Founded on April 21, 1879 by Governor Oran M. Roberts as a teacher’s college, Sam Houston State University received the status of a University in 1969. The institute is located in Hunstville, Texas and is a member of the Texas State University system. Sam Houston State is named for one of the great heroes of Texas history, General Sam Houston. Also referred to as SHSU or simply “Sam,” Sam Houston State University now awards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees and is classed as a Carnegie Research/Doctoral-Intensive University. Its mission is “to meet the needs of the civilized community by providing to the community educational opportunities and resources of the highest quality.” The emphasis is on instruction rather than research.
Sam Houston State University
Academics
Sam Houston State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The institute also holds several discipline based accreditations such as AACSB International, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and others. Sam Houston State offers 84 undergraduate degree programs in five colleges, including Arts & Sciences, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Education, and Humanities & Social Sciences. The average class size is 31 students, and the teacher-to-student ratio is 1:22. In addition to the various majors offered, there are several pre-professional programs including pre-dental and pre-veterinary medicine.
Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in a number of different disciplines in all five colleges, including agriculture, art, environmental science, industrial technology, mathematics, music, theatre, economics, criminal justice, kinesiology, history, and sociology. These include the bachelor of fine arts, the bachelor or music, the bachelor of business administration, and the bachelor of applied arts and sciences.
Master’s degrees are awarded in administration, clinical psychology, counseling, English, Library science, music education, reading, and statistics, among others. A master of fine arts (MFA) is available in dance, and several fields offer both a Master of Arts and a Master of Education. The school awards four doctoral degrees, in criminal justice, educational leadership, counselor education, and clinical psychology.
Schools and Colleges:
Sam Houston State University is composed of a number of different colleges: the College of Arts and Science, the College of Business Administration, the College of Criminal Justice, the College of Education, and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Sam Houston State University.
Students seeking admission to Sam Houston State University must send the completed application form, and all the official transcripts, along with their ACT/ SAT scores. Getting transfer to the institute is also very simple. Applicants must send their official transcripts from all previous institutes attended. International students are also encouraged to apply for admission. They are required to meet all the above mentioned admission requirements, and also send their TOEFL or IELTS score.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available at SHSU with a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs. To determine eligibility for financial aid, applicants must complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. While family income is a considerable factor in determining need, SHSU also considers factors such as family size, age of older parents, savings, and investments. SHSU offers a variety of institutional and private scholarships, as well as access to student loan programs, all facilitated through the Financial Aid office.
Students can apply for the TEACH Grant programs or the Bearkat Transfer Scholarship. Other types of scholarships include Ray Gordon Dollar Scholarship, Dr. James E. Gilmore Endowed Scholarship, Wesley l. Oakes Endowed Scholarship, Edward James Crawford Scholarship, Faith Foundation Scholarship, and Tommy Metcalf Endowed Scholarship. There are also several work-study programs available through which students can earn money to meet their educational expenses.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Sam Houston State University 3610th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best Texas scholarships and financial aid
The student life at SHSU is vibrant and fun. There are over 220 registered student organizations on the campus. In addition to the numerous classroom, dormitory, and administration buildings, Sam Houston State University has an on-campus hotel, a planetarium and observatory, and a student-operated cable television station and radio station.
The Sam Houston State University Library offers electronic catalogs and online databases, in additional to physical volumes stored on site or available through interlibrary lounge. The University Library offers special individual assistance to doctoral and master’s students working on their dissertations or theses. The University has a special, confidential legal affairs office to assist students with legal problems. It also offers mediation services.
SHSU is home to more than 15,000 students. With over 30 residence halls, there is a community for every student, including family and sorority housing. The residence halls are well equipped with modern facilities for the convenience of the students. The campus is also home to a fully-staffed Health Center, television station, radio station (90.5 FM), and student-published newspaper “The Houstonian”. There are a variety of recreational sports programs, including track, racquetball, and aerobics. SHSU also has a leading intercollegiate rodeo program. For golfers, SHSU is a partner with the local Raven Nest Golf Course.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Sam Houston State University?
Sam Houston State’s athletic department sponsors men’s and women’s sports teams in diverse sports categories such as baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, bowling, soccer, softball, tennis, and track & field. The teams participate in NCAA Division I in the Southland Conference. The athletic teams are nicknamed as the Bearkats. The colors are orange and white. Their official mascot is Sammy Bearkat.
Local Community
The town of Hunstville is located 70 miles from Houston. It has a population of approximately 34,500 and is surrounded with by forests, lakes and ranchlands. It is known for being the home and burial place of General Sam Houston.
The town is surrounded by lakes, forests, and other natural resources, including Huntsville State Park, a haven for hikers and mountain bikers. Huntsville is also host of the annual General Sam Houston Folk Festival and the “Fair on the Square” in downtown Huntsville.
Alumni
Molly Hazlett, 2007 Miss Texas
Frank Bielec, notable Trading Spaces designer
Johnny Maze, eminent radio disc jockey
Steve Sparks, professional baseball player
Sam Houston State University
Additional School Information
Sam Houston State is known for its Criminal Justice program. It ranks among the nation’s top programs of its kind and offers a Ph.D. in criminal justice. The Criminal Justice Program has its own set of admissions standards separate from those of the overall University, and interested applicants should contact the College directly. The SHSU is also home to a world class planetarium and observatory for the study of astronomy and to provide educational services to the public.
Bibliography
Cashion, Ty. Sam Houston State University: an institutional memory, 1879-2004. Texas Review Press, 2004. Print.
Surhone, Lambert M. Timpledon, Miriam T. Sam Houston State University. VDM Verlag Dr. Mueller AG & Co. Kg, 2010. Print.
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10 months agoValencia Williams
I personally think that Sam Houston State is a wonderful school to attend if you plan on going to presue your carrer in criminal justice....being that the school is number one in that state for there program, there financial aid is very helpful as well, i hope you make a good choice in college making.
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I personally think that Sam Houston State is a wonderful school to attend if you plan on going to presue your carrer in criminal justice....being that the school is number one in that state for there program, there financial aid is very helpful as well, i hope you make a good choice in college making.