Dallas County Community College District Catalog Academic Information

Students are expected to attend regularly all classes in which they are enrolled. Students have the responsibility to attend class and to consult with the instructor when an absence occurs.
Instructors are responsible for describing attendance policies and procedures to all students enrolled in their classes. If a student is unable to complete a course (or courses) in which he/she is registered, it is the student's responsibility to withdraw from the course by the appropriate date. (The date is published in the academic calendar each year and in each semester's class schedule.) If the student does not withdraw, he/she will receive a performance grade, usually a grade of "F."
Students who are absent from class for the observance of a religious holiday may take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence if, not later than the 15th day of the semester, the student notified the instructor(s) that the student would be absent for a religious holiday. Sec. 51.911 Tx. Educ. Code.

Dropping A Course Or Withdrawing From College

To drop a class or withdraw from the College, students must follow the prescribed procedure. It is the student's responsibility to drop or withdraw. Failure to do so will result in receiving a performance grade, usually a grade of "F." Should circumstances prevent a student from appearing in person to withdraw from the College, the student may withdraw by mail by writing to the Registrar. A drop/withdrawal request by mail must be received in the Registrar's Office by the semester deadline. No drop or withdrawal requests are accepted by telephone. Students who drop a class or withdraw from the College before the semester deadline receive a "W" (Withdraw) in each class dropped. The deadline for receiving a "W" is indicated on the academic calendar and the current class schedule. See "Refund Policy" for possible refund eligibility.
STUDENTS WHO WITHDRAW FROM A MANDATED REMEDIATION COURSE AS A RESULT OF TASP REQUIREMENTS MUST ALSO WITHDRAW FROM ALL COLLEGE-LEVEL COURSES.

Academic Recognition

Full-time students who complete at least 12 hours of college-level credit and earn a grade point average of 3.5-3.79 are listed on the Vice President's Honor Roll. Full-time students who complete at least 12 hours of college-level credit and average 3.8-4.0 are placed on the President's Honor Roll. Part-time students who take 6-11 college-level credit hours and maintain a 3.5 or higher grade point average are placed on the Academic Recognition List. GPA(2) is utilized to determine academic recognition.

Scholastic Probation, Scholastic Suspension, and Academic Dismissal

Scholastic Probation: A student who has completed a total of nine (9) credit hours with a performance grade of A, B, C, D or F and who has a grade point average based on GPA(1) of less than 2.0 will be placed on scholastic probation. A student on scholastic probation may have coursework and total hours limited, but may re-enroll at the college if a minimum 2.0 grade point average based on GPA(1) is earned in each semester or summer session. If a student on scholastic probation fails to meet the above requirements in a semester or summer session, the student will be placed on scholastic suspension and will not be allowed to register.

Scholastic Suspension: A student on scholastic probation who is ineligible to re-enroll shall be suspended from the college for not less than one semester, either Spring or Fall.

After a student has served a first suspension, the student may petition for readmission. If readmission is approved, then a student may continue to re-enroll with completion of a semester or summer session with a GPA of 2.0 or greater.

Academic Dismissal: If a student does not meet the required standards and is placed on continued scholastic suspension for a second time, the student will be academically dismissed for a period of 12 months. Prior to application for readmission, a student must present to the admissions committee a written explanation of how the student plans to improve the student's academic standing. A student will be readmitted on continued scholastic probation, and the student's coursework and total hours may be limited.

Indefinite Academic Dismissal: A student who is readmitted after having been on scholastic suspension and academic dismissal, and who subsequently fails to achieve a GPA(1) of 2.0 greater, shall be placed on indefinite academic dismissal. After a period of more than 12 months, a student may be recommended for readmission only by the Vice President of Student Development or designee.

It is a student's responsibility to understand and comply with academic standards and procedures of the college.

A student who is on academic suspension or academic dismissal from another institution is ineligible for admission to the college unless the student has met the academic standards required by the college.

Grade Reports/Notification of Grades

All students have access to a telephone number where grade results are available. A grade report may be mailed to the address on record of enrollment to each student at the end of each semester.

