utsa graduate school personal statement

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Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Accounting is to advance accounting knowledge and practice through excellence in accounting education, high-impact research, and relevant continuing education and professional outreach activities that serve the constituents of the department in the state, nation, and globally.

All graduate programs in Accounting are separately accredited by AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business—and conform to recommended guidelines.

• Master of Accountancy (MACY)

Integrated Master of Accountancy Program (iMACY)

• Ph.D. in Accounting

Master of Accountancy Degree

The Master of Accountancy (MACY) degree is designed to accommodate applicants with a degree in any field. Applicants must complete the equivalent of a B.B.A. degree in accounting from an accredited institution or must enroll in the MACY leveling courses plus certain accounting courses set out by the Director of Master's Programs in Accounting. Students whose background is in business but who have completed MACY leveling courses or their equivalents seven or more years before entering the program may be required by the MACY Admissions Committee to successfully complete or test out of the MACY leveling courses. MACY leveling courses may be taken simultaneously with the MACY requirements, subject to course prerequisites and approval of the Director of Master's Programs in Accounting.

Program Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet university-wide graduate admission requirements and provide a complete set of application materials including:

• A completed application form.
• Transcripts from all universities attended.
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores.
• A personal statement.

Additional materials that may be provided in support of the application include letters of reference and a current résumé with data regarding employment and other relevant experience.*

Applicants are evaluated holistically by the MACY Admissions Committee based on the above set of application materials. Those who do not meet the requirements for unconditional admission may be considered for admission on a conditional or probationary basis. 

* Contact the Graduate Advisor of Record for more information.

The following MACY leveling courses or their equivalents are required for students with undergraduate curriculum deficiencies. Admission deficiencies, which do not count toward degree requirements, must be removed before enrolling for the last semester before graduation.

Degree Requirements

The minimum number of semester credit hours required for this degree is 30. All candidates must complete the following:

The iMACY is the 4+1 flow-through option, which includes the Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting (BBA-Accounting) and the Master of Accountancy (MACY) degrees. This program is restricted to students pursuing a BBA in Accounting at the University of Texas at San Antonio.  For more information, refer to the Undergraduate Catalog or contact the Director or Graduate Advisor of Record of the MACY Program.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Accounting

The College of Business offers opportunities for advanced study and research leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Accounting. The Ph.D. in Accounting is awarded to candidates who have displayed an in-depth understanding of the subject matter and demonstrated the ability to make an original contribution to knowledge in their field of specialty.

The regulations for this degree comply with the general University regulations (refer to Student Policies, General Academic Regulations, and the Graduate Catalog, Doctoral Degree Regulations).

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. The Ph.D. Program Committee in the major areas will evaluate applicants to the Ph.D. program based on several factors, including academic achievement, standardized test scores, employment history, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and possibly an interview. All applicants must submit the following material for evaluation:

• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework completed.
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from a recent (no more than five years old) administration of the examination.
• Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources familiar with the applicant’s background.
• A résumé or curriculum vitae and a statement of academic interests and goals.
• International students must also submit a score of at least 79 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT. TOEFL iBT scores may not be more than two years old.

Candidates who do not possess a master’s degree in a business or business-related discipline with sufficient quantitative rigor are required to complete a program consisting of a minimum of 84 semester credit hours. The Ph.D. Program Committee for the major area discipline will determine a degree program for each candidate based upon that candidate’s particular background. Candidates whose backgrounds are determined to be insufficient may be directed to take additional background or leveling courses (see sections A, B, and C of the Program of Study below) before proceeding to the program’s required courses. Some or all of the background requirements (sections A, B, and C) may be waived for candidates who enter the program with the appropriate prior graduate coursework.

Admission may include an appointment to a teaching assistantship, research assistantship, or research fellowship. The Ph.D. Program Committee, comprised of members selected from the graduate faculty, is responsible for advising students.

Degree Requirements for Students who have Obtained a Bachelor's Degree

The degree requires a minimum of 84 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree.

No course for which a grade of less than “C” was earned can be applied to the Doctoral degree program and no more than two courses with a grade of “C” may be applied to the program.

Program of Study

Degree requirements for students that have obtained a master's degree.

The degree requires a minimum of 66 semester credit hours beyond the master’s degree.

No course for which a grade of less than "C" was earned can be applied to the Doctoral degree program, and no more than two courses with a grade of “C” may be applied to the program.

Program of Study 

Advancement to candidacy.

Advancement to candidacy requires a student to complete University and program requirements and to pass a written qualifying examination following completion of course requirements in the candidate’s major field of study. The examination is administered by the Ph.D. Program Committee. No more than two attempts to pass qualifying examinations are allowed. Results of the written and oral examinations must be reported to the Ph.D. Program Committee, the Dean of the College, and the Dean of the Graduate School. Admission into the doctoral program does not guarantee advancement to candidacy.

Dissertation

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research by completing and defending an original dissertation. The research topic is determined by the student in consultation with his or her supervising professor. A Dissertation Committee, selected by the student and supervising professor, guides and critiques the candidate’s research. The completed dissertation must be formally presented to and approved by the Dissertation Committee.

Following an open presentation of the dissertation findings, the Dissertation Committee conducts a closed meeting to determine the adequacy of the research and any further requirements for completion of the dissertation. Results of the meeting must be reported to the Dean of the College and to the Dean of the Graduate School.

Awarding of the degree is based on the approval of the Dissertation Committee, approved by the Dean. The UTSA Dean of the Graduate School certifies the completion of all University-wide requirements.

