Until very recently, Texas State was known as Southwest Texas State University. Originally opened in 1903, the school’s purpose was to educate teachers. The University’s academic scope gradually broadened. Each period of growth was accompanied by a new name and a new mission for the University. Finally, in 2003, the University was officially recognized as Texas State.
Texas State University is located in San Marcos, Texas. There is a branch campus located in Round Rock. It is a member of the Texas State University system. Texas State University was founded in 1899 as a normal school. The University now awards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Texas State University defines itself as a “public, student centered, doctoral granting institution dedicated to excellence in serving the educational needs of the diverse population of Texas in the world beyond.” It counts among its alumni President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Texas State University-San Marcos
Academics
Texas State’s academic offerings are provided through its seven fundamental colleges and through the University College, established in 1986 to provide general education courses and meet all students’ educational needs. Keeping to its academic roots, Texas State educates more teachers than any university in the state. Other programs of note include the Geography Department, biochemistry, and physics. Faculty from the areas of geography, communications, business, and mathematics have all been nationally recognized as outstanding in their particular fields.
The University is composed of a number of different colleges: the College of Applied Arts, the College of Business Administration, the College of Education, the College of Fine Arts and Communication, the Graduate College, the College of Health Professions, the College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Science. There is also a University College, which provides a home for undecided majors and administration of the general education curriculum.
Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in a number of different disciplines, including agriculture, criminal justice, business administration, education, music, theatre and dance, art and design, anthropology, creative writing, geography, international studies, sociology, philosophy, social work, radiation therapy, and health administration.
Master’s degrees are awarded in accounting, aquatic biology, education, creative writing, geography, healthcare administration, industrial mathematics, interdisciplinary studies, music, professional counseling, recreation and leisure services, social work, theatre, and wildlife ecology, among others.
The school awards six doctoral degrees, in aquatic resources, in adult, professional, and community education, in school improvement education, and in geography, with concentrations in environmental geography, geographic education, and geographic information science.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Texas State University-San Marcos.
The creative writing program at Texas State was recognized by Associated Writing Programs for putting Texas State on the map for literary arts, on both the state and the national level. The program’s chair has won the National Book Award.
Texas State is home to the only sound recording technology program in the southwest United States.
The University also offers the nation’s first stuttering therapy program, as well as certificate programs and graduate minors.
Texas State University-San Marcos
Admissions
Texas State bases admissions primarily on academic performance, and considers extracurricular and other factors to a lesser extent. An application fee is required for all applicants. Depending on an incoming freshman’s class rank, the ACT score that is required of them could range from 20 (top 25% of class) to 29 (bottom 25% of class), and from 920 to 1270 for the SAT. Students who rank in the top 10% of their graduating class are held to no minimum test score requirements.
Applications to the undergraduate programs are accepted through May 1 for the fall semester, with an application fee of $40. In addition to the application form and fee, students must provide an application essay, high school transcripts, and official ACT or SAT scores. Applications can be submitted on-line.
Students will be admitted based on a combination of their class rank, their admission essay, and their test scores. Extracurricular involvement will also be a consideration.
Graduate students must provide the following for admissions to the graduate school: application and fee, test scores, and transcripts, and other materials as required by the particular program. A graduate application has an application fee of $40.
Financial Aid
Texas State offers a beneficial Emergency Tuition Loan Program (ETLP) for students with a cumulative 2.0 GPA at Texas State, who have no holds on their records and have demonstrated financial responsibility. The loan can provide minimum tuition and fees, and repayment is due in the same semester during which funds are borrowed. The Office of Financial Aid also offers loan counseling for students who are unsure of their financing options.
Scholarship opportunities at Texas State begin with the Texas Common Scholarship Application, found at www.applytexas.org. All incoming freshman applicants must submit an essay to be considered for scholarships.
In-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students are $2680 per semester in 2005-2006. Students applying from out of state and graduate students will have different costs.
Financial aid is available with a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Texas State University-San Marcos 4035th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best Texas scholarships and financial aid
All unmarried students who have completed less than 56 hours of study must live in University housing. While some students may consider this a negative, at Texas State it is definitely a positive experience. Having grown from a student body of 330 in 1903 to over 26,000 currently, Texas State has vastly improved both its campus and its student life accommodations over the years.
Regardless of where students live, the most popular recreational activity by far is the San Marcos River. Students can rent tubes and spend their free time simply floating down the river and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Many students pack lunches and beverages in personal coolers, strap them to their ankles, and spend whole days enjoying the lazy journey downstream.
