heritage and Community Engagement (BAIS)
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in Public Heritage and Community Engagement
Program Modality: Campus
The Public Heritage & Community Engagement degree combines the fields of Public History, Critical Cultural Heritage Studies, and Museum Studies to investigate the development, contestations, and implications of shared interpretation, valuation, and appreciation of places, buildings, natural landscapes, traditions, and objects. Program emphasis is placed on the critical role of community partnerships in these endeavors, helping students build the skills and networks that they will need for employment in multiple sectors after graduation.
Concentrations:
Master's
Master's Degree
Mexican American Studies - Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS)
Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Concentration in Mexican American Studies
Program Modality: Campus
The Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Concentration in Mexican American Studies provides students with a concentrated study in the transdisciplinary field of Mexican American Studies, including Chicana/o and Latina/o studies. The program’s interdisciplinary nature and culturally relevant curriculum offer exciting, rich, and unique opportunities for students to engage in research, experiential learning, and community engagement related to Latina/o communities in South Texas and nationally.
Master's Degree
Public Affairs (MPA)
Master of Public Affairs
Program Modality: Online
Program Modality: Campus
The Master's degree in Public Affairs is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with administrative concepts and competencies that can be utilized in a variety of administrative careers in public and nonprofit agencies. The program offers several concentrations.
Concentrations:
Accelerated Online Programs:
Minors & Certificates
Department Highlights
Our mission is to celebrate and build upon the Rio Grande Valley's rich history and distinct population to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for this region’s heritage.
UTRGV's Gender & Women’s Studies Program (GWSP) provides inclusive learning environments to advance interdisciplinary scholarship, teaching, and community engagement that analyze and transform the dynamics of gender, sexuality, and other intersectional categories of difference