DCCCD Transcript of Credit

The DCCCD transcript of credit is a chronological listing of college credit classes attempted within the seven college system of the DCCCD. The transcript is official if the document is embossed with the college seal and imprinted with the signature of the Registrar. It includes both GPA(1) and GPA(2).

Upon written request of the student, the Registrar's Office will send an official transcript to the individual student or to any college or agency named. There is a minimum of two working days required for processing. A transcript will be released only if all obligations to the DCCCD have been settled.

The Electronic Transcript Network permits member colleges to send transcripts to one another through a computer network. Member colleges prefer to receive transcripts in this fashion rather than through the generation of an "official transcript."

Transfer credits from other institutions are not recorded on DCCCD transcripts. If a student desires a transcript of work completed at another institution, the student should secure it from that institution.

Degree Requirements

The College confers the Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree, the Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree with a major in Business, the Associate of Applied Sciences Degree, the Associate of College/University Transfer Degree, and certificates upon students who have completed all requirements for graduation. Each degree candidate must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction (not credit-by-examination) by the college granting the degree. The degree must be awarded by a college which offers the program in which the student majored. Correspondence work must be approved by the Registrar for graduation credit. If the student qualifies for a degree from more than one DCCCD college, the student must indicate from which college the degree is to be awarded.

Students seeking certificates or associate degrees must submit official transcripts of all previous work attempted before a certificate or degree will be awarded. Failure to submit official transcripts directly from the institutions attended will result in the degree or certificate not being awarded.

Students entering the DCCCD Fall 1989, or thereafter, must successfully complete all sections of the TASP (Texas Academic Skills Program) Test before a degree can be awarded. See the TASP catalog section for additional information.

To qualify for a second degree or certificate, a student must fulfill the residence requirement and must complete all required courses in the plan for the second degree or certificate.

The Common Learning Curriculum

The Common Learning curriculum is composed of required courses and clusters of courses designed to advance the learning which is common to all candidates for a degree. Therefore, the courses students take toward a DCCCD degree are designed around a series of skills to be achieved in order to be a successful, contributing member of society. The courses required in DCCCD degrees should equip students to learn to live better with themselves, others, and environments, as well as to learn to live as producers, consumers, and members within a community. It is also expected that students will learn to live more creatively, become more proficient in understanding future trends and how those trends impact their own lives, and how to develop effective learning skills. While not each of the skills will be found in each and every course within a DCCCD degree, the faculty believe that by taking those courses required for a degree program, students will encounter many of the above-named skills.

The Core Curriculum consists of English 1301, Speech Communication 1311, and a math course numbered 1000 or above. A grade of "C" or better in each of the three courses is required for graduation. Students are strongly advised to enroll in these courses in the first two semesters of study because skills necessary for success in other courses are taught in Core courses.

Common Learning course requirements beyond the Core are designed to help ensure that all graduates have general knowledge as well as the specific knowledge ordinarily associated with a major course of study or a technical program. Candidates for the Associate of Arts and Sciences must take 34-36 hours in approved Common Learning courses beyond the Core. Candidates for the Associate of Applied Science must choose six to eight hours of course work from two of the following clusters: Laboratory Science, Behavioral/Social Science, and Humanities.

Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree

This degree is primarily designed as the equivalent of the first half of a baccalaureate degree. This is a general plan and may or may not satisfy the requirements of a specific transfer university. Students desiring to transfer should seek this degree after consultation with the college Counseling/Advising Center.

Students must have a minimum of 61 credit hours, a grade of "C" or better in each of the three Core courses (English 1301, Speech Communication 1311, and math course numbered 1000 or above), a grade point average of at least "C" (2.00), based on GPA (2) and a passing score on all sections of TASP (if students are not TASP exempt) to receive the Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree. These 61 hours may be earned at any District college and must include:

English 1301 (3 credit hours) [A CORE COURSE REQUIREMENT; A GRADE OF "C" OR BETTER MUST BE EARNED]

Speech Communication 1311 (3 credit hours) [A CORE COURSE REQUIREMENT; A GRADE OF "C" OR BETTER MUST BE EARNED]

A math course numbered 1000 or above (3 credit hours) [A CORE COURSE
REQUIREMENT; A GRADE OF "C" OR BETTER MUST BE EARNED]

English 1302 (3 credit hours)

A sophomore literature course (3 credit hours) to be chosen from English 2322, 2323, 2327, 2328, 2332, 2333, 2370 or 2371 (English 2307 and 2311 do not meet the sophomore literature requirements.)

