The University of Houston System is a group of six public institutions of higher learning in the Houston area that share common goals and are governed by a Board of Regents. The University of Houston's heritage of academic excellence dates back to its founding in 1927. In 1947, the institution launched one of its many rich traditions by adopting the cougar, later named Shasta, as its official talisman.

The university grew and prospered, and becoming the University of Houston in 1934. Couple years later, the institution acquired land for a permanent campus. The university became a state institution in 1963 and joined the newly created University of Houston System in 1977. Nowadays, the University of Houston is a major public research and teaching institution, serving more than 36,000 students annually with nearly 300 undergraduate and graduate programs.

At UH students can earn chosen bachelor’s or master’s degrees even if their time on campus is limited. University’s distance education program delivers courses on a schedule designed for student professionals who work full-time. This allows student to complete graduation requirements faster without compromising the quality of education. 

Distance Learning
A lot of students enroll in Distance Learning classes because they cannot spend enough time on campus during the day to complete the courses they need. A normal Distance Learning student at UH might work full-time and almost never come to campus. Either, it might be someone whose work and other demands limit visits to campus each week. Many on-campus students use Distance Learning classes as an alternative when other classes are full or if they need some flexibility in their course schedule.

The main goal of the University of Houston is to discover and disseminate knowledge through the education of a diverse population of traditional and non-traditional students, and through research, artistic and scholarly endeavors, as it becomes the public university in an urban setting.University of Houston applies its expertise to the challenges facing the local, state, national, and international communities, and it establishes and nurtures relationships with community organizations, government agencies, public schools, and the private sector to enhance the educational, economic, and cultural vitality of Texas state.

Costs & Financial Aid
Whether student is an undergraduate or a graduate, a UH education will pay for itself many times over in higher earnings and expanded opportunities throughout student’s life. The university offers a wide range of scholarships, fellowships, and other financial aid to graduate students and undergraduates. With the help of student’s financial assistance packages, some UH students find that their actual cost is lower than they had originally expected.