Pregnant/Expecting & Parenting Student Support

About Parenting Student Support

The Dean of Students CARE Center is here to provide support and resources for expecting and parenting students. If you are a student that serves as a parent or will serve as a parent to a child under the age of 18 and are attending Texas State or thinking about attending Texas State, we are here for you. If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Dean of Students CARE Center! 

Miguel Arellano Arriaga

Student Parent Liaison
Dean of Students CARE Center
arellano@txstate.edu 

Contact studentparents@txstate.edu with any questions you may have.

Protections for Pregnant/Parenting Students

Texas State and its faculty and staff may not require a pregnant or parenting student, solely because of the student's status as a pregnant or parenting student or due to issues related to the student's pregnancy or parenting to:

• take a leave of absence or withdraw from the student's degree or certificate program;
• limit the student's studies;
• participate in an alternative program;
• change the student's major, degree or certificate program; or
• refrain from joining or cease participating in any course, activity, or program at the institution.

Texas State allows a pregnant and parenting student to:

• take a leave of absence for a period of not less than the minimum period established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rule (one semester)
• if in good academic standing at the time the student takes a leave of absence, return to the student's degree or certificate program in good academic standing without being required to reapply for admission.

A student seeking a leave of absence due to pregnancy/parenting shall make a request for such leave to the Dean of Students Office using the Request for Pregnancy or Parenting Related Accommodations Request Form.

Additionally, a student taking a leave of absence due to pregnancy or parenting shall meet with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships prior to beginning said leave of absence to receive information on financial impacts.

Procedures for Accommodations

Texas State University will, for reasons related to a student's pregnancy, childbirth, or any resulting medical status or condition:

• excuse the student's absence;
• allow the student to make up missed assignments or assessments;
• allow the student additional time to complete assignments in the same manner as the institution allows for a student with a temporary medical condition; and
• provide the student with access to instructional materials and video recordings of lectures for classes for which the student has an excused absence to the same extent that instructional materials and video recordings of lectures are made available to any other student with an excused absence or would be provided to a student with a temporary medical condition.

Students may also be entitled to reasonable accommodations for limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions. This includes, but is not limited to accommodations related to the health and safety of the student and the student's unborn child, such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from substances, areas, and activities known to be hazardous to pregnant women or unborn children.

Students seeking information about pregnancy-related resources or requesting a pregnancy-related accommodation should contact the Dean of Students Office or complete the online Request for Pregnancy or Parenting Related Accommodations Form. 

Early Registration for Parenting Students

Texas State University will provide early registration to parenting students. Student parents will be notified of their eligibility for early registration at the start of each fall and spring semester by email and will need to complete an online questionnaire to access an early registration time ticket. Questions about this process can be directed to the Dean of Students Office at 512.245.2124 or by email at dosoffice@txstate.edu.