Laboratory Science (8 credit hours) to be chosen from Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physical Science, OR Physics. (For Astronomy to meet this requirement, the student must successfully complete PHYS 1311 in combination with 1111, and PHYS 1312 in combination with 1112 OR successfully complete PHYS 1411-1412.)

Humanities (3 credit hours) to be chosen from: ARTS 1301, a foreign language or

Eastfield Interpreter Training Program 1470 or 1471, Humanities 1301, English 2322, 2323, 2327, 2328, 2332, 2333, 2370, 2371, Music 1306, Philosophy 1301, Dance 2303 OR Drama 1310.

Physical Education activity course (1 credit hour) (NOTE: Neither chronological age nor military service are acceptable excuses for waiving the physical education
requirement. While military service, per se, may not excuse this requirement,
documented evidence of specific coursework earned in the military MAY excuse this and other requirements. The Office of the Registrar can assist with this information.)

Behavioral Science (3 credit hours) to be chosen from Anthropology, Human
Development, Psychology, OR Sociology

History 1301 AND 1302 (6 credit hours)

Government 2301 AND 2302 (6 credit hours)

Business (3 credit hours) to be chosen from Business, Accounting, Management 1370,
Computer Information Systems, OR Economics. Cooperative Work Experience
courses may not be used to meet Common Learning requirements.

Electives (16-18 credit hours)

A maximum of four physical education activity hours may be counted as credit toward requirements for graduation. The GPA for graduation is based on the credit earned for all DCCCD work and for all credit which is transferred from other institutions. The following courses will not count toward graduation nor the GPA for graduation: Courses numbered below 1000, ARTS 1170, MUSI 1175, and DRAM 1170.
All students planning to transfer to another institution may complete their four semester requirements in physical education during their freshman and sophomore years. Students are urged to consult the catalogs of the institutions to which they may transfer for their special requirements. These catalogs should be used by students and advisors in planning programs.
Students who wish to complete this degree totally through distance learning courses should read the section entitled Distance Learning Program and consult the degree plan outline located elsewhere in this catalog.
Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree with major in Business
This degree is designed to meet the needs of students who plan to major in business but who are unsure about where they wish to transfer in order to complete a baccalaureate degree in a business field. This is a general plan and may or may not satisfy the requirements of a specific transfer university. Students planning to transfer must consult the transfer institution's catalog to insure selected courses will both transfer and apply toward the intended major. Once students have decided on the specific transfer institution and a specific major within business, they are strongly encouraged to utilize the transfer degree plan which is customized to meet specific requirements of the selected transfer institution. Such students may also wish to take advantage of the DCCCD Transfer Guarantee Program. Transfer information materials are available in the Counseling/Advisement Center.
Students must have a minimum of 61 credit hours, a grade of "C" or better in each of the three Core courses (English 1301, Speech Communication 1311, and MATH 1324), a grade point average of at least "C" (2.00), based on GPA(2) and a passing score on all sections of TASP (if students are not TASP exempt) to receive this degree. These 61 hours must include:

English 1301 (3 credit hours) [A CORE COURSE REQUIREMENT; A GRADE OF "C" OR BETTER MUST BE EARNED]

Speech Communication 1311 (3 credit hours) [A CORE COURSE REQUIREMENT; A GRADE OF "C" OR BETTER MUST BE EARNED]

Math 1324 (3 credit hours) [A CORE COURSE REQUIREMENT; A GRADE OF "C" OR BETTER MUST BE EARNED]

English 1302 (3 credit hours)

A sophomore literature course (3 credit hours) to be chosen from English 2322, 2323, 2327, 2328, 2332, 2333, 2370, OR 2371. (English 2307 and English 2311 do not meet the sophomore literature requirements.)

