Enrollment Requirements
Information concerning registration may be obtained from the Academic Calendar provided in this publication, the Student Advising and Mentoring Center (SAM Center), or from the Registrar’s Office. Detailed registration procedures appear below and are included in the Schedule of Classes.
Academic Advisement for Registration
Sam Houston State University offers advisement throughout the year at the Student Advising and Mentoring Center (SAM Center). The Center is located in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Building, 1901 Avenue I. Telephone: (936) 294-4444; Toll free: (866) 364-5211; Houston area: (281) 657-6432. E-mail: samcenter@shsu.edu. Students majoring in Criminal Justice should contact the Criminal Justice Advisement Center located on the second floor of the George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center at 816 17th Street, Huntsville, TX 77340. Telephone: (936) 294-1702.
The university provides advisors to assist students with registration and with making appropriate progress toward completion of degree requirements and ultimately, graduation. However, the student bears sole responsibility for assuring that all degree requirements are fulfilled.
Advisement is required for the following students:
- Students with no SHSU grade point average (GPA).
- Students with a grade point average (GPA) below a 2.50.
- Students who have earned less than a grade of C in any developmental course during the previous semester at SHSU.
- Students subject to completion of TSI requirements.
- All students who have 90 or more hours completed or in progress.
Registration
Once accepted and advised at Sam Houston State University, students may register for classes during the scheduled registration periods. Registration procedures apply to all SHSU courses taken on campus, off campus, and on-line. For correspondence course registration procedures, click here. Registration schedules may be found in the Schedule of Classes.
During scheduled periods of registration, students may register via the internet by selecting the MySam link on SHSU’s homepage and then Registration tab. If registering off campus, students will need their username and password in order to access the registration menu. Students will also need to locate the CRN (Course Reference Number) number for each course he/she would like to register for. CRN’s can be found in the Schedule of Classes. For further information please contact the Office of the Registrar at (936) 294-1052.
Change of Schedule (Adding and Dropping Courses)
- What should students consider when adding or dropping courses?
- Adding or dropping courses can impact financial aid. Students receiving financial aid and/or scholarships are encouraged to visit with a financial aid representative prior to adding or dropping courses.
- Adding courses will result in tuition and fee charges to be paid by 4:00 pm on the date the course(s) are added.
- A student is allowed no more than 5 Q-drops during their career at SHSU.
- A student is allowed no more than 6 Q-drops during their combined career at all Texas public colleges and universities.
- A student, under specific conditions, may be charged a higher tuition rate for excessive undergraduate hours. Please reference Tuition for Excessive Undergraduate Hours within this catalog for further information.
- International students must make changes through the Office of International Programs.
- When can students change their schedules?
- During the advanced registration period.
- During the regular registration period.
- During the late registration period.
Resignations
A resignation is withdrawing from all classes in which a student is enrolled at the university. This need not mean that the student is discontinuing his/her academic career. The student will have one full academic year from last enrollment term to return to SHHU without reapplying granted that they did not leave on Academic Suspension.
To resign (officially withdraw) from the University, a student must notify the Registrar’s Office and process a Resignation Request. The Resignation Request must be in writing and becomes effective on the date received by the Registrar’s Office. The effective date of the Resignation Request, as received by the Registrar’s Office, is the date which is used for determining any refund as authorized in the State Refund Policy (see Tuition and Fees Refund Policy). The student is responsible for clearing all debts owed to the University. International students must be advised by the International Student Advisor before resigning. Students who fail to officially resign from the University prior to the stated deadline and discontinue going to class will receive the grade of F for each course in which they are enrolled.
Students who resign after the twelfth class day of a regular semester or after the fourth class day of a summer session receive a mark of W (withdrew) for each course for which they were enrolled. Students who resign from the University while enrolled in a course whose duration is less than a normal term will receive a mark of W if they resign after the census date of that course.
Courses at the Woodlands Campus
In May 2012, SHSU classes re-locate to the SHSU-Woodlands Campus (TWC) from Lone Star Colleges's University Center campus. Courses completed as part of these programs carry residence credit. Please see Degrees Offered for a current listing of degree programs offered at SHSU-The Woodlands Center. There is an additional fee charged for courses taken at The SHSU-Woodlands Center. Currently, only Junior and Senior courses are available (300 <3000>/400 <4000>). For more information, contact The Woodlands Center by telephone: (936) 496-5000 or visit Woodlands Center. Mailing address: SHSU-The Woodlands Center, 3380 College Park Drvie, The Woodlands TX 77384.
