Sep 07, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Undergraduate Admissions



Freshman - First Time Enrolled

An applicant who graduated or will graduate from a U.S. high school (accredited, non-accredited, or home school) or earned a GED certificate must meet requirements to be eligible for admission:

Assured Admissions Criteria

Freshman students at UHV qualify for assured admissions if they meet ONE of the three following criteria:

  • 2.5 unweighted GPA or higher on a 4.0 GPA Scale
  • SAT/ACT minimum scores:
    • SAT Minimum score: 980
    • ACT Minimum score: 19
  • Rank in the Top 50% of high school graduating class

Admissions Criteria with Requirements*

Freshman students at UHV qualify for admissions with requirements if they meet ONE of the three following criteria:

  • 2.0-2.49 unweighted GPA or higher on a 4.0 GPA Scale
  • SAT/ACT minimum scores:
    • SAT Minimum score: 940
    • ACT Minimum score: 18

*Students admitted with requirements will be required to develop and follow a success plan designed with their Student Success Coach with weekly follow-up.

Individual Review 

Students who do not meet the Assured Admission Criteria or Admissions Criteria with Requirements can be admitted through the University of Houston-Victoria’s individual review process.

Home-schooled students

Are required to take and submit either the ACT or SAT exam and meet 2 of the 3 requirements listed above.  Upon receiving test scores, the student will be assigned a class rank based on the average class rank for those with comparable exam scores.  Home-schooled transcripts must be signed by the principal.

A permanent resident alien who has completed two or more years in and graduated from a U.S. high school is required to meet the admission requirements established for U.S. citizens.

Note: Students must graduate on the Foundation “Endorsement” or “Distinguished” High School program or a curriculum equivalent in content and rigor as the endorsement or distinguished program. Students who pass the GED exam will be recognized as satisfying the 2.5 grade point average (GPA) requirement.

*Per HB588 - An applicant will be automatically admitted if they graduated in the top 10% of their class from an accredited Texas public high school within the two years prior to the academic year for which admission is sought and an application is submitted by the published deadline. 

Transfer

An applicant with 12 or more semester credit hours of college credit other than high school advanced/dual credit.

A transfer undergraduate student must have earned at least a 2.0 (A=4.0) cumulative grade point average in all non-remedial college-level coursework from a(n) CHEA-recognized institutional accreditation agency.

A student who is not eligible to continue work at another institution because of academic failure will not be admitted to this university until he/she has met UH-Victoria’s Readmission from Academic Suspension policy:

  • A first suspension applies to the fall or spring term, plus any intervening summer sessions, immediately following the suspension. A student would be eligible to reenroll after the suspension period.
  • Students placed on first academic suspension at the end of a fall semester are not eligible to re-enroll until the following summer.
  • Students placed on first academic suspension at the end of a spring semester are not eligible to re-enroll until the following spring.
  • Students placed on first academic suspension at the end of a summer session are not eligible to re-enroll until the following spring.

If suspended a second time, the student may not reenroll for a period of at least one year (12 months) and must submit a petition in writing to the academic dean for readmission.

Example: Placed on second suspension after the Fall 2023 term; eligible to re-enroll in Spring 2025 upon successful appeal to the academic dean.

If suspended a third time, a student may not reenroll at UH-Victoria for a minimum of three years. Students may appeal to the Academic Appeals Committee for reinstatement after the third year. Example: Placed on third suspension after the Fall 2023 term; eligible to appeal for reinstatement after the Fall 2026 term.

Transcripts

UHV will accept official transcripts from High schools that must be accredited by either the Texas Education Agency or the appropriate regional association of schools and colleges and regionally accredited colleges and universities recognized by The Council on Higher Education (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) for admission purposes. A transcript is considered official when it bears the institution’s seal, is signed by the issuing authority, and is sent directly by the issuing institution or delivered in an envelope sealed by the issuing institution. Students with prior college experience must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges regardless of whether college credit was earned.

UHV prefers the use of EDI/SPEEDE transcript submission. However, if this option is not available, official paper transcripts must be unopened and bear the seal of the sending institution. If sending your official transcripts by a 3rd party service, please use the admissions@uhv.edu email address. PDF transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing company and directly to the admissions@uhv.edu email address to be considered official.