Laboratory Science (8 credit hours) to be chosen from: Biology 1406 and 1407, Biology 1408 and 1409, Chemistry 1411 and 1412, Geology 1403 and 1404, Physics 1401 and 1402, Physics 1405 and 1407, Physics 2425 and 2426, or Physical Science 1415 and 1417. For Astronomy to meet this requirement, the student must successfully complete PHYS 1311 in combination with 1111, and PHYS 1312 in combination with 1112 OR successfully completing PHYS 1411-1412.

Humanities (3 credit hours) to be chosen from: Art 1304, a foreign language or Eastfield Interpreter Training Program 1470 or 1471 Humanities 1301, Sophomore literature (select from English 2322, 2323, 2327, 2328, 2332, 2333, 2370, or 2371), Music 1306, Philosophy 1301, Dance 2303, or Drama 1310.

Physical Education activity course (1 credit hour) (NOTE: Neither chronological age nor military service are acceptable excuses for waiving the physical education requirement. While military service, per se, may not excuse this requirement, documented evidence of specific coursework earned in the military MAY excuse this and other requirements. The Office of the Registrar can assist with this information.)

History 1301 AND 1302 (6 credit hours)

Government 2301 AND 2302 (6 credit hours)

Core Business courses (19 credit hours) Students must complete Accounting 2301 and 2302, Economics 2301 and 2302, Computer Information Systems 1470 and Math 1325.

Electives (3 credit hours) Electives should be chosen to satisfy transfer requirements with an emphasis on business courses. Students should consult with an advisor for the appropriate course selection to meet the requirements of the transfer institution and major field of study.

A maximum of four physical education activity hours may be counted as credit toward requirements for graduation. The GPA for graduation is based on the credit earned for all DCCCD work and for all credit which is transferred from other institutions. The following courses will not count toward graduation nor the GPA for graduation: Courses numbered below 1000, ARTS 1170, Music 1175, and Drama 1170.
All students planning to transfer to a another institution may complete their four semester requirements in physical education during their freshman and sophomore years. Students are urged to consult the catalogs of the institutions to which they may transfer for their special requirements. These catalogs should be used by students and advisors in planning programs.
Students who wish to complete this degree totally through distance learning courses should read the section entitled Distance Learning Program and consult the degree plan outline located elsewhere in this catalog.

Associate of College/University Transfer Degree
A student may earn an Associate of College/University Transfer through an individually-negotiated degree plan that incorporates those elements of the DCCCD Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree that fall within the student's transfer plan developed under the Student Transfer Guarantee program. Students must have a minimum of 61 credit hours, a grade of "C" or better in English 1301 and in a 1000 or higher math course, a grade point average of at least "C" (2.00), based on GPA (2), and a passing score on all sections of TASP (if students are not TASP exempt) to receive this degree. These 61 hours may be earned at any district college and must include:

History 1301 and 1302 (6 credit hours)

Government 2301 and 2302 (6 credit hours)

English 1301 (3 credit hours with a grade of "C" or better)

A math course numbered 1000 or above (3 credit hours with a grade of "C" or better if math is included in the degree plan. If more than one math course is required, a grade of "C" or better must be earned in at least one math course.)

A speech course (3 credit hours with a grade of "C" or better, if a speech course is required)

The remaining hours will be comprised of courses equivalent to those designated by the student's selected transfer institution as being applicable to the baccalaureate degree being sought. In no case will DCCCD course prerequisites be waived. Students who qualify for an Associate of Arts and Sciences will be granted that degree rather than the Associate of College/University Transfer.
Students wishing to pursue this degree should make an appointment with the Transfer Degree Counselor/Advisor on the campus to ensure their eligibility for this degree and that all the required steps are fulfilled.
Students who qualify for the Associate of Arts and Sciences degree are not eligible for the Associate of College/University Transfer degree.

