Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Institutional Review Board

South Texas College considers support for academic research to be a key component of its pledge to the people of the Rio Grande Valley and of Texas.

South Texas College requires an Institutional Review Board (IRB) application to use human subjects in research. All parties wishing to conduct human-subject research involving the college, its students or its personnel, at or on behalf of the College, must comply with all IRB guidelines, submit a request to the IRB for permission to conduct their study and obtain IRB authorization prior to conducting their studies. This Web page includes the required forms and contact information.

The IRB Liaison

All applications to the Institutional Review Board, as well as any questions about the IRB process, should be directed via e-mail to the Interim IRB Liaison:

Necessary Forms

The above form can be used for new applicants, amendments and continuations. The document includes instructions, as well as general information about the IRB process at South Texas College.

The IRB Process at South Texas College

South Texas College accepts only completed applications that it deems sufficient for the Institutional Review Board to make its decision. Upon receipt of materials, the IRB Liaison will notify the Applicant whether the submission is sufficient or if further clarification is required.

Applicants should take special care that the population for the study is precisely defined.

Applicants should take special care that all materials, including all fields in the forms, are clearly legible.

As part of the submission, Applicants must include the final drafts of all survey questionnaires, focus group protocols, or similar study instruments. Should there be any changes to these instruments, Applicants must come back to the IRB to seek approval for the new materials before any data is collected.

If the study requires a notice of Informed Consent, Applicants should ensure that this notice is included with the application and contains all necessary elements required under the applicable human-subjects regulations.

Outside researchers, whether faculty or graduate students, should apply to their home-institution IRB first, and then apply to STC for site approval. Applicants must include their home-institution approval memo with their STC application.

Applicants should give ample time to allow the IRB to accept and process applications.

Though South Texas College tries to process applications within two weeks after acceptance, we caution strongly that this is only an estimate. Circumstances beyond our control, including college breaks, unforeseen events, or the need to convene the full Board, may result in delays.

At the close of the study, the Applicant should provide a copy of his or her findings to South Texas College.

The IRB’s approval is valid for one year. If the study is not completed within one year, Applicants must file for an Extension.

This Web page describes some of the written policies adopted by the IRB. The text here should not be interpreted as exhaustive of all policies adopted by the South Texas College IRB.

List of Currently Approved Studies
Home Institution, Title (Expiration Date)

  • University of the Cumberlands, Community College Leaders’ Leadership Style Effect on Faculty’s Change Response to Competency-Based Education (November 20, 2024)
  • Lamar University, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Enhancing Engagement: Impact of Meaningful Gamification in Online College Algebra Course (November 21, 2024)
  • Texas State University, Traviesa Interdisciplinaria: An Exploration of Literacy in Rural Border Spaces Using Thirdspace (December 15, 2024)
  • Texas A&M University Kingsville, Workforce TEAM (Training, Experience About Meat) (February 2, 2025)
  • South Texas College, The Student Success Survey (February 21, 2025)
  • Our Lady of the Lake University, The Relationship Between a Post-Secondary Faculty Member’s Self-Rated Servant Leadership and their Self-Perceived Student Engagement when Controlling for Active Learning in an Online Modality (March 25, 2025)
  • South Texas College, Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (April 1, 2025)
  • American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Post University, The Impact of Educational Session on Civility in Vocational Nursing Students (May 22, 2025)