This program includes pre-program orientation meetings on the Texas State University campus in the fall 2023 semester, will meet for class on the Texas State University campus during the 2024 spring semester, and will also include a required seven-day field trip to study geographic aspects of the Big Bend regional environments in March 2024.
This program explores the cultural, historical, environmental, economic, and physical geography/geology of the Trans-Pecos region of far west Texas, with a primary focus on Big Bend National Park. Holistic discovery and participant learning will be stressed as students are provided with the opportunity to see, experience, and engage with a variety of geographical concepts in this unique field setting. Students will travel to the Big Bend region, departing Friday, March 8 and returning Thursday, March 14, 2024. Prior to travel, the course will consist of weekly meetings during which students will give lectures on different geographical or geological aspects of the Big Bend region and discuss assigned readings. Upon our return from the trip, students will work independently on and present a creative project (required for graduate students and optional for undergraduate students). Past students have described this Study in American course as a "life-changing experience."
Big Bend National Park - Daily excursions will include professor and program assistant-led hikes to various locations within the park, including the Chisos Mountains, Santa Elena Canyon, Maverick Badlands, Ernst Tinaja, Langford Hot Springs, and Grapevine Hills. The focus will be primarily on geology and geomorphology, but also paleontology through the fossil discovery exhibit, culture, biogeography, ecology, history, and other geography-related facets of the landscape. Students will work on their map reading skills as each site is visited.
Big Bend State Park - Students will meet with the park superintendent, a Texas State alumnus, to discuss his daily operational responsibilities in the park as well as pathways to park employment. Students will also visit the Barton Warnock Visitor Center, where they will learn about park biogeography of flora and fauna.
Sul Ross State University - This university is home to the Museum of the Big Bend. The students will experience a museum tour focusing on the history of the region, led by a university historian.
Fort Davis National Historic Site - Students will visit Fort Davis, which is one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post in the Southwest.
Admission is selective, and space is limited.
Follow these steps to enroll.
Applications are reviewed by the Program Director & OXP
OXP notifies student with registration directions
Important: To ensure your place in this program, you must complete the program application and then receive approval from Dr. Townsend.
Students Applying for Graduate Courses
Applicants interested in enrolling in a 5000-level or above course who are not Texas State graduate students must first contact the Texas State Graduate College. This step must be completed before registration can be finalized into a graduate-level course..
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You must register for your course through the Student Information System/CatsWeb during the regular University registration period.
For more information about the content of the program, please contact Dr. Christi Townsend.
For questions about applying/registering, please contact ONLINE AND EXTENDED PROGRAMS.
For more information related to Tuition & Fees, please visit the following pages:
Drop Refund - Refunds for a dropped extension course are given according to university policy for regular university courses on campus. Refer to the Registrar's Web site for more information.
Students are able to receive a refund on the Program Fee that falls within this refund schedule. This is separate from the refund deadlines associated with tuition costs.
The following policy applies to students that drop/withdraw from the course/program -
Students that cannot complete the program and would like to appeal the refund policy, please contact the SIA Coordinator, for more assistance. Please note: the course start date is not the first day of travel.
If you are planning to participate in a Texas State Study in America Program you have access to On Call International, which provides medical and travel assistance services. This service is a great benefit in the event you need help while participating in the program.
Currently, New York City does not require vaccination or masks in all public indoor spaces. However, individual businesses may require vaccination or masks to enter. Visit NYC Health's COVID-19 page for further information. New York State still requires masks on public transit. Visit New York State's COVID-19 page for further information.
Depending on your financial aid eligibility, it may cover tuition, fees, and the program fee. The only cost for students is the expenses in the non-program fee such as airfare, personal meals, etc.
It is! Both programs provide a travel aspect to the course offering. Study in America focuses on domestic destinations, shorter traveling periods, and is more cost-efficient for the student.
