Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

TSI General Information

Students attending Texas public institutions of higher education must be in compliance with the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) mandated by the State of Texas in 2003. The law requires that entering college students demonstrate college readiness in mathematics, reading, and writing before enrolling in college-level course work, unless the student qualifies for an exemption. Students can demonstrate compliance through meeting exemption criteria or through meeting passing standards on TSI assessment instruments.

• Mathematics - 350
• Reading - 351
• Writing - Placement score of at least 340, and an essay score of at least 4; or Placement score of less than 340, and an ABE Diagnostic level of at least 4, and an essay score of at least 5.

UHV administers the TSI assessment to measure college-level readiness in reading, mathematics, and writing.

UHV Requirements

Students can be admitted to UHV without being TSI complete or exempt; however, they will not be able to register for some UHV classes until they are TSI complete or exempt. Your advisor can help the student determine what courses they may take until TSI complete.

Students who enter the university TSI incomplete in reading and/or writing may become TSI complete by enrolling in ENGL 1300  and successfully completing it with a grade of “C” or higher. Students who make a “D” in ENGL 1300  will need to enroll in ENGL 1301  along with NCBO 1001 the following semester. In this case, students must successfully complete ENGL 1301  with a grade of “C” or higher and make a “Satisfactory” in NCBO 1001 in order to become TSI complete in reading and/or writing. 

Students who enter the university TSI incomplete in mathematics may become TSI complete by enrolling in MATH 1300  and successfully completing it with a grade of “C” or higher. Students who make a “D” in MATH 1300  will need to enroll in MATH 1314  along with NCBO 1002 the following semester. In this case, students must successfully complete MATH 1314  with a grade of “C” or higher and make a “Satisfactory” in NCBO 1002 in order to become TSI complete in mathematics.

A TSI hold will be placed on the student’s record until appropriate TSI documentation (i.e., test score, course grade) is provided to the academic advisor. Students have at most 3 semesters from their first semester of enrollment at UHV to become TSI complete and remain enrolled at the university.

Students who fail to meet the minimal passing standards of a TSI assessment instrument or the prerequisites for math established by the university must be advised, receive tutoring, or complete developmental coursework in the appropriate areas so that they can become academically ready to perform all college-level course work.

Students who are not TSI complete upon enrolling at UHV must co-enroll in the appropriate developmental course(s) at a community college each semester until they become TSI complete. A TSI hold will be placed on the student’s record until appropriate TSI documentation (i.e., test score, course grade) is provided to the academic advisor. Students have at most 3 semesters from their first semester of enrollment at UHV to become TSI complete and remain enrolled at the university.

TSI Exemptions

Students are exempt from TSI if they meet one of the following exemption criteria and submit the appropriate documentation mentioned below by email, mail or fax to the UHV Admissions and Student Recruitment Office.

Exemption Criteria

1. Test Exemption - if any one of the following test scores (ACT, SAT, TAKS, TAAS) are met, students are exempt from that area and must present those official test scores, if not shown on their high school transcript, to UHV.

** A Note about the SAT:
The name of the SAT has recently changed to “SAT Reasoning Test”; the name “New SAT” has been used for the version of the test administered after January 2005. The verbal portion of the New SAT has been renamed “critical reading.” Both old and new total, math, and verbal/critical reading scores that are less than five years old may be used to meet TSI requirements as described here. The essay section of the New SAT may not yet be used to meet TSI requirements.

2. Degree Exemption- mail or fax an official transcript to UHV noting either an associate or baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution;
3. Out-of-State or Private Institution Course Work Exemption - mail or fax an official transcript showing completion of college-level coursework with a C or better transferred from an out-of-state or private institution of higher education;
4. Previous Exemption - mail or fax the official determination of having met readiness standards at a previous institution of higher education;
5. Certificate or Non-Degree Seeking Program Exemption - notify UHV of non-degree seeking status, or of seeking a certificate that does not have TSI requirements;
6. Military Service Exemption or Waiver - submit to UHV a DD214 or Notice of Benefits Eligibility that demonstrates active duty as a member of the US armed forces, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the US armed forces and service at least 3 years preceding enrollment; or honorable discharge, retired or released from active duty on or after August 1, 1990.

TSI and Transfer Students

Students transferring to UHV from regionally accredited private or out-of-state institutions with grades of “C” or better in the courses listed below in all three TSI areas (writing, reading and math) will meet TSI requirements. Students need to mail or fax to UHV Admissions official copies of transcripts showing these grades.

