Earn Your PhD Through a Unique Partnership of Three Leading Institutions

Why Choose the Trilateral Doctoral Program?

This program combines the strengths of each partner institution to create a doctoral experience unlike any other in Texas.

Students benefit from:

• Research opportunities across multiple regions and ecosystems
• Access to faculty mentors from all partner institutions
• Collaborative research projects addressing real-world conservation challenges
• Use of research laboratories, field sites, and specialized equipment across all participating institutions
• A professional network spanning three universities and their research partners
• Competitive student funding opportunities and funding through research grants

Students begin their journey through Sul Ross State University and work closely with faculty and researchers to develop research interests and gain early research experience. Qualified students then apply for admission to a doctoral program at either Texas Tech University or Texas A&M University-Kingsville, the degree-granting institutions within the partnership.

Throughout the program, students maintain strong ties to Sul Ross while conducting research and coursework across participating institutions. Each student is guided by faculty mentors from both Sul Ross and their degree-granting university, ensuring a collaborative and personalized educational experience.

The program emphasizes applied research that addresses critical issues facing wildlife populations, rangelands, ecosystems, and natural resources. Students may participate in projects involving:

• Wildlife Ecology and Management
• Conservation Biology
• Big Game Management
• Game Bird Management
• Habitat Restoration
• Rangeland Ecology
• Wetland and Riparian Ecology
• Community Ecology
• Landscape-scale Conservation

Research opportunities span diverse environments across Texas and the greater Southwest, providing students with valuable field experience and exposure to complex environmental challenges.

Students recruited through Sul Ross may be eligible for competitive doctoral support that includes stipends and tuition assistance. The partnership was established to help expand doctoral opportunities and strengthen the pipeline of future scientists, educators, and natural resource professionals.

Students also benefit from faculty mentorship, professional development opportunities, collaborative research teams, and access to extensive research infrastructure across all three institutions.

Graduates of doctoral programs in Range and Wildlife Sciences are prepared for advanced careers in:

• University Teaching and Research
• State and Federal Natural Resource Agencies
• Wildlife and Conservation Organizations
• Research Institutes
• Policy and Resource Management Leadership

The program is designed to prepare the next generation of scientists and conservation leaders who will help address the most pressing natural resource challenges of the future.

By combining the strengths of Sul Ross State University, Texas Tech University, and Texas A&M University-Kingsville, the Trilateral Doctoral Program provides students with an exceptional opportunity to conduct impactful research, learn from leading experts, and build a strong professional network across Texas and beyond.

Important: This program follows a different application pathway than traditional graduate programs.

Prospective students should:

1. Contact Sul Ross State University faculty to discuss research interests and doctoral opportunities.
2. Work with participating faculty mentors to identify a suitable research project and doctoral pathway.
3. Complete the required admissions process for the appropriate doctoral institution (Texas Tech University or Texas A&M University-Kingsville).
4. Meet all admission requirements established by the degree-granting institution.

Because admissions, funding, and research opportunities are coordinated collaboratively, interested students need to contact the program before applying.

Application Pathway: Admission is coordinated through faculty in partnership with the degree-granting institution.

Note: Sul Ross State University serves as a recruitment, research training, and mentoring partner in the Trilateral Doctoral Program. Doctoral degrees are awarded by either Texas Tech University or Texas A&M University-Kingsville.