GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

GRADUATION INFORMATION

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

To be considered as a candidate for a degree or certificate, the student should submit an online graduation application by the designated deadline:

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

Hill College reviews student coursework for automatic degree or certificate awards, but students are encouraged to apply for graduation during the semester they will meet the degree or certificate requirements. Applications submitted after the deadline may be considered the following semester.

TYPES OF DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES

Hill College grants the:

  1. Associate of Arts Degree
  2. Associate of Science Degree
  3. Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree
  4. Associate of Applied Science Degree
  5. Certificate of Technology
  6. Certificate of Completion
  7. Occupational Skills Award

Hill College can grant up to one associate degree for each degree level in the Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Arts in Teaching if all requirements are met. Students can earn multiple Associate of Applied Science degrees, Certificate of Technology and Certificate of Completion certificates if requirements are met for each award.

The curriculum for the Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associates of Arts in Teaching degrees are designed for the student planning to transfer to a senior college or university.

The Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded for successful completion of a two-year prescribed occupational competencies and curriculum.

The Certificate of Technology is awarded to those who complete the technical competencies of a two-year occupational curriculum.

The Certificate of Completion is awarded for successful completion of competencies and curriculum in an occupational program of less than two years in length.

An Occupational Skills Award is a sequence of technical-based credit courses totaling 9-14 semester credit hours (SCH) within an approved program of study.

Associate of Arts Degree

The Associate of 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 at least 60 semester hours of credit.*
  2. The student must complete all core curriculum / general education requirements for graduation.
  3. The student must complete at least three or four electives in their major or the major of Liberal Arts will be awarded.
  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 must satisfy the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) requirements in reading, writing, and mathematics, unless exempt.
  7. The student must have satisfactorily settled all college financial obligations.

*Developmental courses may not be counted or used as hours towards the Associate of Arts Degree.

Associate of Science Degree

The Associate of 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 at least 60 semester hours of credit.*
  2. The student must complete all core curriculum / general education requirements for graduation.
  3. The student must complete at least three or four electives in science and/or mathematics.
  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 must satisfy the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) requirements in reading, writing, and mathematics, unless exempt.
  7. The student must have satisfactorily settled all college financial obligations.

*Developmental courses may not be counted or used as hours towards the Associate of Science Degree.

Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree

The Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree from Hill College is for students seeking initial Texas teacher certification either in EC-4 (except Early Childhood Specialization), 4-8, EC-12 or in Early Childhood Specialization only. The degree will be granted to the student who has made formal application for graduation and who completes the following requirements:

  1. The student must complete at least 60 semester hours of credit.*
  2. The student must complete all core curriculum / general education requirements for graduation.
  3. The student must complete at least three or four electives in their major or the major of liberal arts will be awarded.
  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 must satisfy the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) requirements in reading, writing, and mathematics, unless exempt.
  7. The student must have satisfactorily settled all college financial obligations.

*Developmental courses may not be counted or used as hours towards the Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree.

Associate of Applied Science Degree

The Associate of 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 at least 60 semester hours of credit.*
  2. As part of the minimum 60 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 3 semester credit hours (SCH) from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and mathematics/natural sciences.
  3. The student must complete the prescribed competencies and curriculum for a two-year occupational program as outlined in the degree plan listed under Career Pathways.
  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 must satisfy the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) requirements in reading, writing, and mathematics, unless exempt.
  7. The student must have satisfactorily settled all college financial obligations.

*Developmental courses may not be counted or used as hours towards the Associate of Applied Science Degree.

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 between 30-51 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 Career Pathways.
  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 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.

*Developmental courses may not be counted or used as hours towards the Certificate of Technology.

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 at least 15 semester credit hours.*
  2. The student must complete the prescribed technical competencies and curriculum for the occupational program as outlined in this catalog under Career Pathways.
  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.

*Developmental courses may not be counted or used as hours towards the Certificate of Completion.