Associate of Applied Sciences Degree
This degree is designed to teach specific career/technical skills. The requirements for each major in the Associate of Applied Science Degree are clearly shown in the curriculum patterns elsewhere in this catalog. Students seeking such a degree should become familiar with the specific required courses in the appropriate curriculum pattern.
Students must have a minimum of 60 credit hours, a grade of "C" or better in each of the three Core courses (English 1301 OR English 2311 (whichever is required), Speech Communication 1301, AND in the math course required in the specific degree plan), a grade point average of at least "C" (2.00), based on GPA (2), and a passing score on all sections of TASP (if students are not TASP exempt) to receive the Associate of Applied Science Degree. These 60 hours must include 18 hours of the following general education requirements:

English 1301 OR Communications 1307 (3 credit hours) [A CORE COURSE REQUIREMENT; A GRADE OF "C" OR BETTER MUST BE EARNED]

Speech Communication 1301 (3 credit hours) [A CORE COURSE REQUIREMENT; A GRADE OF "C" OR BETTER MUST BE EARNED]

A math course as required in the specific degree plan (3 credit hours) [A CORE COURSE REQUIREMENT; A GRADE OF "C" OR BETTER MUST BE EARNED]

Three credit hours from a Social/Behavioral Science course: Anthropology, Government, History, Human Development, Psychology, OR Sociology

Three hours from a Humanities/Fine Arts course: This includes any course with the title of Humanities, Art, Music, Philosophy, Dance, Drama, Religion, Foreign Language or Eastfield Interpreter Training Program, English 2322, 2323, 2327, 2328, 2332, 2333, OR 2371

Three credit hours of an elective course chosen from a discipline outside the student's area of specialization.

Elsewhere in this catalog can be found specific degree plans for each technical/occupational program.
For some programs, more than 60 credit hours are required. All prescribed requirements for the specific technical/occupational program in which the student is enrolled must be completed. These programs may also have other criteria in addition to degree requirements. See the Workforce/Technical Programs section of the catalog for a more detailed explanation. A maximum of four physical education activity hours may be counted as credit toward graduation. The GPA for an Associate of Applied Sciences degree is based only on the hours used to meet degree requirements. The following courses will not count toward graduation nor the GPA for graduation: Courses numbered below 1000, ARTS 1170, Music 1175, and Drama 1170.

Guarantee for Job Competency
The DCCCD makes certain guarantees to its students who earn its Associate of Applied Sciences degree or who complete a certificate program. If an Associate of Applied Science or certificate program graduate is judged by his/her employer to be lacking in technical job skills identified as exit competencies for his/her specific degree or certificate program, the graduate will be provided up to nine tuition-free hours of additional skill training by a District college under the conditions of the guarantee policy.

Special conditions which apply to the guarantee are as follows:
1. The graduate must have earned the Associate of Applied Science Degree or completed the certificate program beginning, May, 1992, or thereafter in a Technical program identified in the college catalog.
2. The graduate must have completed this degree or certificate program in the District (with a majority of the credits being earned at the District) and must have completed the degree or certificate within a four-year time span.
3. Graduates must be employed full-time in an area directly related to the area of program concentration as certified by the Vice President of Instruction.
4. Employment must commence within 12 months of graduation.
5. The employer must certify in writing that the employee is lacking entry-level skills identified by the DCCCD as the employee's program competencies and must specify the areas of deficiency within 90 days of the graduate's initial employment.
6. The employer, graduate, division dean, job placement counselor, and appropriate faculty member will develop a written educational plan for retraining.
7. Retraining will be limited to nine credit hours related to the identified skill deficiency and to those classes regularly scheduled during the period covered by the retraining plan.
8. All retraining must be completed within a calendar year from the time the educational plan is agreed upon.
9. The graduate and/or employer is responsible for the cost of books, insurance, uniforms, fees and other course-related expenses.
10. The guarantee does not imply that the graduate will pass any licensing or qualifying examination for a particular career.
11. The student's sole remedy against District and its employees for skill deficiencies shall be limited to nine credit hours of tuition-free education under conditions described above.
12. The program can be initiated through written contact with the office of the college president.

