Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – South Texas College is launching a first-of-its-kind Associate of Applied Science in Artificial Intelligence (AI) created to meet a growing demand for AI-skilled workers in the region.
The new degree program is expected to open in the fall of 2026.
Over the next year, STC’s Cybersecurity program will finalize the new AI associate degree with direct input from industry and will align it with local workforce needs, according to program faculty who said the degree aims to prepare students for a rapidly growing job market.
“There are no templates for AI in the workforce catalog, so we designed every course from scratch based on industry needs,” said Cybersecurity Assistant Professor and Department Chair Francisco Salinas. “Our goal is to give students the skills, hands-on experience and certifications to qualify for the jobs of today and tomorrow. So, whether you go into healthcare, IT, cybersecurity or manufacturing, AI knowledge is becoming a must.”
The upcoming AI degree has already received initial approval including clearance from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and STC advisory committees, which represent local industry partners, and have been instrumental in guiding what skills and knowledge the program will deliver, ensuring it is tailored to the region’s workforce demands, according to Salinas.
Students will have two options in the program – a one-year certificate track totaling about 16-30 credits or an associate degree requiring 60 credits. The certificate serves as the first half of the two-year degree, allowing students to continue seamlessly into the second year to complete an associate degree.
“I see real potential for growth, especially with this planned AI curriculum,” said Cybersecurity expert and current STC adjunct faculty Dirce Hernandez, who is already set to be among those full-time faculty starting with the new AI associate degree. “My background will always be cybersecurity, but I’m excited to eventually teach in STC’s AI program.”
Coursework will cover topics such as machine learning, Python programming, operating systems and database integration. Salinas emphasized that while programming like Python is already taught for Cybersecurity, the focus on AI will be on applying coding to build intelligent applications and robotics.
Salinas is also looking at partnerships with leading technology companies including Intel and Google to embed industry certifications into the degree. These certifications are highly valued by employers and serve as external validation of student skills.
“When students earn Google or Intel certifications, industry leaders recognize their abilities,” Salinas said.
While academic transfer pathways to universities may be limited because of the technical nature of the degree, STC has ensured students can transition into the college’s bachelor’s programs, particularly the Bachelor of Applied Technology in Computer Information Technology (BAT-CIT).
Similar to the existing Cybersecurity track, this pathway keeps all credits intact, allowing students to move directly into a bachelor’s degree without losing time.
By building the program with direct input from employers and aligning it with local needs, STC’s new AI associate degree aims to prepare students to adapt to exciting changes in the workforce as a result of AI, according to industry leaders.
“If you don’t get on board with AI, you’re going to be left behind. That’s true not just in IT or cybersecurity, but in marketing, HR, manufacturing and every other sector,” said Hernandez. “AI is already becoming a minimum requirement in job descriptions. Students who ignore it will struggle to compete in the job market. The smart students will use AI to enhance their skills and make themselves more efficient and attractive to employers.”
Salinas stressed that AI is already mainstream and students who do not learn it risk being left behind in the workforce.
“It doesn’t matter if you embrace AI or not because industries already expect you to know it,” Salinas said. “Whether you go into healthcare, IT, Cybersecurity or manufacturing, AI knowledge is becoming a must.”
For more information on STC’s AI program, visit www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/cybersecurity/or call 956-872-3461.
Information source: STC
