Today@Sam Article
New SHSU Academic Programs and Departments Among Items Approved by Regents
Feb. 14, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd
The creation of the Sam Houston State University Department of Physical Therapy and Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Athletic Training were among the items approved by the Texas State University System (TSUS) Board of Regents during their regular quarterly meeting Feb. 13-14.
The departments, housed under the College of Health Sciences (COHS), will be effective for the Fall 2025 semester. The COHS is also planning to develop two academic programs to offer through the new departments, the Doctor of Physical Therapy and the Master of Physician Studies. To aid in program accreditation expectations, the existing Master of Science in Athletic Training will be moved under the new department.
Other new academic programs approved for Fall 2025 include the Master of Health Administration, Master of Science in Engineering Technology and Management and the Graduate Certificate in Trauma and Loss. All of the programs were selected based on market research indicating a need for professionals in the respective fields across the state of Texas.
Approval was granted for the CIP code of the Master of Business Administration degree program to be changed to reflect its STEM designation.
The Regents approved the following programs for online and hybrid instruction beginning Fall 2025:
- Master of Science in Dietetics, 50-99% hybrid-blended
- Master of Science in Accounting, 50-99% hybrid-blended and 100% online instruction
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, 100% online
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Banking and Financial Institutions, 100% online
International student admission standards have been updated to include new English language proficiency metrics that will expand opportunities for international undergraduates whose secondary schools or transfer institutions are located in countries where English is not the primary language or mode of instruction.
Effective Spring 2027, SHSU will no longer offer a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Fashion Merchandising. Students interested in the program will be directed to the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Fashion Merchandising degree track. The change reflects a recent job analysis revealing graduates with a BS in Fashion Merchandising are more competitive in the Texas job market than those with a BA.
All academic affairs program changes are to be implemented upon final approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The university will begin collaborating with myFootpath, LLC to design and implement a student re-enrollment support system targeting former SHSU first-year, transfer and graduate students who had dropped out of the university.
In finance, the Regents approved an amendment to the university’s food service contract with Aramark with no proposed increase in SHSU meal plan rates. The university was also authorized to set residence hall rates, with increases affecting Piney Woods Hall and San Jacinto Hall (1%), Jackson-Shaver Hall, Lone Star Hall, Raven Village and Sam Houston Village (2%), Belvin-Buchanan Hall (3%). The university was also cleared to increase rates by 1% at Bearkat Village Apartments, Copper Village Apartments and Campus Edge. The rate adjustments were designed to address rising operational costs, ongoing maintenance and future student housing improvements and projects.
William “Bill” Tidwell, director of procurement at SHSU, was recognized as the recipient of the TSUS Regents’ Staff Excellence Award in honor of his over 20 years of exemplary service to the university as well as his service to the Board.
- END -
This page maintained by SHSU's Communications Office:
Director of Content Communications: Emily Binetti
Asst. Director Content & Social Media: Emilee White
Communications Manager: Mikah Boyd
Telephone: 936.294.1837
Communications Specialist: Campbell Atkins
Telephone: 936.294.2638
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu