Center for Transformative Undergraduate Experiences
Learning experiences outside the classroom are as important as the ones that happen inside it. The Center for Transformative Undergraduate Experiences (TrUE) supports student success by ensuring every TTU undergraduate has the opportunity to engage in transformational learning experiences, through high impact practices such as undergraduate research, service learning, field-based learning, and study away.
Undergraduate Research
TrUE provides direction, support, and funding for undergraduate students interested in conducting research with a faculty mentor; hosts educational workshops for students targeted at organizing, conducting, and presenting research, as well as preparing for graduate school and graduate admission testing; facilitates collaboration and dialogues among faculty, staff, and organizations engaged in undergraduate research initiatives; and recognizes outstanding undergraduate researchers and faculty mentors. In addition, TrUE hosts the TTU Undergraduate Research Conference annually to provide an opportunity for undergraduate researchers to present their research to the campus community.
Service Learning
Service learning combines students’ coursework with civic engagement experiences at local organizations as a means for students to apply in practice what they are learning in the classroom. Service learning courses are offered in many fields of study across TTU’s academic departments. TrUE works with students and their academic advisors to identify appropriate service learning courses in which to enroll. Look for the “S” in the course section number.
Raider Service Breaks
TrUE’s Raider Service Breaks program engages students in hands-on, experiential service in communities, locally, across the United States, and internationally. Raider Service Break participants understand the impact they can have on communities and develop a life-long commitment to active citizenship. The program offers service experiences for students, faculty, and staff throughout the year.
Transform Your Undegraduate Experience
For more information, visit TrUE in 239 Drane Hall, call 806.742.1095, or email true@ttu.edu.
Cooperative Education
The Cooperative Education program integrates classroom study with paid, practical, and supervised work training in public and private employment situations. By applying their academic training in a work setting, students not only enhance their self-confidence while earning wages, but they also gain career direction and may receive offers for future full-time employment.
Co-op programs include both the alternating and parallel patterns. The alternating option allows students to alternate semesters of work and school, working a minimum of two semesters. The parallel plan permits students to work at least 15 to 20 hours per week concurrently with their academic progression.
Students considering a Co-Op experience should consult with an advisor in University Career Center as early as possible. In addition, the student must obtain approval from his or her departmental advisor before enrolling. Ordinarily a student must have completed the sophomore year to be considered for the program.
For more information, visit the Center for Active Learning and Undergraduate Engagement, 233 Administration Building, 806.742.1095, calue@ttu.edu, www.calue.ttu.edu.
Essentials of Scholarly Research
Essentials of Scholarly Research is a one-hour course designed to introduce students to lifelong information literacy skills and establish tools for effective and efficient research in a university library. Because information comes in many forms, students sometimes find the multitude of printed publications, Internet resources, and microform and audiovisual materials overwhelming. They need to know how to identify, find, evaluate, and use resources that are most appropriate for their assignments.
Essentials of Scholarly Research has four main objectives: to present the arrangement and services of the Texas Tech University Libraries; to introduce resources and search strategies; to outline a transferable, systematic plan for critical evaluation and use of these resources in a variety of ways; and to promote the effective use of information to accomplish specific tasks.
Course content (readings, quizzes, and activities) is accessed through Blackboard for onsite and distance students. Onsite students will meet for lecture and hands-on sessions.
Contact: Donell Callender, 806.834.2944, donell.callender@ttu.edu
Government and Public Service Internship Program
The Government and Public Service Internship Program at Texas Tech provides students a unique opportunity to experience firsthand how federal or state government functions. Administered by the Office of the President, the internships allow students to work in offices in Lubbock, Austin, or Washington, D.C.
Internships are offered each semester, and students are selected through an interview process. Through this opportunity, interns earn course credit, experience, networking opportunities, and a scholarship.
The internships are open to students of all majors and academic disciplines. The program prefers applicants to have a minimum 3.0 GPA and to have completed at least 60 semester credit hours. The internship program is also available for graduate and law students. The College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources provides a similar opportunity to their student body each semester.
For program and application information, please see the website www.depts.ttu.edu/ttuintern/ or contact the program director at ronald.phillips@ttu.edu.
Institute for Studies in Pragmaticism
The Institute for Studies in Pragmaticism offers an undergraduate course and a graduate-level course on methods and logical problems associated with interdisciplinary studies. The only prerequisite is approval of the instructor. Students in any branch of Texas Tech University or Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center are eligible to enroll.
Contact: Kenneth L. Ketner, Director, Institute for Studies in Pragmaticism, Box 40002, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-0002, 806.742.3128, kenneth.ketner@ttu.edu
Programs for Academic Development and Retention
Programs for Academic Development and Retention (PADR) is designed to provide opportunities for students to acquire and build effective learning strategies and personal management skills for college and beyond. PADR courses are open to all students at Texas Tech University. Classes meet three hours per week for 12 weeks and average 25 to 35 students each.
Students who fail to meet minimum GPA requirements designated by the college of their major (see PADR course descriptions for requirements) will be required to successfully complete a Strategies for Academic Achievement course.
