About SPED

The Support for Ph.D. in Engineering Degree Program Development (SPED) initiative is funded by the U.S. Department of Education through the Research and Development Infrastructure (RDI) Program under Absolute Priority 3, which supports emerging research institutions in strengthening their capacity to achieve higher levels of research activity. This investment enables Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi to expand its research infrastructure, increase doctoral-level training opportunities, and strategically advance toward enhanced research classification. Through SPED, the College of Engineering and Computer Science is building the foundation necessary to develop a Ph.D. in Engineering and accelerate institutional research growth.

Aligned with RDI Priority 3 objectives, SPED strengthens faculty research productivity, enhances laboratory and technical infrastructure, and expands graduate research assistantships in high-impact engineering domains. The initiative advances interdisciplinary scholarship in coastal resilience, marine energy and the blue economy, and biomedical and advanced engineering systems, areas that address critical regional and national challenges. By supporting scalable research systems, collaborative networks, and innovation-driven solutions, SPED enhances the university’s competitiveness for external funding and long-term research sustainability.

A central component of the RDI-supported effort is the expansion of graduate pathways from the M.S. to the Ph.D., increasing access to advanced engineering education and research training. SPED promotes student-centered mentorship, professional development, and experiential learning opportunities that prepare graduate scholars for doctoral study and research leadership. Through strategic infrastructure development and graduate expansion, the project strengthens institutional research capacity while advancing opportunity, innovation, and long-term doctoral program development.