History - San Jacinto College
Play Video
60+ Years of Success
Building a Legacy
In 1963, San Jacinto College received full accreditation from the Association of Texas
Colleges and Universities, making us the first college in the state to do so after
only two years of operation. Three years later, we received accreditation from the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Decades of Firsts
The 1980s - 1990s
In the 1980s, San Jacinto College also started looking for ways to support our students
after graduation. In 1988, the College signed the first-ever articulation agreement
with the University of Houston. This partnership eased the transfer process for San
Jacinto College students to attend the University of Houston. Today, we have articulation agreements with more than 20 schools, in and out of state.
The College met the improvements in technology in the 1990s head on. We launched our first online class in 1995, and throughout the years our online learning has grown exponentially. Today, we offer more than 60 degrees and certificates that can be earned completely online.
Established in 1996, the San Jacinto College Foundation provides students with financial assistance so they can pursue their educational dreams. Between food and clothing assistance, emergency funding, and scholarship opportunities, the Foundation is able to help hundreds of students each year.
An Era of Innovation
The new millennium brought innovation to San Jac. In 2000, our Aerospace and Biotech
Academy officially opened, and in 2005, our paralegal program was certified by the
American Bar Association.
In the 2010s, we were able to keep expanding our campuses and services to students. In 2012, we opened a Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success on each of the North, Central, and South Campuses. These centers offer educational and personal guidance to the many veterans that choose San Jac. Our Maritime Campus also opened in 2016, followed by our Generation Park campus in 2020.
Not only did we expand our campus footprint during this time, but also our credentials. In fall 2020, we launched our first bachelor’s degree - the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) program. Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing, the program launched in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and was well-received by students with a passion for helping others.
San Jacinto College continues to evolve. In 2023, the College announced a partnership with Nuro, a leading autonomous vehicle company, to bring the first autonomous vehicle technician certificate program in Texas. In addition, we launched our second bachelor’s degree with a Bachelor of Applied Science with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education.
Looking to the Future
San Jacinto College has changed and grown with the community since the beginning. From the construction of the first campus to the creation of two bachelor’s degrees, we have met the needs of this community just as they have met ours. And we will continue to work with our community as we meet the new challenges and needs of the future.
