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Updated June 21, 2009

Overview

Founded in 1899 as a private, liberal arts college known then as John Tarleton College, the institution became a member of The Texas A&M University System in 1917, a four-year degree-granting institution in 1959 and gained status as a university in 1973. Tarleton State University is now one of the state's fastest growing institutions with an enrollment of 9,633 for fall 2008.

Located one hour from Fort Worth in Stephenville, Texas, Tarleton serves as the educational and cultural flagship of the Cross Timbers Region. With a population of 17,000, Stephenville is known as one of the country's most desirable places to live and is included in Norman Crampton's The 100 Best Small Towns in America published by Prentice Hall.

Upgraded campus facilities and affordable tuition combined with Stephenville's economical cost of living, make Tarleton one of the best university values in Texas. A new 70,000-square-foot sports recreation center, complete with weight rooms, track and gym, opened in fall 2007. The two-story building holds four racquetball courts, a weight room, cardio equipment as well as multi-purpose rooms, classroom and office space. The new facility is also home to a climbing wall and an "outdoor pursuit" area, allowing students the opportunity to sign up for such outdoor items as kayyaks, tents, and camping equipment.

A new $13 million, 42,000-square-foot dining facility opened in Fall 2008. For student convenience, the new building is an extention of the student center and will have two floors, a convenience store, executive meeting rooms and a cafe with a wireless network.

Other recent additions include a new $30.8 million science building complete with a 64-seat planetarium, and a new observatory at Tarleton's Hunewell Ranch, which houses a fully robotic, 32-inch diameter, research-grade telescope. The old science building went through an extensive $13.5 million renovation and expansion upgrading laboratories and classrooms. Tarleton's recent progress also includes a remarkable expansion and renovation of the Dick Smith Library, and comfortable new housing facilities.

Students come from around the world–26 countries and 49 states in the United States–to attend Tarleton. Students have the opportunity to choose from 64 undergraduate, 21 graduate, two associate degree programs and one doctoral program.

Tarleton is a leader in teacher education. It has one of the largest and oldest public school improvement partnerships in the United States, benefiting more than 50 area school districts. The university also is a national leader in educating agricultural education teachers.

Data Mining and data warehousing research at Tarleton is improving crop insurance for farmers. At the Center for Agribusiness Excellence (CAE), researchers seek to improve the integrity of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency’s delivery of services to farmers. Data mining research has identified patterns, and schemes for cheating the system that are then reported to the Compliance Branch of the agency. In addition, systematic mistakes causing farmers’ claims to be underpaid are reported for corrective action. To date, more than $300 million in cost savings has been attributed to CAE research.

Bachelor's degrees in nursing, environmental engineering, engineering physics, international agriculture, interdisciplinary business, communications, as well as a master's degree in environmental science and a doctoral degree in educational administration have been added to the curriculum.

Tarleton also offers an innovative horticulture/landscaping program in golf course management.

A doctoral degree in educational administration and online master’s degrees programs are offered.

Tarleton was recognized for its Tarleton Model for Accelerated Teacher Education (TMATE), which received special notice from the Association of Teacher Education for program excellence. Through the TMATE program, Tarleton is the provider of alternate teacher certification for Fort Worth ISD.

The Computer Information Systems Department was selected by the International Data Processing Management Association as the outstanding four-year program in North America in 1989, 1996 and 2003 making Tarleton the first university to be a three-time award recipient.

Tarleton's Laboratory for Wellness and Motor Behavior houses a unique training machine called "The Psycle™" for individuals with quadriplegia, paraplegia, hemiplegia, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, or other mobility impairments that require special training. Research showing the importance of moving paralyzed body parts is ongoing.

The Department of Animal Sciences oversees the Tarleton Equine-Assisted Therapy (TREAT) program that is designed to utilize horseback riding as a form of physical, emotional and recreational therapy. Hippotherapy (physical therapy on horseback using the horse as a therapist) has developed as a medical field recognized by most major countries.

The Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research on the Tarleton campus plays a national leadership role in environmental issues related to water quality. This program provides the university, the dairy and beef industries, environmental control agencies and governmental policy groups with water pollution data for the 230,000-acre Upper North Bosque River watershed.

