Office of Admissions

Entering Freshmen

A person having earned a high school diploma, GED, or who is in the process of completing the high school credits within two (2) semesters is considered an entering freshman. To be admitted as an entering freshman, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Application for Undergraduate Admission.

• Official High School Transcript showing rank in class or official GED passing scores. Final acceptance will be granted upon submission of official transcript showing date of graduation and completion of high school credits. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the institution attended.

• Official college/university transcript(s) sent directly from each institution attended, if any college credit has been earned. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.00 is required. Coursework from other institutions is used for course placement.

• The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing (ACT) scores.

  SAT and ACT Minimum Scores

  HS Class Rank	SAT score (minimum)	ACT score (minimum)
  Top 40%	Test optional	Test optional
  Lower 60%, GED, Home School, Non-ranking high school	980 Redesigned SAT Total   SAT test date prior to March 2016: 900 Total (Critical Reading and Math only	19
  Provisional	920 Redesigned SAT Total   SAT test date prior to March 2016: 840 Total (Critical Reading and Math only)	17

• One of the following language examinations is required for English proficiency*:

  Proficiency

  Language Proficiency Requirement	Score
  Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOELF)	Minimum score of 69 ibtTOEFL or 523 Paper-based
  International English Language Testing System (IELTS)	Minimum score of 5.5
  Pearson English Language Test (PTE Academic)	Minimum score of 47
  Duolingo English Test	Minimum score of 100

• Test scores must be sent directly from the testing service and dated within two (2) years of enrollment. The College of Education requires TOEFL IBT scores of at least 26 in each of the four areas (reading, listening, speaking, writing) of the test for admission.

  *Language proficiency exemptions are listed in the International student admission section.

State of Texas Uniform Admission Standards

Texas Education Code 51.803-51.809 (Uniform Admission Standards), requires that all students meet one of the following college readiness standards to be eligible for consideration for admission at a Texas Four-Year Public Institution.

• Successfully complete the recommended or advanced (distinguished) high school program or complete the portion of the program that was available to them; or

• Successfully complete a curriculum that is equivalent in content and rigor to the recommended or advanced (distinguished) high school program at a high school that is exempt from offering such programs; or

• Satisfy the College Readiness Benchmarks on the SAT or ACT assessment:

  • SAT – 1500 out of 2400;

  • ACT – 18 English, 21 Reading, 22 Math and 24 Science

Student Curriculum Information and Academic Records

Texas public schools are to provide the curriculum information on the student’s academic record (transcript) no later than the completion of their junior year. Students graduating from private high schools in Texas can be documented by the students’ high school using one of the following forms available at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board website:

• Texas Private High School Certification Form 1 (for students who did not complete IPC prior to 2010-2011)
• Texas Private High School Certification Form 2 (for students who completed IPC prior to 2010-2011)
• Texas Private High School Certification Form 3 (for students graduating under the Foundation High School Program in 2014-2015 or later)

NOTE: International Students must also complete the requirements listed under International Student Admission.

IMPORTANT: All students must meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements before enrollment. See Texas Success Initiative section.

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Transfer Student

A student entering Texas A&M International University at the sophomore (30 to 59 hours), junior (60 to 89 hours), or senior (90 or more hours) level from a college or university is considered a transfer student. Those students who wish to transfer with less than 24 earned semester credit hours must have minimum cumulative of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and must also satisfy the regular freshman entry requirements. Information regarding lower level course equivalents may be found in Appendix D.

To be admitted as a transfer student, an applicant must submit the following information to the Office of Admissions (Additional requirements for the music program may be found in the College of Arts and Sciences - Department of Fine and Performing Arts; for the Teacher Education Program in the College of Education; and for the Nursing Program in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences).

• Application for Undergraduate Admission

• Official college/university transcript(s) sent directly from each institution attended. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.00 is required. Even though a grade below "C" will be calculated into the grade point average, it may not satisfy degree requirements.

• One of the following language examinations is required for English proficiency*:

  Proficiency

  Language Proficiency Requirement	Score
  Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOELF)	Minimum score of 69 ibtTOEFL or 523 Paper-based
  International English Language Testing System (IELTS)	Minimum score of 5.5
  Pearson English Language Test (PTE Academic)	Minimum score of 47
  Duolingo English Test	Minimum score of 100

  
  Test scores must be sent directly from the testing service and dated within two (2) years of enrollment. The College of Education requires TOEFL IBT scores of at least 26 in each of the four areas (reading, listening, speaking, writing) of the test for admission.
  
