Academic Policies and Procedures

Academic Standing

All students are encouraged to work toward achieving their goals and maintaining scholastic progress throughout their enrollment at Collin College.

Good Academic Standing

Students are considered in good academic standing if a 2.0 or higher cumulative grade point average (GPA) is maintained.

Recognition for Academic Achievement

All students who complete 12 or more quality credit hours during a regular (16-week) term with a current 3.5 GPA or above qualify for the Deans’ List. All students who complete 12 or more quality credit hours during a regular (16-week) term with a current 4.0 GPA qualify for the President’s List.

Academic Warning

All students whose GPA falls below a cumulative GPA of 2.0 will be placed on Academic Warning at the end of that semester.

Academic Probation

All students whose cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 after Academic Warning will be placed on Academic Probation. Students whose cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 after being placed on academic probation will continue on academic probation status as long as their semester GPA is 2.0 or higher, or until the Cumulative GPA is again above 2.0.

A student on academic probation will be limited to a maximum of 13 credit hours per semester.

Academic Suspension

All students whose cumulative and semester GPA remains below 2.0 after Academic Probation will be placed on Academic Suspension. After remaining out of school for a semester, a student may return on academic probation.

A student on suspension has the right to appeal to the Academic Appeals Committee.

Academic Appeal 

Students placed on Academic Suspension have the right to appeal to the Academic Progress Appeals Committee (APAC). The process allows students to appeal an Academic Suspension for unsatisfactory academic progress based upon extenuating circumstances.

 Appeals must be received by the deadline listed on the Master Calendar and Academic Standing webpage. All students placed on Academic Suspension will be notified via their Collin College email with instructions on the appeal process and deadline. Decisions made by the Academic Progress Appeal Committee (APAC) are final.

Transfer Students 

A student coming in from another college/university will be placed on good standing with Collin College their first semester. After the first semester, the student will follow Collin College’s academic standing procedures.

Class Attendance

Regular classroom attendance is expected of all students. Professors determine class attendance requirements; therefore, students should ascertain each professor’s attendance policy on the first day of the class. Students who receive Department of Veterans Affairs educational benefits must conform to attendance and academic standards as established by the college.

Federal regulations require students to attend class by the census date to receive financial aid. Students in online courses must submit an assignment by the census date to be considered as attending. Students who stop attending may have to pay a portion of their financial aid back to the Department of Education.

Please contact Financial Aid or Veteran Affairs for more information.

Enrollment Verification for Students (Self-Service) 

This program provides students with online access to enrollment verification services from the National Student Clearinghouse. By using a link on the college website, students can achieve the following: 

• Print a certificate of enrollment that can be forwarded to a health insurer, housing provider, credit issuer, employment agency or other student service providers.
• View enrollment information that may have been provided to a student service provider.
• View electronic notifications and deferment forms that have been sent to lenders, service providers and guarantors.
• View a list of their lenders and link to real-time student loan information details, such as outstanding principal balance and the next payment due date that some lenders provide. Go to http://www.collin.edu.

Click on the CougarWeb link and log into CougarWeb. Click on the Home Page tab. Click on “Enrollment Verification” under the Student Quick Links tab. Follow the instructions for printing an enrollment verification.

Students may contact the National Student Clearinghouse directly at 703.742.7791 or www.studentclearinghouse.org for further questions concerning their enrollment verifications.

Religious Holy Days 

In accordance with Section 51.911 of the Texas Education Code, Collin College will allow a student who is absent from class for the observance of a religious holy day to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time. Students are required to file a written request with each professor prior to the census date of the course to qualify for an excused absence. A copy of the state rules and procedures regarding holy days is available from the Student and Enrollment Services Offices. The form for notification of absence from each class under this provision is located at https://www.collin.edu/admissions/forms.html.

Student Records and Procedures to Inspect/Review and to Amend Education Records

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of students’ education records. FERPA gives students the right to inspect and review their education records and the right to request that an institution correct records the student believes to be inaccurate or misleading. Additionally, FERPA governs the disclosure of students’ education records.

Texas Government Code Section 559.003

With few exceptions, state law (i.e., Texas Government Code Section 559.003) gives students the following rights regarding the information collected about them by Collin College:

1. The right to request to be informed about the information,
2. The right to receive and review the information, and
3. The right to correct information that is incorrect. 

Custodians of Records

The registrar is custodian of all records for currently enrolled students and for all official academic records. The district dean of students is custodian of all student disciplinary records.

Types of Education Records 

Each record custodian will be responsible for the education records of Collin College. These records may include:

1. Admissions data, and personal and family data.
2. Standardized test data, including intelligence, aptitude, interest, personality, and social adjustment ratings.
3. All achievement records, as determined by tests, recorded grades, and teacher evaluations.
4. Attendance record.
5. Records of faculty, academic advisers, counselors, or administrative conferences with the student or pertaining to the student.
6. Disciplinary records, including scholastic disciplinary actions.
7. Copies of correspondence with parents and others concerned with the student.
8. Records transferred from secondary schools and other postsecondary institutions in which the student has been enrolled.
9. Records pertaining to participation in student activities including academic awards or recognition by Collin College.
10. Information relating to student participation in special programs.
11. Records of tuition and fees paid and outstanding.
12. Financial aid records.
13. Job placement records.
14. Scholarships or other financial awards.
15. Records pertaining to student complaints.
16. Other records that may contribute to understanding of the student.

Procedure to Inspect/Review Records

Collin College will make a student’s records available to the student. The records custodian or designee will use reasonable procedures to verify the requestor’s identity before disclosing student records containing personally identifiable information.

Records may be reviewed in person during regular business hours without charge, upon written request to the records custodian. For in-person viewing, the records custodian or designee will be available to explain the records and to answer questions. The confidential nature of the student’s records will be maintained at all times. Records to be viewed will be restricted to use only in the College District President’s Office or other restricted area designated by the records custodian. The original copy of the records or any document contained in the comprehensive records will not be removed from Collin College.

Copies of records must be requested in writing and will be available at a per copy cost, payable in advance. Financial hardship cases will be dealt with on an individual basis. A student may be denied copies of records if the student fails to follow proper procedures or pay the copying charge. Contact the Registrar at 972.881.5707 or email registrar@collin.edu for procedures on students’ rights of inspection, review, and correction of education records.

Disclosure of Education Records

Collin College will disclose information from a student’s education records with the student’s prior written consent or as permitted by law. Examples of disclosures not requiring a student’s prior written consent include, but are not limited to, the following.

1. To the student and to the parent of a student who is a dependent for tax purposes.
2. To other school officials, including faculty, within Collin College whom Collin College has determined to have legitimate educational interests.
3. To officials of another school, school system, or institution of postsecondary education in which the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled, so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer.
4. To authorized representatives of the officials or agencies headed by the comptroller general of the United States, the attorney general of the United States, the secretary of education, or state and local educational authorities who require access to student or other records necessary in connection with the audit and evaluation of federal- or state-supported education programs or in connection with the enforcement of or compliance with federal legal requirements that relate to such programs.
5. In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary for such purposes as to determine the eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions for the aid, or to enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.
6. To state and local officials or authorities to whom this information is specifically allowed to be reported or disclosed pursuant to state statute adopted:
   1. Before November 19, 1974, if the allowed reporting or disclosure concerns the juvenile justice system and its ability to effectively serve the student whose records are released, or
   2. After November 19, 1974, if:
      1. The allowed reporting or disclosure concerns the juvenile justice system and its ability to effectively serve, prior to adjudication, the student whose records are released; and
      2. The officials and authorities to whom such information is disclosed certify in writing to the educational agency or institution that the information will not be disclosed to any other party, except as provided under state law, without the prior written consent of the parent of the student.
7. To organizations conducting studies for or on behalf of educational agencies or institutions to develop, validate, or administer predictive tests, administer student aid programs, and improve instruction.
8. To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions.
9. To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
10. If legal action is initiated, Collin College may disclose relevant information from a student’s education records to the court, without a court order or subpoena.
11. In connection with a health or safety emergency. Collin College may disclose personally identifiable information from an education record to appropriate persons, including the parents of an eligible student, in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals.
12. Directory information (as defined in the Directory Information section below) in accordance with FERPA, unless the student restricts directory information.
13. To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense. The disclosure may only include the final results of the disciplinary proceeding conducted by Collin College with respect to that alleged crime or offense. Collin College may disclose the final results of the disciplinary proceeding regardless of whether Collin College concluded a violation was committed. If the alleged victim is deceased as a result of such crime or offense, Collin College will treat the alleged victim’s next of kin as the alleged victim, in accordance with the law;
14. To a parent of a student at Collin College regarding the student’s violation of any federal, state, or local law, or of any rule or policy of Collin College, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if:
    1. Collin College determines that a student has committed a disciplinary violation with respect to that use or possession; and
    2. The student is under the age of 21 at the time of the disclosure to the parent.
       The disclosure concerns sex offenders and other individuals required to register under Section 170101 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 42 U.S.C. 14071, and the information was provided to Collin College under 42 U.S.C. 14071 and applicable federal guidelines.

Directory Information 

“Directory information” means information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Directory information will be released to a qualified individual or organization that files a written request with the registrar or designee.

Collin College will give public notice of the categories of information designated as directory information; whether the disclosure of directory information will be limited to specific parties, for specific purposes, or both; and the period of time after such notice for a student to inform Collin College that any or all of the directory information should not be released without prior consent.

Directory information includes, but is not limited to, the student’s:

1. Name;
2. Address;
3. Telephone listing;
4. Official Collin College-issued email address;
5. Photograph;
6. Major field(s) of study;
7. Dates of attendance;
8. Participation in officially recognized activities and sports;
9. Weight and height of members of athletic teams;
10. Degrees, honors, and awards received; and
11. Most recent previous educational agency or institution attended.

Directory information does not include a student’s Social Security Number (SSN) or College-Wide Identification Number (CWID).

A student may request directory information be withheld from the public by completing the Release of Student Information Form in CougarWeb, https://cougarweb.collin.edu. If no request is filed, directory information will be released upon inquiry. Filed requests are valid until revoked by the student in writing. Directory information is the only part of a student’s record that may be released without the student’s prior written permission, except with regard to the law that provides for disclosure without consent.  Students may also authorize parents or other individuals to access their grades by completing the Release of Student Information Form in CougarWeb, https://cougarweb.collin.edu. Students will need their CougarWeb usernames and passwords to access the system.