Occupational Skills Award

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

CORE CURRICULUM

Statement of Purpose

Hill College adopts the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s statement of purpose concerning the core curriculum which states through the Texas Core Curriculum, students will gain a foundation of knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world, develop principles of personal and social responsibility for living in a diverse world, and advance intellectual and practical skills that are essential for all learning.

Elements of the Texas Core Curriculum

The Texas Core Curriculum (TCC) is a 42 Semester Credit Hour (SCH) core curriculum for all undergraduate students in Texas public higher education. Each institution selects the courses it will offer to fulfill that framework of the TCC in a way that considers the institution's individual role and mission. The TCC implementation at each institution must receive approval from the Coordinating Board and institutions must evaluate the effectiveness of their TCC at regular intervals.

One of the most important provisions of the TCC is that it allows students who successfully complete a 42-semester credit hour (SCH) core curriculum at one institution to transfer the complete set of completed courses to another public Texas higher education institution without having to repeat any core courses. Students who transfer without completing the entire 42 SCH core curriculum also receive credit for each of the core courses they successfully complete. Although the courses included in the TCC may vary by institution, every Texas higher education institution's core curriculum must include the following Foundational Component Areas and semester credit hours:

  • 010 Communication (6 SCH)
  • 020 Mathematics (3 SCH)
  • 030 Life and Physical Sciences (6 SCH)
  • 040 Language, Philosophy and Culture (3 SCH)
  • 050 Creative Arts (3 SCH)
  • 060 American History (6 SCH)
  • 070 Government/Political Science (6 SCH)
  • 080 Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 SCH)
  • 090 Component Area Option (6 SCH)

Students have flexibility to choose courses from an institution's core curriculum. However, that flexibility may be limited by the student's major. For example, most science majors have prescribed math and science requirements as part of their degree program requirements. Students should always consult with an advisor at their institution to determine what courses they should take.

Hill College Core Curriculum

AA, AS, and AAT Requirements

Students earning an Associates of Arts, Associates of Science, or Associates of Arts in Teaching Degree at Hill College must complete 42 hours of a state mandated Core Curriculum in addition to major courses and electives in the area of interest. See below for allowable courses within each Component Area.

CORE CURRICULUM

Core Component

 

 

Hours

COMMUNICATION

 

REQUIRED HOURS

6.00

All overflow hours are counted in the Component Area Option or Degree Plan.

ENGL

1301

Composition I

 

 

ENGL

1302

Composition II

 

 

MATHEMATICS

 

REQUIRED HOURS

3.00

All overflow hours are counted in the Component Area Option or Degree Plan.

MATH

1314

College Algebra

 

MATH

1316

Plane Trigonometry

 

 

MATH

1324

Mathematics for Business & Social Sciences I

 

MATH

1325

Mathematics for Business & Social Sciences II

MATH

1332

Contemporary Mathematics

 

MATH

1342

Elementary Statistical Methods

 

MATH

1350

Mathematics for Teachers I

 

MATH

2412

Pre-Calculus Math

 

MATH

2413

Calculus I

 

LIFE & PHYSICAL SCIENCES

REQUIRED HOURS

6.00

All overflow hours are counted in the Component Area Option or Degree Plan.

BIOL

1406

Biology for Science Majors I

 

BIOL

1407

Biology for Science Majors II

 

BIOL

1408

Biology for Non-Science Majors I

 

BIOL

1409

Biology for Non-Science Majors II

 

BIOL

1411

General Botany

 

BIOL

2401

Anatomy & Physiology I

 

BIOL

2402

Anatomy & Physiology II

 

BIOL

2406

Environmental Biology

 

CHEM

1406

Introductory Chemistry I

 

CHEM

1411

General Chemistry I

 

CHEM

1412

General Chemistry II

 

ENVR

1401

Environmental Science I

ENVR

1402

Environmental Science II

GEOL

1401

Earth Sciences I

 

GEOL

1402

Earth Sciences II

 

