Historic Walker County

SAM HOUSTON
STATE UNIVERSITY
In response to an increasing interest in
improving the Texas public education system, a
teacher training school known as the Sam
Houston Normal Institute was approved by the
Texas legislature in 1879. Since then, the university’s
name, mission and goals have expanded to
meet the evolving educational and employment
needs of Texas and those of the world.
In 1923, the school’s name was changed to
Sam Houston State Teachers College. Two years
later, Sam Houston became a member of the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as
an accredited institution of higher learning.
The GI Bill contributed to an increase in
students and faculty after WWII, furthering
the school’s educational reach. Growth in
enrollment and the expansion of academic
undergraduate and graduate degree programs
prompted the institution to change its name
to Sam Houston State College in 1965 and Sam
Houston State University (SHSU) in 1969.
Strong leadership shaped the university’s
progress over the decades changing the campus
landscape through a tremendous building expansion
and technological infrastructure upgrades.
Admission standards increased, the number of
faculty grew, and academic programs were added.
The university achieved prestigious accreditations
and received numerous recognitions including
a Carnegie Doctoral Research Classification,
placing SHSU in the top seven percent of all
colleges and universities in the United States.
Today, the University has six colleges:
Business Administration, Criminal Justice,
Education, Fine Arts & Mass
Communication, Humanities
and Social Sciences, and
Science. SHSU offers an extensive
range of bachelor’s and
master’s degrees as well as five
doctoral programs.
Access to a SHSU education
continues to expand through
online programming and satellite
campuses. The university is
also recognized as a leader in
articulation agreements with
community colleges in Texas.
With modern facilities, an
inspired and capable administration,
and a superior faculty,
the university is embracing the
challenges of a new century.
With its namesake, its ties to
Texas history and a record of
many years of service to the
people of the state, Sam
Houston State University is truly
“a great in Texas education.”
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