Transcripts and Transfers of Records 

Collin College may request transcripts from previously attended schools for students transferring into Collin College; however, the ultimate responsibility for obtaining transcripts from sending schools rests with the student.  For purposes of a student’s enrollment or transfer, Collin College will promptly forward education records upon request to officials of other schools or school systems in which the student intends to enroll or enrolls. Collin College District may return an education record to the school identified as the source of the record.

Procedure to Amend Records 

Within 15 College District business days of the record custodian’s receipt of a request to amend records, Collin College will notify the student in writing of its decision on the request and, if the request is denied, of the student’s right to a hearing. If a hearing is requested, it will be held within 15 College District business days after the request is received.

Students will be notified in advance of the date, time, and place of the hearing. An administrator who is not responsible for the contested records and who does not have a direct interest in the outcome of the hearing will conduct the hearing. The student will be given a full and fair opportunity to present evidence, and at their own expense, may be assisted or represented at the hearing.

The student will be notified of the decision in writing within 10 College District business days of the hearing. The decision will be based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing and will include a summary of the evidence and reasons for the decision. If the decision is to deny the request, the student will be informed that they have 30 College District business days within which to exercise their right to place in the record a statement commenting on the contested information and/or stating any reason for disagreeing with Collin College’s decision.

Complaints 

A student who needs assistance or wishes to file a complaint under FERPA should do so in writing to the Family Policy Compliance Office by sending pertinent information concerning any allegation(s) through the mail to the following address:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5920

Student Right To Know 

Under the terms of the Student Right to Know Act, the college maintains and annually updates student persistence, graduation rates, transfer rates, and other relevant statistics. To access this information, go to Collin College’s Institutional Research Office website http://www.collin.edu/aboutus/statistics/.

Grading System

At the completion of each term, the college will determine the student’s semester and cumulative grade point averages, which will be recorded on the student’s official transcript. Grades earned in developmental education courses are not included in the grade point average. Grades are available through the CougarWeb Registration system.

Incomplete Grades and Contracts

The “I” grade is assigned only for extenuating circumstances. Incomplete contracts must be agreed to and signed by the student, professor, and appropriate academic dean before the end of the term in order for a grade of “I” to be assigned.

The contract must define the exact requirements (not to exceed 20 percent of the coursework) the student is to fulfill in order to receive a performance grade. If remaining work is greater than 20 percent of the coursework, the approval of the Campus Provost is required. Requirements of incomplete contracts must be completed as specified in the contract, but no later than the end of the next long semester.

The contract will state that if the work is not completed as specified, the grade will be changed to a performance grade based on the quality and amount of work completed. If the instructor does not initiate a grade change by the end of the next long semester, the grade will be changed by the Registrar’s Office to an “F” or other performance grade indicated on the original contract.

Pass/Fail Grade Option

Non-degree-seeking students may select a pass/fail grade option for foreign language, sign language, and creative writing courses. When taking a class pass/fail, a letter grade will not be assigned for the course, but the student’s transcript will indicate whether he or she passed or failed the course. This option is not available for students working toward a degree plan or intending to transfer to another institution. To select a pass/fail grade, the student must complete the appropriate form in the Registrar’s Office on or before the census date of the term. Pass/fail students may change their status to credit before the census date of the term in the admissions area in the Registrar’s Office.

Auditing Courses

Students may choose to audit certain classes. A student who is auditing a class(es) will not receive grades or credit for the course, but his or her transcript will indicate the course was audited. A student who is auditing a class(es) will not be required to take tests; however, participation in regular class activities is expected.

Applied music lessons (MUAP), computer systems, Developmental Education (DE), engineering, foreign language, ROTC, sign language, studio arts, and technology classes may not be audited.

Any student intending to audit a course must have completed admissions requirements and be eligible to register for that course in person on the first (1st) day of classes. Audit students are subject to the usual registration process and must meet all admissions policies and guidelines. A non-refundable audit fee is assessed for each class in addition to regular tuition and fees. Students who audit are not eligible to drop or withdraw from the course or print from computers in the libraries or computer labs.

Students who have already registered for a course as credit may not later change their status to audit. However, audit students may change to credit status prior to the term’s census date. Students admitted under special admissions are not eligible to audit courses.

Repeating Courses

Texas residents attempting a course more than twice at Collin College are subject to regular tuition plus an additional $50 per semester credit hour charge. Undergraduate courses attempted at Collin College with a graded status of A, B, C, D, F, I, W (withdrawals after census), and AU (audit) will be evaluated for repeat limits.

Refer to the Collin College website for a complete list of courses exempt from the course repeat tuition and how to qualify for exemptions from the higher tuition rate at: https://www.collin.edu/register/withdrawal.html. 

Students in excess of 18 Developmental Education (DE) hours will be assessed the authorized $50 per hour additional tuition. ESOL students in excess of 27 Developmental Education (DE) + ESOL hours will be assessed the authorized $50 per hour additional tuition.

Grades of all courses taken will be recorded on the student’s transcript. When a course is repeated:

• only one (1) course grade will be counted in a student’s grade point average (GPA), and
• the highest grade will be used in GPA calculations.

Courses repeated before the Fall 2008 semester will have only the last grade and credits earned (whether higher or lower) used in computing the GPA and applied toward degree or program requirements.

Veterans should consult the Financial Aid/Veterans Affairs Office before repeating any course. Students planning to transfer to another college or university should check repeat policies with a Collin College academic advisor and the receiving institution.

