Graduate School unveils special admissions program for UTSA undergraduates

MAY 4, 2020 — The Graduate School has launched an admissions initiative designed to retain UTSA’s talented undergraduate Roadrunners and develop a robust, intellectually advanced workforce for the Greater San Antonio community.

The program, Keep Running with Us, offers automatic admission into a variety of master’s degree programs beginning in the fall 2020 semester. With a streamlined application process that can be completed in minutes, the initiative encourages undergraduates to continue their Roadrunner education while preparing San Antonio’s best students to enter the workforce. This program removes many barriers to higher education, offering more students an opportunity to earn advanced degrees.

“Our undergraduates are a talented group of individuals, and we want them to stay with UTSA to continue learning, growing and giving back to the community,” said Ambika Mathur, vice provost and dean of The Graduate School. “With this automatic admission initiative, our message to students is clear: Keep running with us. We want to keep you in the UTSA family and support you in making an impact in San Antonio.”

“Our message to students is clear: We want to keep you in the UTSA family and support you in making an impact in San Antonio.”

The strength and diversity of UTSA’s graduate programs provide the chance to develop an impressive skill set, resulting in capable alumni who are prepared to make a positive impact on the local economy and society. In light of the uncertainty caused by the global coronavirus pandemic, it is more important than ever to ensure that graduates are prepared to begin their careers with the knowledge and support offered by a strong graduate program.

“This streamlined admissions program directly supports our Graduate Success Initiative, which seeks in part to deepen UTSA’s abilities to recruit accomplished students to pursue advance degrees and meaningful careers here in San Antonio,” said Kimberly Andrews Espy, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “In particular, as a preeminent Hispanic-serving institution, the university has a special responsibility to increase participation and success of Hispanic students in graduate programs to enhance an inclusive workforce to better serve our communities.”

Eligible students must meet university criteria of a 3.0 GPA for entrance into a graduate program. Participating programs might have additional criteria for eligibility. Once selected for automatic admission, students will receive an email invitation from The Graduate School with instructions on how to take advantage of their admissions offer.

“We want our students to know we value them, and we want them to trust that this invitation is a real offer. All official invitations will come directly from The Graduate School,” says Jeff Ragsdale, assistant dean of strategic partnerships in The Graduate School. “This is a great opportunity for our Roadrunners to continue their education.”

Through the Keep Running with Us program, The Graduate School hopes to empower students to shape the San Antonio community on an intellectual and societal level by seeking innovative solutions, conducting critical research and preparing for future careers that will help cultivate and sustain the local economy.

Students who feel they meet the criteria but do not receive an official invitation should contact their academic programs for more information. To date, 50% of students who started an application to the KRWU program have successfully submitted and joined The Graduate School.

— Lindsay O’Day