Students who do not have grades of “C” or better in all three areas must take an approved TSI test in those areas.

TSI Writing (TSI compliant in writing if you achieved a “C” or higher in one of the two courses listed below)

TSI Reading (TSI compliant in writing if you achieved a “C” or higher in one of the two courses listed below):

TSI Math (TSI compliant in math if you achieved a “C” or higher in any of the courses listed below).

More advanced mathematics course in which any of the above are prerequisites.

Partial TSI Exemption

Students will have a partial TSI exemption and will be required to provide documentation to support their partial exemption if they have

• Obtained a composite score on the appropriate test and the required minimum score on either the math or verbal English language arts. Students will be exempt from that individual section of TSI but will have to take the others sections. For example, students who score high enough on the SAT to be exempt from the math portion (Composite 1070 and Math 500), but not the writing or reading portions will need to take just the writing or reading sections of the TSI.
• Completed college-level coursework in one or two of the three designated areas (reading, math, and writing) with a grade of “C” or better and so may be exempt from those sections of the TSI. Students will still have to take the other portions of the TSI for which they are not exempt.

TSI Assessment

If you are not exempt from the TSI requirements, you will be required to take the appropriate section (reading, writing, and mathematics) of the TSI Assessment prior to enrolling in classes. Note that as of Fall 2013, the state has prescribed that only the TSI Assessment may be used (THEA, ASSET, COMPASS, and ACCUPLACER are no longer allowable, unless they have been used at a previous institution to satisfy the requirement.). Please refer to the previous “TSI Exemptions” section for more information if you think you may be exempt.

UH-Victoria’s Student Success Center offers the TSI Assessment during scheduled administrations and is limited only to students planning to attend the University of Houston-Victoria and/or the Victoria College. Visit the RegisterBlast website to view available testing dates, register, and pay for the TSI Assessment.

TSI and Core Curriculum Area Course Enrollment

The table below shows which UHV core curriculum classes students can take if they are not TSI complete in the specific TSI areas of reading, writing, and math. Students will need to become complete in all three areas.

Freshman - First Time Enrolled

(Students with a U.S. high school diploma or GED education, or less than 12 semester credit hours of college credit.)

1. Application for Admissions - Apply using the ApplyTexas common online application.
2. Official high school or home school transcript or official copy of GED certificate.
   • The high school transcript should show class rank, grade point average, and date of graduation. Seniors may submit applications and transcripts during the fall or spring semester of their senior year showing the current grade point average and class ranking; however, your school must send an official final transcript as soon as possible after graduation.
   • The home school transcript should show the high school courses completed and in progress, explanation of grades, grade point average, and any honors. The transcript should also include the signature of the principal.
3. Official college/university transcripts from all institutions attended, if applicable. This also applies to students concurrently enrolled in a secondary school while attending a college/university.
4. ACT or SAT test score results - Scores must be sent directly from the College Board or ACT, or on official high school transcripts.
5. Proof that the Texas Success Initiative (TSI)* requirement has been met. Submit official TSI Assessment scores or provide proof of a valid exemption from the TSI requirement. Refer to the TSI section of this catalog for more information.
6. International Students (non U.S. citizen nor a permanent resident of the United States; a holder or prospective holder of an F-1 student visa) must submit SAT scores, and official higher secondary completion certificates and grades from their country of origin that equate to graduation from high school in the United States. See “International Student Admission” section for application process deadlines and required documents.

* The TSI requirement is not an admissions requirement.
Transfer - (Students with 12 or more semester credit hours of college credit, other than high school advanced/dual credit)

1. A completed application for undergraduate admission. Visit the UHV website and click on “Apply”.
2. An official transcript from EACH college attended, sent directly from each institution to UHVictoria.
3. Proof that the Texas Success Initiative (TSI)* requirement has been met. Submit official TSI Assessment scores or provide proof of a valid exemption from the TSI requirement. Refer to the TSI section of this catalog for more information.
4. International Students (non U.S. citizen nor a permanent resident of the United States; a holder or prospective holder of an F-1 student visa) - See “International Programs ” section for application process, deadlines and required documents.

* The TSI requirement is not an admissions requirement.

Academic Fresh Start

An undergraduate applicant for admission who is a Texas resident may seek to enter UHVictoria 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.