Correspondence Courses
Correspondence courses are offered for those students who wish to add to their academic program by individual study. A student is permitted to complete eighteen semester hours toward a bachelor’s degree by correspondence coursework. Restrictions may apply to some courses. Correspondence courses may be completed in a minimum of sixty days and a maximum of one calendar year.
Semester credit hours earned in correspondence courses are not considered “Resident Classroom Instruction” hours and are not used in determining academic honors: cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude, the Dean’s List, and the President’s Honor Roll. Correspondence coursework is posted, however, to the transfer section of the academic record, and the grade points are calculated into the overall cumulative grade point average and not the Sam Houston grade point average.
Students may not take correspondence courses to improve grades of D or F without approval from the appropriate academic dean.
Correspondence courses are not offered at the graduate level, nor can any correspondence course taken at any level or at any institution count towards a graduate degree at Sam Houston State University.
Students may enroll in correspondence courses at any time. Additional information, including a brochure listing courses offered and an enrollment application, may be obtained by inquiring in person in Smith-Kirkley Bldg, Room 144C or by writing to Sam Houston State University, Correspondence Course Division, Box 2060, Huntsville, TX 77341-2536. Telephone: Toll Free: (877) 759-2232, Enrollments - cor_emm@shsu.edu - 936.294.3824, Lessons - cor_vwe@shsu.edu - 936.294.4302, Final exams - cor_gmw@shsu.edu - 936.294.1003, Grades - cor_vwe@shsu.edu - 936.294.4302. Website: https://www.shsu.edu/~dl_www/correspondence.html.
Notification of Name Change
Students who have applied to graduate:
- The form is located at Registrar’s Office.
- Present to the Registrar’s Office, (located on the 3rd floor of the Estill Building room 331) legal documentation such as marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and social security cards reflecting the correct name.
- All degrees and transcripts are issued under the student’s legal name as recorded in the Registrar’s Office.
- A change of name can impact Financial Aid when the lender is unaware of the name change. Students are encouraged to visit with a financial aid representative prior to changing their name.
All Others:
- The form is located at Payroll Office.
- Present to the Payroll Office (located CHSS Building, Suite 420, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday thru Friday) legal documentation such as marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and social security cards reflecting the correct name.
- All degrees and transcripts are issued under the student’s legal name as recorded in the Registrar’s Office.
- A change of name can impact Financial Aid when the lender is unaware of the name change. Students are encouraged to visit with a financial aid representative prior to changing their name.
Notification of Name Change should be submitted to SHSU Payroll Office
Notification of Address Change
- The form is located at Payroll Office.
- Permanent and local addresses can be changed online by accessing student records through the My Sam link at https://www.shsu.edu/ using the Banner Self-Service link on the Campus Resources tab.
- It is essential to have the correct address on file each semester in order to receive important communication from SHSU.
- The University assumes no obligation for failure of a student to receive communications.
The form is located on the Registrar’s website.
Classification of Students by Hours Completed Toward
Graduation
- Freshman: 1-29 hours completed
- Sophomore: 30-59 hours completed
- Junior: 60-89 hours completed
- Senior: 90 hours or more completed.
Classification is determined by the Registrar. Only hours earned at Sam Houston State University and hours accepted in transfer from other institutions will count toward the student’s classification.
Credit awarded by examination and hours earned with the grade of CR are counted in determining classification, but are not included in determining grade point average.
Hours earned in developmental courses are not counted toward the student’s classification.
Auditing a Course
A student auditing a course may attend lectures and other class meetings, take part in class discussions and receive written confirmation of attendance. The student will not receive evaluations of participation and will not be allowed to submit assignments or take examinations and tests, except by special and express permission of the instructor.
An individual must receive prior approval from the appropriate department chair and the instructor involved in order to audit a course. Neither the instructor nor the University assumes responsibility for the academic progress of any person auditing a course. The audit fee for each course is $50; students 65 years of age or older are exempt from paying the audit fee.
