The pathway to improving the health and well-being of the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas and the world begins in the College of Health Professions at UTRGV!

Health, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This definition of health has not been amended since 1948 and embodies our work as a college. As the leading institution of excellence in health and human services, education, health care and research, our main goal is to produce highly skilled practitioners, educators, and researchers through our 25 high quality educational programs. Students who are accepted into our programs enter into an educational environment, which through student centered, meaningful experiential learning opportunities, results in the development of new scientific and intellectual inquiry for the promotion of health equity in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. The College houses two schools, six departments, and the cooperative pharmacy program, as well as the Border Health Office and other health centers and organizations that are focused on improving the health of our South Texas Community. In the College of Health Professions at UTRGV, we are dedicated to training the next generation of health professionals and leaders to fill the roles of practitioner, educator and researcher in the 21st Century.

Our VisionWe envision the College of Health Professions as a world-class institution committed to achieving the highest quality of life and health equity through education, research, and engagement with our communities.

The Division of Nursing and Allied Health

The South Texas College Division of Nursing and Allied Health is a learner centered division committed to the education of healthcare professionals. STC’s Nursing and Allied Health programs combine the highest quality instruction with clinical experience in both hospital and community settings.

South Texas College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the Baccalaureate and Associate degrees. South Texas College’s offerings are approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. It is also approved for veterans’ educational training in Certificate and Associate of Applied Science Degree programs by the Texas Education Agency.

Since its inception in 2008, more than 1,430 exemplary baccalaureate and master’s prepared nurses have graduated from Texas A&M University College of Nursing. Agreements with more than 350 clinical sites offer students real-world experience in hospital and clinical settings while facilitating teamwork, respect and understanding of these professional settings.

Upholding the land-grant service tradition of Texas A&M University, the College of Nursing continues to educate highly skilled Aggie nurses dedicated to providing patient-centered care, leading nursing research and serving their communities. A commitment to innovative teaching practices that encourage interdisciplinary learning, College of Nursing faculty, staff and students demonstrate a vested interest in positively impacting the ever-changing landscape of health care. With academic education campuses in Bryan-College Station and Round Rock as well as distance learning through online programs, the college offers accessible training and education to meet the demand for registered nurses and advanced education as nurse educators, family nurse practitioners and forensic nurses.

The Office for Nursing Research, established in 2018, helps faculty strategically seek funding opportunities, increase interdisciplinary collaborations and advance opportunities in translating research into practice. Active research areas include cancer prevention and screening, women’s health, childhood obesity, health law and ethics, intimate partner violence, public health nursing and forensic nursing.

Located in the border city of Pharr, Texas and established in 2008, RGV College was the vision of educators and entrepreneurs whom have guided this institution’s growth into one of the most sought after vocational schools in the Rio Grande Valley for its A+ grade level education. RGV College exists on the principle that all individuals, regardless of race, age, previous education, or economic background can take advantage of the benefits acquired through Vocational Education. Rio Grande Valley College is committed to the personal, intellectual and professional growth of its students, faculty, and staff. As the premiere college, our goal is to inspire and empower a diverse population with a lifelong passion for learning, the knowledge to succeed and serve the community. RGV College is located in one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the nation. Often considered a medical “mecca”, the Rio Grande Valley is one of the regions with an increasing number of healthcare patients, and naturally, this community will also need a larger pool of competent and caring healthcare professionals. This gives our institution a greater advantage in educating those needed in the medical Industry. Conveniently located, with easy access from the expressway, our institution is proximal to many cities in the Rio Grande Valley allowing our students to travel from other cities with better and faster travel routes.