If a student prefers to stay on dry land, Texas State offers a thriving Greek community that always offers entertainment. There are 200 student organizations available for various social, religious, or political interests. And the town of San Marcos offers many restaurants and shopping facilities for students to browse.
In addition to the numerous classroom, dormitory, and administration buildings, Texas State University has a music building recital hall, an outdoor theatre, and an auditorium.
The Texas State University Library offers electronic catalogs and on-line databases, in additional to physical volumes stored on site. Special collections include the Southwestern Writer’s Collection, University archives, and a gallery of Southwestern and Mexican photography.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Texas State University-San Marcos?
The Texas State Bobcats are a Division I university and compete in Division I-AA in football. The University offers 16 different intercollegiate sports: seven men’s sports and nine women’s sports. Nearly 400 student athletes are on scholarship. For those who do not participate in the intercollegiate competitions, there is a wide array of intramural and club sports available also.
Texas State University is an NCAA Division I school, with baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, and track & field for men and basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball for women. The team nickname is the Bobcats. There are co-ed and all-women’s cheerleading teams. Texas State University is a member of the Southland Conference.
Sports facilities include a football stadium, a coliseum, a baseball field, a softball field, a soccer complex, tennis complex, and a basketball and volleyball arena.
Prospective student athletes may submit their athletic profile after they have registered for a College Sports Online, Inc. interactive account..
The University also maintains an athletic academic center, which includes a computer lab and cubicles for tutoring. Student-athletes who earn a 3.0 semester GPA are honored at a spring reception.
Texas State University-San Marcos
Traditions
The Texas State campus is capped off the the Old Main, the University’s first building constructed in 1903. It’s red roof and towering spires rise high above the campus’ many trees as a landmark for the entire town of San Marcos.
Local Community
San Marcos is the ideal Texas town. This small community sits on the outskirts of the Hill Country, offering beautiful views of both mountains and prairies. The San Marcos River offers residents unlimited recreation opportunities, the favorite of which is tubing. Local caves offer visitors the chance to go spelunking, and the Aquarena Center provides glass bottom boats and nature trails. At the midpoint between Austin and San Antonio, San Marcos offers easy access to major metropolitan areas. For those who are more inclined toward academic recreation, San Marcos is home to some of the state’s historic landmarks.
The town of San Marcos is located 30 miles from Austin on the San Marcos River, at the edge of the Texas hill country.
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12 months agoWillie c Staten wcstaten ((at)) aol dot com
911 EMERGENCY!!!!!!
Many current or previous students eligible as veterans or dependents may have been wrongly denied benefits of The Hazelwood Act due to misinformation from the Texas Veterans office of Texas State University.
I met all the prerequisites, but my daughter was denied.. twice by the individual in charge of the Veterans' office of Texas State.I had to phone the proponent of the Hazelwood Act, in Austin, to correct the matter. The implication of this error by the staff of the Veterans' office is huge as a large number of veterans and dependents may be paying tuition expenses in error. Please disseminate this message to the highest level!
Sincerely,
Willie C.Staten
SGM (RET) U.S. Army
MA,MSW
1984 Graduate Southwest Texas State
about 1 year agoDaniel Q Soto
I want to thank Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas for the invitation to Veterans Day Commemoration 2010, on November 11, 2010. It was very special for me and my family. Thanks, Daniel Soto U.S. Army Retired
about 2 years agoEdward L. McClendon
Paul Mann's article on the tectonic plates and potetential additional earthquakes in Haiti was excellent. (Dept of geo-physics.)
I think he should asvise their government to rebuild the capital as far from fault lines as possible. Tearing down and rebuilding is very expensive, just as remodeling is. Start anew, reduce costs, avoid risks, provide jobs.
Ed McClendon www.elmstreetconsult.com
541-839-4545
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wcstaten ((at)) aol dot com
911 EMERGENCY!!!!!! Many current or previous students eligible as veterans or dependents may have been wrongly denied benefits of The Hazelwood Act due to misinformation from the Texas Veterans office of Texas State University. I met all the prerequisites, but my daughter was denied.. twice by the individual in charge of the Veterans' office of Texas State.I had to phone the proponent of the Hazelwood Act, in Austin, to correct the matter. The implication of this error by the staff of the Veterans' office is huge as a large number of veterans and dependents may be paying tuition expenses in error. Please disseminate this message to the highest level! Sincerely, Willie C.Staten SGM (RET) U.S. Army MA,MSW 1984 Graduate Southwest Texas State