Admission

This is an archived copy of the 2019-2020 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit catalog.shsu.edu.

Application Process

  1. Inquire about your program.
  2. Apply at Apply Texas.
  3. Upon receipt of the SHSU application received email, create your SHSU Self Service Center account. 
  4. Submit required application materials by the posted deadline for your program, as well as, monitor application status and receipt of materials via your SHSU Self Service Center account.
  5. Admission decisions are communicated by email and on your SHSU Self Service Center account.
  6. If you have questions regarding your application or your Self Service Center account please contact graduate@shsu.edu or (936) 294-1971.

Application Materials

Application materials include an application, non-refundable application fee, official transcript(s), and official entrance exam scores if applicable. Additional supporting materials vary by program. For the most current and program-specific information, please visit the Degrees Offered web page. Application materials include:

  • Application for Admission and Application Fee
    An application for your desired program must be on file with the Office of Admissions, including a non-refundable application fee ($45), for every prospective degree program. To provide adequate time to process application materials, all materials must be received before August 1 for fall admission, December 1 for spring admission, and May 15 for summer admission. International students should allow at least 60 days prior to the start of the semester. Application requirements vary by program so, please, reference the listing for your program and contact Admissions if you have questions. 
  • Official transcript of the baccalaureate degree-granting institution showing the date of the degree conferral

The baccalaureate degree-granting institution must be a college and/or university accredited by an agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Some programs require all transcripts showing any college-level work attempted. Students applying prior to completing their baccalaureate degree should submit the most up-to-date transcript during the admissions process. A final transcript MUST be submitted upon completing the baccalaureate program. SHSU students are not required to submit an SHSU transcript for admission purposes. Official transcripts are sent by mail directly to the Office of Admissions - Graduate Programs, SHSU, Box 2478, Huntsville, TX 77341-2478 or electronically to graduate@shsu.edu. 

  • Official scores of the entrance exam required by the respective college and/or department
    The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general test may be required for some graduate programs. Students seeking the MBA, the MS in Accounting, or the MS in Project Management may be required to submit the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT). Some programs do not require an entrance exam.
  • Submit other program-specific admission materials. Some programs require additional information such as letters of recommendation, essays, and documentation of experience.

Admission Examinations

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Miller Analogies Test (MAT), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are given at various centers throughout the United States and in other countries.

  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE). This test is may be required for admission to some programs of graduate study at Sam Houston State University. Registration for the examination may be scheduled by calling 1-800-GRE-CALL or by visiting the GRE website. The GRE institution code for SHSU is 6643.
  • Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). This test may be required for admission to graduate study in the College of Business Administration at Sam Houston State University. Registration for the test may be arranged by calling 1-800-GMAT-NOW (1-800-462-8669) or by visiting the GMAT website. Sam Houston State University is a testing site for the GMAT.
  • Miller Analogies Test (MAT). This test is accepted as an admission test by some programs of study at Sam Houston State University. The MAT is administered by the Testing Center, and individuals may call for an appointment, (936) 294-1025. There is a fee for administration and scoring services.
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL or IELTS 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 further information, contact the English Language Institute, Sam Houston State University, Box 2030, Huntsville, Texas 77341; TOEFL, P.O. Box 6155, Princeton, NJ 0845-6155; or visit the TOEFL website. 
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS).  The TOEFL or IELTS is required of non-native speakers of English. The IELTS is internationally available, and there is a fee for administration and scoring services. Registration for the exam may be scheduled by visiting the IELTS website. 

International Students

Additional Application Requirements

  • Original evaluation of foreign educational credentials
  • Translation of official transcripts if original is printed in a language other than English
  • Proof of financial support (Please visit International Students for further details.)
  • Prospective international students must demonstrate the ability to speak, write, and understand the English language. Prospective students whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). All applicants for admission from non-English-speaking countries must present a score of at least 79 (internet-based), 213 (computer-based), or 550 (paper-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

For additional admission requirements, international students should contact:

Office of International Programs
Sam Houston State University
Box 2150
Huntsville TX 77341-2150
(936) 294-3892

Additional VISA Type Considerations

Students in the following VISA categories at time of application may qualify for conditional admissions, probationary admissions, preparatory admissions, non-degree admissions, or graduate transient admissions: A-1, A-2, A-3, B-2, E-1, E-2, F-I, F-2, VWB, VWT, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5. H-1A, H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, H-3, H-4, I, J-1, J-2, L-1, L-2, M-1, M-2, NATO 1-7, O-1, O-2, O-3, P-1, P-2, P-3, P-4, Q, R-1, R-2, TN, and TD. 

English Language Institute

Sam Houston State University has an English as a Second Language Program for non-English-speaking international students. Information about this program may be obtained by contacting:

English Language Institute
Sam Houston State University
Box 2030
Huntsville, Texas 77341
936.294.1028
E-mail: ESL@shsu.edu
Website: English Language Institute 

Admission Standards

For Graduate Admission, SHSU requires an undergraduate GPA from the baccalaureate-granting institution of 2.5 (on a 4.0 point scale) or a GPA of at least 2.8 from the last 60 hours of courses taken at the baccalaureate degree-granting institution. The minimum GPA may be waived for programs in certain circumstances, please contact the program department for additional information.       