  *Language proficiency exemptions are listed in the International student admission section.

   

Texas Education Code establishes the criteria for automatic transfer admission to Texas A&M International University. "It is the responsibility of the applicant for admission under this section to (1) express and clearly claim in the application entitlement to admission under this section; and (2) timely provide to the general academic teaching institution the documentation required by the institution to determine the student's entitlement to admission under this section." Section 51.8035.

NOTE: International Students must also complete the requirements listed under International Student Admission.

IMPORTANT: The State of Texas required all students to meet the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) mandates. TAMIU will use the state approved TSI Exam as a form of assessment and honor any state approved alternative assessment instruments. The University will use the TSI exemptions as stipulated by the State of Texas under the TSI plan. The TSI score is not a determinant component for admissions into A&M International. For information, contact the University College at (956) 326-2134.

Transfer Curricula and Resolution of Transfer Disputes for Lower-Level Courses: The transfer curricula shall be as prescribed by the current issue of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's guide to transfer curricula and transfer of credit.

The following procedures shall be followed by public institutions of higher education in the resolution of transfer disputes involving lower-level courses:

• If an institution of higher education does not accept course credit earned by a student at another institution of higher education, that institution shall give written notice to the student and the other institution that the transfer of the course credit is denied.

• The two institutions and the student shall attempt to resolve the transfer of the course credit in accordance with the Higher Education Coordinating Board rules and/or guidelines.

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Undergraduate Admission as a Special Non-Degree Seeking Student (Transient)

A person who is earning university credits which are not applicable to a degree at Texas A&M International University is considered a special non-degree student. It is the policy of this institution to allow any student to enroll in any course for enrichment or other purpose as long as the prerequisites are met or exceptions to these requirements are approved.

Students classified under this category are not entitled to claim the prerogative of graduating under the provisions of the catalog in force at the time of initial enrollment. Students may, on their own initiative, request at any time to be reclassified as a regular degree-seeking student. An updated application for admission with a written request for reclassification should be submitted to the Office of Admissions. The student will then become responsible for satisfying the requirements of the catalog in force at the time of the request or any subsequent catalog within the established five-year period of limitation. For additional information call the Office of Admissions at (956) 326-2200.

To be admitted as a special non-degree transient student, an applicant must submit the following information:

• Application for Undergraduate Admission . Students who have a bachelor degree and interested in graduate level courses need to complete an Application for Graduate Admission .

• Official college/university transcript(s). A minimum overall grade point average of 2.00 is required. Undergraduate students need to submit official transcript(s) from each institution attended. Students who have a bachelor degree need to submit an official transcript from the last institution attended sent directly from each institution.

• Proof of English proficiency*.

  Proficiency

  Language Proficiency Requirement	Score
  Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOELF)	Minimum score of 69 ibtTOEFL or 523 Paper-based
  International English Language Testing System (IELTS)	Minimum score of 5.5
  Pearson English Language Test (PTE Academic)	Minimum score of 47
  Duolingo English Test	Minimum score of 100

  
  Test scores must be sent directly from the testing service and dated within two (2) years of enrollment. The College of Education requires TOEFL IBT scores of at least 26 in each of the four areas (reading, listening, speaking, writing) of the test for admission.
  
  *Language proficiency exemptions are listed in the International student admission section.
  
  

  NOTE: International students with an F1 visa must apply as degree-seeking candidates and are not eligible for non-degree admissions.

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Academic Probation and Provisional Admission

Freshmen applicants graduating below the top 40% are granted provisional admission for a single semester with a minimum of 920 Redesigned SAT total (840 total on the SAT Critical Reading and Math sections for test taken prior to March 2016) or a minimum of 17 composite on the ACT. The applicant may also petition to have their academic credentials reviewed by the Undergraduate Admissions Committee for a single semester conditional admission. The required documentation, including the Applicant Review Form , must be submitted to the Office of Admissions no later than two weeks prior to the start of the semester. The review form may be obtained at the Office of Admissions or online. The committee reserves the right to place other requirements as deemed necessary.

