Graduate Program Admissions

Click through the following links to learn more about the graduate programs that UTPB offers and their respective admission requirements.

College of Arts and Sciences

Biology

Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
- Overall GPA of 3.0 or Higher
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
- Written Statement of Intent
  - Explain the reasons the applicant is applying for the biology program

Computer Science

Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
- Overall GPA of 3.0 or Higher
- Two (2) letters of recommendation
- Written statement of intent explaining the reasons the applicant is applying for the biology program

Criminal Justice Administration

Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
- Overall GPA of 3.0 or Higher
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
- Written statement of intent explaining the reasons the applicant is applying for the biology program

English

Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in English or 24 hours of undergraduate English classes at the sophomore level or above from an accredited college or university
- GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 credit hours of coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of intent: a one-page statement of purpose explaining your qualifications and desire for an MA in English at The University of Texas Permian Basin
- Writing sample
  - Include a 10-page sample of your writing, preferably a research paper in the discipline of English

Geology

Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in geosciences or closely related field from an accredited college or university
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better for all undergraduate work, no exceptions (The overall GPA for international transcripts will be converted and reviewed by the Graduate Program Coordinator)
- Statement of Intent
  - One page statement of interests in graduate education in the geosciences and related interdisciplinary fields
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
  - Must be from the applicant’s most recent academic advisor, professor, or current supervisor at their place of employment

History

Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
- GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 credit hours of coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree.
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
  - Must be from individuals who can speak to the applicant's abilities, skills, and motivation (letters from professors and supervisors preferred).
- Writing Sample
  - Applicants may submit an undergraduate paper (preferred) or a 500-word essay expressing what they wish to accomplish in the program.
- 18 semester credit hours of combined upper- and lower-division history courses. Applicants lacking the 18 hours might be required to complete leveling courses.

Mathematics

Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university
- GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 credit hours of coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
- At least one of the following courses or their equivalent with a B or better (Math 4315 Algebraic Structures or Math 4360 Intermediate Analysis)

Psychology

Admission Requirements
- Official Transcripts
- Must have a GPA of 3.0 or better for all hours of undergraduate work
- Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
  - Two of these letters must be from past professors who are in a position to evaluate the applicant's qualifications for graduate study. The third letter, if not also from a past professor, should be from someone knowledgeable of the applicant's knowledge and skills in a work or volunteer environment.
- Statement of Intent
  - Applicants will submit a document that states their reasons for selecting UT Permian Basin, their interest in graduate education in Psychology, their preferred option of either Clinical or Experimental concentration, and their preferred mentor, if known.
  - This statement should be no longer than two typed pages.
- Writing Sample
  - Applicants will need to submit a writing sample with preference for research proposals, theses, or literature reviews written recently as an undergraduate student. If no recent undergraduate work has been done, candidates may write an essay regarding their educational journey to the master's degree.

Public Administration

Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 credit hours or total cumulative GPA (undergraduate work)
- Two years of full-time professional work experience in public, non-profit, or for-profit organizations
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
  - These letters should be from persons who have knowledge of the applicant's academic potential

Spanish

Admission Requirements
- Official Transcripts
- A bachelor’s degree in Spanish from an accredited institution.
- GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 credits hours leading toward a bachelor’s degree.

Certificate Programs

Data Science Certificate
- Admission Requirements
  - Only applicable to those admitted into the Computer Science MS program
  - Meet with assigned advisor to add this certificate to your program plan
- GIS and Geospatial Certificate
  - Admission Requirements
    - Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
    - Minimum GPA of 3.0 in last 60 credits of undergraduate work
    - Official transcripts
  - Spanish Certificate
    - Admission Requirements
      - Official Transcripts
      - A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international institution, with 12 hours of intermediate and advanced undergraduate Spanish courses.

College of Business

College of Education

Bilingual/ESL

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 credit hours leading towards a bachelor’s degree
Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
Essay that answers the following prompt:
- How specifically will the master’s in this program support your goals and interest?
Official transcripts

Counseling

Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university
- GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 credit hours of coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree
- Statement of Intent
  - Submit a statement of approximately 600 words describing your reason for pursuing graduate study at UTPB, your personal and academic background, relevant experience, and your professional goals.
- Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
  - Evidence of honorable discharge following military service may be used in place of one letter of recommendation

Educational Leadership

Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 credit hours leading toward a bachelor's degree
- Teaching Service Record
  - At least one year of teaching experience
- Essay that answers the following prompt:
  - What do you see as the role of an educational leader?
- Official transcripts

Literacy

Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 credit hours leading towards a bachelor’s degree
- Essay that answers the following prompt:
  - What is your vision of why you want to become a reading specialist?
- Official transcripts

Professional Education

Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
- GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 credit hours of coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree - or - Successful completion of previous Master's Degree
- Essay that answers the following prompt:
  - What are your reasons for choosing the area of emphasis that you have selected for your studies in this program?

