General Catalog for 2007-2009
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

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GRADUATION INFORMATION

A formal graduation exercise is held annually at the end of the spring semester. This exercise is for those students who are completing requirements during that spring semester or who have completed requirements during the preceding summer or fall semesters.

Degrees and certificates are not awarded automatically. To be considered as a candidate for a degree or certificate, the student must submit an application for graduation to the Office of Admissions and Records by the designated deadline:

Completing in fall semester – November 1
Completing in a summer term – July 15
Completing in spring semester – April 1

TYPES OF DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES

Hill College grants the:

1. Associate in Arts Degree
2. Associate in Applied Science Degree
3. Certificate of Technology
4. Certificate of Completion
5. Marketable Skills Achievement Award

CORE CURRICULUM

Included in the degree requirements for the Associate in Arts is a basic core of general education courses or a core curriculum. The purpose of the Hill College core curriculum is to provide the skills, knowledge, and perspectives that help define the educated person. The core emphasizes the basic intellectual competencies--reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking--as well as broad intellectual perspectives including historical consciousness; multi cultural awareness; numerical comprehension and analysis; and, concern about ethics, aesthetics, and values. These competencies are designed not only to help students understand and appreciate their heritage, but also to enable them to prepare for responsible citizenship and successful living in a rapidly changing and highly technological world. Competency in each of the core components is established by successful completion of the core courses that is required for the Associate in Arts Degree.

In accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and the guidelines and procedures established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), all Texas public colleges and universities are required to establish a core curriculum. The law and the established guidelines indicate that if a student completes the core curriculum at one public college or university within the State of Texas, that block of courses may be transferred to any other public college or university within the State of Texas and must be substituted for the receiving institution’s core curriculum. Further, in accordance with the law and the guidelines, a student shall receive academic credit for each of the courses transferred and may not be required to take additional core curriculum courses at the receiving institution, unless the THECB has approved a larger core curriculum for that institution.

The Hill College Core Curriculum requirements are described below.

These requirements must be met by every student pursuing an Associate in Arts degree at Hill College. (Exception: Students majoring in music should take the courses outlined in the Degree Plans and Programs of Study section, Music–Associate in Arts, instead of the general core courses.)

THE ASSOCIATE IN ARTS DEGREE

The Associate in Arts Degree from Hill College will be granted to the student who has made formal application for graduation and who completes the following requirements:

1. The student must complete a minimum of 62 semester hours of credit.*
2. The student must complete all core curriculum / general education requirements for graduation.
3. The student must demonstrate competency in oral communication by completing SPCH 1315, Public Speaking, and the competencies as prescribed in the course.
4. The student must earn at least 25 percent of the credit hours required for the degree at Hill College.
5. The student must have a 2.0 grade point average on all work from Hill College.
6. The student who entered college in the Fall of 1989 or later must satisfy the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements in reading, writing, and mathematics, unless exempt.
7. The student must successfully complete a minimum of two physical education activity courses.
8. The student must have satisfactorily settled all college financial obligations.

THE ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE

The Associate in Applied Science Degree from Hill College will be granted to the student who has made formal application for graduation and who completes the following requirements:

1. The student must complete a minimum of 62 semester hours of credit.*
2. As part of the minimum 62 semester hour degree requirement, the student must complete a minimum of 15 semester hours of general education courses. The core of general education courses must include at least one course from each of the following areas: Humanities/Fine Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences, natural sciences and mathematics. Student must complete ENGL 1301, Composition.
3. The student must complete the prescribed competencies and curriculum for a two-year occupational program as outlined in the degree plan listed under Programs of Study.
4. The student must demonstrate competency in oral communication by completing SPCH 1315, Public Speaking, and the competencies as prescribed in the course. Selected courses in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program have been designated as speech intensive courses and as such satisfy the speech requirements for students in the EMS Program.
5. The student must earn at least 25 percent of the credit hours required for the degree at Hill College.
6. The student must have a 2.0 grade point average on all work from Hill College.
7. The student who entered college in the Fall of 1989 or later must satisfy the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements in reading, writing, and mathematics, unless exempt.
8. The student must have satisfactorily settled all college financial obligations.

THE CERTIFICATE OF TECHNOLOGY

The Certificate of Technology from Hill College will be granted to the student who has made formal application for graduation and who completes the following requirements:

1. The student must complete a minimum of 43 semester hours of credit.*
2. The student must complete the prescribed technical competencies and curriculum
for the occupational program as outlined in this catalog under Programs of Study.
3. The student must earn at least 25 percent of the credit hours required for the degree at Hill College.
4. The student must have a 2.0 grade point average on all work from Hill College.
5. The student who entered college in the Fall of 1989 or later must satisfy the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements in reading, writing, and mathematics, unless exempt.
6. The student must have satisfactorily settled all college financial obligations.

THE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

The Certificate of Completion from Hill College will be granted to the student who has made formal application for graduation and who completes the following requirements:

1. The student must complete a minimum of 15 semester hours of credit.*
2. The student must complete the prescribed technical competencies and curriculum for the occupational program as outlined in this catalog under Programs of Study.
3. The student must earn at least 25 percent of the credit hours required for the degree at Hill College.
4. The student must have a 2.0 grade point average on all work from Hill College.
5. The student must have satisfactorily settled all college financial obligations.

THE MARKETABLE SKILLS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

A Marketable Skills Achievement Award (MSA) is a sequence of technical-based credit courses totaling 9-14 semester credit hours (SCH) within an approved program of study. Typically, an external workforce advisory committee identifies the coursework (classes) to be included in the MSA award. Students may receive a dual benefit from earning a MSA because it helps to create a ‘pathway’ to program completion and can also demonstrate to potential employers a level of aptitude and workplace preparedness.

GRADUATION FEE

Hill College believes that every student should have the opportunity to participate in graduation following the completion of a program of study. Therefore, the college does not charge a graduation fee.

GRADUATION WITH HONORS

Students who are graduating with an Associate Degree, who have at least 24 semester hours in residence, who have completed at least two semesters at Hill College, and who have a grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) on all work attempted will graduate cum laude (with honors). Students who are graduating with an Associate Degree, who have at least 24 semester hours in residence, who have completed at least two semesters at Hill College, and who have a grade point average of at least 3.75 (on a 4.0 scale) on all work attempted will graduate magna cum laude (with high honors). Students who are graduating with an Associate Degree, who have at least 24 semester hours in residence, who have completed at least two semesters at Hill College, and who have a grade point average of at least 3.9 (on a 4.0 scale) on all work attempted will graduate summa cum laude (with highest honors).