College of the Mainland, which has League City campuses, and Sam Houston State University have entered an agreement that will allow students to attend both schools simultaneously or alternately, effective this fall.

Students who are accepted to the program will be to transfer, alternate enrollment between the two schools or co-enroll in both. Students will be able to earn high school diplomas through Collegiate High School, a COM campus, as well as associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees by attending both schools under the agreement signed by COM President Warren Nichols and Richard Eglsaer, SHSU vice president of academic affairs, according to a press release.

Coursework toward an associate degree will be applicable toward a baccalaureate degree in more than 50 SHSU undergraduate majors. A “reverse transfer” will allow students to transfer coursework between the two schools, the release reads.

Under the joint admission, students can get an SHSU ID card; access to computers, the internet, the library, sporting events and online transcripts; free electronic transfer transcript evaluations; and reduced application fees. Dual-enrolled students must meet all admission requirements for both schools to stay in the program, according to the release.

SHSU will encourage students transferring to the institution to complete an associate degree at COM, and SHSU will help students identify what courses are appropriate for transfer credit, according to the release.

The agreement is set for five years. Both schools will review the agreement annually to see if it should be ended or expanded.