In fall 2002 the W.K. Gordon Center for Industrial History of Texas opened at a site located near Thurber, approximately 30 miles northwest of Stephenville. Funded through a $1.2 million grant from the Texas Department of Transportation and a private gift from Mrs. W.K. Gordon Jr. Center is located on 4.1 acres near the site of Texas' first coal mine and adjacent to New York Hill. The Center is dedicated to the preservation, research and recording of Texas industrial history including coal mining, brick making and oil and gas exploration.

Most university activities take place on Tarleton's centrally located, 150-acre main campus. A 700-acre university farm and the 1,170-acre Hunewell Ranch provide additional educational facilities. Tarleton also offers specialized programs at its Dora Lee Langdon Cultural and Educational Center in Granbury and select programs and courses at McLennan Community College in Waco, Weatherford Community College in Weatherford, and in Fort Worth. Upper-level courses are offered at Tarleton-Central Texas in Killeen.

Quick Facts

  • 2008 Fall Enrollment: 9,633
  • Student/Faculty Ratio: 18 to 1
  • Undergraduate Degree Programs: 68
  • Graduate Degree Programs: 22
  • Doctorate Degree Programs: 1
  • Associate Degree Programs: 2
  • Combined Endowment Funds FY 2008: $38.5 million
  • 2008-2009 Operating Budget: $118.6 million
  • Erath County Economic Impact: $170 million
  • State of Texas Economic Impact: $311 million
  • Founded in 1899
  • Ranks among the most affordable public four-year universities in Texas
  • Offers one of only four hydrology programs in the United States, and one of only two engineering physics programs in Texas
  • Psycle™ programs creates health-related fitness for individuals with spinal cord injuries and other neurological impairment
  • National leader in certification of agricultural science teachers
  • $30.8 million science building houses the first planetarium in The Texas A&M University System with a research grade observatory housing a 32-inch telescope connecting Tarleton to an international network of observatories around the world
  • Tarleton's Equine Assisted Therapy (TREAT) program utilizes horseback riding as a form of physical, emotional and recreational therapy

