Three New SamPoly Programs Launch This Fall

SamPoly is expanding its lineup this fall with three brand-new programs: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Health Information Technology (HIT), and Real Estate. SHSU Online assisted and supported SamPoly in building the new offerings from the ground up through a close partnership between SamPoly faculty and SHSU Online's instructional design team. Each program was designed with one goal in mind: getting students workforce-ready, fast. 

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) 

The HVAC program prepares students for in-demand careers as skilled HVAC technicians, with hands-on training in electrical systems, refrigeration, diagnostics, and safety standards. Students will be prepared to test for the EPA Section 608 Universal Certificate and the ESCO Employment Ready/HVAC Excellence Certification, setting them up to enter the field as registered technicians working toward full licensure. 

Because HVAC work is inherently hands-on, this program is delivered in a hybrid format, combining online coursework with required in-person labs on the Huntsville campus. With average salaries around $62,000 and nearly 7,000 open positions statewide, HVAC is one of the strongest workforce opportunities in the SamPoly lineup. 

Health Information Technology (HIT) 

The HIT program trains students to manage and protect healthcare data in an increasingly digital medical landscape. The curriculum covers medical records management, diagnostic and procedural coding, data integrity, and healthcare data analytics, aligned with national certification standards. 

Students will gain hands-on experience with electronic health record systems and compliance standards through structured clinical partnerships with regional healthcare providers. This program is fully online, and graduates will be well-positioned to pursue national certification in a field with over 4,000 open positions statewide. 

Real Estate 

The Real Estate program equips students with the practical knowledge needed to succeed in Texas's competitive real estate market, with coursework aligned to Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) licensure requirements. Students will build skills in contracts, leasing, property operations, market analysis, and regulatory compliance, with a strong emphasis on communication, negotiation, and client service. 

Like HIT, this program is delivered fully online, giving students the flexibility to pursue TREC licensure and enter residential real estate or property management on their own schedule. 

Partnership in Action 

Behind each of these new programs is the vision and subject matter expertise of SamPoly faculty, working in close collaboration with SHSU Online's instructional design team. Faculty led curriculum development and defined the learning outcomes, while instructional designers helped translate that expertise into engaging, well-structured online and hybrid learning experiences. From narrative-driven modules to real-world application scenarios, the team's course designs are built to keep career-focused students motivated and moving toward their goals. 

The successful launch of three new programs in a single semester reflects the strong collaboration between SamPoly faculty and SHSU Online, demonstrating how cross-campus partnerships can accelerate the development of high-quality workforce programs while maintaining academic standards. 

If you'd like to learn more about how these programs came together, or how SHSU Online supports SamPoly course development, reach out to the instructional design team (idsupport@shsu.edu) anytime.