For instructions and a copy of the Audit Form, please, go to the Registrar’s Office located on the 3rd floor of the Estill Building. The Audit Form with appropriate approvals may only be submitted to be processed one day prior to the first class day AND only if there is an open seat available. An individual will not be permitted to audit if the class section is at maximum capacity
An individual auditing a course:
- is encouraged to attend all lectures and obtain the maximum educational benefit from the information presented,
- is not permitted to take tests or examinations in the course being audited,
- is authorized to receive a courtesy library card permitting use of the Newton Gresham Library for the duration of the course audit,
- is not authorized to be issued a Sam Houston State University Student Identification Card unless also enrolled as a regular student at Sam Houston State University,
- is not authorized to use Sam Houston State University medical, athletic, or recreational facilities unless also enrolled as a regular student at Sam Houston State University, and
- will not have a record of course audit in the Registrar's Office.
Transcripts
Students are entitled to five free official transcripts during each semester in which they are enrolled. Additionally, students who receive a degree from Sam Houston State University as of Fall 2007 will be entitled to ten free official transcripts for up to one year following their graduation. Requests for official transcripts may be made online at: https://samweb.shsu.edu/. After logging in, select Student Records to request the online transcript. Requests may also be made in writing to the Office of the Registrar, P.O. Box 2029, Huntsville, Texas 77340. After the ten free transcripts or a year following graduation, a $5 fee will be charged for each copy. Transcripts will not be released for students who have a financial indebtedness to the University. Checks should be made payable to Sam Houston State University.
Texas Success Initiative
Students who are entering or enrolled in a Texas public institution of higher learning and are not exempt must take a TSI test and have scores on file before they will be allowed to attend college-level classes. Only students who fail the TSI tests or who do not meet the additional prerequisite requirements set by the SHSU Mathematics Department are required to take developmental courses. Such students must enroll in at least one developmental course each semester until the Texas Success Initiative requirements and the Mathematics Department prerequisites are satisfied.
Official placement test scores or valid exemption must be on file with the Registrar’s Office before students register for classes. Visit https://www.shsu.edu/tsi for additional information.
TSI Test Exemptions
- An ACT composite score of 23 or higher, with a score of at least 19 on both the Math and English sections from the same test date. Scores are valid for five years from test date; or
- A re-centered SAT I score of 1070 or higher with a minimum score of 500 on both the math and verbal sections from the same test date. Scores are valid for five years from test date; or
- A score of at least 2200 on the ELA and Math sections of the TAKS Test with a writing essay score of 3 or higher; or
- An associate (AA or AS) or a baccalaureate (BA, BS, etc.) degree from an accredited Texas public institution of higher education; or
- Students who transferred from outside Texas or from a private Texas college or university and successfully completed the appropriate reading, math, and writing related coursework. Please visit the SAM Center for more details; or
- Students who previously attended any institution of higher education and have been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution; or
- Students who are serving on active duty in the military, the Texas National Guard, or the reserves, or were honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty in the military, the Texas National Guard, or the reserves after August 1, 1990.
*** Students who are exempt from TSI by the state’s guidelines above may still be subject to developmental coursework in math based on the Mathematics Department’s additional prerequisites for college level math placement.
Temporary TSI Test Exemptions
- Students who are in a certificate program of one year or less may have their exemption status waived as long as they are in the program.
- Students who are not seeking a degree or certificate may be exempt at the discretion of the institution.
- Transient students from private or out-of-state schools with the appropriate coursework may be exempt if they file a waiver with the Registrar’s Office.
It is the student’s responsibility to inform the institution of his/her exemption.
Responsibilities of Non-Exempt Students Who Have Not Passed All Parts of a TSI Test:
Students must continuously enroll in the appropriate developmental program until they have satisfied all TSI Requirements and Mathematics Department prerequisites.
Students must enroll and participate fully in each developmental course and:
- attend class and any required tutorial session(s).
- complete all assignments and take all exams.
- demonstrate to the instructor of the course that the student is making a good faith effort to develop the appropriate skills and knowledge.
- remain in class unless granted permission to drop by the appropriate dean. This applies even if the student passes a TSI test prior to the completion of the semester.
Students who fail one or more sections of a TSI Test may satisfy TSI Requirements by:
- Getting a passing score on a retake of a TSI test,
- Completing a developmental program in the appropriate area with a grade of “C “ or better,
- Completing an approved college-level course(s) in the appropriate area with a grade of “C” or better or
- Using a score on an ACT, SAT, or TAKS test that meets the exemption standard in the appropriate area.
