STATE MANDATED COLLEGE PREPAREDNESS EXAMINATION

In admitting students, through an open admissions policy, to the University, there is a need to ensure that students admitted are adequately prepared for college studies. The State of Texas has the same need for assurance. Thus, it requires the use of certain approved examinations by state supported institutions of higher learning to assess the degree of preparation of students admitted for college study.

Prior to 2003, the state mandated the use of the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) examination. Although an updated version of the TASP examination is now available under the name of the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) examination, other examinations have also been approved for state use.

Texas Southern University has elected to use the ASSET testing program from ACT, simply referred to as the ASSET examination, for use in assessing the college preparedness of students admitted to the University.

Prior to their first registration, new students should contact the General University Academic Center (GUAC) for more detailed information on the ASSET examination, including possible exemption. Students who fail any part of the placement test must take appropriate developmental courses, which include ENG 129, ENG 130, MATH 130, MATH 131, READ 130, and GUAC 101 lab courses, before or concurrently with related college-level courses. 

ORIENTATION PROGRAM FOR NEW STUDENTS

All undergraduate students entering the University for the first time are required to take part in a series of orientation activities which are conducted prior to the opening of their semester of residence. Orientation programs are planned for each of the two semesters on specific dates subsequent to registration.

All entering freshmen and transfer students with fewer than 30 earned credits may be required to enroll in Sociology 211, a onecredit orientation course.

Entering freshmen and others who have not successfully passed the ASSET examination should contact the General University Academic Center (GUAC), Texas Southern University, 3100 Cleburne, Houston, Texas 77004, (713)-313-7955.