About Texas State

Texas State University-San Marcos is a doctoral granting university located in the burgeoning Austin-San Antonio corridor, the largest campus in the Texas State University System, and the 6th largest in the state.

Texas State's 26,300 students choose from 114 undergraduate and 81 masters and 6 Ph.D. graduate degree programs offered by seven colleges (Applied Arts, Business Administration, Education, Fine Arts and Communication, Health Professions, Liberal Arts, and Science), the University College, and the Graduate College.

With a diverse campus community including over 25% of the student body from ethnic minorities, Texas State is one of the top 20 producers of Hispanic baccalaureate graduates in the nation. In the fall of 2002, there were 662 full-time faculty and 1,572 full-time staff.

Texas State is also the lead institution of a multi-institution teaching center offering several programs in the greater north Austin area.

Location

Located on the edge of the Texas Hill Country, where blackland prairies turn in to beautiful hills, Texas State enjoys a setting that is unique among Texas universities. The beauty of the crystal-clear San Marcos River and the stately cypress and pecan trees on the campus adds to the charm of its picturesque settings. The campus is in San Marcos, a community about halfway between Austin and San Antonio. Its location on the banks of the San Marcos River provides recreational and leisure activities for students throughout the year.

History

Authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1899, Southwest Texas State Normal School opened its doors in 1903. Over the years the Legislature broadened the institution's scope and changed its name, in succession, to Normal College, Teachers College, College, and in 1969, University. Each name reflects the university's growth from a small teacher preparation institution to a major, multipurpose university. Texas States's original mission was to prepare Texas public school teachers, especially those of south central Texas. It became renowned for carrying out this mission, but today it does far more.

Colleges

The University offers programs in colleges of Applied Arts, Business, Education, Fine Arts and Communication, Health Professions, Liberal Arts, and Science. In 1986 the University College was created to assure a broad general education for all students, regardless of major. In 1935 the Board of Regents authorized the formation of The Graduate College.

Campus

As the university's student population has grown - from 330 in 1903 to over 26,300 in 2003 - the campus, too, has expanded, and today Texas State is the sixth largest public university in the state. Overlooking the campus and serving as a landmark since 1903 is Old Main, a red-gabled Victorian building restored to its original grandeur. In 1979, after adding a number of classroom buildings and residence halls, the university purchased the former San Marcos Baptist Academy adjacent to the original campus. Campus facilities encourage a feeling that Texas State is a special place.