Academics
Located in Houston’s Third Ward, a historically African American neighborhood with a rich cultural legacy, Texas Southern University is a sprawling public institution. One of the nation's largest HBCUs, it offers more than 100 degrees and concentrations (across ten schools) to its enrollees, and features a “Weekend College” for working students who have a large number of college credits earned and want to complete their degree. There are numerous avenues for students wishing to conduct research; the TSU Science Center houses several scholastic and research programs, including the Houston Louis Stokes Alliance Minority Program (which works to create diversity in STEM fields) and the NASA University Research Center for Bio-Nanotechnology and Environmental Research, and there are separate centers for Excellence in Urban Education, Transportation Training and Research, and Justice Research. All students must complete the Texas Common Core Curriculum requirements in order to graduate, and the Tiger Writing Lab is available to assist students across all disciplines.
Career
Campus PALS is a mentoring program that helps first year students acclimate to college life; sophomore and junior volunteers also impart TSU traditions and history. There are more than 130 organizations and clubs for students to join on campus, ranging from the Underground Fashion Society to the TSU Toastmasters Club, as well as numerous Greek fraternities and sororities. TSU is an NCAA Division I school, and the 22,000-seat PNC Stadium is a permanent home for Tiger Football; the school’s marching band Ocean of Soul make regular halftime appearances (as well as compete nationally). The Tiger Sensations are a hip-hop dance team that provides spirit on the court and sidelines at all home basketball games and special events. The Debate Team is a lauded organization on campus, and the team’s office full of thousands of trophies and awards is even considered a tourist attraction on campus. The Student Life Center is at the heart of all socialization, offering a range of events from seminars to R&B artist autograph signings—there’s even a barbershop/beauty salon housed within.
Culture
TSU has set itself apart through a reputation for turning out large numbers of African American students who go on to post-secondary and advanced degrees; popular areas of study include Biology, Business Administration Management, and Law. The Career & Professional Development Center hosts an annual TSU Tiger Career Fair and targeted career fairs, and is also a founding member of the Houston Area Consortium of Career Centers. Notable alumni include U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, athlete and television host Michael Strahan, and Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Leslie D. King.
Save School