Accounting (ACC) Courses

ACC 5003. Financial Accounting Concepts. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An intensive study of accounting as a tool to communicate financial information for planning, analyzing, and controlling business enterprises directed toward decision making. (Same as MBA 5133 . Credit cannot be earned for both ACC 5003 and MBA 5133 .) Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 5023. Accounting Analysis for Decision Making. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 5003 or an equivalent. The study of accounting and its uses by management in the decision-making process. (Same as MBA 5233 . Credit cannot be earned for both ACC 5023 and MBA 5233 .) Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 5163. Ethics and Accountant's Professional Responsibility. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: 15 hours of graduate accounting coursework completed. A study of the role of a professional accountant; codes of accountants; ethical decision making; and the legal, regulatory and social environment in which an accountant makes decisions. This is a non-accounting graduate course. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 5513. Fundamentals of Information Assurance. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing. This course examines the principal areas of information assurance. Topics will include protecting networks, intrusion detection, digital forensics, and supervisory control and data acquisition. Application to business environments will be emphasized. (Same as IS 5513 . Credit cannot be earned for both ACC 5513 and IS 5513 .) Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 5813. Advanced Auditing. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 4013 or an equivalent. A study of specialized areas of auditing. Topics may vary depending upon current professional controversies. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 5823. Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 3033 or an equivalent. A study of accounting principles and practices of state and local governments and not-for-profit organizations. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 5833. Internal Auditing. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 4013 or an equivalent. The course will cover internal audit from a broad perspective that includes information technology, business processes, and accounting systems. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 5863. Advanced Financial Accounting. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 3033 or an equivalent. A study of corporate consolidations and other specialized areas of financial accounting. Topics may vary depending upon current professional controversies. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 5883. Fraud Examination and Forensic Accounting. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 4013 or an equivalent. A study of fraud, including risk factors, prevention techniques, characteristics of common schemes, fraud detection processes and tools, and the use of accounting, auditing, and other procedures in fraud investigation and resolution. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 5913. Corporate Valuation. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: ACC 3033 and FIN 5023 or an equivalent. The techniques and issues involved in making long-term investment decisions and valuing the financial claims on a company. Topics include the concepts of the cost of capital and financial structure, dividend policy, risk assessment and management, forecasting, and cash flow analysis. (Same as FIN 5813 . Credit cannot be earned for both ACC 5913 and FIN 5813 .) Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 5943. Financial Statement Analysis. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 3033 or ACC 3053 or an equivalent. This course covers the use and interpretation of the economic information in financial statements to assess the historical performance of the firm, project future performance, and estimate the enterprise value as well as the equity value of the firm. The course provides students the opportunity to build on existing technical and analytical skills to include a user and valuation perspective. (Same as FIN 5943 . Credit cannot be earned for both ACC 5943 and FIN 5943 .) Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 5973. Technology for Accountants. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing, ACC 3033 , ACC 3043 , ACC 3113 , ACC 3163 , ACC 4013 , or equivalents. This course surveys current technologies utilized in the accounting profession. The emphasis in this course is on practical application and experience with technology that is utilized by professional accountants. Differential Tuition $387.

ACC 5993. Data Analytics for Accountants. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 4013 or consent of instructor and graduate standing. This is an application-oriented course that provides students the opportunity to acquire knowledge of the data analytics model, an understanding of data analytic thinking and terminology, and hands-on experience with data analytics tools and techniques. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 6003. Management Control Systems. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 3123 or an equivalent. This course is an advanced study of the role of accounting in the application of management control. Topics include corporate governance, internal control, internal audit, managerial decision making, performance evaluation, agency, and behavioral issues that derive from cost and management accounting-related topics. Differential Tuition: $387. Course fee: DL01 $75.

ACC 6013. Financial Accounting Theory. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 3033 or an equivalent. A study of the nature of accounting and the nature of theory, and a critical analysis of the history of the development of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Research into accounting literature, with the objective of critically evaluating the present status and future course of accounting thought. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 6043. Tax Research. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 3043 or an equivalent. An in-depth study of how to find answers to tax questions. Students will become acquainted with various tax materials in the library and their use, including tax services, case reports, and IRS publications. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 6053. Estate, Trust, and Gift Taxation. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 3043 or an equivalent. This course emphasizes estate and gift planning and income taxation of trusts and estates. This course also covers international taxation, SALT, and IRS process and procedure. Differential Tuition: $407.10.

ACC 6073. Advanced Federal Income Taxation. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 3043 or an equivalent. This course is an advanced study of the federal income taxation of various entity structures. Course material will cover the taxation of corporate entities, pass-through entities, and fiduciaries. Topics will include earnings calculations, distributions and their tax implications, the concept of net distributable income, and the unique nature of pass-through taxation. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 6083. Special Topics in Tax Practice. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 3043 or an equivalent. The course will focus on current topics and developments in taxation planning and preparation. Coverage includes IRS enforcement tools and corresponding taxpayer rights, audits and appeals, civil and criminal penalties, and statutory relief provisions. The course will emphasize professional standards and ethical considerations in tax practice. Differential Tuition: $407.10.

ACC 6103. International Taxation. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 3043 or an equivalent. A study of the issues involved in the taxation of multinational corporations and international trade partners. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 6703. Introduction to Data Mining. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 4013 or an equivalent. This course introduces the fundamental data mining concepts and techniques that are applicable to business research. The course covers basic skills required to assemble analyses for both pattern discovery and predictive modeling. It provides extensive hands-on instruction using data mining software. This course is open to all graduate students. (Same as IS 6703 . Credit cannot be earned for both ACC 6703 and IS 6703 .) Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 6773. Seminar in Medicare Regulation. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 5003 , an equivalent, or consent of the instructor. Seminar in Medicare covered services, payment systems and compliance for healthcare providers. Emphasis is on understanding the role of Medicare in the American healthcare system, and developing the technical skills to identify and research problems in Medicare payments. Topics include Medicare administration and covered services, Part A hospital insurance benefits, Part B supplementary medical insurance benefits, Part C Medicare Advantage benefits, Part D prescription drug benefits, exclusions from coverage, provider payment rules, fraud & abuse, recovery audits, physician self-referral, anti-dumping rules, claims & appeals, and managed care plans. Includes practical experience using online research software, a comprehensive Medicare hospital cost report, and professional cost reporting software. (Same as BOH 6773 . Credit cannot be earned for both ACC 6773 and BOH 6773 .) Differential Tuition: $407.10.

ACC 6783. Accounting for Healthcare Organizations. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ACC 5003 , an equivalent, or consent of the instructor. A seminar on financial and managerial accounting in for-profit and nonprofit healthcare organizations. Accounting issues related to strategic decision-making in health service production, financing, and investment will be emphasized throughout the course. Topics include the healthcare accounting and financial environment, revenue and expense recognition, balance sheet valuations, ratio analysis, cost accounting, performance measurement, variance analysis, physician compensation and practice valuation, tax-exemption issues, mergers, and disclosure requirements. Special attention is given to the financial implications of third-party payment systems and accounting analyses for physician practices. Includes practical experience using actual healthcare case materials. (Same as BOH 6783 . Credit cannot be earned for both ACC 6783 and BOH 6783 .) Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 6943. Accounting Internship. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing, 15 semester credit hours of upper-division accounting, or an equivalent; internship must be approved in advance by the Internship Coordinator and the Graduate Advisor of Record. Supervised full- or part-time off-campus training in public accounting, industry, or government. Individual conferences and written reports required. Cannot be repeated for credit. Differential Tuition $387.