Points of Pride by College

  • College of Agriculture and Human Sciences
    • A national leader in certification of agricultural science teachers
    • One of the largest agricultural extension industry internship programs in the nation
    • One of the top meat science and pre-vet programs in Texas
    • Third largest agricultural program among non-land grant universities in the United States
    • Second largest college of agriculture in Texas
    • One out of six Tarleton students is an agriculture major
    • International agriculture program
    • Outstanding degree programs available in horticulture and golf course management, agronomy and range management, agribusiness, agricultural economics, animal sciences, wildlife management, fashion merchandising, human science teacher certification, family and consumer sciences cooperative extension and child and family studies
    • Opportunities to participate on judging teams and show teams, and in agricultural student organizations
    • Located in agricultural setting–Dairy Capital of Texas
    • Hands-on laboratory experiences–scholarships available
    • M.S. in agriculture and agriculture education
  • College of Business
    • Nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs
    • Nationally recognized Computer Information Systems program
    • Faculty members with practical real-life business experience
    • Fastest growing college at Tarleton since 1995
    • Graduates recruited by top-notch organizations around the country and the world
    • Job placement rate near 100 percent for Computer Information Systems graduates
  • College of Education
    • Offers a doctoral program in Educational Leadership
    • Prepares one of every three Tarleton graduates for some type of educator certification
    • Considered as one of the top universities in Texas for developing teachers
    • Was the first university in Texas to offer alternative teacher certification
    • Offers more than $186,000 in scholarships for students desiring to be teachers.
    • Offers state licensure programs in athletic training
    • Offer a unique program creating health-related fitness for individuals with spinal cord injuries and other neurological impairments
    • Has a strong history of producing coaches for the public schools and universities in Texas
    • Approved by the State Board of Educator Certification as Center for Professional Development of Educators
    • Provides a variety of field experiences for students desiring to be teachers, coaches, athletic trainers, counselors, principals, superintendents or psychologists
    • Offers programs leading to licensed professional counselor, licensed psychological associate and marriage and family therapist
    • Hosts the Effective Schools Project, one of the nation’s largest and longest-running school improvement ventures
    • Has a faculty dedicated to “Creating a Culture of Excellence for Our Students”
  • College of Liberal and Fine Arts
    • Excellent faculty, wonderful facilities, great students - a combination that enhances the learning experience
    • Fine arts and communications department housed in the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center-three theaters, scene-and-costume shops, art studios, rehearsal rooms and more
    • Department of English and Languages encourages creative writing-publishes annual collection of student essays and research projects, hosts annual “Creative Writing Day” publishes students poetry, prose, and graphic arts in the student edited “Anthology”
    • Technical writing classes taught in state-of-the-art computer classrooms offering computer graphics, Web page design, and desktop publishing
    • Spanish program regularly produces Spanish plays, Christmas festivities, poetry reading-offers opportunities to study abroad in several Spanish-speaking countries
    • Art faculty sponsors a variety of art exhibits annually
    • Music program offers opportunities to perform with Fort Worth Symphony and other leading music ensembles
    • Communications program sponsors exciting debaters-teams from foreign countries
    • Theatre program performs six plays a year before large audiences
    • Upper-level courses are small-encourage class discussion and offer personal attention
    • Ninety-five percent of courses are taught by professors holding a Ph.D.
    • Departments sponsor student honor societies and clubs-bring students together who share common interests
    • Host the largest “Career Day” for criminal justice majors in Texas
    • Numerous internships and scholarships are available
    • Published the first annual issue of "Langdon Review of the Arts in Texas" in September 2004
  • College of Science and Technology
    • Offers the only bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering in Texas
    • New $30.8 million science building
    • The only planetarium in The Texas A&M University System
    • Emphasizing students working with faculty and technology
    • Proud record of students going on to excel in medical and other professional schools
    • Large number of students Ph.D.s in one of the sciences
    • Involvement in improvement of math and science education
    • Expanding nursing program with emphasis on rural nursing care
    • Innovative engineering physics program with emphasis on electrical engineering
    • One of only two undergraduate hydrology-water resources programs in Texas
    • Clinical laboratory science program housed in Fort Worth medical district, with recently expanded and renovated facilities
    • Engineering technology program combines engineering knowledge with technical skills, manufacturing principles, and the most current technology
    • Active and highly recognized student academic organizations and clubs
    • More than $100,000 in scholarships given annually

Outstanding Graduates

  • Dr. Bud Frazier, heart surgeon, Houston
  • Millie Hughes-Fulford, astronaut
  • Joe Long, banker & philanthropist, Austin
  • Mike Moncrief, mayor of Fort Worth and former Texas State Senator
  • Charles Stenholm, Lobbyist and former U.S. Congressman
  • Dr. Barry B. Thompson, former chancellor of The Texas A&M University System

Dora Lee Langdon Cultural and Educational Center

Tarleton State University’s Dora Lee Langdon Cultural and Educational Center encompasses one city block just east of Granbury’s historic square on Pearl and Bridge streets. The mission of the Langdon Center is to extend the presence of Tarleton in North Texas.

As a cultural facility, the center exposes residents and visitors in the region to fine arts, promotes individual artists and performers and expands the reputation of Tarleton as a well-rounded institution of higher education.

The Langdon Center’s non-traditional classrooms provide graduate academic students with a relaxed atmosphere more conducive to learning. From chair caning and bookbinding to personal computers and personal finance, the Langdon Center community education classes provide leisure and business-related topics for all age groups. For more information call (817) 279-1164, e-mail langdoncenter@sbcglobal.net or visit www.tarleton.edu/~langdoncenter.

W.K. Gordon Center for Industrial History of Texas

The W.K. Gordon Center for Industrial History of Texas, located in the ghost town of Thurber on I-20 between Fort Worth and Abilene, opened in fall 2002. A partnership combining Tarleton State University; Mrs. W.K. Gordon, Jr.; the Texas Department of Transportation; Erath County; and the Tarleton State University Foundation, Inc., the center honors the unique place Thurber holds in the Texas' colorful past. It serves as a museum and visitors’ center for the general public as well as a research facility for Tarleton.

The 10,000-square-foot center houses a museum featuring the unique history of Thurber, founded in 1886 when coal mining began at the site. Two years later the Texas and Pacific Coal Company purchased the operation, which became the largest coal mining community in Texas, producing nearly $11 million in coal by 1890. Just after World War I, Thurber had an estimated 10,000 residents. This population included large numbers of immigrants from Italy, Poland, Mexico, and Great Britain, who were employed in the coal mines and brick plant, which was added in 1897.

