Dallas County Community College District Catalog-Transfer Services

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1998-1999 Catalog

EDUCATIONAL AND SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WISHING TO TRANSFER

Academic Transfer Programs

The Dallas County Community College District offers a broad range of educational opportunities for the student whose goal is to transfer to a four-year institution. In addition to offering a strong, creative foundation for the freshman and sophomore years, the academic transfer curriculum is coordinated with a number of Texas four-year institutions to insure the transfer of credits. Although each four-year school is different, students may guarantee transferability of their courses by being active and responsible in the advisement process. By consulting the four-year institution regularly and taking advantage of the resources available at each of the DCCCD colleges, students may insure that the transfer process is a positive experience.

The Texas Education Code Section 61.078 enacted by the 71st Texas Legislature (SB 457) provides a means to aid students in resolving disputes regarding the transfer of course credits. To qualify as a dispute the course(s) in question must be listed in the Community College General Academic Course Guide Manual and be offered at the receiving institution. The sending institution, or the student working through the senior institution, must initiate the dispute. From the date a student is notified of the denial of credit, the law allows a maximum of 45 calendar days for the resolution of the dispute by the sending and receiving institutions.

In order to challenge the denial of credit, a "Transfer Dispute Resolution" form, available through the District Office of Articulation and Transfer Services (telephone 214/860-2424 or 2185) must be completed within 15 days after the student has been notified of the denial of credit. This form is sent to the receiving institution.

The receiving institution must then inform the student, the sending institution and the State Commissioner of Higher Education of the resolution. If need be, the Commissioner, or designate, may be called upon to resolve the dispute.

Earning An Associate Degree Prior To Transferring

During the time of attendance in the DCCCD, students may elect to earn a two-year associate degree. The Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree is designed specifically for those students who plan to transfer to a Texas four-year institution. The Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree requires students to complete many of the core courses that will also be required by most senior institutions. The flexibility of this degree program also allows students to complete many of the introductory courses specifically related to their major field of study. For those students seeking a four-year degree in Business, the DCCCD offers the Associate of Arts and Sciences with a specialization in Business. Additional information regarding this degree can be found elsewhere in this catalog, from a counselor or advisor, or on the "DCCCD Transfer Information and Services" home page on the World Wide Web (http://www.dcccd.edu/trans/transfer.htm).

The Associate of College/University Transfer Degree is an individually negotiated degree designed to permit students to take only those courses which will apply toward a specific major at a specific university. Additional information about this degree can be found elsewhere in this catalog or on the World Wide Web home page listed above.

Guarantee For Transfer Credit

The DCCCD guarantees to its Associate of Arts and Sciences graduates and other students who have met the requirements of a 60 credit-hour transfer plan the transferability of course credits to those Texas colleges or universities which have chosen to participate in the DCCCD Transfer Guarantee Program. If such courses are rejected by the college or the university, the student may take tuition-free alternate courses at a District college which are acceptable to the college or university. In addition, students may receive the Associate of College/University Transfer Degree upon the completion of 61 credit hours which are included in the Student Transfer Guarantee.

Special Conditions which apply to the guarantee are as follows:

1. Transferability means the acceptance of credits toward a specific major and degree. Courses must be identified by the receiving university as transferable and applicable in Transfer Guides dated 1991-92 or later;
2. Limitations of total number of credits accepted in transfer, grades required, relevant grade point average and duration of transferability apply as stated in the catalog of the receiving institution; and
3. The guarantee applies to courses included in a written transfer guide--which includes the institution to which the student will transfer, as well as the baccalaureate major and degree sought. Transfer guides dated 1995-1996 or before can be guaranteed by filing a Transfer Guarantee form with a DCCCD Guarantee Advisor.

This guarantee is designed specifically for those DCCCD students who have made firm decisions about their major and the institution to which they plan to transfer. The DCCCD is working with a number of Texas institutions, such as the University of North Texas, Texas A&M at Commerce, the University of Texas at Arlington, the University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Woman's University, Texas Tech University, Dallas Baptist University, Baylor University, Southern Methodist University and others, in order to make such guarantees possible. In order to secure such a guarantee, students should begin the process in their College Counseling/Advisement Center by scheduling an appointment with the Transfer Guarantee advisor.

Students who have completed a Transfer Guarantee may be eligible to receive the Associate of College/University Transfer Degree. Such students will be notified of this opportunity.

Transfer Dispute Resolution

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board intends that approved academic coursework transfer between Texas public institutions, providing that the course(s) are within approved transfer curriculum of the declared major field and provided that published transfer policies are met. Texas public institutions are required to notify students if approved academic coursework earned at another institution will not transfer.

Students transferring to the College can expect that approved academic courses earned at any Texas public institution will be accepted in transfer. Students who dispute a transfer decision made by the College should contact the District Office of Articulation and Transfer Services to appeal the denial of transfer credit for any approved academic course.

If an academic course is not accepted in transfer by another Texas public college or university, students can request that the College submit a Transfer Dispute Form to the receiving institution. Forms are available through the District Office of Student and International Programs. The form must be completed within 15 days from the date the student is notified of the non-transfer. If the college cannot identify an appropriate reason for the course not transferring, the form will be forwarded to the receiving institution and/or to the Coordinating Board for resolution.

Choosing A Major And Developing An Educational Plan

Some students will enter college with a clear idea of what major they will choose and to which senior institution they will transfer. However, the fact is that many students do not know where they will transfer or what their major may be.

There are several freshman level core courses that will apply toward most majors. Students are encouraged to use the first semester to investigate their own interests. By the second or third semester students should begin to develop a clear sense of which senior institution they will enter and the requirements for their chosen degree program. Working closely with a counselor or advisor, and utilizing current information from four-year institutions, students who plan to transfer are encouraged to follow the Associate in Arts and Sciences Degree plan as many of the required courses are often required at four-year institutions.

The Counseling personnel at each of the DCCCD campuses can provide assistance in developing a degree plan for almost any major. Listed below are some of the four-year majors students can begin in the DCCCD:

Accounting Marine Biology

Advertising Marketing

Agriculture Mathematics

American Studies Medical Technology

Anthropology *Medicine

Architecture Meteorology

Art Microbiology

Biological Science Music

Botany Music Education

Business Administration Nursing

Chemistry Occupational Therapy

Computer Science Oceanography

Dance Optometry

Dental Hygiene Pharmacy

*Dentistry Philosophy

Dietetics Photojournalism

Drama Physical Education

Economics Physical Science

Engineering Physical Therapy

English Physics

Entomology Political Science

Finance Psychology

Fine Arts Public Relations

Foreign Languages Radio/TV/Film

Forestry Recreation

Geography Social Work

Geology Sociology

Health Sciences Speech Communication

History Speech Pathology

Industrial Arts Teacher Preparation

Interior Design Telecommunications

Journalism Theatre

*Law *Veterinary Medicine

Legal Science Wildlife Management

Liberal Arts Zoology

Life Sciences

Management *These fields require
study beyond the
bachelor's degree.

College Resources For Transfer Students

Each of the DCCCD colleges offers many resources designed specifically for those students planning to transfer to a four-year institution. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these resources early in their collegiate experience, particularly if they are undecided upon a major or have not selected a senior institution. Many of the resources can assist students in making informed decisions when selecting courses, choosing a transfer institution, and completing all of the necessary steps in the transfer process.

World Wide Web Home Page Many resources are available electronically on the Internet for future transfer students. The DCCCD Transfer Information and Services home page address is http://www.dcccd.edu/trans/transfer.htm. On the home page, students will find information in the following:
1. Tips on how to transfer successfully.
2. Answers to "most-commonly-asked" transfer questions.
3. Transfer guides for specific majors at approximately 25 Texas universities.
4. Course-by-course equivalencies for DCCCD courses at Texas universities.
5. Details on the DCCCD Transfer Guarantee Program.

The Counseling/Advisement Center

Students are invited to utilize the valuable resources found in the Counseling/Advisement Center, and are encouraged to seek the advice of a counselor/advisor when planning each semester of study.

The Counseling/Advisement Center has several resources to assist students, including computerized transfer guides, a large collection of senior institution catalogs and bulletins, senior college admission application forms, and other specialized brochures and information. Students can also take advantage of several computer resources, such as DISCOVER, GIS, and SIGI. These simple computer programs are designed to help students clarify goals, identify career and occupational interests, and research information about senior institutions.

In addition, there are many activities planned especially for transfer students. These activities include College Days where officials from senior institutions visit on-campus to talk directly with students, special transfer workshops and seminars, and events designed to assist students in making career decisions.

A number of other materials are available to aid students who plan to transfer. These materials are outlined below.

Transfer Guides
Transfer Guides offer a listing, in DCCCD course numbers, of courses necessary for a number of majors at many institutions throughout Texas. Transfer Guides may be available for the following majors:

Accounting Kinesiology (Exercise
Advertising Art and Sports Science)

Aerospace Engineering Legal Science

Agriculture Management

Architecture Marketing

Art Mathematics

Biology Medical Technology

Business Administration Music

Chemical Engineering Music Education

Chemistry Nursing

Civil Engineering Occupational Therapy

Computer Science Pharmacy

Criminal Justice Photojournalism

Dental Hygiene Physical Education

Economics Physical Therapy

Electrical Engineering Physician Assistant

English Physics

Exercise and Sports Studies Political Science

Fashion Design Pre-Law

Fashion Merchandising Pre-Medicine

Finance Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Foreign Languages Psychology

Geography Radio/TV/Film

Geology Social Work

History Sociology

Motel & Restaurant Speech

Management Speech Pathology/
Industrial Engineering Audiology

Interior Design Teacher Preparation

Theatre
Undecided

Although the information on these guides has been reviewed by officials at the various senior institutions, the content is subject to change, and it is the responsibility of the student to verify with the institutions of their choice the applicability of this information. Counselors and academic advisors can also assist students with preparation for majors other than those listed above.

Course-by-Course Equivalency Guides

Equivalency Guides offer a listing of how every course offered in the DCCCD transfers to a given senior institution. This information is helpful for those students who have selected a senior institution, but have yet to determine a major. Students should note that the transfer equivalencies shown on these guides offer information on how, or if, courses are generally accepted by the senior institution, and do not indicate how these courses will apply toward a particular major or degree program. A counselor/advisor can assist students in determining the applicability of courses to a particular major.

Common Course Numbering System

To help meet the transfer needs of its students, the Dallas County Community College District has joined the Texas Common Course Numbering System Consortium. All Texas community/junior colleges have moved to this system. Most universities are cooperating with this new numbering system indicating courses equivalent to the common course system.

Institutions teach courses similar in nature and these courses have been designated by a common number. The common number is to facilitate the transfer of these courses between and among the participating institutions. Elsewhere in this catalog can be found course descriptions for every course offered in the DCCCD. Course descriptions will indicate if a course has been assigned a common course number. Students should not assume that only courses with common course numbers will transfer.

Choosing A Catalog Year

Students who plan to transfer to a four-year school have a choice to make regarding their requirements for graduation. They may choose the catalog year under which they wish to graduate. This choice is subject to restrictions that are outlined in the four-year school's catalog. Students should consult their advisor or the catalog of their choice to learn about any such limitations.

Transferring students should keep a copy of the DCCCD catalog, the four-year institution's catalog, and the Transfer Guide valid at the time of initial enrollment in the DCCCD and at the time when a major was selected. DCCCD course syllabi should also be kept.

Other Things To Consider

During the time of study in the DCCCD, students should begin to determine the necessary steps for completing the transfer admission process. The process may require a great amount of preparation, and students should be certain they understand all of the requirements for admission, such as application deadlines, minimum grade-point average requirements, limitation on the number of credit hours that are acceptable in transfer, policies regarding acceptance of repeated courses, housing information, and financial aid application procedures. Of equal importance is a personal visit to the chosen institution. Many senior institutions plan special activities and campus visitation periods where students can meet with representatives from all areas of the institution.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF STUDENTS TO KNOW ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT OF THE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY TO WHICH THEY WISH TO TRANSFER. THIS RESPONSIBILITY INCLUDES KNOWING COURSE REQUIREMENTS, NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS ACCEPTED, AND GRADE POINT AVERAGE REQUIREMENTS.

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