General Education/Core Curriculum

The Texas Education Code requires all public colleges and universities to have a General Education/Core Curriculum and every degree has a General Education/Core requirement. The General Education/Core Curriculum is defined as “the curriculum in the liberal arts, humanities, sciences, and political, social and cultural history that all undergraduate students of a particular Texas institution of higher education are required to complete before receiving an associate or baccalaureate degree. The General Education/Core Curriculum focuses on strengthening six foundational competencies that help define the educated person: Communication, Critical Thinking, Empirical and Quantitative Reasoning, Teamwork, Social Responsibility, and Personal Responsibility.

Core Curriculum Completion for Baccalaureate (BAS, BAT, BSN), Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS) and Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) Degrees

The designation “Core Complete” is placed on the transcript of all students completing Collin College’s General Education/Core Curriculum. The State of Texas guarantees acceptance by a public four-year university of any complete General Education Core transferred from any other Texas public college.

The General Education/Core Curriculum at Collin College is a collection of 42 credit hours of general education courses selected by Collin College faculty in eight areas that have been approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to build a basic foundation of knowledge. Course options are displayed by area and discipline in the General Education/Core Curriculum Table. Unless otherwise stated, all general education/core course options shown in the General Education/Core Curriculum Table can be used to satisfy both core and degree requirements for the Baccalaureate, AA, AS, and AAT degrees. Students should visit with an academic advisor to ensure the best selection of courses to complete the General Education/Core Curriculum.

Becoming Core Complete for Students Who Transfer

All core courses in the 030 Life and Physical Sciences Component at Collin College earn four credit hours, which are distributed as three hours applied to the 6-credit hour requirement for the 030 Life and Physical Sciences Core Component, and one lab credit hour is applied to the 090 Collin Option Area 2 requirement. There are several transfer scenarios for becoming core complete for the student who transfers in 3, 6, or 7 credit hours of Life and Physical Sciences.

If you transfer to Collin College with one 3-credit hour Life and Physical Science course with a grade of D or better, three credit hours will be applied toward the 6-credit hour Life and Physical Sciences Core requirement. You will need to take one additional Life and Physical Science Core course at Collin.

If you transfer in six or seven credit hours of Life and Physical Sciences with a grade of D or better, you will have met the 6-credit hour requirement for the 030 Life and Physical Sciences Core Component.

To meet the 6-credit hour requirement in the 090 Collin Option, all students who transfer to Collin College with 3, 6 or 7 credit hours of Life and Physical Sciences Core coursework, will need to take or transfer in one 090 Collin Option Area 1 Speech course, and up to 3 semester credit hours of Area 2 core coursework in order to be Core complete in both the 030 Life and Physical Sciences Core Component and the 090 Collin Option. 

The Area 2 core coursework may be chosen from the following list: EDUC 1100*, EDUC 1300*, KINE 1164, KINE 1304, or KINE 1338. Finally, a student may choose to take (or transfer in) any other course within the Collin College Core curriculum that is not already being used to satisfy another core curriculum requirement. 

*Either EDUC 1100 or EDUC 1300 may be used to satisfy the core curriculum requirement.

See the table of Collin General Education/Core Curriculum (Baccalaureate and AA/AS/AAT degrees)    

General Education Component of Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degrees

The general education component of all Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees is composed of 15 semester credit hours of general education coursework that must include a distribution of coursework from three broad categories of general education as shown below:

• At least three semester credit hours from humanities/fine arts;
• At least three semester credit hours from social/ behavioral sciences; and,
• At least three semester credit hours from natural sciences/ mathematics.

Additionally, Collin College requires all students completing an AAS degree to earn three semester credit hours in communication by completing ENGL 1301-Composition I.  The final general education course requirement is typically chosen by each workforce program to complement the technical content taught in each degree program.

Some AAS degree plans require specific general education courses in each workforce program to support the technical courses in the area of study. Other AAS degree plans allow students to choose from a selection of specified courses to meet their general education requirements.

See the specific degree plan for general education requirements. If options are listed in the degree plan, refer to the table of AAS General Education Courses to view the available course choices. 

See the table of AAS General Education Courses  

Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees, Associate Degrees, and Certificates

Students may graduate under any approved degree plan from the preceding five (5) years as long as they were enrolled during that year; however, students may benefit from graduating under the requirements of the current degree plan. Degrees and certificates that have been deactivated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) must be completed within three (3) years of the date the program ended.

Baccalaureate Degrees

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) or the Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) are awarded to students who earn a minimum of 120 college-credit hours, complete 42 SCH of core curriculum coursework, and meet all departmental requirements. Twenty-five (25) percent of the credits applied to these degrees (30 SCH) must be earned at Collin College.

Baccaluareate Degree Requirements

1. Earn a minimum of 120 college-level credit hours.
2. Complete the General Education Core of 42 credit hours.
3. Complete 78 credit hours of additional requirements specific to each degree.
4. Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
5. Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours at Collin College.

Associate Degrees

The AA, AS, and AAT degrees are designed for students planning to transfer course credits to a baccalaureate degree program at a college or university. Students should visit with an academic advisor to select courses that apply to their AA, AS, or AAT degree. Twenty-five (25) percent of the credits applied to these degrees (15 SCH) must be earned at Collin College.

The Associate of Arts (AA) in General Studies degree serves as Collin College’s Multidisciplinary Studies Degree Program, and as such is the college’s most flexible degree program.  Students may also choose to complete AA degrees that incorporate specific Field of Study curricula.

