Judgment of Compliance

Narrative

Sam Houston State University’s (SHSU) mission statement states, in part, that it provides “high quality education, scholarship, and service to qualified students for the benefit of regional, state, national and international constituencies” [1].  The undergraduate and graduate admissions policies are consistent with this mission in that they promote standards that ensure scholarship and excellence.

Undergraduate admissions policies are published in the undergraduate catalog [2] as well as on the Admissions website [3].  These policies describe minimum acceptable test scores, high school class rank, high school/college GPA, and required documents for beginning freshmen, graduates of a non-accredited or non-ranking high school, graduates of a home school, early admissions students, students who earned the GED, transfer students, and international students [2], [3].  Undergraduate students who transfer from a college or university of recognized standing with fewer than 12 transferable hours must meet the standards of beginning freshmen students [2]. 

Freshmen applicants who do not meet minimum requirements for admission but graduated under the Recommended or Distinguished Degree Programs might qualify for the Personal Review of Educational Potential (PREP) process [4].  Upon acceptance through the PREP process, students are required to complete UNIV 1301, which is a college transition course. 

As part of the Policy Review and Revision Process within the Division of Academic Affairs at SHSU, admissions policies are reviewed periodically by the Council of Academic Deans, the Faculty Senate, and the Academic Affairs Council, with input from other relevant constituents as needed [5].  Academic Policy Statement 840502, Admission Standards for Undergraduate Students, is published online in the Academic Policy Manual [6].  Admissions policies at SHSU align with the Uniform Admissions Policy governed by Texas Administrative Code Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 5, Subchapter A, Section 5.5 [7].  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Common Admission Applications for freshmen, transfer, transient, and former students are also accepted at SHSU [8], [9].

Graduate admissions policies are published in the graduate catalog [10] and on the Graduate Admissions website [11].  Admission requirements and materials vary by college and/or program and are described in the sections of the graduate catalog that pertain to each program [12].  For example, the Master of Science degree program with a major in Criminal Justice admissions requirements are listed within the College of Criminal Justice section of the graduate catalog [13]. Additionally, program landing pages for master’s degrees [14], doctoral degrees [15], and graduate certificates [16] are accessible from the Graduate Admissions website, as well as from the Majors and Programs link [17] located in the horizontal menu on SHSU’s homepage.  Each program landing page contains a program overview, admission requirements, information on how to apply, links to the catalog, and contact information.  The Master of Science in Criminal Justice program landing page [18] has been provided as an example.  Criteria for admission to graduate programs are set by the faculty within individual academic departments in which the graduate program is housed.  Admission recommendations for graduate programs are also made by the respective program faculty, with the final admission decision resting with the respective academic dean [19].

Supporting Documentation