In August of 1970, students were accepted for the very first time at what was then
called Texas A&I University at Laredo. This beginning, as a "center" under Texas A&I University, was the start of a
legacy in education for South
Texas. The focus was to fill a demand in teacher education and business disciplines. Texas A&I at Laredo was organized under the upper-level concept
of higher education, offering only junior and senior level course work. This approach provided a local bachelors degree opportunity for area residents. This upper-level
University was later expanded to include graduate degree programs.In September 1977, the name was changed to Laredo State University, and the old "center" status was removed officially in
1987. As the University grew, it expanded its scope of operations to include international operations and agreements with degree
programs and a faculty to meet the requirementsThe University became a member of the Texas A&M University System on September 1, 1989. The name was changed to Texas A&M
International University in 1993.The 74th Texas Legislature authorized an expansion to 4-year
status in the fall of 1995, and authorized the University to develop joint degree programs with Mexican and Canadian institutions of higher education. Further
authorization has permitted the development of doctoral level programs.The year 1995 was the cornerstone of the legacy in education for South Texas and Texas A&M International University. The
start of the fall 1995 term marked the University's 25th anniversary, the inauguration of a newly-constructed campus in northeast Laredo, and the first offering of freshman and sophomore courses.