College Catalog

Academic Regulations

ADMISSION

The Victoria College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Victoria College does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, race, color, religion, age, gender, disability, or veteran status. It is our policy to comply fully with the nondiscrimination provision of all state and federal regulations with regard to recruitment, admission, financial aid, activities, hiring, promotions, training, terminations, benefits and compensation.

New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation is a program designed to acquaint new students with The Victoria College campus and the various resources that can enhance both personal development and academic success. All incoming freshmen and freshmen transfers with less than 15 semester credit hours are required to participate in New Student Orientation.

Students who do not complete a format of the New Student Orientation program, prior to the beginning of classes for the semester/term, are required to complete a format of the New Student Orientation program during the semester/term of their first enrollment to be able to register for an additional semester/term. Specific schedule information on New Student Orientation dates and times is listed in the VC course schedule and on-line at www.victoriacollege.edu/newpirates/.

Texas Success Initiative

The Texas Success Initiative requires that all students are assessed in Reading, Math, and Writing to determine College Readiness. Assessment testing is required of all students PRIOR to enrollment in credit courses unless assessment exempt or assessment waived.

METHODS OF ADMISSION

High School Graduates

High school graduates are accepted from both accredited and unaccredited high schools (including home schools). Official transcripts are required and should be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office prior to registration.

Non-High School Graduates/Individual Approval

Individuals over the age of 17 may be admitted by the GED or by Individual Approval if a GED has not been earned. For Individual Approval, assessment test scores are used by Counseling Services to determine placement in college level and/or developmental courses. Under certain circumstances, students may be admitted to contracted training courses/programs by taking the assessment test required for those courses/programs prior to entry. Students admitted on this condition shall be subject to the same policies and regulations as all other students.

Transfer Students

Students who have attended another college must present an official (not faxed) transcript from each college attended as well as assessment scores (for students who are not assessment exempt). An official high school transcript or GED certificate is also required for transfer students who have earned less than 12 hours of credit. The record of work done at another institution will be evaluated according to the minimum standards in effect, and if the student's record indicates that he or she should be placed on scholastic probation according to the standards of The Victoria College, he or she will be admitted on probation. All admission documents should be sent to the Admissions and Records Office prior to registration.

Credit will be accepted only from regionally accredited colleges and universities. Technical school and military credit will only be granted if the courses are applicable to the student's major at Victoria College in the Workforce Development area. Approval for such credit must be granted by the appropriate department.
If a student successfully completes the core curriculum at a

Texas public institution of higher education, or receives a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, that block of courses may be transferred to The Victoria College and may be substituted for The Victoria College core curriculum. A student shall receive academic credit for each of the courses transferred and may not be required to take additional courses to complete The Victoria College core curriculum.

Early Admission Program

High school juniors and seniors may be admitted to Victoria College provided they have a B average and the written permission of the high school principal or counselor. Students must submit this letter and a transcript prior to admission to the Admissions and Records Office. In addition, students must pass the appropriate section(s) of the assessment test in meeting the prerequisite(s) for a course, if applicable. Early Admission students are limited to enrolling in two courses per semester. After high school graduation, students must submit a second transcript showing the date of graduation. High school juniors and seniors must adhere to all Victoria College admission policies and procedures related to testing, registration, and payment of tuition and fees.

Early Admission with Dual Credit Program

Students must comply with all early admission requirements listed above. College credit as well as high school credit (according to the regulations of the sponsoring high school) will be granted upon course completion.

Foreign Students

This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant students. Students who are not U.S. citizens and do not have resident alien status must meet the following requirements prior to admission:

  1. Current unexpired visa*
  2. Official transcripts (translated) and test scores (if applicable). See methods of admission.
  3. Official TOEFL score report of at least 500 for the paper version; 173 for the computer based version; 61 for the internet-based version. Exceptions may be made for the following: a) students who are transferring 24 or more credit hours with a 2.0 grade point average from a U.S. college or university; or b) students from a nation whose primary language is English.
  4. Completed application for admission.
  5. Financial support documents (required only for students on F-1 visa).
  6. Copy of I-20 issued by all U.S. schools attended (required only for students on F-1 visa who attended another U.S. school.)
  7. I-20 Application form.

*Students applying for an F-1 visa (student visa) will need to have an I-20 form completed by the Admissions and Records Office. The I-20 may be processed after all of the above requirements have been met. Requests for I-20's should be made at least 60 days prior to the semester in which the student plans to enroll. Once the I-20 has been issued, the prospective student must also complete an I-901 form and submit with appropriate fee via internet, telephone, or mail to USCIS.

Allied Health Division Programs

Applicants for any Allied Health program must meet special entrance requirements and complete a departmental application form in addition to the general Victoria College application for admission and general admission requirements. Prospective applicants for Allied Health programs should contact the program director for additional information.

PROCEDURES FOR EARLY ADMISSION AND DUAL CREDIT

  1. Submit Victoria College application for admission to Admissions and Records Office.
  2. Submit a high school transcript of all work taken to date to Admissions and Records Office. The transcript must verify that the student has a B average and that all course prerequisites have been met.
  3. Submit a letter of permission from the high school principal or counselor to Admissions and Records Office.
  4. Submit assessment scores (unless assessment exempt).
  5. Follow directions in current Class Schedule for academic advising, registration, and payment of fees.
  6. Call Counseling Services at (361) 572-6405 for additional information.

COLLEGE PREPARATION

Recommended High School Program (24 total credits)

Academic Core Components: High School
Core Curriculum Credits Courses
English Language Arts 4 English I, II, III, and IV
Mathematics 3 Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry
Science 3 Taken from the following four areas: 1. Integrated Physics and Chemistry 2. Biology, AP Biology or IB Biology 3. Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Biology 4. Physics, Principles of Technology I, AP Physics, or IB Physics
Social Studies 3.5 Must consist of: World History, World Geography Studies, United States History, and United States Government
Economics .5 Economics
Other Language 2 Level I and II in the same language
Physical Education* 1.5 including .5 credit in Foundations of Personal Fitness* Health Education .5 or Health Science Technology (1) credit
Fine Arts 1 1 credit minimum
Speech .5 .5 credit minimum
Technology Applications 1 1 credit minimum
Additional Components 3.5

*The school district board of trustees may allow a student to substitute certain physical activities for the one and one-half required.

ADMISSION PROCEDURES

Assessment testing is required of all students prior to enrollment in credit classes unless exempt.

All admission documents should be sent to: Admissions and Records Office, Victoria College, 2200 E. Red River, Victoria, TX 7790l. For additional information the Admission and Records Office may be contacted by phone (361-572-6408) or email (registrar@victoriacollege.edu).

  1. Complete an application for admission and submit to Admissions and Records Office.
  2. Submit appropriate transcripts to the Admissions and Records Office. Beginning freshmen should have an official high school transcript sent as soon as possible following graduation. Students planning to enter with a GED should arrange to have a copy submitted to the Registrar. Individuals who do not have a high school diploma or a GED may be admitted on the basis of test scores in compliance with the non-high school graduate policy (Contact Counseling Services or the Financial Aid Office for additional information.). Transfer students should have official transcripts sent directly from each college or university attended. Unofficial or faxed copies are not acceptable for admission. In addition, an official high school transcript or GED certificate is also required for transfer students who have earned less than 12 hours of credit.
  3. Submit assessment scores to the Admissions and Records Office. These test scores are required of all beginning students and transfer students enrolling in credit courses unless assessment exempt. The Victoria College recommends that any beginning assessment-liable student whose performance is below the state required minimum score for any area on the test taken for college readiness purposes participate in a developmental education program for the area(s) of failure. Students pursuing Level I certificates (less than 43 semester credit hours) may not be required to enroll in developmental courses. All documents (application, transcripts, and test scores) should be in the Admissions and Records Office at least one week prior to enrollment. If an applicant does not enroll, these documents become the property of The Victoria College and will not be returned to the student. Transcripts are maintained for two years and after this time must be resubmitted if the student wishes to enroll. Applications for students who do not enroll are not held and must be resubmitted prior to the semester of enrollment.
    Students who register without official transcripts on file are admitted on condition that these documents are received by the Admissions and Records Office prior to the 12th class day of the semester. If the required transcript(s) (or any other admission document) is not received by this time, the student may be withdrawn from classes or have a hold placed on his record. An admission hold will prevent official transcripts from being issued (or any other student service performed including enrollment verifications for insurance, financial aid purposes, etc.) and denial of readmission until all requirements are met.
  4. ACT, SAT, or the Vocational Nursing Entrance Exam scores may be required for admission to the following Programs of Study: Associate Degree Nursing, Vocational Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technology, Respiratory Care, Emergency Medical Technology and Firefighting Technology.
    Students interested in any of these programs must see the director of the program in which they are interested for further information and a special application.
  5. Immunization Recommendations
    The Board of Texas Department of Health and Victoria College recommend that college students receive adequate immunization prior to admission for diphtheria, rubeola, rubella, mumps, and tetanus. Such immunizations are available from private physicians or, for county residents, from the Victoria County Health Department for a minimal fee. Out-of-county residents may contact their private physician or their County Health Department for immunization information.
    Students should also be aware of Bacterial Meningitis symptoms. Information concerning this disease is made available to all students upon enrollment by the Admissions and Records Office. Further information and immunizations should be available at local County Health Departments.

STUDENT RIGHT TO REVIEW INFORMATION

With few exceptions, state law (HB 1922) gives students the right to request, receive, review, and correct information collected on the application for admission form. Each semester students participating in advisor assisted registration have an opportunity to review, correct, and verify application information as part of the registration process. Students who self-register may make necessary changes in the Admissions and Records Office as well.

REQUIRED TESTING (State)

Texas Success Initiative

The Texas Success Initiative, which became effective at Victoria College with the Spring 2004 semester, took the place of TASP with passage of Senate Bill 286 of the 78th Texas Legislative session. This legislation requires that students attending Texas public colleges and universities are assessed by a state-approved test in the areas of reading, math, and writing to ensure that basic skills are met before enrolling in college-level courses. This requirement extends to both full-time and part-time students. Performance on the assessment test will not be used as a condition of admission.