Admission to graduate studies at Sam Houston State University and any of its sponsored programs is open to qualified individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, or age.

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 adviser (access advisers at Degrees Offered) or the dean of the appropriate college in which the program is housed. Regular admission, pending degree conferral, may be granted to a degree-seeking student who has not yet graduated with their baccalaureate degree.  This will allow an admission decision to be made and the student to enroll in classes pending receipt of successful degree conferral. For students admitted pending degree conferral or lacking official transcripts (i.e., admission decision made with unofficial transcripts), the official transcript of the degree-granting institution(s) showing the date of the degree conferral must be submitted prior to the registration deadline of the semester enrolled.  Failure to submit such official transcripts by the registration deadline may result in revocation of admission status.

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 may not qualify for conditional admission, with the exception of international students transferring directly from U.S. institutions. For more information, refer to Additional Visa Type Considerations. Conditional admission does not qualify for federal financial aid.

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 may not be eligible for probationary admission. For more information, refer to Additional Visa Type Considerations. Probationary admission does not qualify for federal financial aid.

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 may not be eligible for preparatory admission. For more information, refer to Additional Visa Type Considerations. Preparatory admission does not qualify for federal financial aid.

Non-Degree Admission

Non-degree admission may be granted to a student who holds a baccalaureate degree or higher 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. Students may enroll in undergraduate or graduate level courses.  An applicant for non-degree admission must submit the following documents to the Office of Admissions: the graduate application for admission, a non-refundable application fee, and an official copy of the transcript from the school that awarded the baccalaureate 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.

Generally, international students possessing an F-1 student visa are not eligible for non-degree admission. However, an F-1 student may enroll in a graduate level certificate program. In addition, if currently enrolled at a U.S. institution in F-1 status, non-degree admission may be permitted if the student is pursuing a course that is not offered at their current institution. Both Sam Houston State University and the current F-1 institution must be in approval.  Please, contact the Office of International Programs for more details. For more information on additional visa types, refer to Additional Visa Type Considerations.  

Please, be mindful that non-degree admission does not qualify for federal financial aid.

Graduate Transient Admission

Transient admission may be granted to a student who is accepted in good standing at a college and/or university recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board 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 Admissions: the graduate application for admission, a nonrefundable application fee, and certification of graduate standing in a college and/or university recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. 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. For more information for international students, refer to Additional Visa Type Considerations. 

Admission Classifications

A student admitted into a graduate or post-baccalaureate program at SHSU may be considered for three distinct classifications. Details of the possible classifications follow.

Post-Baccalaureate

Post-baccalaureate classification is assigned to a student possessing a baccalaureate degree who has not been regularly or conditionally admitted to a graduate program (master’s or doctoral) at SHSU. A student who is classified as a post-baccalaureate is typically:

  • taking undergraduate classes to raise an undergraduate GPA,
  • seeking certification or a certificate credential at the graduate level but not seeking a degree,
  • taking prerequisite courses for a degree program and does not yet meet the admission requirements for the degree program, or
  • taking courses for self-edification.

Master's

Master’s classification is assigned to a degree-seeking student possessing a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent and who has been admitted to an approved master’s degree program at SHSU. Master’s classification is also granted to a degree-seeking student admitted to a doctoral program who has not yet earned the required master’s degree or 30 hours toward the doctorate degree.

Doctoral

Doctoral classification is assigned to a degree-seeking student who has been admitted to an approved doctoral degree program at SHSU, and has completed a master’s degree (recognized as the equivalent of one year’s full-time work) toward the doctoral degree the student is seeking, or at least 30 graduate hours of work toward the proposed doctorate degree.

Subsequent Application

A new application for admission must be submitted if the student fails to attend for one calendar year or seeks admission into a different degree program.

For more information, please call the Office of Admissions at (936) 294-1971 or visit Graduate Admissions online. 

Second Master's Degree

(Refer to Academic Policy Statement 801215)

A student can only be enrolled, seeking one graduate degree at a time.  If a student wishes to pursue more than one master's degree at Sam Houston State University, he or she must complete one degree before beginning another.  A student may seek a second master’s degree at Sam Houston State University, provided that the field of study differs from the field of study for the first master’s degree. 

Upon the written recommendation of the appropriate departmental chair(s) and academic dean, the following maximum number of credit hours may be applied to the second master’s degree:

Departments Programs
Hours in Second Master’s Degree Program Maximum Semester Credit Hours Applied
30-35 6
36-44 9
45-59 12
60 or more 15

Personal Standards

The personal standards of conduct expected of students who enroll at Sam Houston State University are provided in the Student Guidelines. Additional standards for professional behavior are expected and assessed in some graduate programs. The University reserves the right to refuse acceptance to prospective or former students who have criminal records, including conviction of a felony, offenses involving moral turpitude, or other serious offenses.