Certificate Programs
The requirements for certificates are detailed under specific programs in the Workforce/Technical section of this catalog. A "C" (2.00) grade point average, based on GPA (2) is required. The GPA for a certificate is based only on the hours used to meet certificate requirements. The following courses will not be counted toward graduation nor the GPA for graduation: Courses numbered below 1000, ARTS 1170, Music 1175, and Drama 1170. Some certificate programs do not require students meet TASP requirements in those programs which do require TASP, students in such programs may enroll only in courses leading toward the certificate in order to maintain their TASP-waived status.

Transcript Evaluations
Students who have completed college coursework at a regionally accredited college or university who will be working toward an Associate of Arts and Sciences, Associate of Arts and Sciences in Business, Associate of Applied Sciences or an Associate of College/University Transfer degree or a one-year certificate should contact the Registrar's Office to request a transcript evaluation.

Procedure For Filing Degree And Certificate Plans And For Graduation
Students should request a degree plan from the Registrar's Office no later than at the end of their freshman year and preferably sooner. Official transcripts of all previous college work must be on file at the time of request for degree plans. Students following a one-year certificate program should request an official plan during the first semester of their enrollment. Application for the granting of the degree or certificate should be filed in the Registrar's Office prior to the deadline announced by the Registrar.
An annual graduation ceremony is held at the conclusion of the spring semester. Participation is ceremonial only and confers on a student no rights to a degree. December graduates may participate in the next commencement if they desire, and July and August graduates may participate in the spring commencement if they desire, but neither is required to do so. The Registrar's Office should be notified if the student wishes to participate. Instructions for graduation are mailed to all candidates prior to commencement.
In addition to other graduation requirements, students are expected to complete within five (5) years the course and hour degree requirements as outlined in the catalog in effect at the time of their entrance to a DCCCD college. Students may have the option to select a more recent catalog year in which they were enrolled, provided the degree requirements are met within five (5) years of the catalog selected and the requisite courses are still offered.
To qualify for a second degree or certificate, a student must fulfill residence requirement and must complete all required courses in the plan for the second degree or certificate.
The college reserves the right to modify curricula or to make changes as appropriate.
The student has the ultimate responsibility to select and register for courses meeting graduation requirements.

Tuition Rebate Program
The State has established a tuition rebate program for students who graduate with a baccalaureate degree from a Texas public university. Such students may qualify to receive a total of $1,000 from the baccalaureate-granting institution if they meet the following criteria: (1) must have enrolled in a Texas public institution of higher education in Fall 1997 or thereafter; (2) Must have been a resident of Texas and entitled to pay in-state tuition at all times while pursuing the degree; (3) must have received a baccalaureate degree from a Texas public university; and (4) must have attempted no more than three hours in excess of the minimum number of semester hours required to complete the degree under the catalog under which they were graduated. Hours attempted include transfer credits, course credits earned exclusively by examination, courses that are dropped after the official census date, and for-credit developmental/remedial courses.
Texas public universities are required to provide their students with appropriate forms and instructions regarding this program. Please note this rebate applies only to baccalaureate degree, and therefore, such a rebate cannot by state low, be offered by the DCCCD.

Waiving Of Scholastic Deficiency
Any student in an academic transfer program may transfer to an Applied Science degree or Certificate program. In such a case, the student may choose to have any grades below "C" disregarded. However, the procedure for disregarding low grades may only be exercised while the student is in that career program. If the student changes to an academic transfer program, the original conditions of the academic transfer program must be followed, including the calculation of a cumulative grade point average of all college credits earned. The procedure for waiving scholastic deficiency applies both to students of this college and to students transferring from other institutions. The student who wishes to use the procedure for waiving scholastic deficiency should so state in writing to the Registrar prior to registration and should inform a counselor of such intentions during the pre-registration advisement session.

DCCCD Catalog:
Table of Contents | Abbreviated Table of Contents
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Grade	Interpretation	Grade Point Value
A	Excellent	4 points
B	Good	3 points
C	Average	2 points
D	Poor	1 point
E*	Effort	Not computed
F	Failing	0 points
I	Incomplete	Not computed
WX	Progress;	Not computed;
	re-enrollment required
W	Withdrawn	Not computed
CR	Credit	Not computed

Credit Hours	Grade	Grade Points
2-hour course	A	8
3-hour course	B	9
4-hour course	B	12
3-hour course	C	6