ACC 6953. Independent Study. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing and written permission of the instructor and the student’s Graduate Advisor of Record (forms available from the department office). Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a graduate faculty member. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to the degree. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 6961. Comprehensive Examination. (0-0) 1 Credit Hour.

Prerequisite: Approval of the appropriate committee on graduate studies to take the Comprehensive Examination. Independent study course for the purpose of taking the Comprehensive Examination. May be repeated as many times as approved by the Committee on Graduate Studies. Enrollment is required each term in which the Comprehensive Examination is taken if no other courses are being taken that term. The grade report for the course is either “CR” (satisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination) or “NC” (unsatisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination). Differential Tuition: $129.

ACC 6973. Special Problems. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. An organized course offering the opportunity for specialized study not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings. Special Problems courses may be repeated for credit when the topics vary, but not more than 6 hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to the degree. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 7013. Seminar in Empirical Research in Accounting. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and admission to the Ph.D. program. An exploration of accounting research that employs observational, data-analytical methodology as means for theory development and validation, with emphasis on positive, empirical studies related to auditing, financial markets, and international accounting issues. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 7043. Archival-Based Research Methods in Accounting. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and admission to the Ph.D. program. Examination of quasi-experimental research designs and methods as used in archival-based accounting research. Provides students the opportunity to develop a foundation for performing research related to Ph.D. seminar project, academic research and scholarly papers. Includes partial or complete replications of published archival-based research papers. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 7053. Current Topics in Accounting Research. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and admission to the Ph.D. program. Seminar in current accounting research topics. Topics will vary. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 hours may be applied to the Doctoral degree. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 7113. Seminar in Financial Accounting Theory. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and admission to the Ph.D. program. This course focuses on accounting information reported to user groups outside the firm and is designed to introduce students to a number of substantive topics in empirical accounting research. Emphasis is placed on familiarizing students with the theories underlying financial accounting research, the nature of the research questions commonly addressed in empirical research, and the methods used to address those research questions. Topics include the earnings-return relation, financial reporting standard setting, information content of accounting disclosures, use of accounting information in contracting, and the relation between accounting information and firm value. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 7123. Seminar in Managerial Accounting Theory. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and admission to the Ph.D. program. A study of the accumulation, analysis, and interpretation of accounting data relevant to purposes of managerial decision making, profit planning, and control. Emphasis is placed on familiarizing students with the theories underlying cost/managerial accounting research, the nature of the research questions commonly addressed in cost/managerial accounting research, and the methods used to address those questions. A number of paradigms employed by researchers to study the use of accounting data within organizations will be discussed, including the application of mathematics and statistics to accounting analysis. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 7211. Doctoral Research. (0-0) 1 Credit Hour.

May be repeated for credit, but not more than 24 hours may be applied to the Doctoral degree. Differential Tuition: $129.

ACC 7213. Doctoral Research. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

May be repeated for credit, but not more than 24 hours may be applied to the Doctoral degree. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 7214. Doctoral Research. (0-0) 4 Credit Hours.

May be repeated for credit, but not more than 24 hours may be applied to the Doctoral degree. Differential Tuition: $542.80.

ACC 7216. Doctoral Research. (0-0) 6 Credit Hours.

May be repeated for credit, but not more than 24 hours may be applied to the Doctoral degree. Differential Tuition: $774.

ACC 7311. Doctoral Dissertation. (0-0) 1 Credit Hour.

Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for Doctoral degree in Business Administration. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 12 hours may be applied to the Doctoral degree. Differential Tuition: $129.

ACC 7313. Doctoral Dissertation. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for Doctoral degree in Business Administration. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 12 hours may be applied to the Doctoral degree. Differential Tuition: $387.

ACC 7314. Doctoral Dissertation. (0-0) 4 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for Doctoral degree in Business Administration. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 12 hours may be applied to the Doctoral degree. Differential Tuition: $516.

ACC 7316. Doctoral Dissertation. (0-0) 6 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for Doctoral degree in Business Administration. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 12 hours may be applied to the Doctoral degree. Differential Tuition: $774.

ACC 7983. Special Topics in Accounting. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and admission to the Ph.D. Program. A seminar offering the opportunity for specialized study not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings in the accounting doctoral program. Differential Tuition: $387.

Business Law (BLW) Courses

BLW 5003. Legal Environment of Business. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

A legal analysis of the ethical and legal environment of business. Includes topics such as the common law, court systems, business torts and crimes, contracts and related areas of the Uniform Commercial Code, agency formation, forms of business organizations, administrative law, employment law, and real and personal property law. Differential Tuition: $387.

BLW 6553. Legal, Ethical, and Social Issues of Healthcare Management. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: BLW 5003 , an equivalent, or consent of instructor. Introduction to problems, issues, and trends in organized healthcare delivery with a particular focus on related legal and ethical issues. (Same as BOH 6553. Credit cannot be earned for both BLW 6553 and BOH 6553.) Differential Tuition: $407.10.

BLW 6953. Independent Study. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission in writing (form available) of the instructor and the student’s Graduate Advisor of Record. Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. For students needing specialized work not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to the degree. Differential Tuition: $387.

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Information for international students.

International students who hold or are seeking a student visa (F-1) are not eligible for 100% online classes. Find more information about the  requirements for international students here .

If your plan is to stay in your home country, you can apply to UTSA Online by following the instructions on this page. You can also contact our team at [email protected] if you have any questions.

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M.A. in Spanish

The Master of Arts degree in Spanish offers the student the opportunity for an in-depth view of Hispanic studies in three specialized areas: literature, culture, and language, underscoring the unity of the Hispanic world rather than its national components. Elective courses in Linguistics (LNG) and Foreign Languages (FL) offer an opportunity to further the student’s grasp of the Spanish language in its geographical, cultural, and social variations. The M.A. can serve as a means to an immediate career path and as preparation for further graduate study.