When the demand for coal declined, the coal mines closed in 1926, with the brick plant following in 1931. The persistence of coal mine manager W.K. Gordon, Sr., in diversifying the company operations led to the discovery of the first large oil field in West Texas with the McCleskey No. 1 well in nearby Ranger in 1917. This insured further success for the firm, which changed its name to become the Texas and Pacific Coal and Oil Company. After the general offices moved to Fort Worth in 1933, Thurber became a ghost town.

An additional $2 million gift from Mrs. W.K. Gordon, Jr., supports the maintenance and operation of the center. In addition to serving the public, the museum provides a hands-on learning opportunity for students in the public history specialization for master’s degree history students at the university.

An ideal destination for a day-trip getaway, the Gordon Center chronicles the story of Thurber and houses many historical artifacts from the former town. The interactive exhibits are exciting, and an outside metal sculpture dramatically depicts the industries of Thurber.

The center is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call (254) 968-1886.

Terrell School of Clinical Technology

Tarleton’s Terrell School of Clinical Laboratory Sciences provides one of the finest medical technology programs in the nation.

Tarleton offers a bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Science through the Terrell School is accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in cooperation with the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Graduates are employed by hospital laboratories, independent medical laboratories, blood banks, clinics, research facilities, physicians, nursing homes and other industries.

The Terrell School also serves as a source of continuing education for faculty alumni, staff members of affiliated institutions. The school was named after the late Dr. Truman Conner Terrell, who started one of the first schools of medical technology in the North Texas area in 1942 in Fort Worth.

In 1976, Tarleton accepted an offer from the late Dr. May Owen, long-time medical director of the Terrell School, to assume responsibility for the school’s operations. Owen was a pathologist who was highly respected for her accomplishments in medicine and education.. She was the first woman elected as the president of the Texas Medical Association. The Sid W. Richardson Foundation provided initial funding and All Saints Episcopal Hospital provided space.

The first class was admitted in July 1978. Through grants from foundations, contributions from individuals and a gift from the Terrell family, the original building opened in July 1984. In December 2000, the building was expanded and named the Richard C. Schaffer Education Building. Long-time Fort Worth physician Dr. Richard C. Schaffer founded the Dr. May Owen Memorial Foundation for the purpose of providing funds for the Terrell School. The building is located just off of Eighth Avenue in Fort Worth.

Tarleton State University–Central Texas

Tarleton State University-Central Texas in Killeen is a unique university, offering upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses toward bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Established Sept. 1, 1999, the university currently serves nearly 2,000 students and provides a wide range of flexible course schedules, including online, night and weekend classes. Students include community college graduates and transfer students, working adults, active military service members, and returning students who are pursuing degrees, fulfilling career educational requirements, or attending classes for personal enrichment.

As a result of its diverse and growing student population, classes are offered at several convenient sites, including area community colleges, high schools and Fort Hood in order to accommodate both full- and part-time students and serve the entire Central Texas area. Full-time faculty, advisers and support staff are available to assist students with admission, financial aid, degree plans and career planning, both during the day and extended evening hours.

To encourage a seamless transfer from community colleges to upper-level work at Tarleton-Central Texas, the university has developed agreements with Central Texas community colleges that enable smooth transfers without a loss of credits for students who begin their community college studies with Tarleton-Central Texas in mind.

Tarleton-Central Texas offers undergraduate degrees in Applied Science, Accounting, Aviation Science, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Education, History, Human Resource Management, Liberal Studies, Management, Marketing, Mathematics, Nursing (RN to BSN), Political Science, Psychology, Social Work and Sociology.

Graduate degrees are available in Business Administration, Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Criminal Justice, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Administration, Educational Psychology, History, Human Resource Management, Information Systems, Liberal Studies, Management and Leadership and Mathematics.

New Tarleton-Central Texas students are required to complete applications for admission, then make an appointment with an academic adviser to review degree plans. Current students may register online. For more information, log on to www.tarleton.edu/centraltexas or call (254) 519-5400.