Associate of Arts Degree Requirements

The following requirements must be met for an AA:

1. Earn a minimum of 60 college-level credit hours.
2. Complete the General Education Core of 42 credit hours.¹
3. Complete a minimum of 18 additional credit hours of degree requirements or general studies electives. General Studies electives may be drawn  from any college-level credit course.²
4. Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
5. Earn a minimum of 15 credit hours at Collin College.

¹ Some AA degrees incorporating specific Field of Study (FOS) curricula (e.g. AA with Music FOS) do not require students to complete the core curriculum due to the size of the FOS curriculum. Students can complete these AA degrees at Collin without completing the core curriculum. Students will complete the core curriculum at their transfer institution when completing a subsequent baccalaureate degree.

² While general studies electives may be drawn from any college-level credit course offered by Collin College, many credit workforce courses may not transfer to four-year institutions.  These courses are noted with a Course Type of “Workforce” at the end of the course description.  Check with your transfer institution for transferability and applicability to your bachelor’s degree.

The Associate of Science (AS) degree serves students intending to major in academic disciplines at the baccalaureate level that require more advanced preparation in science and mathematics. Students may choose from an AS degree in General Studies or specific AS degrees that incorporate certain Field of Study curricula.

Associate of Science Degree Requirements 

The following requirements must be met for an AS:

1. Earn a minimum of 60 college-level credit hours.
2. Complete the General Education Core of 42 credit hours.¹
3. Complete a minimum of 18 additional credit hours of degree requirements or general studies electives. General studies electives may be drawn from any college-level credit course.²
4. Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
5. Earn a minimum of15 credit hours at Collin College.
6. Complete both AS degree requirements:
   • Complete at least six credit hours of mathematics from the following list: MATH 1314, 1316, 1342, 2305, 2318, 2320, 2412, 2413, 2414, 2415. Three credit hours of this mathematics requirement will also meet the Mathematics Core requirement.
   • Complete at least 8 credit hours of Life and Physical Sciences from the following list:
     • BIOL 1406, 1407, 1414, 1415, 2401, 2402, 2406, 2416, 2421
     • CHEM 1411, 1412, 2423, 2425
     • ENVR 1401, 1402
     • GEOL 1403, 1404
     • PHYS 1401, 1402, 2425, 2426

¹ Some AS degrees incorporating specific Field of Study (FOS) curricula (e.g. AS with Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering FOS) do not require students to complete the core curriculum due to the size of the FOS curriculum. Students can complete these AS degrees at Collin without completing the core curriculum. Students will complete the core curriculum at their transfer institution when completing a subsequent baccalaureate degree.

² While general studies electives may be drawn from any college-level credit course offered by Collin College, many credit workforce courses may not transfer to four-year institutions. These courses are noted with a Course Type of “Workforce” at the end of the course description. Check with your transfer institution for transferability and applicability to your bachelor’s degree.

A Science course sequence is recommended for the AS degree. Completion of two of these Science courses with a grade of D or better will meet the six-credit hour Life and Physical Sciences Core requirement and two credit hours from the lab portion will be applied to the 6-credit hour Component Area Option Core requirement.

The Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree serves students intending to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs that lead to initial Texas teacher certification.

Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree Requirements

The following requirements must be met for an AAT:

1. Earn a minimum of 60 college-level credit hours.
2. Complete the General Education Core of 42 credit hours.
3. Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. Students should be aware that most four-year colleges require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for admission to their teacher certification programs.
4. Earn a minimum of 15 credit hours at Collin College.
5. Complete all the courses listed for one of three AAT diplomas:
   • AAT - Early Childhood - Grade 6
   • AAT - Middle Grades (Grades 4-8)
   • AAT - High School (Grades 8-12)

Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS)

In order for a student to graduate with an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree from Collin College, he or she must successfully complete all required course hours for the program, have a cumulative 2.0 GPA, and have passed both areas of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI).

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

In Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree programs that do not include a college-level Math course, students must successfully complete all required course hours for the program and have a cumulative 2.0 GPA. For more information, see the Texas Success Initiative  section in this student handbook.

Change to the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Graduation Requirement

In the Summer of 2018, the Collin College Academic Policy and Procedure Committee approved a change to the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirement for graduation. Students meet TSI through the successful completion of a required college-level course with a grade of D or higher.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees are intended to prepare students with the necessary skills to obtain entry-level employment in a variety of career fields. As such these degree programs collectively comprise Collin College’s workforce education programs.

All AAS degrees require a minimum of 15 credit hours of a general education component to develop the foundational academic skills of workforce education students.

Associate of Applied Science Degree Requirements

The following requirements must be met for an AAS degree:

1. Earn 60-68 credit hours as shown in the entry for each AAS degree in this catalog.
2. Complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of General Education/Core Curriculum courses.
3. Earn a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0.
4. Earn a minimum of 25% of the credit hours (15-17 credit hours) for the AAS degree at Collin College. 

Graduate Guarantee for AAS Graduates

The Graduate Guarantee for Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Graduates will be used for accountability purposes. The guarantee assures the graduate’s employer that the graduate has met program competencies and will offer up to nine (9) tuition-free hours of education for a program graduate judged by the employer to be unable to perform on the job the competencies as specified in the college program. To be eligible to apply for the benefits of this guarantee, the employer must have hired the graduate within one year of his/her graduation from the AAS program, and a written request to the appropriate Vice President/Provost must be submitted by the employer OR the graduate within 90 days of the graduate’s initial employment.