Admission Requirements

Program Admission Requirements. In addition to satisfying the University-wide graduate admission requirements, applicants are expected to have 12 or more upper-division hours in Hispanic culture, literature, or linguistics and a mastery of oral and written skills in Spanish in an academic register. Upper-division grammar, oral communication, and language skills courses may not be included in this requirement. Students will have written and oral proficiencies assessed via performance in coursework during their first semester of study.

A grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required in undergraduate coursework in Spanish. These requirements may be waived in unusual circumstances upon the approval of the Graduate Program Committee.

Admission determinations are based on the grade point average, undergraduate coursework, fluency in Spanish, the personal statement, and the letter(s) of recommendation.

How to Enroll

To enroll in the graduate program at UTSA, visit the Graduate School at the Multidisciplinary Studies Building 4.01.52 or online at the graduate school website .

In addition to the regular University application for admission, all applicants must submit to the Spanish Graduate Committee, for evaluation, a one- to two-page statement written in Spanish describing the objectives of proposed graduate study and at least one letter of recommendation from a prior teacher or professional colleague.

Graduate Advisor

For more information about the M.A. in Spanish degree, contact the Department of Modern Languages and Literature Graduate Advisor, Dr. Melissa Wallace .

Other Modern Languages Graduate Programs

Graduate Certificate in Linguistics , an interdisciplinary 12-hour program which explores the importance in a globalized world.

Graduate Certificate in Translation and Interpreting Studies , a 15-hour option in Spanish graduate studies which introduces students to the theory and practice of translation (written) and interpreting (oral) between Spanish and English.

• Certificates in Linguistics
• Certificate in Spanish Translation
• Comprehensive Exam
• Thesis Proposal Guidelines
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Graduate Scholarships

Teaching assistant positions.

Please contact Annele Gonzalez at [email protected] if you are interested in a TA position.

Qualified applicants must:

• Have completed 18 hours of graduate work in Spanish
• Be in good academic standing
• Be enrolled for at least 6 hours for the corresponding Fall semester (an exception can sometimes be made for students in their final semester)

Return completed application forms via email to the department chair's office .

COLFA Scholarships

Scholarships are occasionally offered to students in the College of Liberal and Fine Arts. Details can be found here.

UTSA Scholarships

Academic and need-based scholarships are offered for qualified first-time incoming freshmen, college transfers, and currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students. Scholarship amounts range from $500 to $15,000. For more information, visit the UTSA Scholarship Office.

Other Financial Aid

Paying for your college education can be a challenge so be sure to seek assistance from the UTSA Financial Aid Office .

The Financial Aid Office administers federal, state and institutional funds such as grants, loans, work-study and scholarships. To apply for these funds, students must complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the applicable aid year.

Laura Bassi Scholarship

The Laura Bassi Scholarship was established in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed. The scholarships are open to every discipline and the next round of funding will be awarded in Spring 2024:

• Application deadline : 24 March 2024
• Results : 10 April 2024

All currently enrolled master’s and doctoral candidates are eligible to apply, as are academics in the first five years of full-time employment. Applicants are required to submit a completed application form along with their CV through the application portal by the relevant deadline. Further details, including previous winners, and the application portal can be found at: https://editing.press/bassi

Graduate FAQs

Who is the Graduate Advisor for the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures?

The current Graduate Advisor of Record (GAR) is Dr. Melissa Wallace . Dr. Wallace advises for the MA in Spanish as well as the Graduate Certificate in Spanish Translation and Interpreting Studies. Dr. Whitney Chappell advises for the Graduate Certificate in Linguistics.

How do I enroll in a Certificate Program

Students who are already enrolled in a Master’s Degree at UTSA and would like to add on the Graduate Certificate in Spanish Translation and Interpreting Studies should contact   Dr. Wallace.  Students who are already enrolled in a Master’s Degree at UTSA and would like to add on the   Graduate Certificate in Linguistics   should contact   Dr. Chappell.

New graduate students should begin by applying to the Graduate School, either as a “special” (non-degree seeking) or as a degree-seeking student. If interested in translation studies, after you have submitted your application contact Dr. Melissa Wallace in order to take the entrance exam.

Do I have to be enrolled in the Spanish MA program if all I want is to take one of the graduate certificates?

No.  You can enroll as a “special” graduate student or add the Translation Certificate or the Linguistics Certificate to another Master's program.

I know I need to carry out an original research project in order to complete my Master’s Degree. What are my options?

Graduate students can choose from a thesis or non-thesis option. Please review the detailed instructions and timeline on the Thesis Proposal pages and discuss your options with the GAR or another faculty member.

Specifically, your first option is to write a comprehensive examination, which currently consists of a 25-page research paper that is presented to the faculty during your last semester. To complete it you will work closely with your chair and at least two committee members.

The second option is the master’s thesis, which consists of a 65-page research paper. If you are writing a master’s thesis, your comprehensive exam requirement will be satisfied by an oral defense of your thesis proposal, and you will be not be required to write the comprehensive exam research paper. Instead, you will write your master’s thesis and defend it before your chair and at least two committee members.

More information is available about the comprehensive exam option as well as the thesis option for our graduate students. See resources under the “graduate” tab on the department’s web site or contact the GAR.

Comprehensive Exam Request Form

The GAR and support staff will work with you to complete the  COLFA Comprehensive Exam Request form . Once the form has been completed with all necessary signatures, you will be given a schedule and deadlines.

If you are not enrolled in any other classes during the semester that you are taking your comprehensive exam, you need to enroll in SPN 6961.

Once you have applied for graduation and taken your comprehensive exam, you will receive a letter notifying you whether you are graduating and whether you passed your exam. 

Plan for Early Deadlines

You need to plan ahead for your comprehensive exam because the deadlines for final completion generally fall in mid-October and mid-March. For that reason, you will want to start work on your exam the semester before you plan to complete it.

When you have completed your final paper for the comprehensive examination, electronic copies should be sent to all committee members well in advance of stipulated deadlines. Committee members must receive the comprehensive exam for evaluation at least two weeks before COLFA’s deadline.

I was admitted as a non-degree seeking (“special”) student. How can I change my status to degree seeking?

I need a Program of Study (POS). Where do I get it?

You should work with the GAR to complete a Program of Study and with the support staff to submit it in the proper format.

