What is Core Curriculum?
The Core Curriculum is the name given to a set of courses designed to give you the basics of a college education. You can choose to follow DCCCD’s current Core or new Core (PDF - 201KB).
If you first enrolled at a Texas public university or college in Fall 1999, or more recently, your degree requirements include a General Education Core Curriculum. Every public institution of higher education in Texas has a Core Curriculum. The Core is designed to provide a solid foundation for your college education and to transfer as a block of credit between and among Texas institutions of higher education.
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How many college credit hours are in the DCCCD Core Curriculum?
The current Core includes 48 credit hours in specific courses.
The new Core (PDF - 201KB) includes 42 to 45 credit hours in courses organized in tiers and defined by themes.
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What courses are required to complete the DCCCD Core Curriculum?
View the current Core Curriculum in the DCCCD online catalog or the new Core Curriculum (PDF - 201KB) for detailed information.
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How many courses do you have to complete in each Core component of the current Core?
If you choose to follow the current Core Curriculum, you will need to complete:
- Three courses in Communications
- Three courses in Humanities/Visual and Performing Arts
- One course in Mathematics
- Two courses in Lab Sciences
- One course in Physical Education
- One course in Computer Science
- Five courses in Social and Behavioral Sciences (includes History and Government)
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View the DCCCD catalog page for the current Core Curriculum.
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In the new Core, what are “tiers” and “themes”?
The new DCCCD Core is arranged in clusters of courses called “tiers.” The tiers are designed to give you a systematic way to navigate the Core and select appropriate courses.
The new Core also features “themes,” which are groupings of courses that reflect “big ideas.”
Tier 1: Core Foundations — You’ll gain critical skills essential to success in other college courses.
Themes include:
- Critical Reading and Writing, with courses such as ENGL 1301 - Composition I and HIST 1301 - History of the United States
- Wellness and the Human Experience, with courses such as PHED 1100 - Beginning Lifetime Sports Activities and ARTS 1311 - 2-D Design
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Tier 2: Core Domains — You’ll explore various disciplines while reinforcing and applying the skills you learned in Tier 1.
Themes include:
- Self and Society, with courses such as SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology and PSYC 2301 - Introduction to Psychology
- Scientific Discovery and Sustainability, with courses such as ENVR 1401 - Environmental Science and ANTH 2302 - Introduction to Archaeology
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Tier 3: Integrative Learning — You’ll have the opportunity to demonstrate your abilities as a critical thinker and communicator.
The theme for this tier is Critical Issues in National and Global Context. This tier consists of a single course, GOVT 2302, which aims to make connections among many different disciplines from across the tiers.
Note: The tiers are intended to guide you, not serve as a rigid plan. You can enroll in Tier 2 courses while completing Tier 1 requirements or enroll in Tier 3 while completing the Tier 2 courses.
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Why do I need to take the Core Curriculum?
It’s for your benefit! It makes transferring much easier for you. Since the fall of 1999, it has been a state law that students who complete the DCCCD’s Core Curriculum with at least a 2.0 GPA are guaranteed that their courses will transfer as a block of credit to any Texas public college or university without you being required to take any additional Core courses. If transferring to a four-year college or university is in your plans, it’s to your distinct advantage to complete the DCCCD Core Curriculum because it will save you both time and money.
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How many courses does it take beyond the Core to earn an associate degree?
The Core is the very basis of the Associate in Sciences (A.S.), Associate in Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) degrees (as well as DCCCD’s Field of Study and Emphasis degrees). You can earn one of these degrees with approximately 13 hours beyond the current Core Curriculum, usually four to six additional courses.
Note: Degree requirements for the new Core will be finalized early in 2010. Check this Web site for updated information.
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Can I substitute courses in the Core?
In the current Core, no.
In the new Core, you can choose from a wider range of options and course offerings in order to complete the Core.
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Does my official transcript show Core completion?
Yes.
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What if I don’t want “Not Core Complete” to show on my transcript?
DCCCD is required by the state of Texas to show your Core status on your college transcript. You may wish to complete the Core so that your transcript will indicate “Core Complete.”
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What colleges and universities will take my DCCCD Core Curriculum?
All Texas public colleges and universities must accept a complete DCCCD Core Curriculum block, guaranteed. However, please check with the institution you want to attend to make sure the courses you select will be applicable to the major you want to pursue when you transfer.
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Does it matter what grade I get on my Core Curriculum courses?
Yes! Most universities will not accept a grade of D in transfer as meeting Core requirements.
