Registration

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

Enrollment Requirements

Information concerning registration may be obtained from the Academic Calendar provided in this publication, the Student Advising 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 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: SAM Center. 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 to ensure appropriate progress toward completion of degree requirements.  However, the student bears sole responsibility for assuring that all degree requirements are fulfilled.

Students are placed under a degree and major based on the selection at the time of application to Sam Houston.  A student has the option of meeting the academic requirements for any degree as outlined in the catalog at the time of admission. In addition, a later catalog may be selected provided the requirements are met no later than six years from the effective date of that catalog. The student is responsible for knowledge of the detailed requirements of the degree program including any special requirements of the major and/or minor department. Students must speak to their advisor in order to make a change to their major.  Some academic departments may require approval of the change of major.

See the SAM Center to determine if advisement is required.

Core Mathematics Enrollment Requirement

Current research on best practices in higher education indicates that students perform better at challenging subjects when they are immersed in the learning of the material, without interruption.  In order to ensure students are more successful in the general education mathematics courses — and remain on track to graduate in four years — Sam Houston State University requires students to continuously enroll in mathematics classes until they have successfully completed their mathematics requirement in Component Area II of the Core Curriculum.

Consequently, at the time of registration for classes in a given semester, any student who is not core complete in mathematics will be required to be registered for a core mathematics course before being allowed to add any other courses to their schedule for that semester.  

By requiring students to take their core mathematics course during their first semester, students are not only making adequate progress towards earning a degree in a timely manner, the quantitative skills obtained will better prepare them for advanced courses later in their degree plan.

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 online. Registration schedules may be found in the Schedule of Classes.

During scheduled periods of registration, students may register online 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. See the Registration Toolbox in the Registration tab for registration assistance.

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 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?

  • Students may add courses through the 6th class day for fall or spring terms and the 2nd class day for summer terms.
    For registration times, please refer to Registration Dates.

Resignations

A resignation is withdrawing from all classes within a term.  This does not mean the student is discontinuing his/her academic career.  The student will have one full academic year from last enrollment term to return to SHSU without reapplying, granted he/she did not leave on Academic Suspension.

To resign (officially withdraw) from the term, a student must notify the Registrar’s Office and process a Resignation Request. The Resignation Request becomes effective on the date received by the Registrar’s Office. The resignation effective date 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 term prior to the resignation deadline and discontinue class attendance will receive the grade of F or the grade earned for each course in which they are enrolled.

Students who resign after the twelfth class day of a fall/spring term receive a mark of W (withdrew) for each course for which they were enrolled.  Students registered in courses meeting less than 15 weeks please refer to the resignation refund schedule. If a student has received a grade in any course for that term, he/she is ineligible to resign.

Courses at SHSU The Woodlands Center

Please see Degrees Offered for a current listing of degree programs offered at SHSU The Woodlands Center. Courses completed as part of these programs carry residence credit. There is an additional fee charged for courses taken at SHSU The Woodlands Center. Currently, only Junior and Senior courses are available (3000/4000). For more information, contact SHSU The Woodlands Center at (936) 496-5000 or visit SHSU The Woodlands Center.  Mailing address:

SHSU The Woodlands Center
3380 College Park Drive
The Woodlands TX 77384

Correspondence Courses (No longer offered, effective Sept 1, 2018)

Correspondence courses completed June, 2011 - present are posted in the transfer record as they do not count in residence at SHSU.

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. 

Notification of Name Change

The form is located in the Payroll Office.

  • Present to the Payroll Office (located John W. Thomason Building, Suite 203, 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.
  • 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 Address Change

  • The form is located in the Payroll Office.
  • Permanent and local addresses can be changed online by accessing student records through the My Sam link, 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.

Classification of Students

  • Freshman: 1-29 hours completed
  • Sophomore: 30-59 hours completed
  • Junior: 60-89 hours completed
  • Senior: 90 hours or more completed.

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 on the 2nd class day 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

Options to order transcripts can be found on the Student Transcripts website. Official transcripts will not be released for students with financial indebtedness/outstanding balance(s) due to the University.

Texas Success Initiative

Students who are entering or enrolled in a Texas public institution of higher learning and are not exempt must take the TSI Assessment test and have scores on file before they will be allowed to attend any classes. Students who do not meet the minimum standards to be considered TSI college ready are required to take developmental courses. Students who do not meet the minimum standard must enroll in at least one developmental course each semester until the Texas Success Initiative requirements are satisfied.

Official placement test scores or valid exemption must be on file with the Registrar’s Office before students register for classes. Visit http://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
  • On the new SAT, a score of 530 will provide an exemption for math; or
  • On the new SAT, a score of 480 for Evidence Based Reading and Writing will provide an exemption for Reading and Writing; 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. Scores are valid for five years from test date; 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.

Temporary TSI Test Exemptions

Students who are not seeking a degree or certificate may be exempt at the discretion of the institution.

It is the student’s responsibility to inform the institution of his/her exemption.

Students Who Have Not Passed All Parts of the TSI Assessment

  • Must continuously enroll in the appropriate developmental program until they have satisfied all TSI Requirements.
  • 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; and
    • remain in class unless granted permission to drop.

Students Not Meeting Minimum Standards for One or More Sections of the TSI Assessment

  • May satisfy TSI requirements by:
    • Earning a passing score on a retake of the TSI Assessment test;
    • Completing a developmental program in the appropriate area with a CR* grade;
    • 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.

SHSU TSI Reading, Writing, and Mathematics Requirements and Placements

Reading Requirements

  • Students who score from 001 to 341 on the TSI Assessment test must pass INRW 0301 with a grade of CR*.
  • Students who score from 342 to 350 on the TSI Assessment test have the option to pass  INRW 0301 with a grade of CR*; or enroll in the co-requisite model INRW 0014​ and ENGL 1301.
  • Students with a passing score of 351 or higher on the TSI Assessment test have satisfied their TSI requirements and are not required to enroll in a developmental education course.

Writing Requirements

  • Students who score from 0 to 339 with a 1 - 4 Essay on the TSI Assessment test have the option to pass the INRW 0301 with a grade of CR*; or enroll in INRW 0014​ and ENGL 1301.
  • Students with a passing score of 340 with a 4 Essay on the TSI Assessment test have satisfied their TSI requirements and are not required to enroll in a developmental education course. Students who score a 5 on their Essay section with ABE score of 4 will automatically be TSI writing complete regardless of the score in the multiple-choice section.

Mathematics Requirements

  • Students who score from 0 - 339 on the TSI Assessment test must pass MATH 0333 with a grade of CR*.
  • Students who score from 340 to 349 on the TSI Assessment test have the option to pass the MATH 0333 with a grade of CR*; or enroll in a co-requisite model (See the Academic Success Center for course options.)
  • Students with a passing score of 350 or higher on the TSI Assessment test have satisfied their TSI requirements and are not required to enroll in a developmental education course.

For more information on the Texas Success Initiative at SHSU, please visit TSI website. To inquire about taking the TSI Assessment test, please contact Testing Center or by phone (936) 294-1025.