Students with discrepancies in applications, withholding transcript information, or submitting fraudulent information regarding enrollment at another accredited institution will result in a resubmission of official transcripts or their application to UHV may be rescinded, and they may be administratively withdrawn from classes without a refund of fees paid.

If you are unsure as to whether or not your electronic transcripts will be considered official at UHV, please contact the Office of Admissions Processing via email at admissions@uhv.edu before you request or send your electronic transcripts.

*International Transcripts/Records: See more information in the International Program Office

Application Fees

The current application fees are as follows:

  • Undergraduate applicants - $25

All students must submit a non-refundable application fee or a qualifying UHV fee waiver for domestic freshman applicants. Application fees are non-refundable and can be paid by credit card (MasterCard, VISA, American Express, or Discover) after the application’s submission.

  • To submit the application fee students may:
  • pay online by using their MyUHV Self-Service account (under Application Fees),
  • pay in person at the university’s Admissions Processing Office, or
  • send a check or money order to the Office of Admissions Processing.  

University of Houston System Student Pathways

Undergraduate students from UHV or other UH System campuses may participate in the UH System Student Pathways Program by submitting the one-page Pathways application to attend any UH System institution without applying through the ApplyTexas website. Students who choose this option may take up to six approved credit hours of coursework to apply to their current undergraduate degree plan. The courses may be taken during a single semester or in two different semesters. Currently, the program allows for a maximum of 6 hours during the student’s academic career, and the courses must apply to the student’s current degree at the home institution. There is no application fee, and all university services at both the home and the host institution are available to students during the semesters in which they are enrolled in the program. At the conclusion of the semester, the student’s grade(s) and credit(s) are sent back to the student’s “home” university automatically. Financial aid is also available through consortium agreements among the four universities. Contact your academic advisor or the UHV Pathways coordinator for information about the process.

Visiting Undergraduate Transient Student

A visiting transient student is a student who is enrolled in one college or university (their home institution) and takes courses temporarily at UHV (their host institution), but without the intent of pursuing a degree from UHV. Students interested in attending UHV as a transient student should first discuss the option with their advisor, or other appropriate official at their home institution to ensure the transfer credit will be accepted.

Visiting transient students are not eligible for financial aid, as funds are only available for degree-seeking students.

Visiting transient students are approved and admitted for one academic year (one consecutive fall, spring, and summer) at a time or meet 30 semester credit hours, whichever comes first. Students who wish to continue their transient enrollment after the initial year must re-apply and pay the application fee again.

Students seeking transient admission must:

If inconsistencies exist between student’s applications regarding attendance at prior institutions, a new official transcript will be necessary to proceed with the new application.

  • Visit ApplyTexas
    • Apply to Four-year College/University and Graduate Schools
    • Select Institution: University of Houston-Victoria.

Application Type: Transient

Semester: Choose the semester you want to take courses

School: Select the College that matches as close as possible to your home institution.

Major: Select Undergraduate Transient/Visiting Student

Pay a $25 non-refundable application fee. This can be paid when you submit your application through ApplyTexas, in person, or here. Transient students are not eligible for Fee Waivers. Applications will not be processed without the application fee.

Complete the Visiting Transient Form

Submit Bacterial Meningitis Records. Online-only students may complete the Online Classes ONLY Immunization Waiver.

Submit official transcripts. To meet admission requirements, students must have a 2.0 GPA and be in good standing at their home institution.

If the transcript service used is requesting an email address to deliver your document to UHV, please have it sent to Admissions@uhv.edu.

Mailing Address:

University of Houston-Victoria
Attn. Admissions Processing
3007 N. Ben Wilson St.
Victoria, TX 77901

Admitted transient students are immediately subject to UHV’s academic regulations.

Students considering transient enrollment should be aware that transient admission does not guarantee course availability. In addition, visiting transient students are required to meet pre-requisites for the course or courses they wish to take at UHV. Transfer coursework is only evaluated for degree-seeking students. Review UHV’s Class Schedule to see if the course you are interested in taking requires pre-requisites. If so, contact the appropriate academic department to get permission to enroll.

