Editor’s note: Welcome to On Campus: A roundup of what’s new and notable across Tarrant County’s colleges and universities.
University of Texas at Arlington officials announced last week that the school is launching a new Center for Space Physics and Data Science.
Funded by a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the center will support research and offer new undergraduate and graduate degrees, according to a news release.
“With an outstanding leadership team and a multidisciplinary approach, the center will prepare students for success in the space workforce and position UTA to make a meaningful impact on the space industry in Texas and beyond,” College of Science Dean Morteza Khaledi said in the release.
Degree programs will include a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in space physics and data science. UTA currently offers accelerated master’s degrees in subjects including space physics, astrophysics, data science and aerospace engineering.
“These degree programs will include coursework critical to the space workforce,” Ramon Lopez, the center’s association director of education and a physics professor, said in the release. “That includes engineering courses focused on spacecraft and launch systems, space physics courses that explain the space environment and its effects on missions, and cross-disciplinary training that ensures adaptability in computing, data and policy.”
TCC spring enrollment climbs from last year
Tarrant County College enrolled 47,578 students so far this spring with more expected to sign up for courses offered in the second half of the semester.
This marks an increase from the 46,681 Trailblazers enrolled last spring, according to a news release.
More than 12,000 are high school students receiving dual credit through the community college.
The high enrollment is propelled in part by the college offering programs in demand in the workforce, Chancellor Elva LeBlanc said in a news release.
“We’re opening doors for students who may never have imagined pursuing higher education,” she said. “And we’re preparing them with the skills to step confidently into a career or continue their studies at a four‑year institution.”
Texas Wesleyan and Leadership Fort Worth outline partnership
The private university and the nonprofit program signed a new memorandum of understanding outlining ways for Leadership Fort Worth members to advance their educations.
A scholarship covering 15% of tuition for some graduate programs will be available to Leadership Fort Worth members and alumni who qualify.
Eligible academic subjects include business administration, computer science, marriage and family therapy, professional counseling and school counseling, university President Emily Messer said at a signing ceremony, according to a news release.
“We are delighted to strengthen our existing partnership with Leadership Fort Worth by offering current members and alumni the opportunity to pursue graduate degree programs at TXWES through our new MOU,” Messer said.
TCU online criminal justice master’s ranks high
Texas Christian University’s online master’s degree program for criminology and criminal justice is third in the nation among offerings of its kind, according to new rankings from U.S. News & World Report.
The program, which began in 2014, jumped three places from its ranking last year. It scored particularly high for its student engagement and faculty, according to a university news release.
“Our consistently high national ranking reflects the energy and innovation of our faculty, who bring TCU’s connected culture to life by creating an online learning environment rooted in mentorship, collaboration and personal engagement,” department chair Brie Diamond said in the release.
McKinnon Rice is the higher education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at mckinnon.rice@fortworthreport.org.
The Fort Worth Report partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.
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