Program Entry Requirements

Some majors at Texas State have entry requirements that must be completed in addition to receiving general admission to the university. Students may be admitted to Texas State but not their major, and will start their program classified as a "pre-major" (for example, pre-communication studies). Students wishing to pursue these majors are not considered eligible to graduate in their program until they complete the entry requirements, departmental application and upper-level courses required by the department.

This page is meant to give you some basic information to determine additional entry standards for successful admission to and completion of your major. It is not an official or exhaustive listing of all individual degree program admission or graduation requirements. 

Please see the University Catalog or contact the Academic Advising office for your major for complete information.

If you are transferring from another Texas institution, refer to the Transfer Course Equivalency System to determine if courses equivalent to these prerequisites are offered at your college or university. You may also use the Transfer Planning Guides to assist you in selecting transferable courses.

Different degree programs consider different combinations of courses when calculating their required minimum GPA. Here are some of the notations that you will see in the "Required GPA" column:

  • TX State - This GPA only takes into account the courses that you have taken while enrolled at Texas State.
  • Overall - This GPA takes into account all courses taken at Texas State as well as those taken at other institutions and transferred to Texas State.
  • Agriculture

    Prerequisite Courses - Students cannot enroll in upper-level (3000 or 4000) agriculture courses until they have successfully completed MATH 1315MATH 1319, or MATH 2417, and CHEM 1341 and CHEM 1141.

    Animal Science

    Prerequisite Courses - Students cannot enroll in upper-level (3000 or 4000) agriculture courses until they have successfully completed MATH 1315MATH 1319, or MATH 2417, and CHEM 1341 and CHEM 1141.

    Social Work

    Required GPA - 2.5 Overall and 2.5 in SOWK and supportive courses

    Prerequisite Courses - Must complete 45 credit hours, including the following:

    • ENG 1310
    • ENG 1320
    • HIST 1310 or HIST 2327 or HIST 2381
    • HIST 1320 or HIST 2328 or HIST 2382
    • MATH 1315 or MATH 1316 
    • COMM 1310
    • PHIL 1305 or PHIL 1320
    • US 1100 (if required)
    • SOWK 1350
    • SOWK 2375
    • ENG 3303

    Miscellaneous Information - Separate applications required for admission to Phase II (major courses) and Phase III (field placement). See catalog for information about the admission process. Transfer Planning Guide

  • All Business Majors

    Business Administration majors (Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management, Marketing, and Computer Information Systems) within the McCoy College of Business are classified as Limited Access. Applicants must meet the following admission requirements to be admitted to one of these programs.

    Applicant TypeMcCoy Admission Requirements
    FreshmanMeet requirements for Freshman Assured Admission or Holistic Review
    Transfer with 1-14 Credit HoursMust have a 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA
    Must meet requirements for Freshman Assured Admission
    Transfer with 15-29 Credit HoursMust have a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA
    Must have completed ENG 1310 (TCCN: ENG 1301) with a grade of B or better
    Transfer with 30 + Credit HoursMust have a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA
    Must have completed the following courses with at least one B and two C's:
     • ENG 1310 (TCCN: ENGL 1301)
     • ENG 1320 (TCCN: ENGL 1302)
     • MATH 1329 (TCCN: MATH 1325), or MATH 2471 (TCCN: MATH 2413), or MATH 2472 (TCCN: MATH 2414)
    Second Degree SeekerMust have a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA in first bachelor's degree


    Applicants who do not meet these requirements may be admitted to Texas State as a Pre-Business major and work with their academic advisor to meet the admission requirements for their preferred McCoy College program.

    Miscellaneous Information - McCoy majors must take PHIL 1320 for Philosophy core requirement.

    Transfer Planning Guides

  • Educator Preparation Program

    Teacher Certification in all areas requires admittance to Texas State's Educator Preparation Program, which is not a requirement at the time of major declaration but is necessary for progression through certain advanced coursework in the degree plan(s). See the Office of Educator Preparation website for more information.

