ADMISSION TYPES
A student applying for admission to graduate studies at SHSU may be considered for six types of admission. Details of the possible admission types follow. The final admission decision rests with the respective academic dean.
REGULAR ADMISSION
Regular admission may be granted to a degree-seeking student who meets all of the University and program-specific admission requirements. Meeting stated minimum admission requirements does not constitute automatic admission to a graduate program at Sam Houston State University. Any inquiries regarding program-specific admission requirements should be directed to the graduate advisor (access advisors at www.shsu.edu/graduate/programs) or the dean of the appropriate college in which the program is housed.
CONDITIONAL ADMISSION
Conditional admission may be granted, at the discretion of the appropriate academic dean, to a degree-seeking student who has not yet submitted ALL of the required admission materials to allow an admission decision to be made but is being allowed to enroll in classes pending receipt of the missing material(s). Conditional admission is valid for ONE SEMESTER ONLY. A subsequent admission decision will be made upon receipt of the missing admission material. Conditional admission does NOT guarantee regular admission upon receipt of the missing material, regardless of the student’s performance in classes taken during the one semester of conditional admission. Some programs do not grant conditional admission. At the discretion of the appropriate academic dean, a conditionally admitted student may be limited to fewer than the normal maximum semester load of 12 graduate credit hours. International students are not eligible for conditional admission.
PROBATIONARY ADMISSION
Probationary admission may be granted, at the discretion of the appropriate academic dean, to a degree-seeking student who has submitted all of the required admission materials BUT does not qualify for regular admission. Probationary admission allows a student to enroll in courses to demonstrate ability to succeed at the graduate level. A student may complete a maximum of 12 graduate semester credit hours with probationary admission. A student with probationary status may be limited to fewer than 12 graduate credit hours by the appropriate academic dean. To petition for regular admission, a student must earn a grade of “B” or better in each course completed under probationary admission. A program may set a higher standard. The final decision rests with the appropriate academic dean. A maximum of 12 credit hours completed in probationary status may be applied to a graduate program, but the department concerned may choose not to accept some credit hours taken prior to regular admission. Probationary admission does NOT guarantee regular admission upon completion of the requisite coursework. International students are not eligible for probationary admission.
PREPARATORY ADMISSION
Preparatory admission may be granted, at the discretion of the appropriate academic dean, to a degree-seeking student who has NOT qualified for regular admission AND needs to complete one or more prerequisite (stem) courses. A student granted preparatory admission may be limited to a specified number of credit hours and be subject to a stringent GPA requirement in the prerequisite (stem) courses. Preparatory admission does NOT guarantee regular admission upon completion of the stem courses, regardless of the student’s performance in the preparatory (stem) courses taken. International students are not eligible for preparatory admission.
NON-DEGREE ADMISSION
Non-degree admission may be granted to a student who holds a baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution and others recognized by THECB and does not intend to pursue a graduate degree at SHSU, but instead wishes to take courses for professional advancement, licensure, certification, or self-edification purposes. An applicant for non-degree admission must submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Studies: the Graduate Studies Application for Admission, an application fee, and an official copy of the transcript from the school which awarded the highest degree. A non-degree student who later applies for regular admission to seek a graduate degree may apply a maximum of 12 credit hours of coursework taken in non-degree status toward a graduate program at the discretion of the appropriate academic dean. International students are not eligible for non-degree admission.
GRADUATE TRANSIENT ADMISSION
Transient admission may be granted to a student who is accepted in good standing at a regionally accredited graduate school and who wishes to enroll for one semester at Sam Houston State University. An applicant requesting this status must submit the following to the Office of Graduate Studies: the Graduate Studies Application for Admission, an application fee, and certification of graduate standing in a regionally accredited institution. Some departments may require additional information for transient admission; therefore, applicants should contact the appropriate academic department. A student admitted with this admission type who later wishes to seek a degree at Sam Houston State University must submit an application for graduate studies. A maximum of 12 credit hours taken as a graduate transient may be applied to a graduate degree program at the discretion of the appropriate academic dean.