How do I transfer classes toward my Master’s Degree?

Under certain circumstances classes taken previously can be applied to your UTSA Master’s Degree plan.  If you want to do this, you first need to work with the GAR to fill out a   Transfer of Graduate Credit towards Master’s Degree form . You will need to provide official transcripts and syllabi for those classes you wish to transfer. Keep in mind that classes that have been applied to another degree are ineligible.

The final decision is made by the Graduate School.

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Most of the information you need can be found on the Graduate School’s website.  Keep in mind that you need to apply for graduation and the deadlines are early, so plan ahead.  If you are graduating with your Master’s Degree and getting a graduate certificate in translation or linguistics, you will have to apply for each individually. At this time, you can apply for graduation for the MA in Spanish online through ASAP. However, application for graduation for one of the graduate certificates is a separate process which involves a physical paper form. If you fail to apply within the deadline you most likely will not be able to graduate. Check the  Graduate School  website for application dates. If you do not receive notification in a timely manner, please let the support office or the GAR know and we will help you get the information you need.

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Graduate School Professional Development (GSPD) Awards provide supplemental support for students to attend major professional meetings at which they make a presentation (paper, poster, other appropriate form of presentation) based on their research or scholarly work. The Graduate School provides these awards in order to to assist academic units in fully funding student travel for the purpose of presenting research unique to UTSA.

Award Amount

The Graduate School will award funds up to a maximum amount of $750.

Eligibility

Graduate students who apply for this award must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 course credit hours during the semester when the funds will be used (at least 1-3 doctoral dissertation hours) or enrolled in a minimum of 3 course credit hours during any summer semester. Graduate students who apply for a GSPD award must be in good academic standing during the semester in which they are awarded and during the semester when the funds are used. Note that no more than three student authors on one project or presentation can be eligible to receive a Graduate School Award.  Students may only receive one GSPD award per academic school year.

The following types of presentations will be considered for funding:

• Research Paper or *Project Presentation
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• Poster Presentation

*Project presentation is meant for those disciplines that are not necessarily conducting or presenting research, but rather showcasing scholarly work, such as those that pertain to certain programs in the Departments of Architecture, Construction, and Planning or College of Liberal and Fine Arts.

Travel Authorization Documents

To meet University requirements prior to travel, graduate students are required to fill out and submit the forms listed below to their academic departments.  Do not submit these forms to The Graduate School.  Forms will either be submitted to your College Dean's office or to your department (depending on which entity disburses your travel award to you and assists with the organization of travel).

• Student Travel: Request for Authorization  
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Please note, that all of these forms must be completed and turned in to your department/college before you apply for a Graduate School Professional Development Award. Failure to do so will result in a disqualification of your application .

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Students who wish to apply must complete:

• Student Travel Authorization Request (see previous section)
• List of Participants, Emergency Contacts, and Activity/Event Leaders (see previous section)
• UTSA Release and Indemnification Agreement (see previous section).
• PI Acknowledgement signature form  (upload to application)
• Why is it important for you to present at this meeting?
• How does it relate to your degree program and professional development?
• Application

The awarding process takes place twice in the fall semester, twice in the spring semester, and once during the summer. Students should submit their application:

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• Spring semester submission: February 1; April 1
• Summer semester submission: July 1

Allow 30 days past the semester deadline(s) for application review and award disbursement.

Award Disbursement

Awarded funds will be disbursed from The Graduate School office directly to the colleges. The colleges will disburse funds to students.  Contact your college for their policy on travel reimbursements or travel advances.  If a student receives GSPD award funding and the funds are not utilized, funds  must  be returned to the Graduate School.

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Gre prep online guides and tips, 3 successful graduate school personal statement examples.

Looking for grad school personal statement examples? Look no further! In this total guide to graduate school personal statement examples, we’ll discuss why you need a personal statement for grad school and what makes a good one. Then we’ll provide three graduate school personal statement samples from our grad school experts. After that, we’ll do a deep dive on one of our personal statement for graduate school examples. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a list of other grad school personal statements you can find online.

Why Do You Need a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a chance for admissions committees to get to know you: your goals and passions, what you’ll bring to the program, and what you’re hoping to get out of the program.  You need to sell the admissions committee on what makes you a worthwhile applicant. The personal statement is a good chance to highlight significant things about you that don’t appear elsewhere on your application.

A personal statement is slightly different from a statement of purpose (also known as a letter of intent). A statement of purpose/letter of intent tends to be more tightly focused on your academic or professional credentials and your future research and/or professional interests.

While a personal statement also addresses your academic experiences and goals, you have more leeway to be a little more, well, personal. In a personal statement, it’s often appropriate to include information on significant life experiences or challenges that aren’t necessarily directly relevant to your field of interest.

Some programs ask for both a personal statement and a statement of purpose/letter of intent. In this case, the personal statement is likely to be much more tightly focused on your life experience and personality assets while the statement of purpose will focus in much more on your academic/research experiences and goals.

However, there’s not always a hard-and-fast demarcation between a personal statement and a statement of purpose. The two statement types should address a lot of the same themes, especially as relates to your future goals and the valuable assets you bring to the program. Some programs will ask for a personal statement but the prompt will be focused primarily on your research and professional experiences and interests. Some will ask for a statement of purpose but the prompt will be more focused on your general life experiences.

When in doubt, give the program what they are asking for in the prompt and don’t get too hung up on whether they call it a personal statement or statement of purpose. You can always call the admissions office to get more clarification on what they want you to address in your admissions essay.

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What Makes a Good Grad School Personal Statement?

A great graduate school personal statement can come in many forms and styles. However, strong grad school personal statement examples all share the same following elements:

A Clear Narrative

Above all, a good personal statement communicates clear messages about what makes you a strong applicant who is likely to have success in graduate school. So to that extent, think about a couple of key points that you want to communicate about yourself and then drill down on how you can best communicate those points. (Your key points should of course be related to what you can bring to the field and to the program specifically).

You can also decide whether to address things like setbacks or gaps in your application as part of your narrative. Have a low GPA for a couple semesters due to a health issue? Been out of a job for a while taking care of a family member? If you do decide to explain an issue like this, make sure that the overall arc is more about demonstrating positive qualities like resilience and diligence than about providing excuses.

