Samar State University is mandated to provide advanced instruction and professional training in the arts, philosophy, social sciences, agriculture, fishery, forestry, science and technology, engineering, education, law, and other related fields, and also to undertake research and extension services, and provide progressive leadership in its area of specialization.

It subsequently was given the authority to offer a four-year teacher-education curriculum, Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education (BSIE) and a four-year technical education curriculum, Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology.

It later expanded its programs to evening classes and extension services, and to masters-level instruction.

In 1981, it became one of twenty-three vocational-technical institutes in the Philippines to receive the Asian Development Bank of the Philippines-Vocational Technical (ADV-VOC-TECH) counterpart loan of the MECS in the form of equipment for Automotive, Electronics, Civil and Machine Shop Technology.

There are numerous clubs and organizations based in the main campus and branches of Samar State University.