GEOL

1403

Physical Geology

 

GEOL

1404

Historical Geology

 

GEOL

1405

Environmental Geology

GEOL

1445

Oceanography

 

 

GEOL

1447

Meteorology

 

 

PHYS

1401

College Physics I

 

PHYS

1402

College Physics II

 

PHYS

1403

Stars and Galaxies

 

PHYS

1404

Solar System

 

 

PHYS

2425

University Physics I

 

PHYS

2426

University Physics II

 

LANGUAGE, PHILOSOPHY & CULTURE

REQUIRED HOURS

3.00

All overflow hours are counted in the Component Area Option or Degree Plan.

ENGL

2322

British Literature I

 

 

ENGL

2323

British Literature II

 

 

ENGL

2327

American Literature I

 

 

ENGL

2328

American Literature II

 

 

ENGL

2331

World Literature

 

ENGL

2332

World Literature I

 

 

ENGL

2333

World Literature II

 

 

HUMA

1301

Introduction to the Humanities I

 

HUMA

1302

Introduction to the Humanities II

 

SPAN

2311

Intermediate Spanish I

 

SPAN

2312

Intermediate Spanish II

 

CREATIVE ARTS

 

REQUIRED HOURS

3.00

All overflow hours are counted in the Component Area Option or Degree Plan.

ARTS

1301

Art Appreciation

 

 

ARTS

1303

Art History I

 

 

ARTS

1304

Art History II

 

 

DRAM

1310

Theater Appreciation

 

 

DRAM

2366

Film Appreciation

 

 

MUSI

1306

Music Appreciation

 

 

MUSI

1307

Music Literature

 

 

MUSI

1310

American Music

 

 

AMERICAN HISTORY

REQUIRED HOURS

6.00

All overflow hours are counted in the Component Area Option or Degree Plan.

HIST

1301

United States History I

 

 

HIST

1302

United States History II

 

 

GOVERNMENTAL/POLITICAL SCIENCE

REQUIRED HOURS

6.00

All overflow hours are counted in the Component Area Option or Degree Plan.

GOVT

2305

Federal Government

 

GOVT

2306

Texas Government

 

SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

REQUIRED HOURS

3.00

All overflow hours are counted in the Component Area Option or Degree Plan.

CRIJ

1301

Introduction to Criminal Justice

 

ECON

2301

Principles of Macroeconomics

 

ECON

2302

Principles of Microeconomics

 

PSYC

2301

General Psychology

 

 

PSYC

2314

Lifespan Growth & Development

 

SOCI

1301

Introductory Sociology

 

 

SOCI

1306

Social Problems

 

 

SOCI

2301

Marriage & the Family

 

 

TECA

1354

Child Growth & Development

 

COMPONENT AREA OPTION

REQUIRED HOURS

6.00

BCIS

1305

Business Computer Applications

 

EDUC

1100

Learning Framework

 

PSYC

1100

Learning Framework

 

SPCH

1315

Public Speaking

 

 

Total Core Curriculum

 

42.00

 

AAS Requirements

Students earning an Association of Applied Science Degree at Hill College must complete at least 15 semester credit hours of general education courses. The courses are distributed as follows:

CORE CURRICULUM

Core Component

 

 

Hours

MATHEMATICS/LIFE & PHYSICAL SCIENCES

REQUIRED HOURS

3.00

All overflow hours are counted in the Component Area Option or Degree Plan.

