First established in 1971 by the Texas Legislature, the University of Texas at Tyler initially was a senior comprehensive public state institution serving junior, senior, and graduate students. After the House Bill 1795 was signed by Governor George W. Bush, classes were then added for freshmen and sophomores. Today, UT Tyler enrolls more than 6,700 undergraduates and 2,100 post-graduates across its seven colleges.
UT Tyler is located on a 204-acre suburban campus in Tyler, Texas, along the wooded banks of Harvey Lake. The University of Texas at Tyler’s over 80 academic majors provide a low student-faculty ratio of 17:1.
UT Tyler prides itself on being a young, fast-growing university with the third highest percentage of students graduating on time in Texas. Special recognition has been given to its Global Awareness Through Education (GATE) program, which gives freshmen the chance to engage in campus activities that are culturally diverse.
According to the U.S. News, UT Tyler is ranked the 73rd best regional college and 27th top public school in the West. Forbes magazine named Tyler the nation’s 71st best small place for education. The University of Texas at Tyler was also distinguished by Washington Monthly as the 133rd “Best Bang for the Buck” in the South.
The University of Texas at Tyler Accreditation Details
At the institutional level, the University of Texas at Tyler is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC). This is one of six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The College of Education and Psychology is also given approval from the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC). Counseling degrees meet the standards of the Council on Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) too.
The University of Texas at Tyler Application Requirements
With an acceptance rate of 83 percent, UT Tyler has a selective admissions process in which applicants must fulfill predictors of academic success. First-year freshmen must be high school graduates or obtain GED equivalent. Passing a college prep curriculum with at least four units of English, three units of science, two units of foreign language, three units of social studies, and three units of mathematics is mandatory. Applicants ranking in the top 10th percentile of their class are automatically admitted. Accepted students have an average GPA of 3.3. Freshmen must also score at least 20 on the ACT or 940 on the SAT.
Transfer students at the undergraduate level are accepted with at least 30 semester credits from another regionally accredited college. Undergraduate transfers at UT Tyler must hold a minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Being eligible for re-enrollment at the former school is required. International learners need to score at least 550 (paper-based) or 79 (Internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Graduate students pursuing a master’s program must already hold a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. The psychology degree requires a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.
Prior to the May 31st and October 31st deadlines, interested students should submit the following materials with the Apply Texas online application:
• Non-refundable $40 application fee
• Official, sealed transcripts of all academics
• College standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, or MAT)
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Resume of work and extra-curricular activities
Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduates from Texas can expect to pay $651 per credit hour. For full-time enrollment, tuition and fees will be $3,853 each semester. Non-resident undergraduates enrolling at UT Tyler will be billed $1,048 per credit hour. Total tuition and fees for full-time enrollment is $10,212 each semester. A $14 fee will be added per credit for students studying online. At the graduate level, Texas residents are charged $731 per credit hour. Full-time graduate students must afford $3,971 each semester. Out-of-state graduate students are charged $1,123 per credit. Total tuition and fees would then be $8,680 for full-time enrollment.
Around 79 percent of newly matriculated students at the University of Texas at Tyler are awarded financial aid. Students could qualify for borrowing money via the Federal Direct Loan, Direct Parent/Grad PLUS Loan, or Texas B-On-Time Loan program. Some may be eligible for the Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. In-state residents should apply for the Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) or TEXAS Grant program. UT Tyler also provides the Education Affordability Grant. Tuition exemptions are offered for adopted, blind/deaf, disabled, military, foster care, and senior citizen students. Federal Work-Study (FWS) is available for up to 20 hours per week. Scholarships are also numerous, such as the Patriot Scholarship, Achievement Scholarship, Top 10% Scholarship, and Transfer Scholarship.
Psychology Degrees Available at UT Tyler
Within the College of Education and Psychology, the Psychology and Counseling Department offers opportunities for studying the intricacies of the human mind and behavior. UT Tyler students benefit from receiving hands-on mental health practice with diverse clients at the university’s Psychology and Counseling Training Clinic. The two psychology degrees offered are:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Undergraduates pursuing the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology program follow a dynamic four-year curriculum to obtain the broad-based knowledge and skills for applying psychological theory into meaningful human services professions. The 120-credit program requires at least 42 credits of psychology coursework with a chosen specialization in Health Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Forensics, or Counseling. Courses will range from cognition and statistics to human expression and lifespan development. In the final term, students can select to complete an independent research study or practical internship.
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
Consisting of 60 credit hours, the Master of Science in Clinical Psychology program at UT Tyler is designed to prepare qualified graduate students for understanding, evaluating, and counseling individuals with mental health problems. Students are specifically trained to conduct psychological testing and provide cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In addition to a General Psychology plan, there are sub-plans provided in Neuropsychology and School Psychology to tailor coursework as well as the two-semester field practicum. Graduates are qualified for becoming Licensed Psychological Associates in Texas.
Other similar degrees available at the University of Texas at Tyler include the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Arts in School Counseling, and Master of Education in Special Education with Educational Diagnostician Certification.