Texas A&M University–San Antonio
Encyclopedia
Texas A&M University–San Antonio is a public university
located in San Antonio, Texas
, USA that was established on May 23, 2009, and held its first classes as a stand-alone university on August 20, 2009. It currently enrolls approximately 2,500 students and offers junior- and senior-level classes and several master's degrees, including graduate alternative teacher certification.
The university is temporarily housed at 1450 Gillette Blvd., a former elementary school rented from the South San Antonio ISD. Construction on its permanent campus began after The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents approved final design plans in March 2010, and a groundbreaking ceremony was scheduled for May 7, 2010. The first building is expected to be open in Summer 2011. The university is to be constructed on a 580 acres (2 km²) site on the south side of San Antonio, near Loop 410 and Zarzamora. The developer of the land is Verano Land Group LP, who donated the 694 acres (2.8 km²) lot and one million dollars for scholarships. The architectural firm responsible for the campus plans are Kell Munoz and the Construction Manager at Risk is Bartlett Cocke. Construction will be completed in phases: in the first phase, multi-purpose buildings will be constructed to house classrooms, faculty and staff offices, a library, student services offices, and food services; and in subsequent phases, a library, academic buildings, and residential housing are to be built. Texas A&M-San Antonio plans to reach an enrollment of 25,000 students by 2025. The campus is being built in part due to a plan by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
to enroll 630,000 students in college by 2015.
Texas A&M-San Antonio opened under the name Texas A&M University–Kingsville System Center after SB 800, authored by Senator Frank Madla, was passed in 2003. The Texas Legislature
authorized $40 million in tuition revenue bonds for this new campus in 2006 under HB 153, contingent on full time enrollment reaching 1,500 by January 1, 2010.
. The Texas Legislature
asked the Texas A&M University System
to establish a center that would offer junior- and senior-level courses in South San Antonio, an area that has been historically underserved in terms of higher education. Such a center was approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
in January 2000. Texas A&M University–Kingsville
was proud to be named the lead institution to create and operate the System Center, which first operates on nearby Palo Alto College, a community college in the Alamo College system. The center used surveys and research to determine the types of programs most in demand in the area.
The System Center also offers the MBA and the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences
(BAAS) program — a program that offers students with formal training in a vocational/technical area the opportunity to obtain a bachelor's degree without the significant loss of credits that normally occurs in pursuing a traditional degree.
Public university
A public university is a university that is predominantly funded by public means through a national or subnational government, as opposed to private universities. A national university may or may not be considered a public university, depending on regions...
located in San Antonio, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, USA that was established on May 23, 2009, and held its first classes as a stand-alone university on August 20, 2009. It currently enrolls approximately 2,500 students and offers junior- and senior-level classes and several master's degrees, including graduate alternative teacher certification.
The university is temporarily housed at 1450 Gillette Blvd., a former elementary school rented from the South San Antonio ISD. Construction on its permanent campus began after The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents approved final design plans in March 2010, and a groundbreaking ceremony was scheduled for May 7, 2010. The first building is expected to be open in Summer 2011. The university is to be constructed on a 580 acres (2 km²) site on the south side of San Antonio, near Loop 410 and Zarzamora. The developer of the land is Verano Land Group LP, who donated the 694 acres (2.8 km²) lot and one million dollars for scholarships. The architectural firm responsible for the campus plans are Kell Munoz and the Construction Manager at Risk is Bartlett Cocke. Construction will be completed in phases: in the first phase, multi-purpose buildings will be constructed to house classrooms, faculty and staff offices, a library, student services offices, and food services; and in subsequent phases, a library, academic buildings, and residential housing are to be built. Texas A&M-San Antonio plans to reach an enrollment of 25,000 students by 2025. The campus is being built in part due to a plan by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is an agency of the Texas state government that oversees all public post-secondary education in Texas. It is headquartered at 1200 East Anderson Lane in Austin....
to enroll 630,000 students in college by 2015.
Texas A&M-San Antonio opened under the name Texas A&M University–Kingsville System Center after SB 800, authored by Senator Frank Madla, was passed in 2003. The Texas Legislature
Texas Legislature
The Legislature of the state of Texas is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin...
authorized $40 million in tuition revenue bonds for this new campus in 2006 under HB 153, contingent on full time enrollment reaching 1,500 by January 1, 2010.
Texas A&M University–Kingsville System Center
The Texas A&M University–Kingsville System Center-San Antonio was created to address an educational need in South San AntonioSan Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. The Texas Legislature
Texas Legislature
The Legislature of the state of Texas is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin...
asked the Texas A&M University System
Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the United States. Through a statewide network of eleven universities, eight state agencies and a comprehensive health science center, the Texas A&M System educates over 100,000 students, conducts more than $600...
to establish a center that would offer junior- and senior-level courses in South San Antonio, an area that has been historically underserved in terms of higher education. Such a center was approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is an agency of the Texas state government that oversees all public post-secondary education in Texas. It is headquartered at 1200 East Anderson Lane in Austin....
in January 2000. Texas A&M University–Kingsville
Texas A&M University–Kingsville
Texas A&M University–Kingsville is a U.S. national university with a multicultural student body that is 62 percent Hispanic and includes students from 35 states and 43 foreign countries...
was proud to be named the lead institution to create and operate the System Center, which first operates on nearby Palo Alto College, a community college in the Alamo College system. The center used surveys and research to determine the types of programs most in demand in the area.
Degree Programs
- CriminologyCriminologyCriminology is the scientific study of the nature, extent, causes, and control of criminal behavior in both the individual and in society...
- EnglishEnglish studiesEnglish studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language , English linguistics English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language (including literatures from the U.K., U.S.,...
- HistoryHistoryHistory is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
- Communications
- MathematicsMathematicsMathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
- PsychologyPsychologyPsychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
- SociologySociologySociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
- Accounting
- Applied ArtsApplied artApplied art is the application of design and aesthetics to objects of function and everyday use. Whereas fine arts serve as intellectual stimulation to the viewer or academic sensibilities, the applied arts incorporate design and creative ideals to objects of utility, such as a cup, magazine or...
and Sciences - Computer Information Systems
- ManagementManagementManagement in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
- Interdisciplinary Studies (Elementary Education)
- KinesiologyKinesiologyKinesiology, also known as human kinetics is the scientific study of human movement. Kinesiology addresses physiological, mechanical, and psychological mechanisms. Applications of kinesiology to human health include: biomechanics and orthopedics, rehabilitation, such as physical and occupational...
The System Center also offers the MBA and the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences
The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences, often abbreviated as BAAS or BAASc, is an undergraduate degree.-Usage:In the United States BAAS is awarded based on a combination of formal education, work experience and work-related training and certification completed by the student...
(BAAS) program — a program that offers students with formal training in a vocational/technical area the opportunity to obtain a bachelor's degree without the significant loss of credits that normally occurs in pursuing a traditional degree.