Undergraduate Catalog 2008-2010

Sam Houston State University

Skip to content

• Table of Contents
• Search
• Academic Colleges
• Academic Calendar
• Tuition and Fees

Testing

A variety of college entrance, vocational, guidance, state-mandated, and/or placement exams are available at Sam Houston State University. The Testing Center is an open testing facility (testing SHSU students as well as the general public), has limited seating, and reservations are made on a first come-first served basis. This section addresses some of the testing choices a student may utilize for counseling purposes, college entrance, and/or receiving college credit. The Testing Center is located in Academic Building IV, Rm. #102 (south of the Lee Drain Building on the corner of Avenue I and Bowers Blvd.) Testing policies and/or fees are subject to change at any time. Contact the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025, e-mail test.ctr@shsu.edu, or visit the web at www.shsu.edu/testing for current information.

Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. A student may receive credit at Sam Houston State University based on the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Advanced Placement Examinations. These examinations are taken prior to the student’s high school graduation at designated test centers. Information on the CEEB Advanced Placement Examinations may be obtained from high school counselors.

An official AP Score must be received before credit will be granted by this institution for all beginning freshmen or transfer students who have not received credit in the past from other colleges/ universities. Credit may be awarded in transfer from another college or university as long as an official transcript from that institution indicates the credit awarded and the credit is for a course or courses that are normally transferable from that institution to SHSU.

Current policy and/or additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025, by visiting the Testing Center website at www.shsu.edu/testing, or by visiting the AP website at www.collegeboard.org.

ACCUPLACER. The ACCUPLACER test is one of the TSI tests offered at this institution for evaluating a student’s performance in reading, writing, and mathematics. It is a computer-based test with results available immediately following completion of the test. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025, by visiting the Testing Center website at www.shsu.edu/testing, or by visiting the ACCUPLACER website at http://ctps.accuplacer.com.

ACT. This test is one of the two college admissions exams accepted by Sam Houston State University. The test is given five (5) times each year on SHSU’s campus. A student may receive college credit for a high score received on the English section of the ACT exam. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or by visiting the ACT website at http://www.act.org.

ACT-Residual Test (ACT-R). The ACT-Residual test is only accepted at Sam Houston State University— it will not transfer to another college/university. Students taking this test must have
applied for admission to SHSU before registering for this test or be a currently enrolled student at SHSU. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or by visiting the Testing Center website athttps://www.shsu.edu/testing.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Sam Houston State University is an open national testing center for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). SHSU will accept some of the CLEP subject exams for credit but not the general exams (except in transfer from another college/ university). Current policy and/or additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025, by visiting the Testing Center website athttps://www.shsu.edu/testing, or by visiting the CLEP website at http://www.collegeboard.com/clep.

DANTES Subject Standardized Test Program (DSST). The DSST Program is a credit-by-examination testing service used by colleges and universities to provide students an alternative
way to earn college credit in subjects they have learned outside the traditional college classroom. Sam Houston State University is a testing site for DSST exams. Current policy and/or additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025, by visiting the Testing Center website athttps://www.shsu.edu/testing, or by visiting the DANTES website at http://www.getcollegecredit.com.

International Baccalaureate Program (IB). SHSU will accept IB scores for college credit. Students may visit the Testing Center website at www.shsu.edu/testing for information concerning the IB Policy or see Appendix F in this catalog.

Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). The SAT-I test is one of the two college admissions exams accepted by Sam Houston State University. This exam is given three (3) times each year on
SHSU’s campus. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or by visiting the SAT website at www.collegeboard.com.