Sam Houston State University TSI Reading, Writing, and Mathematics Requirements and Placement Charts:
Reading Requirements
- Students who score from 001 to 229 on the THEA must pass RDG 031D <READ 0301> with a grade of C or better. (Placement for other tests is included in the chart below.)
- Students who have a passing score have satisfied their TSI requirements and are not required to remediate.
Placement Chart for Reading
| TSI Status | Course | THEA/TASP | Accuplacer | Asset | Compass |
| Not Complete | RDG 031D <READ 1301> | 1-229 | 1-77 | 1-40 | 1-80 |
| Passing/ Complete | 230 or > | 78 or > | 41 or > | 81 or > |
Writing Requirements
- Students who score from 001 to 219 on the THEA must pass ENG 031D <ENGL 0331> with a grade of C or better. (Placement for other tests is included in the chart below.)
- Students who have a passing score have satisfied their TSI requirements and are not required to remediate.
Placement Chart for Writing
| TSI Status | Course | THEA/TASP | Accuplacer | Asset | Compass |
| Not Complete | ENGL 031D <ENGL 0331> | 01-219 | 01-79 and 5 | 01-39 and 5 | 01-58 and 5 |
| Complete | ENGL 164 <ENGL 1301> | 220 or > | 80/5 or 6* | 40/5 or 6* | 59/5 or 6* |
*Students who make a 6 or higher on their writing essay (in Accuplacer, Asset or Compass), will automatically be TSI writing complete regardless of the sentence skills score.
Mathematics Requirements
Students can enroll in a college level math course if they meet TSI requirements and:
- meet the required prerequisite score with a TSI Test (See Placement Chart below),
- completed a previous college level math course with a grade of “C” or better,
- completed MTH 032D <MATH 0332> with a grade of “C” or better,
- completed the higher level MTH 031D <MATH 0331> with a grade of “C” or better in Fall 2003 or with a grade of “S” prior to Fall 2003,
- are repeating a math course previously attempted, or
- are currently taking MTH 032D <MATH 0332> at SHSU with the understanding that they will not be allowed to remain in the course if MTH 032D <MATH 0332> is not completed with a grade of “C” or better.
Students, who have satisfied TSI requirements but have not met the required SHSU placement standards, must take MTH 032D <MATH 0332> before taking a college-level math course but are not required to remediate every semester.
Any student who is not TSI Math compliant must enroll in the appropriate developmental course. Additionally, any student who is TSI Math compliant, but NOT college level ready must enroll in the appropriate developmental course (See SHSU Mathematics Placement Chart below). When multiple scores are available, the student should be placed in the higher course.
Placement Chart for Mathematics
| TSI Status | Course | THEA | Accuplacer | ACT* | SAT** | Asset | Compass |
| Not Complete | MTH 031D <MATH 0331> | 1-229 | 1-62 | 1-18 | 1-499 | 1-37 | 1-38 |
| TSI Complete/Not SHSU College Math | MTH 032D <MATH 0332> | 230-269 | 63-85 | 19-22 | 500-559 | 38-52 | 39-75 |
| TSI Complete/ Meets SHSU Math Pre-requisite for College Level Math | 270 or > | 86 or > | 23 or > | 560 or > | 53 or > | 76 or > |
* The Math ACT is used for placement only when the student is TSI compliant.
** The Math SAT is used for placement only when the student is TSI compliant.
If remediation is not required, the student may enroll in MTH 163 <MATH 1316>, 164 <1332>, 169 <1369>, 170 <1314>, 184 <1384>, 199 <1324>, STA 169 <STAT 1369> or <MATH 1410>. All other mathematics courses have non-remedial prerequisites.
For more information on the Texas Success Initiative at SHSU, please visit https://www.shsu.edu/tsi. To inquire about taking the THEA or Accuplacer, please contact the Testing Center by email at TEST.CTR@SHSU. EDU or by telephone (936) 294-1025.
Test Scores Required to Take College Level Mathematics
| THEA/TASP | Accuplacer | Asset | Compass | ACT | SAT |
| 270 or > | 86 or > | 53 or > | 76 or > | 23 or > | 560 or > |
Note: Math Accuplacer score decreased from 109 to 86 effective fall 2012.
For more information on the Texas Successs Initiative at SHSU, please visit www.shsu.edu/tsi. To inquire about taking the Accuplacer, Compass, or THEA, please, contact the Testing Center by email at test.ctr@shsu.edu or by telephone or by telephone (936) 294-1025.