Specific Examples

A great statement of purpose uses specific examples to illustrate its key messages. This can include anecdotes that demonstrate particular traits or even references to scholars and works that have influenced your academic trajectory to show that you are familiar and insightful about the relevant literature in your field.

Just saying “I love plants,” is pretty vague. Describing how you worked in a plant lab during undergrad and then went home and carefully cultivated your own greenhouse where you cross-bred new flower colors by hand is much more specific and vivid, which makes for better evidence.

A strong personal statement will describe why you are a good fit for the program, and why the program is a good fit for you. It’s important to identify specific things about the program that appeal to you, and how you’ll take advantage of those opportunities. It’s also a good idea to talk about specific professors you might be interested in working with. This shows that you are informed about and genuinely invested in the program.

Strong Writing

Even quantitative and science disciplines typically require some writing, so it’s important that your personal statement shows strong writing skills. Make sure that you are communicating clearly and that you don’t have any grammar and spelling errors. It’s helpful to get other people to read your statement and provide feedback. Plan on going through multiple drafts.

Another important thing here is to avoid cliches and gimmicks. Don’t deploy overused phrases and openings like “ever since I was a child.” Don’t structure your statement in a gimmicky way (i.e., writing a faux legal brief about yourself for a law school statement of purpose). The first will make your writing banal; the second is likely to make you stand out in a bad way.

Appropriate Boundaries

While you can be more personal in a personal statement than in a statement of purpose, it’s important to maintain appropriate boundaries in your writing. Don’t overshare anything too personal about relationships, bodily functions, or illegal activities. Similarly, don’t share anything that makes it seem like you may be out of control, unstable, or an otherwise risky investment. The personal statement is not a confessional booth. If you share inappropriately, you may seem like you have bad judgment, which is a huge red flag to admissions committees.

You should also be careful with how you deploy humor and jokes. Your statement doesn’t have to be totally joyless and serious, but bear in mind that the person reading the statement may not have the same sense of humor as you do. When in doubt, err towards the side of being as inoffensive as possible.

Just as being too intimate in your statement can hurt you, it’s also important not to be overly formal or staid. You should be professional, but conversational.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Our graduate school experts have been kind enough to provide some successful grad school personal statement examples. We’ll provide three examples here, along with brief analysis of what makes each one successful.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 1

PDF of Sample Personal Statement 1 – Japanese Studies

For this Japanese Studies master’s degree, the applicant had to provide a statement of purpose outlining her academic goals and experience with Japanese and a separate personal statement describing her personal relationship with Japanese Studies and what led her to pursue a master’s degree.

Here’s what’s successful about this personal statement:

• An attention-grabbing beginning: The applicant begins with the statement that Japanese has never come easily to her and that it’s a brutal language to learn. Seeing as how this is an application for a Japanese Studies program, this is an intriguing beginning that makes the reader want to keep going.
• A compelling narrative: From this attention-grabbing beginning, the applicant builds a well-structured and dramatic narrative tracking her engagement with the Japanese language over time. The clear turning point is her experience studying abroad, leading to a resolution in which she has clarity about her plans. Seeing as how the applicant wants to be a translator of Japanese literature, the tight narrative structure here is a great way to show her writing skills.
• Specific examples that show important traits: The applicant clearly communicates both a deep passion for Japanese through examples of her continued engagement with Japanese and her determination and work ethic by highlighting the challenges she’s faced (and overcome) in her study of the language. This gives the impression that she is an engaged and dedicated student.

Overall, this is a very strong statement both in terms of style and content. It flows well, is memorable, and communicates that the applicant would make the most of the graduate school experience.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 2

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 2 – Musical Composition

This personal statement for a Music Composition master’s degree discusses the factors that motivate the applicant to pursue graduate study.

Here’s what works well in this statement:

• The applicant provides two clear reasons motivating the student to pursue graduate study: her experiences with music growing up, and her family’s musical history. She then supports those two reasons with examples and analysis.
• The description of her ancestors’ engagement with music is very compelling and memorable. The applicant paints her own involvement with music as almost inevitable based on her family’s long history with musical pursuits.
• The applicant gives thoughtful analysis of the advantages she has been afforded that have allowed her to study music so extensively. We get the sense that she is insightful and empathetic—qualities that would add greatly to any academic community.

This is a strong, serviceable personal statement. And in truth, given that this for a masters in music composition, other elements of the application (like work samples) are probably the most important.  However, here are two small changes I would make to improve it:

• I would probably to split the massive second paragraph into 2-3 separate paragraphs. I might use one paragraph to orient the reader to the family’s musical history, one paragraph to discuss Giacomo and Antonio, and one paragraph to discuss how the family has influenced the applicant. As it stands, it’s a little unwieldy and the second paragraph doesn’t have a super-clear focus even though it’s all loosely related to the applicant’s family history with music.
• I would also slightly shorten the anecdote about the applicant’s ancestors and expand more on how this family history has motivated the applicant’s interest in music. In what specific ways has her ancestors’ perseverance inspired her? Did she think about them during hard practice sessions? Is she interested in composing music in a style they might have played? More specific examples here would lend greater depth and clarity to the statement.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School 3

PDF of Sample Graduate School Personal Statement 3 – Public Health

This is my successful personal statement for Columbia’s Master’s program in Public Health. We’ll do a deep dive on this statement paragraph-by-paragraph in the next section, but I’ll highlight a couple of things that work in this statement here:

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• This statement is clearly organized. Almost every paragraph has a distinct focus and message, and when I move on to a new idea, I move on to a new paragraph with a logical transitions.
• This statement covers a lot of ground in a pretty short space. I discuss my family history, my goals, my educational background, and my professional background. But because the paragraphs are organized and I use specific examples, it doesn’t feel too vague or scattered.
• In addition to including information about my personal motivations, like my family, I also include some analysis about tailoring health interventions with my example of the Zande. This is a good way to show off what kinds of insights I might bring to the program based on my academic background.

Grad School Personal Statement Example: Deep Dive

Now let’s do a deep dive, paragraph-by-paragraph, on one of these sample graduate school personal statements. We’ll use my personal statement that I used when I applied to Columbia’s public health program.

