Centro Universitario de la Costa

The Centro Universitario de la Costa (CUCosta) is a university campus that is part of the University of Guadalajara (UdeG) in Mexico. It is located in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, on the Pacific coast.

CUCosta offers a variety of academic programs across different disciplines, including degrees in areas such as social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and more. As a component of the University of Guadalajara, CUCosta adheres to the academic standards and quality established by the university.^[1][2][3]

The Centro Universitario de la Costa (CUCosta) of the University of Guadalajara originated in May 1994, when the university established the University Network to create educational spaces across the state of Jalisco. Within this context, six thematic centers and eight regional centers were formed in various parts of the state. CUCosta was founded as a higher education model aimed at promoting social and cultural development in the Puerto Vallarta region, also serving neighboring municipalities in Jalisco and the southern part of the state of Nayarit.

Since its founding, the center has offered various academic programs, beginning with degrees in Tourism, Business Administration, Public Accounting, and Law. Over time, the academic offerings expanded to include degrees in Engineering, Architecture, Multimedia Communication, and more. Graduate programs were also introduced, including master’s and doctoral degrees in areas such as Learning Technologies, Sustainable Development, Tourism, Geophysics, and others.

Between 1994 and 1998, several cultural initiatives were launched, such as the first Latin American Film Series and the Arts Festival, which became notable events in Puerto Vallarta. The campus also strengthened partnerships with the productive sector and carried out research in fields like oceanography, ecology, seismology, aquaculture, and systemic family therapy.

In 2006, an academic-administrative restructuring was approved, dividing the center into three academic divisions: Social and Economic Studies, Engineering, and Biological and Health Sciences. This allowed for the introduction of new programs, such as the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, Nursing, and Biology.

As of the latest updates, the center has undergone significant infrastructure development, including the construction of buildings, laboratories, and event spaces. It has also signed numerous collaboration agreements with national and international institutions.

Currently, the Centro Universitario de la Costa offers a broad range of academic programs, serves a large student population, maintains accredited programs, and employs full-time faculty members. The institution continues to focus on improving educational quality and meeting the growing demand for higher education in the Puerto Vallarta region.^[4]