    Athletic Training (BESS/MSAT Dual Degree Program)

    The athletic training profession requires completion of a Master's degree, which Texas State offers. Students who declare a major in Exercise and Sports Science (Pre-Rehabilitation Sciences Concentration) have the unique opportunity of applying for possible admission to a combined BESS/MSAT degree program. The dual degree program (3/2) allows undergraduate exercise and sports science students to enter the graduate athletic training program at the beginning of their fourth year and earn both a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (BESS) in Exercise and Sports Science degree and a Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) degree in just five (5) years.

  • Communication Design

    Required GPA - 2.75 Overall

    Prerequisite Courses - ARTC 1301 & ARTC 1302 with grade "B" or better and ARTC 2000 with passing grade of "CR"

    Miscellaneous Information - See catalog for additional requirements. Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Studio Art: Teacher Certification

    Required GPA - 2.75 Overall, 2.5 in major courses, 2.5 in Teacher Certification courses

    Prerequisite Courses - Not Applicable

    Miscellaneous Information - All major and teacher certification courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. Must apply and be accepted through the Office of Educator Preparation. Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Mass Communication

    Required GPA - 2.25

    Prerequisite Courses - Grade of "C" or better in MC 1301

    Miscellaneous Information - Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Music

    Required GPA - Not Applicable

    Prerequisite Courses - Not Applicable

    Miscellaneous Information - Separate application and audition are required. See website for more info. Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Sound Recording Technology

    Required GPA - Not Applicable

    Prerequisite Courses - Not Applicable

    Miscellaneous Information - Enrollment is highly competitive. Separate application and interview are required. See website for more info. Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Theatre: Acting Option

    Required GPA - 2.5 Overall

    Prerequisite Courses - Not Applicable

    Miscellaneous Information - Enrollment is highly competitive and based upon an audition and interview. Transfer students must contact the Head of Acting for available spots. See catalog for more info. Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Theatre: Technical Production

    Required GPA - 2.5 Overall

    Prerequisite Courses - TH 1350 and TH 2330 with grade of "C" or better

    Miscellaneous Information - See catalog for more info. Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Theatre: Film Production

    Required GPA - 2.5 Overall

    Prerequisite Courses - TH 1353 and TH 1320 with grade of "C" or better

    Miscellaneous Information - A portfolio is required for admittance to the program. Review the application process for details. See catalog for more info. Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Theatre: Teacher Certification

    Required GPA - 2.75 Overall, 2.5 in major courses, 2.5 in Teacher Certification courses

    Prerequisite Courses - Not Applicable

    Miscellaneous Information - All major and teacher certification courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. Must apply and be accepted through the Office of Educator Preparation. Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Musical Theatre

    Required GPA - 2.5 Overall

    Prerequisite Courses - Not Applicable

    Miscellaneous Information - Enrollment is highly competitive and based upon an audition and interview. Transfer students must contact the Head of Musical Theatre for available spots. See catalog for more info. Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Dance: Performance and Choreography

    Required GPA - Not Applicable

    Prerequisite Courses - Not Applicable

    Miscellaneous Information - Separate application and audition are required. See Division of Dance website for audition dates and requirements. See catalog for more info. Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Dance: Teacher Certification

    Required GPA - 2.75 Overall, 2.5 in major courses, 2.5 in Teacher Certification courses

    Prerequisite Courses - Not Applicable

    Miscellaneous Information - Separate application and audition are required. See Division of Dance website for audition dates and requirements. All major and teacher certification courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. Must apply and be accepted through the Office of Educator Preparation. Transfer Planning Guide

  • Clinical Lab Science

    Required GPA - 2.5 Overall

    Prerequisite Courses - BIO 1330/1130, BIO 1331/1131, CHEM 1341/1141, CHEM 1342/1142 with grade "C" or better and a Mathematics course from the following: MATH 1315, MATH 1319, MATH 1329, MATH 2321, MATH 2417, or MATH 2471

    Miscellaneous Information - Acceptance to the program through a separate application is required before beginning upper-level course work. Minimum grade of "C" or higher in science courses. Immunizations and background checks required. See CLS Program Information for details.
    Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Communication Disorders

    Required GPA - 3.0 Overall

    Prerequisite Courses - PHYS 1310, CDIS 1331, BIO 2430, HP 3302 or HP 3325, PSY 3300