Assessment Exemptions
Assessment Waivers:

College Readiness will be considered to have been achieved by one or more of the conditions below:

Assessment Tests approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for use with the Texas Success Initiative to determine college readiness (passing scores indicated):

*The minimum passing standard for the written essay portion of all tests is a 6. However, an essay with a score of 5 will meet the standard if the student meets the objective writing test standard.

Certificate Programs

Students enrolling in one-year certificate programs will be required to take the assessment test; however, developmental work for area(s) failed may or may not be required. The program director will make this determination. An exception to this policy is the LVN program - the NET test will be used in place of the Assessment test.

Field of Study Curriculum

The Field of Study Curriculum is a set of courses that will satisfy the lower-division academic requirements for a Bachelor's degree in a specific academic area. All public four-year/upper level institutions are required to accept the Field of Study Curriculum in fulfillment of those lower-division courses required in majors that correspond to the field of study. Approved Field of Study courses offered by Victoria College are designated in the suggested transfer plans for those academic areas in which Field of Study Curriculum is offered [Business, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Interdisciplinary Studies (Early Childhood-4), Interdisciplinary Studies (grades 4-8) and Music].

Core Curriculum

The core curriculum is a set of courses in the liberal arts, humanities, sciences, and political, social, and cultural history, that all undergraduates of an institution of higher education are required to complete before receiving a degree.

In accordance with Texas Education Code, Chapter 61, Subchapter S, each general academic institution and community/technical college shall design and implement a core curriculum, including specific courses composing the curriculum, of no less than 42 lower-division semester credit hours. No institution may require a core curriculum of more than 42 semester credit hours without Texas High Education Coordinating Board approval.

Each institution's core curriculum must be designed to satisfy the exemplary educational objectives specified for the component areas of the "Core Curriculum: Assumptions and Defining Characteristics" adopted by the Coordinating Board; all lower-division courses included in the core curriculum must be consistent with the "Texas Common Course Numbering System."

The core curriculum guidelines described here are predicated on the judgment that a series of basic intellectual competencies - reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking, and computer literacy - are essential to the learning process in any discipline. Although students can be expected to come to college with some experience in exercising these competencies, they often need further instruction and practice to meet college standards, and, later, to succeed in both their major field of academic study and their chosen career or profession. Moreover, a core curriculum should contain courses that provide multiple perspectives about the individual and the world in which he or she lives; that stimulate a capacity to discuss and reflect upon individual, political, and social aspects of life so students understand ways in which to exercise responsible citizenship; and that enable students to integrate knowledge and understand the interrelationships of the disciplines.

Institutions shall begin to honor student transfer of core courses and core curriculum beginning in fall 1998, and must implement the core curriculum requirement by fall 1999.

If a student successfully completes the core curriculum at an institution of higher education, that block of courses may be transferred to any other institution of higher education and must be substituted for the receiving institution's core curriculum. 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 Coordinating Board has approved a larger core curriculum at that institution.

THE VICTORIA COLLEGE CORE CURRICULUM COURSES

Core Component Core # Course Selection Minimum Hours Required
COMMUNICATION
English 010 Select 2 courses: ENGL 1301, 1302, 2311 6
Speech 011 Select 1 course: SPCH 1315, 1318, 1321 3
MATHEMATICS
020 Select 1 course: MATH 1314, 1316, 1324, 1325, 1332, 1342, 1350, 1351, 2312, or 2413 3
NATURAL SCIENCES
030 Select 2 courses: (Must include at least one laboratory science) BIOL 1322, 1406, 1407, 1408, 1409, 2306, 2401, 2402, 2404, 2406, 2420; CHEM 1405, 1406, 1411, 1412; ENVR 1301; PHYS 1315, 1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, 2425, 2426; GEOL 1305, 1403, 1404 7
HUMANITIES / VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
Humanities 040 Select 1 course: ENGL 2322, 2323, 2327, 2328 3
Visual/ Performing Arts 050 Select 1 course: ARTS 1303, 1304, 1325; DRAM 1310, 2361, 2362; MUSI 1300, 1306, 1308, 1309, 1311 3
SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
History 060 HIST 1301, 1302, 2301 6
Government 070 GOVT 2301, 2302 6
Social/ Behavioral Science 080 Select 1 course: SOCI 1301; PSYC 2301; ECON 2301, 2302; GEOG 1303; HIST 2311, 2312 3
INSTITUTIONALLY DESIGNATED OPTION
090 COSC 1301 or BCIS 1305 3
090 Physical Education 2
Total Minimum Hours 45

VICTORIA COLLEGE DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

To satisfy the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative, The Victoria College recommends that any beginning assessment-liable student whose performance is below the state required minimum score for any area on the test taken for college readiness purposes participate in a developmental education program for the area(s) of failure. Prior to enrolling in any Victoria College credit course, a student must meet all assessment-test prerequisites for that course. Therefore, the College recommends that students enroll in a DEP for any area of failure each semester until each DEP is completed. Furthermore, the College requires that students who are not college ready in one or more areas to be advised each semester to ensure successful completion of any DEP requirements.