MATH

1314

College Algebra

 

MATH

1316

Plane Trigonometry

 

 

MATH

1324

Mathematics for Business & Social Sciences I

 

MATH

1325

Mathematics for Business & Social Sciences II

MATH

1332

Contemporary Mathematics

 

MATH

1342

Elementary Statistical Methods

 

MATH

2412

Pre-Calculus Math

 

BIOL

1406

Biology for Science Majors I

 

BIOL

1407

Biology for Science Majors II

 

BIOL

1408

Biology for Non-Science Majors I

 

BIOL

1409

Biology for Non-Science Majors II

 

BIOL

1411

General Botany

 

BIOL

2401

Anatomy & Physiology I

 

BIOL

2402

Anatomy & Physiology II

 

BIOL

2406

Environmental Biology

 

CHEM

1406

Introductory Chemistry I

 

CHEM

1411

General Chemistry I

 

CHEM

1412

General Chemistry II

 

ENVR

1401

Environmental Science I

ENVR

1402

Environmental Science II

GEOL

1401

Earth Sciences I

 

GEOL

1402

Earth Sciences II

 

GEOL

1403

Physical Geology

 

GEOL

1404

Historical Geology

 

GEOL

1405

Environmental Geology

GEOL

1445

Oceanography

 

 

GEOL

1447

Meteorology

 

 

SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

REQUIRED HOURS

3.00

All overflow hours are counted in the Component Area Option or Degree Plan.

CRIJ

1301

Introduction to Criminal Justice

 

ECON

2301

Principles of Macroeconomics

 

ECON

2302

Principles of Microeconomics

 

HIST

1301

United States History I

 

 

HIST

1302

United States History II

 

 

GOVT

2305

Federal Government

 

GOVT

2306

Texas Government

 

PSYC

2301

General Psychology

 

 

PSYC

2314

Lifespan Growth & Development

 

SOCI

1301

Introductory Sociology

 

 

SOCI

1306

Social Problems

 

 

LANGUAGE, PHILOSOPHY, & CULTURE/CREATIVE ARTS

REQUIRED HOURS

3.00

All overflow hours are counted in the Component Area Option or Degree Plan.

ARTS

1301

Art Appreciation

 

 

DRAM

1310

Theater Appreciation

 

 

HUMA

1301

Introduction to the Humanities I

 

 

HUMA

1302

Introduction to the Humanities II

 

 

MUSI

1307

Music Literature

 

 

BCIS

1305

Business Computer Applications

 

EDUC

1100

Learning Framework

 

ENGL

1301

Composition I

 

 

ENGL

1302

Composition II

 

 

ENGL

2311

Technical and Business Writing*

 

 

PSYC

1100

Learning Framework

 

SPCH

1315

Public Speaking

 

 

Total Core Curriculum

 

15.00

*Course is not included in Hill College Core Curriculum

Any of the courses listed in the Component Areas may be used for the hours towards the Component Area Option.

GRADUATION FEE

Hill College believes that every student should have the opportunity to participate in commencement 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).

CENTER FOR ADVANCED STUDIES (CAS):

The CAS is an opportunity for any student to do an outside project with a faculty or staff member in addition to the required curriculum in any course. CAS projects may be pre-determined by the instructor/staff or can be custom designed by the student under supervision of the instructor/staff. There are CAS opportunities in all fields of study, and they will be done on a student-interest plus faculty-interest basis.

The benefit of participating in CAS projects to the student is 1) hands-on experience in their field of passion, 2) recognition on a transcript and resume, and 3) University-level opportunities in a one-on-one small-school setting. The benefit to the college of providing CAS opportunities to students is that it would 1) make Hill College the college of choice by providing unique advanced studies opportunities to students and 2) improve student success and retention. Studies show that students who participate in advanced studies, extracurricular projects, and spend time with faculty/staff outside of class are more likely to be successful and stay in school.

The length of time required by the CAS project will vary depending on the student, instructor/staff, and project: some might be a semester long, some might be just a week-long trip, etc. A student would sign up for a CAS project by contacting that instructor/staff to discuss potential projects. The instructor will tell admissions (or the appropriate admin) that the student is a CAS student for this subject.

A student can participate in as many or as few CAS projects as they desire. Some examples of a CAS project might be outside scientific research (not necessarily limited to a science course), publishing/editing written work for a Hill College website or journal, running a college media production outlet, trips to Washington to interview politicians, research of historic documents, study abroad trips, and more.