If a current or prior transient student wishes to update their admissions status to a degree-seeking student at UHV, they must apply to the university as a transfer applicant and meet all applicable admissions criteria.

The admission deadlines for transient students are the same as for all transfer students.

Admission Appeal Policy (Individual Review)

Students, used broadly to refer to prospective students, applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students, who have had their admission denied, canceled, or who have received a notice of intent to cancel by the Office of Admissions Processing, may appeal the decision as detailed in this policy. This policy has been approved by the Office  of Enrollment Management, which has purview over the conditions for undergraduate admission to the University of Houston-Victoria.

Any appeal that deals with a matter under the purview of Admissions must be submitted to the Office  of Admissions Processing. Appeals directed to other UHV offices or personnel will not be considered. Appeals received from other parties, such as relatives, friends, or advocates, will be returned with reference to this policy and without reference to the status of the prospective students, including whether or not the student applied to UHV.

University personnel will not discuss appeals in person, by email, by telephone, or by any other means of communication with anyone other than the student, unless that student has previously completed the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) authorization form authorizing a specific individual access to their university records.

The appeal is considered a student education record and is covered by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99). FERPA is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. For more information see Students Rights and Responsibilities.

Freshman Appeal

All appeals must be submitted according to the requirements and the time frames specified in this policy.

  • Appeal decisions will be provided in the order received and in a timely manner. Applicants will be notified of appeal decisions via email, using the email address provided on the UHV application. Make sure your email address is correct.
  • The student presenting an appeal have full responsibility of satisfying the standards and criteria outlined in this document.
  • All appeal decisions are final. There are no additional levels of appeal.
  • We strongly encourage students to wait to submit the Appeal Form until they have all supporting documentation ready to submit along with the form. Once the form is submitted, it will be forwarded to the Appeal Committee. To have an appeal processed, you must submit ONE COMPLETE PACKAGE that includes all of the following items:
    • Admissions Appeal Form
    • Letter of appeal detailing (1 page required)
      • Reason for appeal
      • Extenuating Circumstances
      • Why are you choosing UHV?
      • How can UHV help you with your goals, why is it important to start at UHV?
      • How do you plan to complete academic and extra-curricular activities on campus?
      • What resources have you identified to help you succeed in your educational journey?
    • 2 Letters of Recommendation from High School Administrator, Educator, or High School Counselor.
    • All school official transcripts submitted to Admissions@uhv.edu
  • Personal interviews with the Appeals Committee are not permitted.
  • Meeting with the admissions staff will not affect the outcome of an appeal.
  • Admissions does not allow for second appeals. If your appeal is denied, you may not appeal the decision a second time.
  • If denied, do not submit a second application. If you applied as a Freshman and your appeal was denied, but now are reapplying as a transfer student, your application will be reviewed; however, you will be required to meet Transfer Admission Requirements and will not qualify for an appeal.

Transfer Appeals

Students transferring with 12 semester credit hours or less taken after high school graduation will need to follow the same Admissions Appeal process as Freshman Appeals.

For students transferring with more than 12 semester credit hours appeals must be submitted according to the requirements and time frames specified in this policy.

  • Appeal decisions will be provided in the order received and in a timely manner. Applicants will be notified of appeal decisions via email, using the address provided on the UHV application. Make sure your email address is correct.
  • The student presenting an appeal has the full burden of satisfying the standards and criteria outlined in this document.
  • All appeal decisions are final. There are no additional levels of appeal.
  • We strongly encourage students to wait to submit the Appeal Form until they have all supporting documentation ready to submit along with the form. Once the form is submitted, it will be forwarded to the Appeal Committee. To have an appeal processed, you must submit ONE COMPLETE PACKAGE to include:
    • Admissions Appeal Form
    • Letter of appeal detailing (1 page required)
      • Reason for appeal
      • Extenuating Circumstances
      • Why are you choosing UHV?
      • How can UHV help you with your goals?  Why is it important to start at UHV?
      • How do you plan to complete academic and extra-curricular activities on campus?
    • 1 Letter of Recommendation (Academic Advisor or Educator from transferring institution.)
    • Transcript
  • Personal interviews with the Appeals Committee are not permitted.
  • Meeting with the admissions staff will not affect the outcome of an appeal.
  • Enrollment Management does not allow for second appeals. If your appeal is denied, you may not appeal the decision a second time.
  • Appeals will not be reviewed if required documentation is not provided, no exceptions will be considered.
  • Students are required to be in good standing from their transferring institution, no exceptions will be considered.
  • If denied, students will have an option to complete courses at another institution to meet admissions standards and reapply at that time.