The DEP for each area is as follows: If a student’s performance is below the state minimum standard, the student is placed in a Level I (0300) or Level II (0301) course based on the student’s score for that portion of the test taken for college readiness purposes. If placement is at Level I, the student is required to earn a letter grade of C or better and to earn a letter grade of B or better in Level II to complete the developmental education program and demonstrate college readiness. If placement is at Level II, the student must earn a letter grade of B or better to complete the developmental program and demonstrate college readiness. To meet the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative, a student must show college readiness by one of the following options:

OPTION 1
  1. Passing all sections of approved assessment, meeting requirements for exemptions, or
  2. Retaking an approved assessment of the section(s) failed and making the minimum score required by the State of Texas for that section(s).
OPTION 2

After initial assessment, students who earn a B or better in Level II developmental courses will be considered to have successfully completed the Victoria College Developmental Education Plan and be college ready.

SCHOLASTIC PROBATION AND ENFORCED WITHDRAWAL

Students enrolled with The Victoria College are expected to make a semester/term grade point average of 2.0 on all work attempted. A student who is enrolled for six or more semester hours (credit and/or developmental) and fails to make a 2.0 semester/term grade point average will be placed on scholastic probation. The semester/term grade point average will be determined by considering all courses taken except those courses in which grades of W, S, or U were received. Transfer students will be admitted on scholastic probation if they are on probation from their former school or if they do not meet the standards stated above during the last semester in attendance at their former school.

Students who are placed on scholastic probation may remove their probationary status by taking six or more semester hours (credit and/or developmental) and earning a semester/term G.P.A. of 2.0 or above. Students who are on scholastic probation, take six or more semester hours (credit and/or developmental), but earn below a 2.0 semester/term G.P.A. for their next semester/term of enrollment will be placed on enforced withdrawal. Students placed on enforced withdrawal will not be permitted to return to Victoria College until one long semester (fall or spring) has elapsed. Students placed on enforced withdrawal have the right to appeal for readmission through the Director of Counseling Services. The procedure for the appeal is as follows:

  1. The student must submit a letter of appeal to the Counseling Services Office no later than 2 working days (M-F) prior to the first day of class.
  2. The letter of appeal must contain a current mailing address, a current phone number, and social security number.
  3. If the Director of Counseling Services or his designee decides that the appeal will not be granted, the student will be notified in writing of the denial. The student has no further right of appeal.
  4. If the Director of Counseling Services or his designee decides to consider the appeal, the student will be contacted by phone to set up a personal interview.
  5. At the time of the personal interview, topics of discussion will include further explanation of the appeal and the conditions to which the student agrees (one condition being limited to repeating a total of two courses, maximum, in which grades of D or F were earned), provided the student is readmitted.
  6. Students who are granted readmission will sign an Agreement of Understanding for Appeal of Academic Suspension.

GRADES, GRADE POINTS, GRADE POINT AVERAGE, GRADE REPORTS

GRADES

The grades used in college records and reports are:

A (90-100, excellent)
B (80-89, good)
C (70-79, average)
D (60-69, poor-lowest passing grade)
F (59 and below, failure)
S Satisfactory
U Unsatisfactory
W Withdrawn(indicates an official withdrawal from a course by a student or administrative action)
I Incomplete.

The grade of I-incomplete is given, at the instructor's discretion, when the student has made arrangements with the instructor prior to the final exam to award the incomplete due to extenuating circumstances, which validity is determined by the instructor. An incomplete (I) will be changed to a letter grade (A,B,C,D,F) if the student takes the final exam or makes up the work that is prescribed by the instructor. An incomplete not removed within 90 calendar days after the completion of the semester/term is changed to an F. Only the instructor of the course may grant an extension of time.

Students who believe they have not received grades based upon a fair and just evaluation as measured by the standards announced by the instructor at the first or second class meeting must report the matter in writing to the appropriate Division Chair no later than ten days after the first class day of the next semester. For further clarification, see Article V of The Victoria College Student Handbook.

REPEATING A COURSE(S)

Effective with Summer School I 1992 session, only the most recent grade earned in a course taken and repeated at Victoria College is used in the computation of the cumulative grade point average.

GRADE POINTS A four-point system for expressing in numerical terms the quality of academic scholarship achieved by the student is used in determining eligibility for honors, probation, enforced withdrawal, financial aid, membership in student organizations, etc. The system is as follows:

Grades of "W", "S", "U", "I" are not awarded grade points and, therefore, these hours are not used in the computation of a grade point average.

GRADE POINT AVERAGE (G.P.A.)

Semester/Term Grade Point Average - Victoria College computes a grade point average for each individual semester/term of enrollment. The semester/term G.P.A. is calculated using all hours(both credit and/or developmental) in which a grade of A,B,C,D, or F was earned. The semester/term G.P.A. is used for determining scholastic probation/enforced withdrawal status.

Cumulative Grade Point Average - Victoria College computes two individual cumulative G.P.A.'s. One cumulative G.P.A. is computed using all hours (both credit and/or developmental) in which a grade of A,B,C,D, or F was earned. This cumulative G.P.A. is used for determining financial aid warning/suspension status.

A second cumulative G.P.A. is computed using only credit hours in which a grade of A,B,C,D, or F was earned. This cumulative G.P.A. is used for graduation purposes.

GRADE REPORTS

Eight Weeks Report: Unsatisfactory grades (D or F) are mailed to the student at the end of the first eight weeks in each semester. Eight weeks grades are not recorded on a permanent record.