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education (TCLEOSE). Prospective police officers may take tests which are required by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education for certification by the State of Texas. This test is administered by the Testing Center and individuals may schedule an appointment by calling (936) 294-1025. An Endorsement of Eligibility form signed by the instructor of the course or academy must be provided by the student before the test may be administered. There is a fee for administration and scoring services.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of non-native speakers of English. The TOEFL is administered several times per year, and there is a fee for administration and scoring services. For information regarding paperbased or computer-based testing centers, refer to the appropriate edition of the TOEFL Information Bulletin or visit their website at www.toefl.org. For further information, contact the English Language Institute (ELI) Office on campus by calling (936) 294-1028 for the paper/pencil version of the test or the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 for the computer-based version of the test.

Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA). The Texas Legislature requires all colleges and universities to administer a test that evaluates a student’s abilities in reading, writing, and mathematics. Sam Houston State University uses the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) as one of the tests for this purpose. Students who do not pass one or more sections of the test are required to enroll in a developmental course. The state-scheduled THEA is given six (6) times a year on the campus of SHSU. Additional information may be found under the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) section of this catalog, by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025, or by visiting the Testing Center web site at www.shsu.edu/testing.

Texas Higher Education Assessment-Quick Test (THEA-QT). The THEA-QT is one of the TSI tests scheduled to be administered on the SHSU campus each week. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or by visiting their website at www.shsu.edu/testing.

Credit By Exam

ACT/SAT English Credit
Sam Houston State University has a policy of accepting high scores from the ACT or SAT test for credit in freshman English courses. The current policy is as follows:

ACT - A score of 33 or above in the English section of the ACT test qualifies a student for exemption from both ENG 164 and ENG 165. A score of 27-32 qualifies a student for enrollment in ENG 164H (Honors Class), an accelerated class for students with superior skills in English. Students earning an A or B in ENG 164H will automatically receive credit for ENG 165 and become eligible for sophomore English. If the student does not make a grade of A or B in the ENG 164H class, he/she will be required to take ENG 165.

SAT - A score of 700 or above in the verbal section of the SAT test qualifies a student for exemption from both ENG 164 and ENG 165. A score of 600-690 qualifies a student for enrollment in ENG 164H (Honors Class), an accelerated class for students with superior skills in English. Students earning an A or B in ENG 164H will automatically receive credit for ENG 165 and become eligible for sophomore English. If the student does not make a grade of A or B in the ENG 164H class, he/she will be required to take ENG 165.

Advanced Placement Program (AP)*

Sam Houston State University has a policy of accepting up to a maximum of thirty (30) semester hours of credit through a combination of national standardized examinations and/or locally designed and administered departmental tests. More than thirty (30) semester hours of credit by examination will be considered on an individual appeal basis. Sam Houston State University may award college credit for the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Advanced Placement Examinations based on the score(s) received. The AP exams listed below may be taken for credit at SHSU. Policies are subject to change at any time. Contact the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or visit the web at www.shsu.edu/testing for current policy information.

The list above was revised September, 2007.

* The above information is subject to change. Please visit www.shsu.edu/testing for the most current information.

1. General Information. The Advanced Placement (AP) examinations are taken prior to the student’s high school graduation at designated test centers. Information on the CEEB
   Advanced Placement Examinations may be obtained from high school counselors or by visiting the Advanced Placement website.
   
2. Limitations. Specific course prefixes, numbers, and semester credit hours will be awarded for acceptable scores but no grades will be awarded (except in transfer from another college or university). Credit will not be awarded for an exam if the student has already taken the course and received credit.
3. Acceptable Scores and Credit. An official Advanced Placement score report must be received from a beginning freshman (or any student who has not received college credit for
   these exams at another college or university) before credit will be awarded. A transfer student, who has received credit for one or more AP exams at another college or university, may have credit awarded at SHSU upon receipt of an official transcript from the other institution as long as the credit awarded at the other institution is transferable to SHSU.

   Currently, the following scores are required in order to receive credit for AP exams at SHSU: (These scores are subject to change.)
   