Special Education

Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Upper-division GPA of at least 3.0
- Essay that answers the following prompt:
  - What skills and personal characteristics do you have that will make you successful in graduate school and effective in the special education field?
- Official transcripts

Certifications

Superintendent Certification
- Admission Requirements
  - Applicant holds a master’s degree
  - Principal certification or waiver from TEA
  - Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended showing the completion of bachelor’s and master’s degree
  - Overall GPA calculation of at least 2.50
  - Copy of service record
  - Response to the following question:
    - What makes you want to be an educational leader?
  - An interview to discuss your personal mission, what you believe to be two major areas of responsibility for a Superintendent/CEO, why those areas are important, and how you will address those responsibilities.
- Principal Certification
  - Admission/Completion Requirements
    - Must have a Master’s degree from an accredited university.
    - Must qualify for admission to Graduate Studies at UT Permian Basin.
    - Must hold a valid classroom teaching certification or license.
    - Most students must complete 28 credit hours of coursework including two Practicum courses
  - Educational Diagnostician
    - Admission Requirements
      - Completion of an approved educator preparation program (EPP)
      - A master’s degree from an accredited institution
      - Three years of classroom teaching experience in a public or accredited private school
      - Valid teaching certificate
      - Essay (1-2 pages) that answers the following prompt:
        
        What personal characteristics, experiences, and educational background influenced your decision and helped prepare you for this role as a diagnostician?
      - Eligibility for admission to UTPB Graduate Studies:
        
        A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale on the last 60 hours of coursework leading to your baccalaureate degree
      - Reading Specialist
        
        Admission/Completion Requirements
        
        Master’s degree from an accredited university
        
        Valid classroom teaching certificate in the state of Texas
        
        Two years of classroom teaching experience in an accredited PK-12 school
        
        Successful completion of an approved educator preparation program
        
        Successful completion of the required exam
        
        Post-Baccalaureate (Fast-Track) Teaching Certification Areas
        
        Admission Requirements
        
        Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education
        
        GPA of at least 2.50 overall or in the last 60 credit hours of your bachelor’s degree
        
        Passing score on the PACT exam (or TExES test passed under a previous certification program) for the content area you want to teach, maybe waived. Completed at least 12 semester credit hours in the teaching content area of the certificate the applicant is seeking (15 hours if seeking to certify in math or science). An applicant who does not meet the 2.50 GPA requirement or who has not completed a minimum of 12 or 15 semester credit hours in the teaching content are must provide a passing score on the TExES PACT in the content area to be considered for admission. A passing score on a TExES test in the content area taken while enrolled in another EPP will also be acceptable.
        
        PACT information
        
        TSI status complete (exempt by bachelor's degree);
        
        Evidence of English language proficiency (met by U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher);
        
        Essay of 1-2 pages addressing why you want to be a teacher and the characteristics and experiences that make you a good candidate for the Fast Track program.
        
        List of Available Certifications
        
        Elementary Grades - EC-6
        
        Content Areas
        
        Bilingual
        
        Core Subjects
        
        English as a Second Language
        
        Generalist
        
        Special Education
        
        Intermediate Middle Level Grades 4-8
        
        Content Areas
        
        Bilingual
        
        Core Subjects
        
        English as a Second Language
        
        Generalist
        
        Math
        
        Math/Science
        
        Science
        
        Social Studies/ELAR
        
        Special Education
        
        English Language Arts and Reading
        
        Social Studies
        
        Secondary Education - 6-12
        
        Content Areas
        
        Business Education
        
        Physical Science
        
        Secondary Education - 7-12
        
        Content Areas
        
        Chemistry
        
        English
        
        History
        
        Social Studies
        
        Speech
        
        Journalism
        
        Biology
        
        English Language Arts
        
        7-12 Life Science
        
        Mathematics
        
        All Levels EC-12
        
        Content Areas
        
        Art
        
        Music
        
        Physical Education
        
        Spanish
        
        Special Education

College of Health and Human Performance

College of Engineering

Discover All Our Graduate Programs

To view the full list of graduate programs, please click on the headers below. Each section expands to reveal the specific programs offered within that category.

Graduate Studies Programs