Certificates of Completion

Field of Study (FOS) Curricula/Certificates

Collin College grants a certificate to students completing Field of Study (FOS) curricula in the disciplines listed below. The FOS courses are statutorily required to be accepted as the first two years of program coursework in a related bachelor’s degree. To earn a Field of Study certificate, a student must complete at least 25% of the credit hours for the certificate at Collin College, and a student must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. 

Fields of Study certificates are available in the following disciplines:

• Business
• Communication*
• Computer Science & Information Technology*
• Criminal Justice
• Drama*
• Economics*
• Engineering
• Fine Arts*
• Music
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology

*In July 2020, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) voted to further review the new Field of Study curricula that were scheduled to go into effect in Fall 2020. Collin College has five FOS Certificates that were affected by this action. The THECB action may limit the applicability toward the corresponding majors at state-supported colleges or universities. Students enrolled in one of these Field of Study certificates are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor and/or contact their transfer institution to make sure courses in the certificate will be degree applicable to their bachelor’s degree at the transfer university.

Certificate Awards Associated with Workforce Education Programs

Students obtaining level 1, level 2 or enhanced skills certificates must complete at least 25 percent of the award coursework at Collin College and must earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0. Students earning certificates may participate in commencement ceremonies. Candidates for a certificate should submit an application for graduation at the beginning of the semester of completion.  These awards are also designed as a stepping stone toward earning Associate of Applied Science Degrees.

Occupational Skills Awards Associated with Workforce education Programs

Occupational Skills Awards (OSA) are nine to 14 credit hour awards that add to the student’s marketability or make the student eligible for immediate employment. These awards are also designed as a stepping-stone toward earning certificates or the Associate of Applied Science AAS degree.  To earn an occupational skill award a student must complete 25% of the award coursework at Collin College and must earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.

Transfer of Credit

Students who transfer to Collin College from other institutions of higher education may be awarded credit according to the conditions that follow.

1. Credit must have been earned at an institutionally accredited institution of higher education. Foreign transcripts will not be evaluated or accepted.
2. An official transcript from all institutionally accredited institutions of higher education attended by the student must be on file at Collin College.
3. Official course descriptions from the catalog under which the student attended may be required for evaluation.
4. Credit for courses equivalent to those listed in the Collin College Catalog will be accepted if the courses are required on the student’s degree plan for graduation. Other credits may be accepted in lieu of elective courses depending on the student’s area of study.
5. Repeats rules from other institutions may vary and Collin College will follow what is listed on transcripts if a student has repeated the same course at one institution multiple times.
6. Grades of “D” are accepted from other institutions; Grades of “F” and “I” will not transfer.
7. While there is no limit on the number of hours that can be transferred into Collin College from other institutions, 25 percent of a degree/certificate awarded by Collin College must be earned from Collin College.
8. Time limits and minimum grade requirements may be imposed for transfer work into select areas of study. Contact the academic dean’s office for details.
9. Collin College does not evaluate transcripts or award transfer credit earned at foreign institutions; however, students may be eligible for credit through examination at the college.
10. Fall 1985 through Summer 2008 transfer work was included in students’ overall GPA. Beginning Fall 2008 transfer work is not included in GPA.

Collin College degree plan coordinators conduct official transcript evaluations. Students must be currently admitted to Collin College to request a degree plan.

The ultimate goal at Collin College is to produce educated and productive students, knowledgeable in their chosen area of study. As part of Collin College’s commitment to transfer students, the college has partnered with various colleges and universities to establish transfer articulation agreements, special pre-admission agreements and degree plans that provide students access to and linkages with their baccalaureate degree-granting institutions. Not only do these partnerships help students transition from Collin College to their chosen four-year institution - they also foster a more confident and successful student. Transfer resources for students are located on the Transfer U website at: http://www.collin.edu/transferu/index.html.

Common Course Numbering

To help meet the transfer needs of its students, Collin College is a member of the Texas Common Course Numbering System (TCCNS) Consortium. All Texas community/junior colleges and many Texas universities are also using this numbering system.

The Texas Common Course Numbering System provides a shared, uniform set of course designations for students and their advisors to use in determining both course equivalency and degree applicability of transfer credit on a statewide basis.

Students should not assume that only courses with common course numbers will transfer and should see a Collin College academic advisor for assistance.

Guarantee for Transfer Credit

Collin College guarantees the transferability of course credits to Texas colleges and/or universities that participate in the Guarantee for Transfer Credit program. The guarantee applies to students who have met the requirements for its Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts in Teaching or Associate of Science degrees and students who have met the 60-credit hour transfer plan.

This guarantee is designed for Collin College students who have made firm decisions about their major and the transfer college or university to which they plan to transfer, and who have followed a written transfer guide for that transfer institution.

Resolution of Transfer Disputes 

Collin College works closely with colleges and universities to make the transfer process as smooth as possible for courses transferred to Collin College from the other institutions and follows guidelines to resolve transfer disputes.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has established procedures to be followed when transfer credit for lower division courses listed in the Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM) is disputed. The individual courses covered by this procedure are defined in the coordinating board’s guide entitled, “Transfer of Credit Policies and Curricula.”