   • A score of 4 or above is required for Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science A, Computer Science AB, Human Geography, Physics B, Physics C (Mechanics), Physics C (Electricity and Magnetism), and World History;
   • A score of 3 or above is required for French (Language), German (Language) and Spanish (Language) — specifically: a score of 3 = 141, 4 = 141 and 142, 5 = 141, 142, 263, and 264;
   • A score of 3 or above is required for all other subjects accepted at SHSU.
   Interpretive information about the score reports is enclosed with the initial grade report. To obtain additional copies or for more information:
   WRITE: AP Services
   P. O. Box 6671
   Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6671 or
   E-MAIL: apexams@info.collegeboard.org or
   CALL: toll free (888) 225-5427 or
   (609) 771-7300 or
   FAX: (609) 530-0482
   

4. QUESTIONS. Testing Center, Sam Houston State University, Box 2240, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2240; Academic Building IV, Room 102; telephone: (936) 294-1025; e-mail: test.ctr@shsu.edu.
5. AP Website. http://www.apcentral.collegeboard.com

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Sam Houston State University is an open national testing center for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). The University accepts CLEP Subject Exams for credit but does not accept General Exams for credit (except in transfer from another college or university). All CLEP exams may be taken at SHSU, but only the CLEP Subject Exams listed below will be accepted for credit at SHSU (except in transfer).

Sam Houston State University has a policy of accepting up to a maximum of thirty (30) semester hours of credit through a combination of national standardized examinations and/or locally designed and administered departmental tests. More than thirty (30) semester hours of credit by examination will be considered on an individual appeal basis. Policies are subject to change at any time. Contact the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or visit the web at www.shsu.edu/testing for current policy information.

The list above was revised September, 2007.

1. Registration. An individual appointment time for taking a test may be made by contacting the Testing Coordinator (see item 5 in this section). The registration form must be completed and returned with the registration/administration fee before an appointment for testing can be made. Examinees will receive written verification of their scheduled test appointment.
2. Registration/Administration Fee. Sam Houston State University charges a nontransferable, nonrefundable registration/administration fee for each exam requested at the rate of
   $30 for each test requested. This registration/administration fee is separate from the test fee, may be paid by check or money order made payable to SHSU or by credit card (Visa or MasterCard only) and should accompany the request to schedule the test. Information to be included on the front of the check or money order are a driver’s license number and social security number. If the individual wishes to change the testing date, payment of another registration/administration fee is required along with written information concerning the new testing date and time.
3. Test Fee. The fee for taking a CLEP test is $65 per test. A student may pay by check or money order made payable to CLEP, or by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or American Express). The test fee payment must accompany the registration form when registering for an exam.
4. Acceptable Scores and Credit. The minimum recommended score for awarding credit is determined by the American Council on Education and is currently a score of “50” on the
   exams. (Exceptions to the recommended scores affect the English exams and the Foreign Language exams taken for credit at SHSU.)
   
   The English exams require an essay that will be graded by university English faculty who will make a final decision based on a combination of the scores from the multiple choice portion of the test and from the essay portion of the test.
   
   The Foreign Languages faculty will make the final decision on awarding credit for the Spanish CLEP exam. This test requires a writing sample, in addition to the computer portion
   of the test, and must be graded by the Foreign Languages faculty before possible credit will be considered.
   
   Credit may be awarded in transfer from another college or university when the official transcript from that institution indicates the credit awarded and the credit is for a course or courses that are transferable from that institution to SHSU or by receiving an official CLEP score report.
   
   Credit will not be awarded for an exam if the student is has already taken the course. Specific course prefixes, numbers, and credit hours will be awarded for acceptable scores but no grades will be awarded (except in transfer from another college or university).
   
