HCC Graduation Requirements

  • HCC Graduation requirements require 42 core hours plus 18 elective hours - for a total of 60 hours to earn degree. Students must be in good academic standing in order to be eligible to apply for graduation. See below for more info.

     

    Students who plan to major in STEM fields should pursue AS (Associate of Science) Degree. This requires students to select additional math and science courses as part of the 18 elective hours. Courses with * are those required for high school graduation.

     

    The core requirements (42 hours) are the same for both AA and AS degree. Please see below for specific course information.

Core Curriculum for Academic Degree - 42 Hours

ELECTIVES FOR ACADEMIC AS DEGREE PROGRAM - 18 HOURS

  • Potential Credits from AP exams

    • English Language & Composition
      • Equivalent Course: ENGL 1301 Composition I 3
    • Geography: Human
      • Equivalent Course GEOG 1303 World Geography  /Sem. Hr. 3
    • Spanish Language
      • Equivalent Course SPAN 1411-2  Beginning Spanish I-II  /Sem. Hr. 8
    • World History
      • Equivalent Course HIST 2321-2 World History I-II  /Sem. Hr. 6
    • Computer Science Principles
      • Equivalent Course COSC 1436  Programming Fundamentals I Sem. Hr. 4
    • Computer Science A
      • Equivalent Course (Score: 3) COSC 1436 Programming Fundamentals I   /Sem. Hr. 4 
      • Equivalent Course (Score: 4 or 5) COSC 1436-7 Programming Fundamentals I & II   /Sem. Hr. 8
    • Precalculus
      • tbd
    • Studio Art: Drawing
      • Equivalent Course ARTS 1316-7 Drawing I-II 6
    • Studio Art: 2D Design
      • Equivalent Course ARTS 1311 Design I 3 Art Drawing

     

Academic Progress Requirements

  • A student’s academic progress will be evaluated for the first time after a minimum of nine attempted semester hours. A student’s academic standing is determined at the end of the fall semester (December), spring semester (May) and summer semester (August).

    To maintain satisfactory academic progress, a student is expected to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 based upon the aggregate number of hours attempted at Houston Community College.

    Students who maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above are considered to be in good academic standing.

    Students who do not maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 will be placed on academic probation, continued academic probation or academic suspension as defined below. These three academic status levels alert students that action is required. Students are expected to establish contact with their counselor and/or college advising center for support and assistance with improving their academic standing.

    Each academic status level is defined below with the required action by the student:

    Academic Status Level Definition Action Required by Student
    Good Standing Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above None
    Academic Probation Cumulative GPA below 2.0 Can enroll in the following semester. Required to attend a SLIP session, defined below, during the semester and have two follow-up counseling sessions before the end of the semester to improve academic standing
    Continued Academic Probation Cumulative GPA below 2.0 and term GPA 2.0 or above Continue to work with the counselor from a previous semester, as needed, to improve academic standing
    Academic Suspension Previous term status of Academic Probation or Continued Academic Probation and term GPA below 2.0 If enrolled in the following semester, classes will be dropped.  Required to attend a SLIP session.  May be required to appeal their Suspension in order to enroll in the semester immediately after being placed on Suspension.

    Additionally, students placed on academic probation or academic suspension should note the following:

    • Students on Academic Probation can enroll in the semester immediately following their probation but are required to attend a Successful Learning Intervention Program (SLIP) session during the semester and have at least two individual follow-up sessions with their counselor.
    • Students on academic suspension are required to attend a SLIP session at the college they attend prior to re-enrollment, and prior to meeting with their designated counselor.
    • The student’s counselor will stipulate conditions of enrollment including, but not limited to, maximum hours and/or specific courses.
    • Students on Academic Suspension may be unable to enroll in classes for one semester.
    • A student may appeal an Academic Suspension by completing the necessary paperwork obtained at the college’s counseling center. For more information on appealing a suspension, students may contact their college’s counseling center. See Counseling Contact Information at www.hccs.edu/support-services/counseling.

     

    The following requirements also apply to the determination of academic progress:

    • Students enrolled in multiple summer sessions will have their entire summer’s work evaluated for determination of their academic status.
    • Students in certain Health Sciences programs are required to maintain a grade of “C” in all courses in order to continue in the program. Students not meeting these standards may continue to enroll at HCC in other programs other than Health Science programs as long as they maintain minimum HCC requirements. Health Sciences students should check their program’s requirements by visiting www.hccs.edu/programs/areas-of-study/health-sciences.
    • Students are responsible for knowing whether they have passed the minimum standards for continuation in college. Ineligible students who register may be subject to dismissal with forfeiture of all tuition and fees, subject to all other applicable College policies and legal requirements.

    If a student has any questions, please contact an academic advisor on campus. For information on how to meet with an academic advisor, see www.hccs.edu/support-services/advising.