Additionally, students returning from Academic Suspension who have not already successfully completed a PADR course are required to enroll in PADR 0080 (Theory and Development for Academic Achievement) and fulfill all course requirements in order to maintain their academic standing with the university.
Students who have successfully completed a PADR course but are subsequently placed on an academic suspension period will be required to complete PADR 0090 (Theories of Academic Integration) and fulfill all course requirements as a condition of their return from suspension.
The PADR student will learn to develop focus, purpose, and direction to achieve success not only in academia but also on a personal and professional level. PADR courses address factors that limit academic performance and implement strategies to overcome such factors. Students in PADR will also learn to effectively locate and utilize campus resources to aid in building and maintaining academic success.
In addition to classroom interaction, students have the opportunity for individualized time with the instructor to work on specific problems that might hinder success.
Contact: Box 45020 Lubbock, TX 79409, Room 56 Holden Hall, www.padr.soar.ttu.edu, 806.742.3928.
Study Abroad Program
The Study Abroad unit in the International Education and Enrollment division of the Office of International Affairs coordinates all study abroad programs for Texas Tech University students. In today’s globalized job market, students who participate in a study abroad program, to include international internships, service-learning, and research, can be more competitive in almost every field. An educational experience overseas can equip college students with an international perspective that helps them function more objectively and comfortably in the global marketplace while earning credit towards their degree.
Texas Tech students may choose from several types of study abroad programs. The Texas Tech Center in Sevilla, Spain, offers students the opportunity to take Texas Tech catalog classes. Students participate in an intensive Spanish language program (equivalent to four semesters) or a semester-long engineering program. Students live with host families and are immersed in the language and culture through excursions and day-to-day experiences.
Many academic departments offer faculty-led programs, usually in the summer, with a wide variety of course offerings and locations to include the TTU Center in Sevilla. Students can earn Texas Tech credit while taking a catalog course in an international location with Texas Tech faculty.
Other study abroad programs available to Texas Tech students range from three weeks to a full academic year. Study Abroad Advisors assist students in choosing a program that best fits their individual needs and goals. The Texas Tech Study Abroad staff also provide guidance during the application and orientation processes.
Students participating in any credit-bearing Texas Tech study abroad program and international students seeking a degree at Texas Tech are encouraged to apply for the Study Abroad Competitive Scholarship. This scholarship is funded by the International Education Fee paid by all Texas Tech students. Students participating in credit-bearing Texas Tech study abroad programs also remain eligible for Texas Tech financial aid to help fund their international program.
Contact: studyabroad@ttu.edu; www.studyabroad.ttu.edu; 806.742.3667; International Cultural Center, 601 Indiana Avenue, Lubbock, TX.
Areas & Program Offerings
Office of the Provost
Bachelor’s
Undergraduate Minor
Undergraduate Certificate
Undergraduate Concentration
National Wind Institute Undergraduate Programs
Bachelor’s
Undergraduate Minor
Undergraduate Certificate
Undergraduate Concentration
RaiderReady Undergraduate Program
“Raider Ready: Freshman Seminar” (RRP 1100 ) is a one-hour freshman seminar course designed for students to successfully manage the transition from high school to Texas Tech University. RaiderReady serves to acclimate, prepare, and guide students as they begin their academic journey at Texas Tech University. The program assists students by developing and honing their academic success skills as they build relationships and community with their fellow Red Raiders. RaiderReady encourages students to engage with campus and develop into well-rounded campus citizens.
RRP 1100 is designed to ensure students’ success in the first semester of their college career. Students who enroll and complete the course have earned higher GPAs, are more connected to Texas Tech, and are more likely to continue on to their second year of studies at Texas Tech.
RaiderReady faculty members and instructors help students plan and prepare for their academic career and identify resources that will help with personal and social success. RaiderReady faculty come from various departments across campus, allowing them to bring a unique perspective to the course. Through small class sizes, RaiderReady allows students the chance to engage with their fellow red raiders and the instructor to build relationships and develop skills that will assist them in navigating their freshman year and beyond.
RRP 1100 is a general university course with sections composed of 20 to 25 students from the freshman class without regard to college or major. It cannot be taken pass/fail. For more information contact Box 45020, Lubbock, TX 79409; www.raiderready.ttu.edu, 806.742.5928.
Freshman student athletes must take both RRP 1100 and LDR 1200 , with the latter designed specifically to meet the unique demands and constraints on first-year student athletes.
RRP 4100 is a senior seminar to ease the transition of students from college to the workplace. Students who take RRP 4100 should experience better results in their job search as a result of course content designed to enhance their ability to identify their own strengths and use those strengths to enter the workplace successfully.
TTAP Undergraduate Program
The purpose of the TTAP 1101 TTAP seminar is to provide students with the skills and knowledge that will help them become exceptional Texas Tech undergraduates. The TTAP seminar has been specifically designed to expose students who are part of the TTAP to the insights, skills, dispositions, and resources necessary to excel as a Texas Tech undergraduate.
Women’s and Gender Studies Undergraduate Program
Undergraduate Minor