Applicants granted admission will be placed on provisional status and allowed to enroll for one semester. During the first semester of enrollment, students must meet the following conditions: (1) enroll and complete a full-time course load to include the following nine semester credit hours - UNIV 1101, Learning in a Global Context I; English or Math (may be developmental); and a three hour course from the core curriculum, (2) complete the semester with at least 2.0 grade point average (excluding grades obtained with credit by exams and including developmental courses), and (3) attend monthly counseling sessions with the Retention Specialist in the Advising and Mentoring Center. The Advising and Mentoring director will review each student's grades at the end of the semester to determine if full admission will be granted based on University policy. Students that earn below an institutional cumulative 2.0 GPA (including developmental courses) the first semester will be placed on academic suspension.

Transfer applicants with an overall grade point average below 2.00 from all colleges or universities attended may petition to have their academic credentials reviewed by the Undergraduate Admissions Committee for a single semester conditional admission. The required documentation, including the Transfer Applicant Review Form , must be submitted to the Office of Admissions no later than two weeks prior to the start of the semester. The review form may be obtained at the Office of Admissions or online. The committee reserves the right to place other requirements as deemed necessary.

Applicants granted admission will be placed on probationary status and allowed to enroll for one semester. Students must earn at least a 2.000 semester grade point average (GPA) by the end of the first semester. Students will be removed from probation when the institutional cumulative GPA is greater than or equal to 2.000. Students that earn below an institutional cumulative 2.0 GPA (including developmental courses) the first semester or combined summer sessions will be placed on academic suspension.

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Texas Success Initiative

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) was adopted by the legislature in Summer 2003 (Texas Education Code, Section 51.307) and became effective September 1, 2003. Every Texas public institution of higher education must meet the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) mandates which require them to provide individualized programs to ensure the success of students in higher education. Texas A&M International’s Developmental Education Plan is available on the web under the University College link.

In addition, each entering undergraduate student must take the TSI Assessment (TSIA) approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). This test measures skills in reading, mathematics, and writing and cannot be used as a criterion for admission. Institutions may not require a higher standard for entry into introductory college level classes.

Students who do not pass or take all sections of one of these tests are required to take developmental education courses in at least one of these areas to enroll at Texas A&M International each semester they are enrolled.

Students who have not passed the Writing portion of the TSIA cannot take ENGL 1301, those who have not passed the Reading portion of the TSIA cannot take reading intensive courses (HIST 1301 and 1302, PSCI 2305 and 2306, and PSYC 2301) and those who have not passed the mathematics portion of the TSIA cannot take MATH 1314, MATH 1333, or MATH 1342.
These courses may only be taken if the developmental sequence has been completed, required testing has been completed, or if the passing TSIA score for the corresponding section has been achieved. For further information, contact University College, Zaffirini Student Success Center (ZSC) room 223.

Texas Success Initiative Exemptions: Students who have scored at or above the test scores listed below are exempt. Students can claim partial exemption if composite score is met. For further information, contact University College, ZSC room 223.

Other Exemptions:

1. a student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education.

2. a student who transfers to an institution from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and who has satisfactorily completed college-level course work as determined by the receiving institution.

3. a student who has previously attended any institution and has met the readiness standard of that institution.

4. a student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment.

5. a student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or from service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States.

For more information or for TSI academic advising, students may contact the Office of the Dean for University College, the Testing Center, or the Advising and Mentoring Center located on the second floor of the Zaffirini Success Center.

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Fresh Start

Senate Bill 1321, passed by the 73rd Texas Legislature, entitles State of Texas residents to seek admission to public institutions of higher education without consideration of courses undertaken ten or more years prior to enrollment. This bill has been called the "Right to an Academic Fresh Start" and it gives the students the option of electing to have the coursework taken ten years or more prior to the starting date of the semester in which the applicant seeks to enroll either counted as usual or ignored for admission purposes. Applicants who elect to apply for admission under this law and who are admitted as students may not receive ANY COURSE CREDIT FOR ANY COURSES taken ten-years or more prior to enrollment.

Students with three or more semester credit hours awarded prior to Fall 1989, are exempt from the Texas Academic Skills Program regardless of any election of Academic Fresh Start.

The intent of Fresh Start legislation is to provide students with an opportunity to clear their academic records, if they choose to do so, of all college-level work accumulated ten or more years ago. This opportunity is not automatic and must be requested in writing to the Office of the Registrar.

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Enrollment at Another Institution

Any student pursuing a degree at Texas A&M International University may elect to be enrolled at another college or university and transfer the coursework back to A&M International. The Office of the Registrar should be notified of the concurrent enrollment to monitor compliance of degree progress. Courses listed in the Texas Common Course Numbering Equivalency Chart will transfer in when the student requests an official transcript from the other institution at the completion of the semester.

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