The coming decades will be shaped by the rapid integration of artificial intelligence, the increased hiring of professionals with specialized degrees and a soaring healthcare and biosciences sector. The University of Texas at San Antonio is preparing for the next generation by offering the most comprehensive range of educational opportunities available in the state. UT San Antonio students receive a high-quality, career-focused education while becoming versed in cutting-edge technology — gaining critical skills that are filling the state’s industry demands, improving its health outcomes and shaping its economic landscape.

Here’s how UT San Antonio is building the professional workforce that Texas will need in the 2030s and beyond:

Leading the charge in cybersecurity

From learning platforms to municipal utilities, cyberattacks are increasing in frequency and severity. UT San Antonio graduates have been defending these threats on the frontlines for more than two decades. As one of the top cyber universities in the nation, UT San Antonio offers award-winning degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. Top employers consistently seek out UT San Antonio cybersecurity graduates, who gain hands-on expertise in programs that align with industry needs, including digital forensics, threat analysis and risk management.

As the world prepares for the rippling effects that AI will have on cybersecurity and advanced computing, UT San Antonio has created the nation’s first College of AI, Cyber and Computing, developing professionals with expertise where those fields converge. Launched in 2025, the college serves more than 5,300 students and offers 11 undergraduate programs and 12 graduate programs. The university is growing its Downtown Campus, which serves as home base for the college and places students near business, government, military and community partners in San Antonio’s growing tech corridor.

Pioneering education in medicine and AI

AI has already left its mark on healthcare, improving efficiency in hospital systems and expediating administrative functions. But graduates of a first-of-its kind dual degree program at UT San Antonio are uniquely positioned to lead in the practical use of AI to improve diagnostic and treatment outcomes. The university’s Doctor of Medicine (MD)/Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) provides graduates a top-tier medical education alongside training for the medical field’s future in data analytics, computer science and intelligent and autonomous systems.

Addressing pressing public health issues

The university’s Kate Marmion School of Public Health focuses on issues that affect the quality of life in communities across South Texas — from disease prevention to access to care. The nationally-acclaimed school is confronting these regional health challenges and building the workforce to address them. In addition to its current Master of Public Health (MPH) and MD/MPH dual degree programs, the school will soon offer a doctoral degree.

Meeting the state’s medical needs

In Texas, more than 80% of counties are designated as mental health shortage areas, and about 40% fall short of fulfilling primary care needs, which affects more than 6 million residents. At UT San Antonio, 61% of new physicians remained in Texas for residency training. Likewise, 94% of bachelor’s-level nursing graduates, 88% of doctoral-level nursing graduates, 81% of dental graduates and nearly 90% of allied health graduates stayed in the state, ensuring that more than 1,000 practice-ready clinicians enter the Texas workforce each year.

Bolstering the biosciences boom

The healthcare and biosciences sector is becoming a massive economic engine for Texas, and no city has seen that impact quite like San Antonio. The $43 billion healthcare and biosciences ecosystem is the largest regional economic contributor to the nation’s seventh-largest city. The sector accounts for a whopping one out of every five jobs in the Alamo City — many of which have been created at UT San Antonio. The university has more than 10,000 employees connected to the health and biosciences fields, and has been named a “Champion Employer” by the City of San Antonio for its commitment to growing the local workforce.

Engineering cutting-edge creations

UT San Antonio’s degree programs in biomedical, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering have long been held in high regard, but as the advanced manufacturing sector grows in Texas, so too has the demand for specialized training in the field. That’s why the university now offers a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering as well as master’s degrees in advanced materials engineering and advanced manufacturing and enterprise engineering.

Cultivating increased tourism, arts and culture

Texas’ iconic cultural attractions will always make the Lone Star State a top destination for visitors — and that includes the entertainment industry. Over the next decade, $1.5 billion in film incentives will be up for grabs across Texas. As more visitors and projects pour into the state, seasoned UT San Antonio graduates are ready to work with them. In recent years, the university has launched competitive degree programs in hospitality and events management, film and media studies, and dramatic arts.

The University of Texas at San Antonio will launch a new Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in Fall 2026, expanding opportunities for students pursuing careers in healthcare. UT San Antonio and its academic health center, UT Health San Antonio, are committed to innovation in research and education to address some of the most pressing health challenges facing society. The new degree, offered within the UT San Antonio College of Sciences, will help students achieve their goals of pursuing clinical, biology-based professions by combining strong scientific training with applied, career-focused coursework.

“This interdisciplinary degree aims to provide a rigorous scientific foundation enriched with mathematics, ethics and social sciences, preparing highly competitive and well-rounded graduates ready to excel in diverse health-related fields,” said Eddie Hernandez, PhD, undergraduate advisor of record for the program.