Semester Report: Permanent grades are reported and recorded on the permanent record of the student at the end of each semester/term. Final grades are made available on the Victoria College website at this time (www.victoriacollege.edu.) Students select a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to be used each time grades are accessed and for registration purposes. Grade reports are no longer mailed to students unless a request is made in the Admissions and Records Office (361-572-6408.)

REGISTRATION

The College calendar in the front of this bulletin designates the dates for registration at the beginning of each session. The class schedule for each semester should be referred to for any revisions, adjustments, and greater detail concerning dates and procedures. During the registration process, prospective students complete prescribed forms, develop a schedule of classes, and pay tuition. Students will not be admitted to classes until all tuition and fees have been paid in full or have made arrangements with the Business Office to utilize the installment plan. Inquiries about registration should be addressed to Admissions and Records Office.

Web Registration

A procedure enabling students to register and make schedule changes during designated time periods on the web is available to students meeting the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Passing scores on all parts of assessment or assessment exempt.
  2. Clear record-no holds due to admissions, parking, Library, etc.
  3. Returning VC student or transfer student who has completed application process. Beginning freshmen are not eligible.
  4. Enrolled in a Level I certificate program (regardless of whether or not assessment has been taken and passed).
  5. Good Academic Standing - not on Scholastic Probation.

Students will use their SAM username and password to login to Web Registration. There is a link on the Web Registration page for new students to obtain their SAM username and password. Students eligible to self-register on the web who wish to register with an advisor's assistance may do so at the times listed in the Advisor Assisted portion of the class schedule. The class schedule should be referred to for details concerning times and dates to register.

SESSIONS AND CREDIT

The College operates on the semester plan during the long session with two semesters of sixteen weeks each. In addition, Fast Track classes are offered in eight-week terms throughout the fall and spring semesters. A May Interim session of ten days is available over a three-week period between the end of the spring semester and the beginning of the first summer session. The summer session is divided into two terms of approximately five weeks each for the day classes. The evening summer session is one term of eight weeks.

The unit of credit in college is the semester hour, which is the credit earned by passing a course which meets one hour per week for a semester. The normal load for a student varies from fifteen to eighteen semester hours.

In the summer session a student normally earns twelve semester hours in the two terms of day classes. The Association of Texas Colleges sets fourteen semester hours as the maximum which may be earned in a summer session.

COURSE LOAD PER SEMESTER/TERM

Students may enroll in a maximum of five courses, in addition to Physical Education, each fall and/or spring semester. Students may enroll in six semester credit hours per five and a half week summer term. Summer Term exceptions (such as 2 three-hour courses in addition to a Physical Education course) must be approved by a counselor in the Counseling Services Office. Students may enroll in a maximum of one course during an interim session.

Students may be granted permission to enroll in excess of the allowable number of courses by the Director of Counseling Services. Special permission will be considered only for those students:

  1. who have completed all parts of the Texas Success Initiative, and have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (excluding developmental courses) on 30+ semester credit hours on coursework taken at Victoria College or
  2. for which the extra course will enable the student to graduate at the end of the semester/term in which permission is given or
  3. who are enrolled in a selective admission program of the Allied Health Division which requires the student to enroll in a greater number of courses under the Guidelines for Instructional Programs in Workforce Education (THECB).

DETERMINATION OF CREDIT: MILITARY TRAINING, VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS, OTHER COURSES IN QUESTION

The Victoria College grants credit for military training and vocational school coursework upon enrollment only if the courses are applicable to the student’s major at Victoria College in the Workforce Development area. In addition, Physical Education credit (up to 4 hours) may be granted for military (active duty) service with submission of the DD-214.

Other college credit courses which do not have a clear cut equivalent (due to being taken at an out-of-state/private school, taken a number of years ago, etc.) may be evaluated by the appropriate department for credit determination.

Procedure for Determination of Credit:

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Victoria College does not grant credit for experiential learning.

CREDIT BY EXAM

The Victoria College recognizes that students, by reasons independent of the college environment, may already have achieved college-level proficiency in credit courses. Therefore, students at The Victoria College may receive credit for this achievement (1) through national standardized testing and/or (2) through a local subject area exam. The examinations that comprise the basis of The Victoria College program are: College Level Examination Program (CLEP), College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations, Enhanced American College Testing (ACT) Program, College Board (SAT) Program, the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBD), and The Victoria College Departmental Course Examinations.

To have credit by exam posted on permanent record, students must complete the Petition to Record Credit by Examination available in the Admissions and Records Office.