    Miscellaneous Information - Acceptance to the program through a separate application is required upon completion of 50 hours from the freshman and sophomore courses of the CDIS degree plan. Grade of "C" or better must be earned in support and major courses. Students accepted to the program complete final two years of specialized courses at the Round Rock Campus. Immunizations and background checks required. See catalog for more info.
    Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Health Information Management

    Required GPA - Minimum 2.5 Overall and 2.0 Texas State

    Prerequisite Courses - Must complete most of the general education core curriculum and other prerequisite course work before enrolling in the HIM program (no more than 9 hours to be completed in the summer following application deadline)

    Miscellaneous Information - Separate application and interview required with HIM department. Students accepted to the program complete final two years of specialized courses at the Round Rock Campus or as part of an online cohort. Immunizations and background checks required. See catalog for more info.
    Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Healthcare Administration

    Required GPA - 2.0 Overall and in Good Academic Standing at Texas State

    Prerequisite Courses - Completed all general education core and supportive courses, with a "C" or better in MATH 1315 or an equivalent, ECO 2301 or ECO 2314, HP 3325 or an equivalent, and HA 3308

    Miscellaneous Information - Acceptance to the program is competitive and a separate application is required, including an interview with the BHA Program Director and a writing sample. Immunizations and background checks required. See catalog for more information.
    Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Nursing

    Required GPA - 3.0 in prerequisites; 3.0 in science courses

    Prerequisite Courses - All core curriculum and lower level degree required classes (there can be a maximum of 18 prerequisite credit hours, including no more than 2 of the 5 science courses, left to complete the spring and summer before final admission to the St. David's School of Nursing). At least three (3) science courses must be complete with minimum grades of “C” prior to applying to the program and cannot be included in the 18 prerequisite hours remaining.

    Miscellaneous Information - Acceptance to the program is competitive and selective. Separate application and fee is required. Grade of "C" or better in NUTR 2360, PSY 3300 or HDFS 1351. Grade of “C” or better in all science courses. Immunizations and background checks required. Students accepted to the program complete final two years of specialized courses at the Round Rock Campus. See website for more info.
    Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Radiation Therapy

    Required GPA - 2.75 Overall; 3.0 in Science and Support courses

    Prerequisite Courses - Completion of all general education requirements and required Science and Support courses

    Miscellaneous Information - Grade of "C" or better all course work. Acceptance to the program is competitive and selective. Separate application required. Immunizations and background checks required. Students accepted to the program complete final two years of specialized courses at the Round Rock Campus. See catalog for more info.
    Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Respiratory Care

    Required GPA - 2.5 Overall

    Prerequisite Courses - Completion of all general education requirements and required Science and Support courses (Completion of RC 2213 highly recommended before applying)

    Miscellaneous Information - Admission is competitive and enrollment limited. Separate application is required. Grade of "C" or better must be earned in all Respiratory Care courses. Immunizations and background checks required. Students accepted to the program complete final two years of specialized courses at the Round Rock Campus. See catalog or website for more info.
    Transfer Planning Guide

     

  • Construction Science & Management

    Required GPA - 2.5 Overall

    Prerequisite Courses - 23 semester credit hours of Pre-Construction course work in MATH 2328, MATH 2417, CHEM 1335/1135 or CHEM 1341/1141, PHYS 1315/1115, CSM 1260, CSM 2313, and CSM 2342.

    Miscellaneous Information - Grade of "C" or better must be earned in all prerequisites. Students who have completed the 30-hour of prerequisite courses can apply through ePortfolio to matriculate into the CSM program upper level courses. 
    Transfer Planning Guide

     

    Electrical Engineering

    Required GPA - Not Applicable

    Prerequisite Courses - Minimum SAT Math score of 550 OR minimum ACT Math score of 24 OR credit for one of the following with a grade of "C" or higher: MATH 1315, MATH 1317, MATH 1319, or MATH 1329

    Miscellaneous Information - Grade of "C" or better must be earned in all math and Electrical Engineering prerequisite courses.
    Transfer Planning Guide