Texas State University is just one of the many reasons TRACE is proud to be located in San Marcos! The school has the distinction of being the only university in Texas to have a U.S. president as a graduate. Lyndon B. Johnson graduated from Texas State in 1930.
TSU’s impressive catalog consists of 98 bachelor’s, 92 master’s, and 13 doctoral degree programs across applied arts, business administration, education, fine arts and communications, health, library arts, science and engineering, university college, and the graduate college.
Students choose to enroll in the university for a diverse number of reasons. Here are some of the top reasons why San Marcos residents love having TSU close to home for pursuing higher education.
World-Class Research
As an Emerging Research University, TSU can tap into special state funds available for bolstering higher education research. TSU has the second highest designation for a research university, with the Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching classifying it as “Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activities.”
TSU’s 58-acre Science, Technology, and Research (STAR) Park hosts STAR One, a technology incubator for start-ups and early-stage businesses. The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and Edwards Aquifer Research and Data Center gives students the opportunity to study aquatic ecosystems and species. Archaeologists from TSU’s Gault School of Archeological Research have found 16,000-year-old human artifacts.
Innovative Programs
Texas State University partners with San Marcos CISD where students in TSU’s social work program intern on campuses across SMCISD schools. Undergraduates and graduates receive school assignments to help provide more resources to students who need social work services.
Previously, the entire district only had one official social worker. Not only is the university giving its students the opportunity to get hands-on experience, but they’re also solving a problem of a social worker shortage in the schools.
Academic Rigor
Texas State University places sixth in the highest graduation rate of public universities in the state. It’s in the top 3 percent of public colleges and universities in terms of awarding bachelor’s degrees to Hispanic students.
Students looking for a challenge and innovative teaching methods can apply to the Honors College. Its seminar-style classes involve discussions based on field trips, readings, and presentations. The annual International Research Conference for graduate students gives them the chance to present research findings and receive feedback from faculty. Undergraduates have a similar conference in the annual Undergraduate Research Conference.
Cool Campus Amenities
Sports fans can watch the Bobcats play in NCAA Division I competition. The Bobcats have been conference champions in baseball, basketball (women’s), football, golf (women’s), track and field, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
Crystal-clear springs that feed the San Marcos River flow through the campus from the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. Eight endangered species make their home on campus.
Personalized Academic and Career Exploration (PACE) center helps students explore careers to find the right one for them. It’s a one-stop shop where students can identify career goals and chart a course to achieve those goals. Advisers also provide advice on activities to participate in and organizations to join.
In short, Texas State University offers large university resources and options in a smaller setting with just under 40,000 students! TRACE community in San Marcos residents live only 8 miles from Texas State. And like TSU, TRACE offers many desirable amenities including parks, an Amenity Center and resort-style pool that are currently underway, an onsite elementary school scheduled to open in Fall 2019, a planned fire department, retail and commercial space, sports fields, and picnic areas. Explore this San Marcos community’s amenities or contact us.
