Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

TSI General Information

Students attending Texas public institutions of higher education must comply 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 by meeting exemption criteria or college readiness standards on TSI assessment instruments.

For TSIA2 administered January 11, 2021, and after

• ELAR (Integrated Reading and Writing)
  • CRC score of a 945-990 with an Essay of 5-8, or
  • CRC of a 910-944 with a Diagnostic Level of 5-6 and an Essay of 5-8
• MATH
  • CRC score of 950-990, or
  • CRC score of 910-949 with a Diagnostic Level of 6

For TSIA administered prior to January 11, 2021

• Mathematics: 350
• Reading: 351
• Writing: Essay Score of 5; Essay Score of 4 and Multiple Choice of 340

UHV administers the TSI assessment to measure college-level readiness in mathematics, and English language arts and reading (ELAR).

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. An advisor can help students determine what courses they may take until TSI complete.

Some courses are designed as co-requisite learning communities in math and English to assist students with becoming TSI complete. If a student is not TSI complete in either of those subjects, they can register for one of the co-requisite UNIV courses along with the beginning math or English course. The instructors of those courses will work together to ensure the student gets the extra help they need to understand the material.  This opportunity allows students to enroll in regular college-level courses rather than developmental courses while enabling them to become TSI complete upon achieving a passing grade of “C” or better.

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 three 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 minimum 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.

TSI Exemptions

Students are exempt from TSI if they meet one of the following 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.

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 Processing 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 must 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 other 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 English language arts and reading (ELAR) portion will need to take just the writing or reading sections of the TSIA2.
• Completed college-level coursework in one or two of the three designated areas (math and ELAR) 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 portion of the TSI for which they are not exempt.

TSI Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2)

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 TSIA2 areas of math and ELAR. Students will need to become complete in both areas.

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

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. 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 UHV.
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.