Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University (known as SHSU or Sam) was founded in 1879 and is the third oldest public institution of higher learning in the State of Texas. It is located 70 miles north of Houston in the hills, lakes, and forests region of East Texas in Huntsville. It is one of the oldest purpose-built institutions for the instruction of teachers west of the Mississippi River and the first such institution of its type in Texas. The school is named for one of Texas's founding fathers, Sam Houston, who made his home in the city.

SHSU is a member of the Texas State University System and has an enrollment of more than 18,000 students across over 80 undergraduate, 54 masters', and 6 doctoral degree programs. The university also offers over twenty online bachelor's and graduate degrees. It was the first institution classified as a Doctoral Research University by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education within the Texas State University System, and while education continues to be the most popular major among students at the university, SHSU is well known for its business, education, dance and criminal justice programs.

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