Procedures for Resolution of Transfer Disputes

The following procedures shall be followed by public institutions of higher education in the resolution of credit transfer disputes involving lower-division courses. If an institution of higher education does not accept course credit earned by a student at another institution of higher education, the receiving institution shall give written notice to the student and to the sending institution that transfer of the course is denied. The receiving institution will also give the reasons for denying credit for a particular course or set of courses at the request of the sending institution. The two institutions and the student shall attempt to resolve the transfer of the course credit in accordance with board rule and/or guidelines.

If the transfer dispute is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student or the sending institution within 45 days after the date the student received written notice of denial, the institution whose credit is denied for transfer shall notify the commissioner of the denial.

The Commissioner of Higher Education or the commissioner’s designee shall make the final determination about the dispute concerning the transfer of course credit and give written notice of the determination to the involved student and institutions.

Transcripts

Requests for official transcripts are made online through the college website (http://www.collin.edu/studentresources/support/transcript.html) and cost $5 each.

College Credit for Prior Learning

Various assessment options enable persons who have acquired knowledge and skills in non-traditional ways to demonstrate academic achievement. The primary goal of Collin College’s Credit for Prior Learning procedure is to recognize the diverse ways that students acquire knowledge and skills outside a traditional college setting. Awarded credit for prior learning may accelerate completion of a certificate and/or degree for students who have met college and program admission requirements. Students may petition for prior learning credit if they:

• are currently enrolled or have been enrolled at Collin College within the past five years, and
• meet the admission requirements of the declared program for which they intend to petition for credit for non-traditional (or prior) learning experiences.

The act of petitioning for credit for prior learning does not guarantee that credit will be awarded to the petitioning student; rather, the petition provides the student the opportunity to have the knowledge and skills obtained via prior learning experiences assessed for the award of college credit.

Note:  Non-refundable assessment, administrative, and/or transcript recording fees may apply. Certain prior learning assessments may have expiration periods or limited time frames during which credit may be awarded.

Award of Prior Learning Credit on Transcripts and Application to Requirements for Degrees and Certificates 

Credit awarded through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) will be added to the transcript only upon request and after the student has earned three semester credit hours of non-developmental course credit at Collin College. Course credit awarded through Prior Learning Assessment will not be used to compute student grade point averages, and students should be aware that credit earned by prior learning assessment is not guaranteed to transfer. Students who plan to transfer to another institution should consult with the receiving institution on GPA requirements and course transferability before petitioning for credit by PLA. A student completing any degree or certificate at Collin College must earn at least 25% of the credit for the degree or certificate by completing coursework at Collin College. Under no circumstances will credit awarded by PLA exceed 75% of the coursework applied toward a degree or certificate. Students are encouraged to talk with the academic department of interest for details on the maximum amount of credit that may be awarded and applied toward a specific degree or certificate by PLA.

Limitations on Credit for Prior Learning

Prior learning credit may not be requested -

• for a previously completed credit course in which the student earned a performance grade (A-F) or a “W”. (Please note: a course must be dropped before census date to avoid a “W” grade. If a student is currently enrolled in a course for which he/she wishes to request PLA credit, the student must withdraw from the course prior to the census date of the enrolled semester in order for the PLA request for that course to be eligible for consideration.)
• for partial credit;
• more than once for a specific course.

Prior learning credit previously applied at another institution of higher education does not automatically transfer to Collin College.

For more information on Prior Learning Credit, please visit https://www.collin.edu/academics/priorlearningassessment.html.

Prior Learning Assessment Opportunities

Advanced Placement Examination (AP)

Students who have received college-level training in secondary school and who have scores of three, four, or five on the appropriate Advanced Placement examination may be granted, on request, placement and credit for comparable courses at the college.

• Students must have a declared program and must have completed three semester credit hours at Collin College before credit is awarded on the student’s transcript. (Developmental education courses do not count towards this three-credit hour requirement).
• Official AP score reports should be sent to college code 1951 from the student’s The College Board account.
• For more information, e-mail CreditByExam@collin.edu. Please refer to the Collin College website for the full list of allowable credits for AP exams: https://www.collin.edu/studentresources/testing/creditbyexam/ap.html

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Most publicly-supported colleges and universities have agreed to accept as transfer credits all CLEP credit granted by institutionally accredited colleges/universities using the criteria below. Students planning to use CLEP credit to meet degree requirements at other institutions should check the requirements of the receiving institution. CLEP exams are not evaluated for credit at Collin College. The college uses the following criteria for CLEP exam evaluation:

• Students must have a declared program and must have completed three semester hours at Collin College before credit is awarded on the student’s transcript. (Developmental education courses do not count towards this three-credit hour requirement).
• Credit is awarded for CLEP exam scores at or above specified levels. See the Collin College CLEP web page (address shown below) or e-mail CreditByExam@collin.edu for specific passing scores. Official score reports should be sent to college code 2290.

For each CLEP examination, a non-refundable administrative and examination fee will be charged. For information on taking a CLEP exam, please e-mail CreditByExam@collin.edu. Please refer to the Collin College website for the full list of allowable credits for CLEP exams: https://www.collin.edu/studentresources/testing/creditbyexam/clep.html

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

The International Baccalaureate diploma is an international program of courses and exams offered at the high school level. Collin College will award specific college credit in subject appropriate areas on all IB exam scores of 4 or above, with an IB diploma or certificate. Students must have an official IB transcript sent to Collin College. Please refer to the Collin website for the full list of allowable credits for IB exams: https://www.collin.edu/studentresources/testing/creditbyexam/ib.html

Students must have a declared program and must have completed three semester credit hours at Collin College before credit is awarded on the student’s transcript. (Developmental education courses do not count towards this three-credit hour requirement).

