TSI
Center for Academic Student Achievement (CASA)
***************************************************************************
Advisement: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will implement changes affecting all TSI liable students enrolling after September 4, 2013. Please check back on this website for future updates.
Current first time students registering for summer orientations, and new transfer students will not be affected as their Fall 2013 enrollment will be completed before the first day of classes
***************************************************************************
The Retention Specialists at CASA are dedicated to answering questions about TSI and helping students to meet these requirements. We want you to succeed in college, and we’re great problem-solvers. Stop by and talk to us!
Hours of Operation
| Mon. | 8 AM - 5 PM |
| Tues. | 8 AM - 7 PM |
| Wed., Thur., Fri. | 8 AM - 5 PM |
Location
Glasscock Center (CASA), Room 119 — near the drinking fountains.
Retention Specialists
| Jason Dubose | (361) 825-2893 |
| Hector Duarte | (361) 825-5941 |
| Colin Bohne | (361) 825-3649 |
What is the TSI?
The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a state mandate that requires all students to have an assessment of their college readiness skills for reading, math, and writing prior to enrolling at a public university.
Standardized tests evaluate a student’s current academic skills and determine whether the student will be required to take developmental coursework before they are eligible for certain college-level courses.
Some students qualify for a TSI exemption or waiver.
Students without a TSI exemption are required to provide a college readiness assessment using one of the approved TSI exams: THEA, Compass, Asset, or Accuplacer.
All testing materials should be sent to the Office of Admissions and Records (see contact info) before registration.
So, what do I need to do?
The answer depends on your status as a student. Click one of the buttons below to find out more.
First Year Islanders
If you’re a First Year Islander and you do not have a TSI exemption or waiver, you will need to provide test scores from an approved TSI exam to the Office of Admissions and Records (see contact info) upon admittance to the university.
You do not need to pass all sections of a TSI exam to attend TAMUCC, but you will be required to take developmental courses for any reading, math, or writing sections that you have not passed.
Testing information must be submitted with the university before you can register for New Student Orientation in order to identify if developmental coursework is needed.
Please refer to the Academic Testing page for passing TSI test scores.
Contact us at (361) 825-2977 or retention.office@tamucc.edu for more information.
Transfer Students
If you’re transferring to TAMUCC and you do not have a TSI exemption or waiver, you will need to provide test scores from an approved TSI exam to the Office of Admissions and Records (see contact info) prior to registration.
If you are transferring from...
- a public college or university in Texas: your TSI status is reflected on your official transcript.
- a private college or out-of-state institution: please visit with Academic Testing for information concerning TSI requirements.
If the university determines that you will be required to enroll in developmental coursework, you must meet with a Retention Specialist in order to receive a schedule.
Contact us at (361) 825-2977 or retention.office@tamucc.edu to get started, or if you have questions.
Returning Students
If you’re a returning student and you have questions or concerns regarding your TSI requirements, contact a Retention Specialist for information or clarification.
In general, students are not required to meet with a Retention Specialist before meeting with an Academic Advisor to recieve a full schedule.
Contact us at (361) 825-2977 or retention.office@tamucc.edu to get started.
Veterans
United States Veterans are exempt from TSI. Specifically, you are exempt if you have been honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the Armed Forces, Texas National Guard, or served as a member of a reserved component of the Armed Forces on or after August 1, 1990. (A copy of your DD Form 214 or DD Form 295 indicating this status is required).
Active-duty service members are also exempt from TSI requirements. Specifically, you are exempt if you are serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, Texas National Guard, or Reserve Component of Armed Forces and have been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment. (Required: documentation that shows at least three years).
Contact the office of Academic Testing at (361) 825-2334 for information concerning TSI waivers and exemptions associated with your military experience. You can also contact CASA at (361) 825-2977 to receive further information concerning TSI.
TSI Coursework
Students only take developmental courses for subject areas that they have yet to pass with a TSI exam.
The university offers courses for TSI students in three subject areas:
Math
- Math 0398 – Intro to Algebra
- Math 0399 – Intermediate Algebra
Math course placement is dependent upon a math skills assessment. Therefore, you may be required to take either one or both of these courses before taking College Algebra.
You must receive a C or better to satisfy TSI requirements. We recommend that you seek math tutoring with CASA to ensure success.
Reading
- Read 0399 – Basic Reading
You must receive a B or better to satisfy TSI requirements.
Writing
- English 1301/1302 – Freshman Composition
- English 0099 – Writing Tutorials
You must receive a C or better in Freshman Composition to satisfy TSI requirements.
English 0099 is not a course; instead, you visit the Writing Center throughout the semester in order to receive additional support for your writing. You will not receive a grade, but you must make visits every week to satisfy TSI requirements.
Already Tested? Check to see where your test scores place you!
DIRECTIONS:
- 1.Please select the appropriate TSI test.
- 2.Enter in your test scores.
- 3.Click "Finish" when done.
Retesting
A second option you may use to complete your TSI requirements is to successfully pass a TSI exam [please see our list of TSI approved exams above]. If you are considering re-testing, please ensure that your test scores are processed with the Office of Admissions and Records by the first day of class.
If students do not have updated test scores by the first day of the semester, TAMUCC will require that students remain enrolled in the appropriate developmental class(es).