   Also, students must wait six months to repeat a test. There is a fee for each additional score report. To order an official score report or to get more information:
   
   USE: The Transcript Request Form at the bottom of your original score report or
   WRITE: CLEP Transcript Request Service
   P. O. Box 6600
   Princeton, NJ 08541-6600 or
   CALL: (609) 771-7865
   1-800-257-9558 or
   E-MAIL: clep@info.collegeboard.org or
   FAX: (609) 771-70898
5. Questions. Testing Center, Sam Houston State University, Box 2240, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2240; Academic Building IV, Room 102; telephone: (936) 294-1025; e-mail: test.ctr@shsu.edu.
6. CLEP WEBSITE. http://www.collegeboard.com/clep
   

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

Sam Houston State University is a testing center for the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) exams. All DSST exams may be taken at SHSU, but only the DSST exams listed below
will be accepted for credit at Sam Houston State University (except in transfer from another college or university).

Sam Houston State University has a policy of accepting up to a maximum of thirty (30) semester hours of credit through a combination of national standardized examinations and/or locally designed and administered departmental tests. More than thirty (30) semester hours of credit by examination will be considered on an individual appeal basis. Policies are subject to change at any time. Contact the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025 or visit the web at www.shsu.edu/testing for current policy information.

The list above was revised September, 2005.

1. Registration. Registration materials must be completed and submitted to the Testing Center at least one month prior to a requested appointment time. The completed registration form and the required registration/administration fee must be received in order for an appointment time to be scheduled. Examinees will receive written verification of their scheduled test appointment.
2. Registration/Administration Fee. SHSU charges a nontransferable, nonrefundable registration/ administration fee of $30 for each exam requested. This fee is separate from the test
   fee and may be paid by check or money order made payable to SHSU, or by credit card (Visa or MasterCard only). The examinee’s driver’s license number and social security number should to be written on the front of the check or money order. The registration/administration fee is paid when the examinee turns in their registration form and an appointment time is set for their exam. If the examinee wishes to change a scheduled exam date, another registration/ administration fee is charged along with written information concerning the new appointment date and time.
3. Test Fee. The current cost for an exam is $60 per test. A student may pay by money order or certified check made payable to The DSST Program or by the following credit cards: VISA,
   MasterCard, or American Express. Personal checks are not an acceptable form of payment for the DSST test fee.
4. Acceptable Scores and Credit. Acceptable scores for DSST exams are determined by the American Council on Education’s “minimum score for awarding credit.” Credit will not be
   awarded for an exam if the student has already taken the course. Credit for DSST exams may be accepted in transfer from another college or university once the University has received an official transcript indicating the credit awarded (but only if the credit awarded at the previous college or university is transferable to SHSU) or by receiving an official DSST Score Report. Specific course prefixes, numbers, and credit hours will be awarded for acceptable scores but no grades will be awarded (except in transfer from another college or university). There is a charge for additional score reports. To order a score report or receive additional information:
   
   USE: the transcript request form provided by ETS or
   DOWNLOAD: (a transcript request form from the internet) at the DSST website listed below
   or
   WRITE: The Chauncey Group International
   ATTN: DSST Program
   664 Rosedale Road MS-23P
   Princeton, NJ 08540 or
   CALL: (609) 720-6800 or (877) 471-9860
   
5. Questions. Testing Center, Sam Houston State University, Box 2240, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2240; Academic Building IV, Room 102; telephone: (936) 294-1025; e-mail: test.ctr@shsu.edu.
6. DSST Website. http://www.getcollegecredit.com
   

SAT II Subject Exams

Sam Houston State University is an open national testing center for the SAT-II subject examinations. All SAT-II subject exams may be taken at SHSU. Only the SAT-II subject exams listed below will be accepted for credit at SHSU (except in transfer from another college or university).

Sam Houston State University has a policy of accepting up to a maximum of thirty (30) hours of credit through a combination of national standardized examinations and/or locally designed
and administered departmental tests. More than thirty (30) hours of credit by examination will be considered on an individual appeal basis. Policies are subject to change at any time. Contact the Testing Center at (936) 294-1025, or visit the web at www.shsu.edu/testing for current policy information.

Sam Houston State University | A Member of The Texas State University System