Articulated College Credit for select High School Courses

Students who elected to take Collin College articulated courses in high school may be eligible to receive college credit for those courses upon high school graduation. These credits are completely tuition free and are awarded based on successful completion of an end-of-course assessment.

The requirements to receive college credit are:

• Students must have a declared program and must have completed three semester hours at Collin College before credit is awarded on the student’s transcript. (Developmental education courses do not count towards this three-credit hour requirement).
• Submit the petition for articulated credit within 12 months of high school graduation to a Special Admissions Coordinator.
• Earn a passing grade* on the end-of-course assessment in high school.Submit an official final high school transcript along with the petition. Articulated high school credits must be notated on the high school transcript.
• Submit an official final high school transcript along with the petition. Articulated high school credits must be notated on the high school transcript.

Upon completion of the above steps, the college credit that a student is qualified for will be applied to the college transcript at the end of the college grading cycle. For more information, call the Dual Credit Office at 469.365.1850.

 *Passing course grades may vary. Check with a Special Admissions Coordinator for details.

Military Credit

In addition to applying credit earned at other institutions, students may receive college credit by presenting evidence of having satisfactorily completed a program of military training for which equivalent college credit may be given in accordance with the American Council on Education Standards and Recommendations. The Veteran Transition Specialist evaluates Armed Forces credit. If awarded, credit for military training will be awarded upon receipt of a student’s DD214 or documentation of active service (Reserves, active duty, or honorable discharge) such as a Joint Services Transcript (JST).

• Students must have a declared program and must have completed three semester credit hours at Collin College before credit is awarded on the student’s transcript. (Developmental education courses do not count towards this three-credit hour requirement).

Certifications and Licensures

In some academic departments, the faculty has determined equivalent course credit for professional certifications and state licensures. Course credit is based on competencies demonstrated through successful completion of the certification or state licensure assessment.

• Students must have a declared program and must have completed three semester credit hours at Collin College before credit is awarded on a student’s transcript. (Developmental education courses do not count towards this three-credit hour requirement).
• Certifications and state licenses must be current and valid.

Credit by Exam (Departmental Exams)

Credit for some courses may be granted upon successful completion of a comprehensive examination over the content of the course. A nonrefundable fee is charged for each course examination.

• Students must have a declared program and must have completed three semester hours at Collin College before credit is awarded on the student’s transcript. (Developmental education courses do not count towards this three-credit hour requirement).
• Credit by exam may be attempted only once for any given course.
• Students currently enrolled in the course they wish to test out of must test or drop the course prior to the census date of the enrolled semester.
• Passing scores and exit competencies are based on learning outcomes of the course and are determined by faculty in the appropriate academic department.

Please review your program’s requirements at https://www.collin.edu/academics/PLA_department_contacts.html.

Credit for Prior Learning through Linked Continuing Education courses 

Continuing Education (CE) students have an opportunity to have academic credit awarded for completing certain non-credit Collin College courses. Collin College CE courses that are offered in a linked format with a corresponding credit section of the same course may be eligible for credit to be awarded. Students completing an eligible CE course (linked) are held to the same rigorous standards of learning as credit students. The requirements to receive college credit are:

1. Students must be admitted to Collin College, meet the requirements of their declared credit-bearing program, and have completed three semester credit hours at Collin College before credit is awarded on the student’s transcript. (Developmental Education courses do not count toward the three-credit hour requirement); and
2. Students must have successfully completed the same end-of-course final assessment(s) as the students completing the credit course. The minimum grade required for credit eligibility is determined by the credit department offering the linked course.

A minimum of 25% of the semester credit hours required for a degree or certificate must be earned through the credit program at Collin College. A non-refundable fee will be assessed for each course that is transcripted. Students should consult with the credit department over the linked courses for specific information regarding their program.

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

Graduation 

Collin College offers Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS), Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT), Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT), Associate of Science (AS), and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees and certificate programs. Students who plan to graduate from Collin College should request a degree plan prior to the completion of 30 credit hours. Students must be currently admitted to Collin College to request a degree plan.

A student who completes specific course requirements for a degree or certificate with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 and who completed a minimum of 25 percent of the award coursework at Collin College is a candidate for graduation. Non-traditional (e.g. Credit granted by Prior Learning Assessment, AP, CLEP, IB Credit, etc.) and developmental course credit do not meet this residency requirement. Candidates for an associate degree should apply for graduation at the beginning of the semester of degree completion.  Any student who entered Collin College prior to the Fall 2008 semester and had transfer coursework applied to their transcript will have those transfer course grade points included in his or her Collin College GPA.

Degree Honors

Baccalaureate degree and associate degree honors will be awarded to students with the following cumulative GPA at Collin College:

       4.00      - Summa cum laude

3.75 - 3.99 - Magna cum laude

3.50 - 3.74 - Cum laude

Honors are calculated using all Collin College college-level coursework (and transcripted transfer coursework prior to Fall 2008). Grades earned in Developmental Education (DE) courses are not included.

Graduation Ceremonies