THE VICTORIA COLLEGE CREDIT BY EXAMINATION AND MINIMUM SCORE REQUIREMENTS

DISCIPLINE VC CREDIT TEST MINIMUM SCORE
BIOLOGY
8 hours-BIOL 1406-1407 AP 4
4 hours-BIOL 1406 CLEP (General Biology) 53
4 hours-BIOL 1406 IB: Higher Level 4
8 hours-BIOL 1406-1407 CLEP (General Biology) 55
8 hours-BIOL 1406-1407 IB: Higher Level 5
4 hours-BIOL 1408 IB: Standard Level 4
CHEMISTRY
4 hours-CHEM 1405 IB: Standard Level 4-5
8 hours-CHEM 1411-1412 IB: Higher Level 5
4 hours-CHEM 1411 IB: Higher Level 4
8 hours-CHEM 1411-1412 AP 4
4 hours-CHEM 1411 CLEP (General Chemistry) 41
8 hours-CHEM 1411-1412 CLEP (General Chemistry) 47
4 hours-CHEM 1411 SAT II Subject Test 630
COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS
3 hours-BCIS 1305 Departmental Exam Contact Department
3 hours-COSC 1301 CLEP (Info Systems & Computer Apps.) 57
3 hours-ITSC 1305 (ITSC 1321) Departmental Exam Contact Department
3 hours-ITSC 1309 Departmental Exam Contact Department
3 hours-ITSC 1307 Departmental Exam Contact Department
3 hours-ITSW 1301 Departmental Exam Contact Department
3 hours-ITSY 1342 Security + Reports with passing score
4 hours-ITSC 1425 A+ Operating Systemsand A+ Core Hardware Reports with passing score
4 hours-ITNW 2413 Cisco 641-821 Reports with passing score
4 hours-ITNW 2415 Cisco 640-811 Reports with passing score
8 hours-ITNW 2413, ITNW 2415 Cisco 640-801 Reports with passing score
ECONOMICS
3 hours-ECON 2301 IB: Standard Level 4-7
3 hours-ECON 2301 IB: Higher Level 4-7
3 hours-ECON 2301 CLEP (Prin. of Macro.) 55
3 hours-ECON 2301 AP (Macroeconomics) 4
3 hours-ECON 2302 CLEP (Prin. of Micro.) 55
3 hours-ECON 2302 AP (Microeconomics) 4
ELECTRONICS
4 hours-CETT 1403 Departmental Exam Contact Department
4 hours-CETT 1405 Departmental Exam Contact Department
3 hours-CETT 1341 Departmental Exam Contact Department
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS
3 hours-EMSP 1355 Departmental Exam Contact Department
3 hours-EMSP 1356 Departmental Exam Contact Department
4 hours-EMSP 1438 Departmental Exam Contact Department
5 hours-EMSP 1501 Departmental Exam Contact Department
3 hours-EMSP 2330 Departmental Exam Contact Department
3 hours-EMSP 2338 Departmental Exam Contact Department
4 hours-EMSP 2434 Departmental Exam Contact Department
4 hours-EMSP 2444 Departmental Exam Contact Department
ENGLISH
3 hours-ENGL 1301 IB: Standard Level 4
3 hours-ENGL 1301 IB: Higher Level 4
3 hours-ENGL 1301 CLEP (Fresh. Comp./Essay) 52
3 hours-ENGL 1301 Enhanced ACT (English) 30
3 hours-ENGL 1301 SAT I Verbal Reasoning 650
3 hours-ENGL 1301 AP (English Language & Composition) 3
3 hours-ENGL 1302 IB: Standard Level
(Extended Essay=A) 		4
3 hours-ENGL 1302 IB: Higher Level
(Extended Essay=A) 		4
GEOGRAPHY
3 hours-GEOG 1303 IB: Standard Level 4-7
3 hours-GEOG 1303 IB: Higher Level 4-7
GOVERNMENT
3 hours-GOVT 2302 CLEP (Am. Govt.) 55
3 hours-GOVT 2302 AP (Am. Govt.) 4
HISTORY (U.S.)
3 hours-HIST 1301 CLEP (Hist. of U.S. I) 55
3 hours-HIST 1301 AP (American History) 4
3 hours-HIST 1302 CLEP (Hist. of U.S. II) 55
MATHEMATICS
3 hours-MATH 1314 IB: Standard Level
(Mathematical Methods)		 4
3 hours-MATH 1314 IB: Standard Level
(Further Mathematics)		 4
3 hours-MATH 1314 CLEP (College Algebra) 50
3 hours-MATH 1314 Enhanced ACT (Math) 30
3 hours-MATH 1314 SAT I (Mathematics) 600
3 hours-MATH 1324 IB: Standard Level
(Mathematical Studies)		 4
3 hours-MATH 1332 IB: Standard Level
(Mathematics) 		4
3 hours-MATH 2312 CLEP (Precalculus) 50
3 hours-MATH 2312 IB: Standard Level
(Mathematical Methods)		 5
3 hours-MATH 2312 IB: Standard Level
(Further Mathematics) 		5
3 hours-MATH 2312 IB: Higher Level
(Mathematics) 		4
7 hours-Math 2312 & 2413 IB: Higher Level
(Mathematics) 		5
4 hours-MATH 2413 CLEP (Calculus) 50
4 hours-MATH 2413 AP (Calculus) 4
4 hours-MATH 2413 AP (Calculus BC) 3
8 hours-MATH 2413-2414 AP (Calculus BC) 4
MUSIC
3 hours-MUSI 1306 IB: Standard Level 4
3 hours-MUSI 1306 IB: Higher Level 4
PHILOSOPHY
3 hours-PHIL 1301 IB: Standard Level 4
3 hours-PHIL 1301 IB: Higher Level 4
PHYSICS
3 hours-PHYS 1315 IB: Standard Level 4
8 hours-PHYS 1401 & 1402 IB: Higher Level 4
8 hours-PHYS 1401-1402 AP (Physics B) 4
4 hours-PHYS 1401 AP (Physics C -Mech.) 3
4 hours-PHYS 1402 AP (Physics C-Elect. & Magnetism) 3
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE TECHNOLOGY
3 hours-POFT 2312 Departmental Exam Contact Department
3 hours-POFT 1321 Departmental Exam Contact Department
3 hours- ITSC 1309 Departmental Exam Contact Department
3 hours- ITSC 1305 (ITSC 1321) Departmental Exam Contact Department
3 hours-ITSW 1301 Departmental Exam Contact Department
PROCESS TECHNOLOGY
3 hour -PTAC 1302 Departmental Exam Contact Department
PSYCHOLOGY
3 hours-PSYC 2301 IB: Standard Level 4-7
3 hours-PSYC 2301 IB: Higher Level 4-7
3 hours-PSYC 2301 CLEP (Psychology) 55
3 hours-PSYC 2301 AP (Psychology) 4
SOCIOLOGY
3 hours-SOCI 1301 CLEP (Sociology) 55
SPANISH
VC Placement/Credit Policy (See instructor and/or department head)
VISUAL ART
3 hours-ARTS 1301 IB: Standard Level 4
3 hours-ARTS 1301 IB: Higher Level 4
WELDING
4 hours-WLDG 1421 * Departmental Exam Contact Department
4 hours-WLDG 1428 * Departmental Exam Contact Department
3 hours-WLDG 1313 ** Departmental Exam Contact Department
3 hour- MCHN 1343** Departmental Exam Contact Department
*Exam is written and "hands-on" welding skills.
**Exam is written only.