Paragraph One: For twenty-three years, my grandmother (a Veterinarian and an Epidemiologist) ran the Communicable Disease Department of a mid-sized urban public health department. The stories of Grandma Betty doggedly tracking down the named sexual partners of the infected are part of our family lore. Grandma Betty would persuade people to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, encourage safer sexual practices, document the spread of infection and strive to contain and prevent it. Indeed, due to the large gay population in the city where she worked, Grandma Betty was at the forefront of the AIDS crises, and her analysis contributed greatly towards understanding how the disease was contracted and spread. My grandmother has always been a huge inspiration to me, and the reason why a career in public health was always on my radar.

This is an attention-grabbing opening anecdote that avoids most of the usual cliches about childhood dreams and proclivities. This story also subtly shows that I have a sense of public health history, given the significance of the AIDs crisis for public health as a field.

It’s good that I connect this family history to my own interests. However, if I were to revise this paragraph again, I might cut down on some of the detail because when it comes down to it, this story isn’t really about me. It’s important that even (sparingly used) anecdotes about other people ultimately reveal something about you in a personal statement.

Paragraph Two: Recent years have cemented that interest. In January 2012, my parents adopted my little brother Fred from China. Doctors in America subsequently diagnosed Fred with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). My parents were told that if Fred’s condition had been discovered in China, the (very poor) orphanage in which he spent the first 8+ years of his life would have recognized his DMD as a death sentence and denied him sustenance to hasten his demise.

Here’s another compelling anecdote to help explain my interest in public health. This is an appropriately personal detail for a personal statement—it’s a serious thing about my immediate family, but it doesn’t disclose anything that the admissions committee might find concerning or inappropriate.

If I were to take another pass through this paragraph, the main thing I would change is the last phrase. “Denied him sustenance to hasten his demise” is a little flowery. “Denied him food to hasten his death” is actually more powerful because it’s clearer and more direct.

Paragraph Three: It is not right that some people have access to the best doctors and treatment while others have no medical care. I want to pursue an MPH in Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia because studying social factors in health, with a particular focus on socio-health inequities, will prepare me to address these inequities. The interdisciplinary approach of the program appeals to me greatly as I believe interdisciplinary approaches are the most effective way to develop meaningful solutions to complex problems.

In this paragraph I make a neat and clear transition from discussing what sparked my interest in public health and health equity to what I am interested in about Columbia specifically: the interdisciplinary focus of the program, and how that focus will prepare me to solve complex health problems. This paragraph also serves as a good pivot point to start discussing my academic and professional background.

Paragraph Four: My undergraduate education has prepared me well for my chosen career. Understanding the underlying structure of a group’s culture is essential to successfully communicating with the group. In studying folklore and mythology, I’ve learned how to parse the unspoken structures of folk groups, and how those structures can be used to build bridges of understanding. For example, in a culture where most illnesses are believed to be caused by witchcraft, as is the case for the Zande people of central Africa, any successful health intervention or education program would of necessity take into account their very real belief in witchcraft.

In this paragraph, I link my undergraduate education and the skills I learned there to public health. The (very brief) analysis of tailoring health interventions to the Zande is a good way to show insight and show off the competencies I would bring to the program.

Paragraph Five: I now work in the healthcare industry for one of the largest providers of health benefits in the world. In addition to reigniting my passion for data and quantitative analytics, working for this company has immersed me in the business side of healthcare, a critical component of public health.

This brief paragraph highlights my relevant work experience in the healthcare industry. It also allows me to mention my work with data and quantitative analytics, which isn’t necessarily obvious from my academic background, which was primarily based in the social sciences.

Paragraph Six: I intend to pursue a PhD in order to become an expert in how social factors affect health, particularly as related to gender and sexuality. I intend to pursue a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Reproduction. Working together with other experts to create effective interventions across cultures and societies, I want to help transform health landscapes both in America and abroad.

This final paragraph is about my future plans and intentions. Unfortunately, it’s a little disjointed, primarily because I discuss goals of pursuing a PhD before I talk about what certificate I want to pursue within the MPH program! Switching those two sentences and discussing my certificate goals within the MPH and then mentioning my PhD plans would make a lot more sense.

I also start two sentences in a row with “I intend,” which is repetitive.

The final sentence is a little bit generic; I might tailor it to specifically discuss a gender and sexual health issue, since that is the primary area of interest I’ve identified.

This was a successful personal statement; I got into (and attended!) the program. It has strong examples, clear organization, and outlines what interests me about the program (its interdisciplinary focus) and what competencies I would bring (a background in cultural analysis and experience with the business side of healthcare). However, a few slight tweaks would elevate this statement to the next level.

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples You Can Find Online

So you need more samples for your personal statement for graduate school? Examples are everywhere on the internet, but they aren’t all of equal quality.

Most of examples are posted as part of writing guides published online by educational institutions. We’ve rounded up some of the best ones here if you are looking for more personal statement examples for graduate school.

Penn State Personal Statement Examples for Graduate School

This selection of ten short personal statements for graduate school and fellowship programs offers an interesting mix of approaches. Some focus more on personal adversity while others focus more closely on professional work within the field.

The writing in some of these statements is a little dry, and most deploy at least a few cliches. However, these are generally strong, serviceable statements that communicate clearly why the student is interested in the field, their skills and competencies, and what about the specific program appeals to them.

Cal State Sample Graduate School Personal Statements

These are good examples of personal statements for graduate school where students deploy lots of very vivid imagery and illustrative anecdotes of life experiences. There are also helpful comments about what works in each of these essays.

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However, all of these statements are definitely pushing the boundaries of acceptable length, as all are above 1000 and one is almost 1500 words! Many programs limit you to 500 words; if you don’t have a limit, you should try to keep it to two single-spaced pages at most (which is about 1000 words).

University of Chicago Personal Statement for Graduate School Examples

These examples of successful essays to the University of Chicago law school cover a wide range of life experiences and topics. The writing in all is very vivid, and all communicate clear messages about the students’ strengths and competencies.

Note, however, that these are all essays that specifically worked for University of Chicago law school. That does not mean that they would work everywhere. In fact, one major thing to note is that many of these responses, while well-written and vivid, barely address the students’ interest in law school at all! This is something that might not work well for most graduate programs.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 10

This successful essay for law school from a Wheaton College undergraduate does a great job tracking the student’s interest in the law in a compelling and personal way. Wheaton offers other graduate school personal statement examples, but this one offers the most persuasive case for the students’ competencies. The student accomplishes this by using clear, well-elaborated examples, showing strong and vivid writing, and highlighting positive qualities like an interest in justice and empathy without seeming grandiose or out of touch.