Update to Admissions Application

An undergraduate applicant who would like to update their initial term from their original application may submit the Update to Admissions Application form. Students wishing to change their term can request the change for the next consecutive semester. If you have not shown any student enrollment activity after 15 months, please submit a new application through ApplyTexas. The Admissions Processing Office will update your request, and an email acknowledgment will be sent to you with further details about your account. 

Readmission of Former Undergraduate Students

Students who have attended UHV but who were not enrolled during the preceding 15-month period must reapply for admission via the Apply Texas Application. Students who have attended other colleges or universities since last attending UHV must submit official transcripts to the Office of Admissions. 

Former UHV students are required to submit:         

  • Readmit Admission application on ApplyTexas
  • $25 application fee
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended since last enrollment at UHV (if applicable)

Former students are considered anyone:

  • who has not enrolled at UHV for 15 uninterrupted months (3 consecutive terms) from their initial semester,
  • with an application which has been discontinued for non-enrollment,
  • who has earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree.

Academic Fresh Start

An undergraduate applicant for admission who is a Texas resident may seek to enter UH-Victoria pursuant to the “academic fresh start” statute, Texas Education Code 51.931.  If an applicant elects to seek admission under this statute, the institution will not consider academic course credits or grades earned by the applicant 10 or more years prior to the starting date of the term in which the applicant seeks to enroll.  An applicant who elects to apply under this statute may not receive any course credit for courses taken 10 or more years prior to enrollment.

An applicant must inform the Office of Admissions and Student Recruitment in writing if the student wishes to apply under the “fresh start” statute.  Forms are available in the Office of Admissions and Student Recruitment.

Adult Admission Program

The Adult Admission Program is designed to offer an opportunity for students to return to college.  Applicants must be at least 25 years of age, have graduated from high school or received their GED, and have earned fewer than 12 college credit hours. Standardized tests are optional. Individuals eligible for this program are exempt from taking the SAT and ACT tests are admitted under the provisions of the Adult Admission Program. Students are subject to all other academic and programmatic requirements of the university (e.g., Texas Success Initiative requirements).

Adult Admission application process:

  • An application for admission, which can be completed online at GoApplyTexas
  • A non-refundable $25 application fee
  • An official copy of the high school transcript(s) or GED certificate or diploma
  • Official transcripts of and previous dual-credit/university work if applicable
  • Adult Admissions Program request form

** Students born outside of the U.S. and/or with International Transcripts

English translated official high school transcript(s), test scores, mark sheets or diploma

Students with college/ university courses/ degree/ diplomas from an institution outside of the U.S. must follow the International Transcript Process listed https://www.uhv.edu/international/apply-for-program/transcripts/

Students who wish to pursue an academic field in Education may need to submit the English Proficiency Requirement (EPR) to be admitted into the program. All other fields may require EPR to be waived through a Waiver.

All documents can be sent electronically to Admissions@uhv.edu or by mail to:

University of Houston-Victoria
Attn. Admissions Processing
3007 N. Ben Wilson St.
Victoria, TX 77901

Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement

Texas state law, effective October 1, 2013, requires that all entering students under the age of 22 provide a certificate signed by a health care provider or an official immunization record verifying that a student has been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis or has received a booster during the five years prior to registration. Students must show evidence of having received the Bacterial Meningitis vaccination or qualified exemption at least 10 days before the first day of the semester. (Exemptions include Reason of Conscience Exemption or Online Classes Only Immunization Waiver