TAMIU Enrollment Nudges Up, SCH Increases for Fall
While Texas A&M International University’s Fall 2014 enrollment has crept up almost 2%, University officials say Semester Credit Hours (SCH), upon which State funding is based, are up well over 4.5%, a good omen for the coming Legislative Session.
Fall 2014 enrollment is 7,568 (up 1.84%) compared to Fall 2013’s 7,431. SCH are up 4.54% from 74,002 for Fall 2013 to 77,362 for Fall 2014. Classes began Aug. 27.
The growth was fueled in part by a large entering freshman class, the largest in its history, said TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck.
“Our freshman class of 2018 is 904 strong and represents over 100 high schools in our region, state and nation. Fifty percent have already earned college credit in high school, 21% rank in the Top 10% of their high school class and 40% ranked in the Top 25% of their high school class,” Dr. Keck noted.
This Fall’s enrollment finds women outnumbering men, 4,450 to 3,118. About 95% of the University’s students identify as minority and 60% enroll full-time, while 40% attend part-time. Over 96% of students are from in state, while the remainder are from out of state or international. Fall’s student enrollment includes representatives from 28 different countries from Albania to Zimbabwe.
The average undergraduate is 21, graduate students 30 and doctoral students 35. The University’s youngest student is 13, its oldest 62.
The College of Arts and Sciences has the highest enrollment with 4683 students, followed by the A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business, 1256; College of Education, 1081, and College of Nursing and Health Sciences, 548.
Top undergraduate majors are Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Biology and Nursing. Top graduate majors are Business Administration, Information Systems, Educational Administration, School Counseling and Accounting.
The student/faculty ratio is 21 to 1 while the average undergraduate class size is 34 and the graduate class size is 15.
TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck said the University’s growth is hard won and intensive.
“We work aggressively to share our story and strengths with potential students and their families across the State and beyond. Our programs are relevant, taught by a gifted faculty and offered in flextime, online and onsite options. The launch of our Fixed Tuition Plan has made a crucial difference in the lives of students and their parents. We provide each student with phenomenal services and support with the options of special internship and study abroad experiences and truly deliver our international experience,” he explained.
“Perhaps it’s reflective of our growing enrollment, but this year alone we’ve provided over $22.7 million in financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants and work-study programs. Just last week, we disbursed a tidal wave of economic impact, with students receiving over $5.9 million in financial aid,” Keck observed.
As the University readies for the start of the 84th Legislature in January, Keck said he is steadfastly optimistic.
“Every day, we accomplish our mission. Every day our students define their futures. Every day our faculty bring those futures closer. Every day our staff and administration set the stage, keep the lights on and make the production run smoothly. Ours is a great story writ by and for students and I'm confident that our State Legislature will continue to support the wisdom of their investment in higher education for South Texans,” he concluded.
Registration for the Spring Semester 2015 at TAMIU begins Monday, Oct. 27. Classes start Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015.
For University information, contact the TAMIU Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, visit tamiu.edu or email prmis@tamiu.edu
University information is also available on Facebook and Twitter and a free app for smartphone and tablet can be downloaded from tamiu.edu
Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu