Degrees and Certificates Awarded
The Austin Community College District offers the following degrees and certificates:
- Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree – Awarded to students who complete at least 60 semester credit hours, 42 of
which must be taken from the core curriculum. Fifteen hours of general education courses are embedded in the core curriculum, meaning that completion of the core curriculum also meets the SACS requirement for completion of the 15 hours of general education courses. Requirements for receiving the A.A. degree include:- Completion of the 42-hour core curriculum
- Eight semester credit hours of foreign language courses (all courses must be in the same foreign language and may be satisfied through completing the core curriculum. Students should follow the approved degree plan in this catalog for their major.)
- Prescribed courses listed in one of the areas of concentration
- Associate of Science (A.S.) degree – Awarded to students who complete at least 60 semester credit hours, 42 of which must be taken from the core curriculum. Fifteen hours of general education courses are embedded in the core curriculum, meaning that completion of the core curriculum also meets the SACS requirement for completion of the 15 hours of general education courses. Requirements for receiving the A.S. degree include:
- Completion of the 42-hour core curriculum, including six to eight semester credit hours of natural science courses. (Students intending to transfer to a four-year institution should check to ensure transferability to the transfer institution.)
- Prescribed courses listed in one of the areas of concentration
- Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) degree – Awarded to students who complete one of three degrees aimed at those who wish to become certified teachers. Fifteen hours of general education courses are embedded
in the core curriculum, so completion of the core curriculum satisfies the SACS requirements for 15 semester credit hours of general education courses. Requirements for receiving the A.A.T include:- Completion of the 42-semester credit hour core curriculum
- The prescribed course list in one of the areas of concentration: a) EC-4 (Early Childhood Specialization only); b) EC-4, 4-8; or c) 8-12.
- Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree – Awarded to students who successfully complete the prescribed courses in any of the occupational-technical programs and the requisite 15 semester credit hours taken from the approved general education course list. Requirements for receiving the A.A.S. degree include:
- Completion of 15 hours of general education coursework
- Prescribed courses in an area of concentration
- Certificate – Awarded to students who complete one of the approved certificate programs.
- Marketable Skills Award (MSA) – Awarded to students who complete a specified series of courses. The following credit programs offer MSAs: Accounting, Building Construction Technology, Child Development, and Welding (see degree plans). The Continuing Education Division also offers marketable skills awards.
- Institutional Certificates – Issued in certain workforce areas for successful completion of a course or courses that make a student eligible for immediate employment or add to the student’s marketability to employers.
Core Curriculum and General Education
A college degree includes required courses beyond the major subject in order to provide a solid foundation for students’ education and to make transfers between colleges and universities as smooth and seamless as possible. These groups of courses are called either core curriculum or general education. By completing these core curriculum or general education courses, students can achieve college-level competence in the skills that are fundamental to all disciplines of learning. These intellectual competencies, such as reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking, and computer literacy, as well as more specific educational objectives directly related to them, are detailed at www.austincc.edu/acadprog/assessment/competencies.php.
ACC degree plans culminating in an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Arts in Teaching include courses drawn from the core curriculum list. Degree plans culminating in an Associate of Applied Science include courses drawn from the general education list.
In addition, graduates of all associate degree programs must be able to demonstrate competency in the basic use of computers by using computer technology in solving problems, communicating, and acquiring information. Basic computer skills may be obtained by completing a proficiency test or specific computer courses, completing courses that require use of the computer, or completing an associate degree that has computer courses as part of the degree plan.
Visit www.austincc.edu/acadprog/genedvscore.php for a list of ACC degrees and their general education or core curriculum requirements.
Students should visit with a faculty member or student services advisor/counselor to ensure that they take the correct courses for their ACC degree program in addition to the major for their chosen transfer college or university.
Core Curriculum
Texas law mandates that all state-supported colleges and universities offer a core curriculum of at least 42 credits that will automatically transfer to all Texas public colleges and universities.
ACC will designate core curriculum courses completed by a student on the official ACC transcript. If a student satisfies all component areas, the message “Core Curriculum Completed” will appear on the transcript, and that block of courses must be substituted for the receiving institution’s core curriculum.
Students may not be required to take additional core curriculum courses unless the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has approved a larger core for the receiving institution. Students who transfer without completing the core curriculum receive academic credit for each of the courses they successfully completed in the ACC core curriculum.
Core Curriculum Course ListGeneral Education
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) requires colleges and universities to incorporate into each degree plan 15 hours in general education courses. The component of general education courses must include at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural sciences/mathematics. The courses must be designed to ensure breadth of knowledge and must not be narrowly focused on those skills, techniques, and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession.
General Education Course List
Associate of Applied Science students must select general education courses from the core curriculum listing in the areas indicated below. Students must earn 3 credits in each area.
Written Communication (English) – 3 credits
Select from the English Rhetoric/Composition area of the Core Curriculum.
Oral Communication – 3 credits
Select a course with the SPCH rubric from the Communications area of the Core Curriculum.
Natural Sciences or Mathematics – 3 credits
Select from the Natural Sciences or Mathematics areas of the Core Curriculum.
Humanities/Visual & Performing Arts – 3 credits
Select from the Humanities or Visual & Performing Arts areas of the Core Curriculum or from the foreign language courses in Communications area of the Core Curriculum.
Social and Behavioral Sciences – 3 credits
Select from the History, Government, or Other Social & Behavioral Sciences areas of the Core Curriculum.
Field of Study Curriculum
Field of study curriculum, mandated in Senate Bill 148 of the 75th Texas Legislature (1997), facilitates free transferability of lower-division academic courses among Texas public colleges and universities. Field of study curricula are defined by SB 148 as “a set of courses that will satisfy the lower-division requirements for a bachelor’s degree in a specific academic area at a general academic teaching institution.” The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is responsible for developing and approving academic courses that fulfill the lower-division requirements for majors that correspond to the field of study.
Students who successfully complete ACC’s field of study curriculum can transfer that block of courses to any Texas public college or university. The field of study curriculum is substituted for that institution’s lower-division requirements of the degree program for the field of study into which the students transfer. The students receive full academic credit toward the degree program of the block of courses transferred. Students who transfer without completing the ACC’s field of study curriculum receive academic credit for their courses but must complete the transfer institution’s field of study requirements.
The Coordinating Board has approved fields of study for the following disciplines: business, communication, computer science, criminal justice, engineering, engineering technology, Mexican-American studies, music, and nursing. ACC does not necessarily offer all the courses in each of the fields of study listed by Coordinating Board.
Business
The following set of courses has been adopted as a field
of study for students seeking the Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts, or Bachelor of Science in Business:
| ECON 2301 | Principles of Microeconomics |
| ECON 2302 | Principles of Microeconomics |
| MATH 1325 | Math for Business and Social Sciences II |
| BCIS 1305 | Business Computer Applications |
| SPCH 1321 | Business and Professional Speaking |
| ACCT 2301 | Principles of Financial Accounting |
| ACCT 2302 | Principles of Managerial Accounting |
Communication
In order to maintain flexibility in a rapidly changing field, a competency framework has been adopted as a field of study for students seeking a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Communication in one of four areas:
- Advertising and public relations
- Journalism and mass communication
- Radio and television broadcasting and broadcast journalism
- General communication and communication studies/speech communication/speech and rhetorical studies/organizational communication.
Students should choose lower-division courses that fulfill competency requirements for their chosen field or sub-area. See a current listing of courses in the state-adopted table at www.thecb.state.tx.us/ctc/ip/core11_00/index.htm.
Computer Science
The following set of courses has been adopted as a field
of study for students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Note: It is recommended that students complete the math sequence, physics sequence, and
computer science sequence at the same institution to reduce the likelihood of potential gaps in the curriculum.
| COSC 1336 or 1436 | Programming Fundamentals I 1, 2 |
| COSC 1337 or 1437 | Programming Fundamentals II 3 |
| COSC 2336 or 2436 | Programming Fundamentals III |
| COSC 2325 or 2425 | Comp. Org. and Machine Language 4 |
| MATH 2313 or 2413 | Calculus I |
| MATH 2314 or 2414 | Calculus II |
| PHYS 2425 | Physics I |
| PHYS 2426 | Physics II |
1COSC 1336/1436 and 1337/1437 are preparatory and sequential in nature; however, not all courses are required for the computer science major at all universities, but may apply to general degree requirements.
2COSC 1336/1436 is not part of the computer science major requirements at the University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Texas at Dallas, and Texas A&M University.
3COSC 1337/1437 is not part of the computer science major requirements at the University of Texas at Austin. Preparatory courses such as COSC 1336/1436 and COSC 1337/1437 will assist students that need additional background but do not apply toward the computer science major requirements.
4COSC 2325/2425 is not part of the computer science major requirements at the University of Texas at Austin or Texas A&M University but may be applied to general degree requirements.
Criminal Justice
The following set of courses has been adopted as a field
of study for students seeking a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice:
| CRIJ 1301 | Introduction to Criminal Justice |
| CRIJ 1306 | Court Systems and Practices |
| CRIJ 1310 | Fundamentals of Criminal Law |
| CRIJ 2313 | Correctional Systems and Practices |
| CRIJ 2328 | Police Systems and Practices |
Engineering and Engineering Technology
The field of study curricula for engineering and engineering technology are designed to promote maximum transferability for students while still preserving curricular diversity for institutions. ACC students and faculty advisors should consult www.thecb.state.tx.us/ctc/ip/core11_00/index.htm for field of study curriculum regarding their intended transfer destination.
Mexican-American Studies
The following set of courses, totaling 18 semester credit hours, has been adopted as a field of student for students seeking a bachelor’s degree in Mexican-American studies.
| HUMA 1305 | Introduction to Mexican-American Studies |
| HIST 2327 or | Mexican-American History I |
| HIST 2328 | Mexican-American History II |
| GOVT 2311 | Mexican-American Politics |
| ENGL 2351 | Mexican-American Literature |
| HUMA 1311 | Mexican-American Fine Arts Appreciation |
| SPAN 2312 or | Spanish IV |
| SPAN 2315 | Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers II |
Music
The following field of study has been adopted for students seeking a Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts, or other bachelor’s-level music degree. It consists of 27 to 35 lower-division semester credit hours in the following areas: ensemble, applied study, theory/aural skills, and music literature. Note: Transfer of credit in ensemble, applied study, and theory/aural skills will be on a course-by-course basis.
| Area | Credit Hours |
| Ensemble (MUEN) | 4 |
| Applied Study (MAUP) | 8 |
| Theory/Aural Skills (MUSI) | 12–16 |
| Music Literature (MUSI 1308) | 3 |
Nursing
The following courses, totaling 28 credit hours of fully transferable and applicable lower-division academic courses, and an additional set of Workforce Education (WECM) nursing courses, make up the field of study curriculum for nursing.
Academic Courses
| Chemistry (AUGM) with lab | |
| BIOL 2304 and BIOL 2101 | Human Anatomy lecture/lab |
| BIOL 2305 and BIOL 2102 | Human Physiology lecture/lab |
| BIOL 2420 or BIOL 2421 | Microbiology with lab |
| HECO 1322 or BIOL 1322 | Nutrition and Diet Therapy I |
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology and Lifespan |
| PSYC 2314 | Growth and Development |
| MATH 1342 | Elementary Statistical Methods |
Workforce Education Courses
Lower-division nursing content is offered through one of two general types of programs: Blocked or Integrated. Because of the distribution of content, it is extremely difficult to align curricula from one type of program to another. Students who desire to transfer from a program utilizing one type of program into the other type of program should be prepared to make up some content through a “bridge” course or through the repetition of some content within courses. It is recommended that a student make every effort to avoid transferring from one type of program to the other before completing the associate degree in nursing in order not to lose credit.
Distance Learning
Distance Learning provides students an opportunity to earn college credit by participating in a variety of non- classroom oriented courses. The content and transferability to four-year colleges is identical to the courses offered on campus. Students also follow the same admissions and registration procedures as on-campus students. Instead of attending on-campus classes, students participate in an orientation session, online discussions and activities, complete readings in textbooks and study guides, take periodic exams, and in some cases write papers or reports. Exams are taken at an ACC Testing Center or other designated site. Each course has an instructor for students to contact when they need assistance. Distance Learning offers the following types of courses:
- Online courses (PCM) – Require students to have an Internet connection to complete coursework. Students may use their personal computers from home, or they may use ACC computer labs. ACC uses the Blackboard course management system for most of its online courses.
- Telecourses (ITV) – Use recorded video programs that students may access on cable television or in ACC libraries and centers. Some ITV courses are available in a streamed format and may be viewed from any personal computer with Internet access. For most ITV courses, videotapes may be rented from a commercial distributor for the semester.
Orientations
Students are required to participate in course specific orientation sessions for Distance Learning courses. The course schedule provides orientation information for the courses.
VCT
Austin Community Colleges participates in VCT – Virtual College of Texas
General Information
For general information and new Distance Learning course offerings, see the ACC Course Schedule, visit http://dl.austincc.edu or call 512.223.8026, toll-free 888.223.8026, or email dl@austincc.edu with your questions.
Correspondence Courses
Austin Community College does not offer correspondence courses. Distance Learning instead offers both technology and non-technology-based courses that enable students to work at home and take tests in an ACC Testing Center.
High School and Pre-College Programs
Early College Start
The Early College Start Program allows high school students to co-enroll in college courses at ACC if they have successfully completed 10th grade at a public, private, charter, or home school. High school students can apply to ACC through the Early College Start Program by contacting their high school counselor for an application and other required documents.
Early College Start students may enroll in any ACC course for which they have:
- Received permission from their parent/guardian, high school counselor, and principal
- Met all required skills and college course prerequisites
- Passed the appropriate sections on the ACC assessment or submitted acceptable scores on the ACT, SAT, or TAKS tests
Early College Start students may enroll in a maximum of two ACC courses per semester. Courses are free to in-district Early College Start students (students residing in ACC’s taxing district). Out-of-district Early College Start students are charged a fee for each course they take. ECS fees may be waived for out-of-district students who 1) participate in an ACC class taught on a high school campus; 2) document participation in the federal free or reduced lunch program; or 3) document participation in a public assistance program such as TANF or WIA. All students are responsible for purchasing any textbooks or supplies required by their instructor.
It is essential that ECS students obtain confirmation of their registration each semester either from the web or in an ACC campus Admissions and Records office.
Early College Start students are subject to all ACC requirements regarding admissions, assessment, courses, academic standards, and conduct.
Dual Credit for Early College Start students
Early College Start students may seek “dual credit” by completing ACC courses that also satisfy their high school graduation requirements. Students should consult their high school counselor for a list of “dual credit” courses approved at their high school and/or school district.
Summer Bridge Program
Successful completion of the Texas TAKS assessment does not always equate to college readiness. The Summer Bridge Program helps seniors fulfill Texas Success Initiative assessments following their graduation so they may transition successfully from high school into college and avoid the need for developmental education.
The program uses the current curriculum in developmental reading, writing, and mathematics to deliver instruction that focuses on students’ specific gaps in knowledge as determined by diagnostic tests. For information or referrals, contact Student Learning Services at 223.7957.
Tech-Prep Program
Tech-prep is a way to start a college technical major while in high school. In a tech-prep program, students begin taking college-level technical courses in high school and continue in a community or technical college. The courses are college technical courses taught at the high school as part of an agreement between a school district and Austin Community College. Once a student enrolls in ACC and completes at least one college credit course (not Developmental Education), the student can request the credit earned while in high school (credit in escrow). The student must request this credit within 24 months of high school graduation. For more information, contact the Capital Area Tech Prep Consortium at 223.7825. ACC’s tech-prep program areas include:
- Automotive Technology
- Biotechnology
- Computer Information Technology
- Criminal Justice
- Culinary Art, Hospitality Management, and Travel and Tourism
- Electronic Technology
- Engineering Design Graphic
- Marketing
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Visual Communications
- Welding Technology
Learning Communities
Learning communities allow students to discover connections and commonalities across disciplines. Students enroll in two linked courses, and what students learn in one class is reinforced in the other. Examples of learning communities include Developmental Reading and Introduction to Psychology; Developmental Reading and History; Developmental Writing and English Composition I; and Transition to College Success and Basic Math. Consult an advisor or counselor for more information.
Instructional Computing and Technology
Instructional Computing and Technology provides technology to support classroom instruction and independent learning. Services include media viewing and listening areas, located within each ACC library, and open access computer centers on each campus. The media viewing areas provide students with up-to-date video and audio equipment to access recordings that complement classroom instruction. Distance learning students may also view materials. Media Center staff is available to assist students with locating materials and operating the equipment. The open access computer center provides students with up-to-date computer technology to complete classroom assignments and conduct educational research. The computer center is open to currently enrolled ACC students (student ID is required). Computer center staff is available to assist with basic computer use and locating online resources.
Library Services
Library Services comprises not only the seven campus libraries but also several service locations at centers and sites at area high schools. Cypress Creek, Eastview, Northridge, Rio Grande, Riverside, and South Austin Campus libraries have larger general collections of printed reference and circulating books and periodicals than those at the Pinnacle campus. In addition to general academic materials, the Eastview campus library strongly supports the health sciences curriculum.
All electronic resources purchased by Library Services and linked from http://library.austincc.edu are available from any library or evening high school site. Media materials are housed both in the library and media center. The computer center has instructional and office software as well as the Internet. Services and printed resources vary at the evening high school sites.
All library materials are listed in the online catalog at http://alicat.austincc.edu.
Hours and Locations
Call the information number (223.3084) to hear a recording of library, media center, and computer center hours. A flier with this information is available at any library and is also listed on the library website.
Help
Librarians are faculty members who have professional expertise in helping students find and use information. They can show students how to use resources for maximum effectiveness and efficiency. Librarians are familiar with class assignments and provide assistance with finding the required types of information by offering instruction in the print and electronic research process. Students can talk with a librarian at the Reference Desk, by phone, by live-person chat, via email, or instant messaging (screen name: acclibrarian).
Online Access
The online catalog, full-text periodical articles, electronic reference sources, electronic reserves, study guides, tutorials, and recommended websites, as well as the Internet are all available to current students from the library home page, whether using Library or personal computers on campus or remotely with their ACCeID. Call the library Reference Desk for assistance with remote access. From library workstations, students can also access Blackboard, email, and the Internet.
Materials
Library materials include online and print reference resources, circulating books, electronic books, online full-text databases of periodicals, online and print periodicals, back issues of periodicals on microfiche, local, state, and national newspapers, and a wide variety of videos, DVDs and CDs. All media and the equipment to use them are available for use in the libraries. “Reserves” are materials placed by instructors at the Circulation Desk for specific classes.
Thousands of periodicals and newspapers are available in print or online, with a large percentage of the articles available full-text for printing, downloading, or emailing. Consult a librarian for expert help. Some locations also allow checkout of print periodical back issues.
Saving, Printing, Emailing and Copying
Students may print from library workstations within advertised limits; however, students are encouraged to bring USB flash drives for downloading information. Many library resources also permit emailing the information. Campus libraries also have photocopiers.
Material from Other Libraries
Students may request delivery of library materials to their campus from other campuses by submitting an online request or seeking staff assistance. Library Services also issues TexShare cards that allow current ACC students to borrow from most Texas libraries.
Overdue Fines
For complete information about fines for overdue items, see "Lending and Fine Policies for Students—More Information" at http://library.austincc.edu/gen-info/stud-lending2.htm
Access, Use, and Check-out Procedures for Libraries, Media Centers, and Computer Centers
Students need a current ACC ID to check out or renew library materials or to use a media or computer center. Books are loaned for two weeks with two renewals possible. Loan periods for other materials vary and may include “room use only” restrictions.
Non-Degree Programs
Developmental Education
Courses in Developmental Education help students to succeed in college. ACC offers three types of Developmental Education courses:
- Courses of one-, two, or three semester credit hours prepare students to enter college-level courses. These courses include mathematics, reading skills, vocabulary, writing skills, spelling, speech, and English as a Second Language. Students with skills below college level—including those identified on local assessments and the THEA—should enroll in these classes before enrolling in college-level courses.
- One-hour lab classes parallel to courses in other divisions, where students work together in small tutorial groups to get additional practice and explanation. These include language and study skills labs, math labs, and writing labs. Students must be enrolled in the course that parallels the lab.
- Other developmental courses that help students succeed in their academic studies. These courses include college study skills, advanced college vocabulary, and speed-reading. Of these, advanced college reading may be transferable to other institutions.
English for Speakers of Other Languages
Academic ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) offers English classes in three skill areas: writing and grammar, reading and vocabulary, oral communication. Within each skill area, classes are offered at four levels: high beginning, low intermediate, high intermediate and advanced. Students wanting to enroll in ESOL classes must take the ESOL assessment. Call 223.3139 (RGC) or 223.4807 (NRG) for assessment information.
For ESOL program information call 223.3354 (departmental chair), 223.3349 (RGC), 223.6290 (RVS), 223.4014 or 223.4874 (NRG).
ESOL for deaf students: Some ESOL classes are taught exclusively in American Sign Language for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Call 223.6316 for information.
Human Development
www.austincc.edu/behscit/page2.html
Human Development courses are designed to provide students in all programs with the skills to maximize their success both in and out of the classroom. Transition to College Success (HUDE 0111) is a developmental level course; Effective Learning (PSYC 1300) and Career Exploration/Planning (POFT 1310) are elective college credit courses. By drawing on the tenets of modern psychology, sociology, and learning theory, these courses assist students in achieving greater self-awareness and self-management skills; setting and accomplishing personal, educational, and career goals; improving interpersonal communication skills; and mastering effective learning and study skills.
Service Learning
Service learning provides opportunities for students to apply academic coursework to community service. To qualify as service learning, volunteer activities must challenge students to apply their academic knowledge and skills to meet community needs while reflecting upon and integrating their community experience to their coursework.
Video Services
Video Services provides the technology to deliver Distance Learning courses and campus-to-campus instruction to students via cable outlets in the Austin area and through streaming video technology. Video Services also maintains the college’s interactive classrooms and provides technical support to end users.
Weekend College
Working students or those who prefer to take courses on weekends can complete a variety of degrees and certificates through Weekend College. Classes are held Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday, and student services are also available. Students can choose to complete a designated program of study or simply take core curriculum classes that transfer to any Texas public college or university. Weekend College students can complete a degree program within seven semesters. Certificate programs require even less time.