"Advanced Placement (AP) exams are offered once each year in May, usually in high schools that offer college-level courses based on AP course descriptions."

TECH-PREP CREDIT

Students who took Tech-Prep courses at area high schools will have their credit held in escrow at Victoria College for 24 months after the date of the students' high school graduation or completion of their GED. The students will receive their college credit from Victoria College when they complete the following steps:

  1. The student must complete all portions of the Texas Success Initiative and have the results sent to Victoria College, or complete the Developmental Education Plan requirements for a certificate program, where applicable.
  2. The student must complete and submit the Application for Admission form to the Victoria College Admissions and Records Office.
  3. The student must have an official high school transcript forwarded to Victoria College with the Tech-Prep notation next to the appropriate high school Tech-Prep course.
  4. The student must successfully complete three hours of credit at Victoria College.
  5. Upon successful completion of the above requirements, students must fill out an application for Tech-Prep credit in the Admissions and Records Office in order to have the appropriate courses posted to their academic transcript.

Tech-Prep credit added to Victoria College transcripts will be entered as Tech-Prep Credit. Tech-Prep Credit will result in credit only. Grade point average will not be affected.

For more information or questions concerning the Tech-Prep program, contact the Tech-Prep/School-to-Career Office at (361) 485-6802.

TRANSFER OF CREDIT

A senior college is authorized by the Association of Texas Colleges to accept sixty-six semester hours from a community college. Students with acceptable grades do not experience any difficulty in transferring sixty-six hours from Victoria College to senior colleges that are members of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or other regional accrediting associations. After the student has attended the senior college, he or she may transfer six additional hours (in addition to the sixty-six) from the community college provided the hours are approved in advance by the senior college.

Many engineering schools will accept seventy-two semester hours from a community college because of the heavy load required of freshman and sophomore engineering students, and because of the large number of hours required for an engineering degree.

When credit is transferred from Victoria College to a senior college, the grades are not reduced to "C" by the senior college. Grades are sent forward on the transcript because they are a part of the record. They may or may not be entered on the record of the receiving school. Whether they are entered or not, the transferring student has to make an acceptable grade-point average at the receiving school. The work taken at a community college is not used in computing the grade-point average at the receiving school.

It is the responsibility of the student to familiarize himself or herself with the course requirements of the college to which he or she plans to transfer and to make certain requirements both as to the choice of courses and the quality of grades in those courses are satisfied. Please contact Counseling Services for additional information.

CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS

Full-time students are those enrolled for twelve hours or more during fall and spring semesters. Six hours or more is considered full-time during summer sessions. Half-time students are those enrolled in six hours during fall and spring; 3 hours during summer sessions. Any student enrolled for less than full-time is considered a part-time student.

A sophomore student is one who has credit for thirty to fifty-nine hours. A freshman student is one who has credit for fewer than thirty semester hours.

ACADEMIC FRESH START

Effective Fall 1993

In 1993 the Texas legislature enacted the Academic Fresh Start statute, Texas Higher Education Code 51.929, which is intended to assist students with a prior history of poor academic performance to achieve a new start in education. Under the provisions of this statute, courses taken ten years or more prior to the starting date of the semester of enrollment may not, at the discretion of the student, be calculated into the grade point average. Applicants who wish to enroll under the Academic Fresh Start may not count some courses and discount others; all courses must be discounted in the grade point average calculation. All other admission requirements apply, for example, transcripts from all previous higher educational institutions must be provided, whether or not the work will count in the grade point average calculation.