A pathway to the healthcare workforce

The new Health Sciences program offers flexibility and targeted preparation for a range of professional health pathways­­­, many of which have the highest job demand in the nation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half of the 20 fastest-growing occupations are related to healthcare, and, according to March 2026 data, approximately 40% of jobs added in the U.S. are in the healthcare industry.

A 2024 Texas Healthcare Workforce report found that more than 88% of Texas counties face a shortage of health professionals. Internal UT San Antonio data from that same year shows that 90% of recent bachelor’s degree graduates remain in Texas, positioning the university as a key contributor in strengthening the state’s healthcare workforce through programs like the Health Sciences.

“The Health Sciences program empowers students to pursue dynamic, biology-based careers across the healthcare landscape. With specialized pathways, the program offers unmatched flexibility tailored to students’ professional goals,” Hernandez added.

Transdisciplinary discovery and education

This new degree program in the College of Sciences will align the curriculum with the competencies required for competitive applications to the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine.

As a newly merged institution, UT San Antonio and its academic health center, UT Health San Antonio, it is uniquely positioned to leverage faculty expertise across disciplines to support the undergraduate program, creating new learning opportunities.

Courses such as Principles of One Health, Microbiology for One Health, Epidemiology for One Health, Cell Biology for One Health, Disease Ecology and Evolution, Vector Biology, Zoonotic Diseases, and Medical Pathology will provide students with a strong interdisciplinary foundation in health and biomedical sciences. One Health is a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health in preventing disease and promoting overall well‑being.

Students in the program will learn from faculty with diverse clinical and professional backgrounds, including physicians, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and laboratory scientists.

The degree is further strengthened by a dedicated Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) course, will directly prepare students for a core section of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Together, these curricular elements and institutional collaborations serve to strengthen and streamline the pathway to medicine for our pre-health students.

“Our longstanding collaboration with the UT San Antonio College of Sciences has been a meaningful part of our work, supporting aspiring healthcare professionals,” said Judianne Kellaway, MD, associate dean for Admissions & Outreach at the Long School of Medicine. “As we move forward together through this historic merger, we are excited to build on that foundation and expand opportunities for premedical students in our community.”

The program’s specialized tracks and coursework

Students in the Health Sciences program will choose from six specialized tracks aligned with common pre-professional pathways: pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-physical therapy, pre-pharmacy, pre-veterinary and pre-physician assistant. Each track is designed to prepare students for competitive professional programs and aligns with high-demand healthcare careers.

Housed in the Department of Health, Biology and the Environment, the Health Sciences degree integrates coursework across the biological, chemical and physical sciences. Core courses include Introduction to Careers in the Health Professions, Biosciences (with lab), Genetics, General Physiology (with lab), and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills Related to Human Health.

Students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and hands-on training opportunities, including anatomy and physiology labs equipped with advanced simulation tools and teaching labs focused on health-related research. Experiential learning opportunities include training in synthetic cadaver dissection, intubation and sonography.

With its flexibility, hands-on training, transdisciplinary coursework and alignment with workforce needs, the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences positions UT San Antonio students to successfully meet the growing demands of healthcare jobs in Texas.

Recognition for achievements and excellence in numerous initiatives and efforts across UT San Antonio was celebrated in 2025.

The national-level awards affirmed the university’s longstanding commitment to supporting students and powering the community’s workforce pipeline. Here are the top four in 2025.

In April, UT San Antonio earned the “Opportunity College and University” designation from Carnegie Classifications, recognizing the university as a national model for fostering student success and promoting social mobility.

As part of a newly developed Student Access and Earnings Classification published by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education, the designation reflects the extent to which institutions foster opportunities for student success by measuring whether institutions are enrolling students reflective of the communities they serve — and how the earnings of those students compare to peers in their area.

Advancing social mobility

In September, U.S. News & World Report recognized UT San Antonio as a leader in social mobility and innovation, qualities at the heart of the university’s mission.

Universities in the “most innovative” category are recognized for promising innovations in curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology and facilities.

UT San Antonio is now the third-largest research university in Texas and designated as a Carnegie R1 institution. The ability to attract scholars who will add expertise in research areas is vital to enhancing competitiveness.

Innovative faculty help to solve societal needs and advance the university’s capacity to meet UT System and state goals as outlined by the Texas Legislature.

Serving as a national model

In November, the university received one of the highest honors in the nation when the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) presented the university with the 2025 Excellence in Student Success Award.

The award recognized the university’s comprehensive, data-driven approach to advancing student achievement.

Leading with online learning

Also in November, Newsweek magazine and Statista named UT San Antonio one of America’s Top Online Colleges for 2026, ranking the university 49th nationwide, fifth in Texas, second in the UT System and first in San Antonio.

The university climbed 44 spots from its #93 position in the 2025 rankings, reflecting its continued growth and commitment to accessible, high-quality online education.