Sam Houston State University (SHSU) awards baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees as approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) [1]. All baccalaureate programs at SHSU require at least 120 semester credit hours, and all graduate programs require at least 30 semester credit hours. All programs are expressed in semester credit hours. The curriculum review process requires a justification for the length of the program and ensures that no baccalaureate or graduate program is approved with fewer than 120 or 30 hours, respectively.
Undergraduate Programs
SHSU offers 91 baccalaureate degrees, each requiring a minimum of 120 semester credit hours [1] [2]. As stipulated in the Undergraduate Catalog, each baccalaureate degree is required to have a minimum of 120 total hours [3]. All baccalaureate degree programs consist of general education requirements, as well as requirements related to specific degree, major, and minor components. The Undergraduate Catalog details the courses and hours required for each program [4].
Graduate Programs
SHSU offers 72 graduate degrees: 62 master’s degrees and 10 doctoral degrees. All graduate degree programs at SHSU have at least 30 semester credit hours [1] [2]. The University’s general graduate degree requirements [5] and academic guidelines are available in the Graduate Catalog. Each master’s program and doctoral program defines the number of semester credit hours needed to complete the degree program. The Graduate Catalog details the courses required for each program [6].
New Program Review
As described in detail within Standard 9.1, SHSU ensures appropriate program length through its curriculum review process. The university utilizes the THECB’s degree program request forms for internal review and consideration of all proposed degree programs at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. The degree proposals, regardless of curricular modality, require thorough descriptions of the program and its curriculum, inclusive of total required semester credit hours. New bachelor’s and master’s degree program proposals are submitted using the THECB’s “New Program Request Form for Bachelor and Master’s Degrees” [7]. Doctoral program proposals require the “New Doctoral Degree Proposal” [8]. Both degree program proposal forms require documentation of the coursework required for the degree, along with the associated semester credit hour requirements. Following the internal review and approval actions, all degree proposals are forwarded to the Board of Regents and subsequently the THECB for review and approval. At each level of the internal and external review process, the total semester credit hour requirements are monitored to ensure compliance with both THECB and SACSCOC expectations.