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Is it only Texas public colleges and universities that will accept the DCCCD Core Curriculum as a block? What about out-of-state or private institutions?
All Texas public colleges and universities must accept a complete DCCCD Core Curriculum block, but out-of-state or private institutions are not so required. You will need to check with the out-of-state or private institution you plan to attend regarding how they will accept courses in transfer.
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How does the Core save me money?
One three-hour credit course for in-county students is just $123. Compare a three-hour course at other area institutions:
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DCCCD
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$123 |
| UNT |
$904 |
| UTA |
$928 |
| UTD |
$1,805 |
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What are the benefits of the Core Curriculum?
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It saves you money.
One three-hour DCCCD course costs only $123, $41 per hour for Dallas County residents. DCCCD tuition is only $76 per credit hour for out-of-county residents and $121 per credit hour for out-of-state or out-of-country residents. Compare DCCCD’s tuition rates to other area institutions of higher education:
| DCCCD | $123 | | UNT | $904 | | UTA | $928 | | UTD | $1,805 |
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It saves you time.
With seven DCCCD colleges, there’s one near your home or workplace. Class times on days, evenings, weekends and online ensure that everyone can find time to earn college credit.
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It transfers as a block of credit.
You can complete your general education requirements for college, and transfer of completed credits to any public college or university in Texas is guaranteed. However, please check with the institution you want to attend to make sure the courses you select will be applicable to the major you want to pursue when you transfer.
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It shows accomplishment and educational attainment.
You can achieve a goal that builds your self-esteem, résumé and job-seeking abilities on your way to a college degree! With only three or four more courses beyond the Core, you can earn an associate degree!
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Can I take any course for the required 48 hours of the current Core?
Only those courses in the current Core Curriculum qualify.
DCCCD’s current Core Curriculum is structured to include specific courses in the following:
- Three courses (9 credit hours) in the Communications component
- One course (3 credit hours) in the Mathematics component
- Two courses (8 credit hours) in the Lab Sciences component
- Five courses (15 credit hours) in the Social/Behavioral Sciences component
- Three courses (9 credit hours) in the Humanities/Visual and Performing Arts component
- Two courses (4 credit hours) in the “Other” component, which includes Physical Education and Computer Science
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To find out which specific courses will qualify in each component, view DCCCD’s online catalog description of current Core Curriculum courses.
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Can I take any course for the required 42 to 45 hours of the new Core?
Although the new Core Curriculum offers you more options and flexibility, you will still need to take courses from an approved list. (See the new Core Curriculum [PDF - 201KB] for a detailed list of courses.) The new Core is arranged in tiers designed to guide you to appropriate courses. Each tier includes one or more “themes” (groupings of courses that reflect “big ideas”).
- For Tier 1 - Core Foundations, you will need to complete five (5) courses. Themes for this tier include:
- Critical Reading and Writing
- Speaking and Listening
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Wellness and the Human Experience
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- For Tier 2 - Core Domains, you will need to complete eight (8) courses. Themes for this tier include:
- Qualitative Reasoning, Literacy and Research
- Self and Society
- Humanity, Creativity and the Aesthetic Experience
- Scientific Discovery and Sustainability
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For Tier 3 - Integrative Learning, you will need to complete one (1) course: Critical Issues in Local, National and Global Contexts
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Is the Core Curriculum the same at all DCCCD colleges?
Yes.
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What are the colleges of DCCCD?
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Is DCCCD’s Core Curriculum the same as at other colleges and universities?
No. While there are some elements in common, each public college and university in Texas was charged to create a Core Curriculum of 42 to 48 hours. Each college or university has a unique Core, which is one reason that it is to your advantage to finish the Core at the same college where you began. However, many of the same courses are required, such as English 1301 and History 1301.
With the new Core, DCCCD is shrinking its requirements from 48 credit hours to 42-45 credit hours. Many other public colleges and universities in Texas are also reducing the size of their Cores.
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Can I use courses from another college or university to meet my DCCCD Core requirements?
Yes. If you have met certain component areas at another Texas public college or university, we are required to accept it as part of the DCCCD Core Curriculum. Check with an academic advisor to verify equivalency of courses from another institution once your transcript has been officially evaluated.
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I don't see my question here. Who can I talk to about Core Curriculum?
If you have any additional questions about Core Curriculum, please speak with an advisor at the college you have chosen to attend. If you haven't chosen a location, any advisor at any location should be able to help answer your questions.
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