Wheaton College Personal Statement for Graduate School Sample 1

Based on the background information provided at the bottom of the essay, this essay was apparently successful for this applicant. However, I’ve actually included this essay because it demonstrates an extremely risky approach. While this personal statement is strikingly written and the story is very memorable, it could definitely communicate the wrong message to some admissions committees. The student’s decision not to report the drill sergeant may read incredibly poorly to some admissions committees. They may wonder if the student’s failure to report the sergeant’s violence will ultimately expose more soldiers-in-training to the same kinds of abuses. This incident perhaps reads especially poorly in light of the fact that the military has such a notable problem with violence against women being covered up and otherwise mishandled

It’s actually hard to get a complete picture of the student’s true motivations from this essay, and what we have might raise real questions about the student’s character to some admissions committees. This student took a risk and it paid off, but it could have just as easily backfired spectacularly.

Key Takeaways: Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

In this guide, we discussed why you need a personal statement and how it differs from a statement of purpose. (It’s more personal!)

We also discussed what you’ll find in a strong sample personal statement for graduate school:

• A clear narrative about the applicant and why they are qualified for graduate study.
• Specific examples to support that narrative.
• Compelling reasons why the applicant and the program are a good fit for each other.
• Strong writing, including clear organization and error-free, cliche-free language.
• Appropriate boundaries—sharing without over-sharing.

Then, we provided three strong graduate school personal statement examples for different fields, along with analysis. We did a deep-dive on the third statement.

Finally, we provided a list of other sample grad school personal statements online.

What’s Next?

Want more advice on writing a personal statement ? See our guide.

Writing a graduate school statement of purpose? See our statement of purpose samples  and a nine-step process for writing the best statement of purpose possible .

If you’re writing a graduate school CV or resume, see our how-to guide to writing a CV , a how-to guide to writing a resume , our list of sample resumes and CVs , resume and CV templates , and a special guide for writing resume objectives .

Need stellar graduate school recommendation letters ? See our guide.

See our 29 tips for successfully applying to graduate school .

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Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

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UTSA celebrates more than 5,000 Roadrunners at pair of May 17 Commencement ceremonies

MAY 15, 2024 —  To celebrate its Class of 2024, UTSA is hosting San Antonio’s largest Commencement on Friday, May 17, at the Alamodome. This month, more than 5,000 Roadrunners are eligible to graduate from UTSA, including students expected to graduate this summer. In all, more than 4,100 are expected to receive a bachelor’s degree, more than 800 are expected to receive a master’s degree and 90 are expected to receive a doctoral degree.

While some of these students will enroll in master’s or doctoral degree programs after graduation, many already have jobs waiting for them.

From creating new spaces that foster student innovation to expanding education outside the classroom through experiential learning opportunities, UTSA is investing in workforce development programs to grow San Antonio’s talent pipeline.

Through a combination of industry-relevant courses, projects and involvement in student organizations, UTSA undergraduate Conrad Finos nurtured his passion for cybersecurity and prepared for a career as a cyber professional. The graduate’s choice to attend UTSA was calculated, influenced by the university’s top-ranked cybersecurity program and the strategic opportunities it offered close to home.  

Finos will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in cyber security from the Carlos Alvarez College of Business at UTSA.

After graduation, Finos will complete an international internship in Panama with the U.S. Department of State, before joining the agency full time in Washington, D.C. this fall as a diplomatic information specialist.

Meanwhile Ayleen González will remain in San Antonio after graduation. The UTSA education student was recently hired as a full-time teacher at San Antonio Independent School District’s Irving Dual Language Academy, where she completed her student teaching this past year.

She credits UTSA’s reputation of preparing educators of the highest standard for impacting her career choices. González will graduate from the UTSA College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) with her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies EC-6 and a Bilingual Education Supplemental Certification.

Key to González’s preparation was COEHD’s Signature Residency Model, which provides cohorts of teaching candidates more opportunities to teach, learn and interact with students, fellow teachers and administrators. Its goal is to ensure these future teachers are ready to lead their own classrooms come the first day of school. 

“UTSA offers practice exams and study sessions for us to get that degree,” Gonzalez said. “The Academy of Teacher Excellence and the workshops provided by UTSA have supported and prepared me for the challenges and requirements needed to be an educator.”

Institutional data from UTSA shows that, in the last three years, 88% of UTSA’s graduates have stayed and worked in Texas, where they are eagerly sought after by employers in Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.

UTSA will hold two Commencement ceremonies this Friday to celebrate its more than 5,000 spring and summer graduates. The first, scheduled at 10 a.m., will honor graduates from the College of Education and Human Development, the College for Health, Community and Policy, the College of Sciences and University College. The 4:30 p.m. ceremony will celebrate graduates from the Alvarez College of Business, the College of Liberal and Fine Arts, and the Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.

Alamodome doors will open two hours prior to each ceremony, and each event is expected to be two-and-a-half hours in length. Tickets are not required to enter. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis; handicapped seating is also available for guests.

At 6 p.m. tonight, graduating doctoral students will participate in the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony . At this memorable celebration, each UTSA graduate will be introduced one-by-one, to cross the stage and accept their Ph.D. degree. While on stage, a faculty member and/or advisor will drape the doctoral hood over the graduate’s head and rest it on their shoulders in front of a community of family members and friends.

This year’s celebration will be held in the Arts Building Recital Hall (ARTS 2.03.02) on the UTSA Main Campus. Doors will open one hour before the start of the event. Graduates are encouraged to bring their friends and family.

Additionally, UTSA graduates are invited to participate in the Roadrunner Walk , a graduation tradition. The walk will begin at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, and will proceed along the Main Campus Paseo.

UTSA is a Tier One research university and a Hispanic Serving Institution specializing in cyber, health, fundamental futures and social-economic transformation. The university aspires to become a model for student success, a great public research university and an exemplary for strategic growth and innovative excellence.

— Ari Castañeda

UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing , the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to [email protected] . Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today . Connect with UTSA online at Facebook , Twitter , Youtube and Instagram .

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Utsa’s mission.

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA’s Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA’s Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.

UTSA’S Destinations

• UTSA will be a model for student success
• UTSA will be a great public research university
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UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.

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