Students with three or more semester credit hours or the equivalent from an accredited institution awarded prior to the fall semester 1989 were considered exempt from the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) regardless of any election of Academic Fresh Start if enrollment with a Texas public college or university took place prior to Spring 2004. Students enrolling after this time may require assessment testing.

“Academic Fresh Start” clears only the student’s academic record. The Financial Aid Office is required to count all prior credits earned/attempted when determining a student’s eligibility for financial aid.

The Academic Fresh Start process is initiated in the Counseling Services Office.

AUDIT POLICY

Students who wish to sit in on a class without earning credit may do so on a space-available basis under the Audit policy. Students must meet all prerequisites for the class, or have instructor approval, and may not register to audit a class until the last registration period. The audit fee is $100 per course (in place of tuition) plus all other course fees as listed on the Tuition and Fee page in the catalog and course schedule. Courses that are audited do not earn credit and may not be changed to a credit course at a later date.

LEGISLATION AFFECTING FALL 2006 AND AFTER BEGINNING FRESHMEN (30-HOUR RULE)

HB 1172 and SB 1528 of the 79th Texas Legislature amended the Texas Education Code (Sections 54.014 {54.068 renumbered in 2005}) to limit the number of semester credit hours per undergraduate student that institutions may submit for state funding. This ruling applies to students who first enroll in college in the Fall 2006 semester or later. Students who have attempted 30 or more credit hours beyond the amount required for their degree at Texas public colleges or universities may be charged additional tuition. See the Non-State Funded course fee. (This does not include credit hours for which the student paid out-of-state tuition, courses designated as developmental, any hours removed under Academic Fresh Start, or hours accumulated toward a previous baccalaureate degree.) Students who entered higher education for the first time prior to fall 1999 while classified for tuition purposes as a Texas resident are exempt.

45-HOUR LIMIT

Senate Bill 345 of the 76th Texas Legislature amended the Texas Education Code to limit the number of semester credit hours per undergraduate student that institutions may submit for state funding. Specifically, students who exceed the number of hours required for the degree being sought by 45 semester credit hours may be charged higher rates of tuition. This ruling applies to students who first enroll in college in the Fall 1999 semester or later. Credit hours for developmental and technical courses are not counted in the 45-hour limit.

LEGISLATION CONCERNING PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSES

An appropriations rider (Special Provisions Relating Only to State Agencies of Higher Education, Sec. 44, Funding for Physical Education Courses) which became effective the Fall 1999 semester states that colleges and universities will not receive funds for students who enroll in a Physical Education course if: 1) it is the only course being taken that semester; 2) the student is non-degree seeking; and 3) the course (same activity) has already been taken. Students falling into this category will be charged additional tuition (approximately $160.00). If this additional charge is not made at registration, it may be collected during the semester. Failure to pay this charge (if student is notified during the semester rather than at registration) will result in a hold being placed on the student's record.

ADDING COURSES

Students who wish to add a course(s) after paying fees must do so by the date printed in the College catalog and/or in the official class schedule. Course additions may be initiated in Counseling Services Office or on the web for those eligible (see current course schedule). Adding a course(s) is considered to be a schedule change. A $5 fee is charged for each schedule change (as well as additional tuition/lab fees for courses) initiated by the student through the official reporting date of each semester/term.

WITHDRAWAL

COURSE LOAD REDUCTION
  1. Eligible students may use the College’s web registration system to complete a course load reduction through the last day of late registration (see current course schedule for details); thereafter, all students must follow step
  2. Students may complete a course load reduction by submitting a written request by email, mail, fax, or in person to the Counseling Services Office.
    Email: counselorhelp@victoriacollege.edu
    Fax: 361-582-2525
    Telephone: 361-572-6405
    Mail: The Victoria College, Counseling Services, 2200 E. Red River, Victoria, Texas 77901
  3. Students enrolled in selective admission programs must follow withdrawal procedures established by the specific program.
  4. A course load reduction is considered a schedule change. A $5 fee is charged for each schedule change initiated by the student through the last day for refunds.
TOTAL WITHDRAWAL
  1. Eligible students may use the College’s web registration system to complete a total withdrawal through the last day of late registration (see current course schedule for details); thereafter, all students must follow step
  2. Students may complete a total withdrawal by submitting a written request by email, mail, fax, or in person to the Counseling Services Office.
    Email: counselorhelp@victoriacollege.edu
    Fax: 361-582-2525
    Telephone: 361-572-6405
    Mail: The Victoria College, Counseling Services, 2200 E. Red River, Victoria, Texas 77901
  3. Students enrolled in selective admission programs must follow withdrawal procedures established by the specific program.
  4. A total withdrawal is considered a schedule change. A $5 fee is charged for each schedule change initiated by the student through the last day for refunds.
Effects of Student-Initiated Course Load Reduction/Total Withdrawals
  1. All withdrawals initiated by the student through the twelfth (12th) week of classes during the fall and spring semesters will effect a course grade of W.
  2. After the twelfth (12th) and no later than the end of the fourteenth (14th) week of classes, withdrawals initiated by the student will effect either a course grade of W or F. These letter grades will be determined by and be dependent on the course grade at the time of the withdrawal:
    • W if the course grade is equivalent to a numeric average of sixty (60) or higher.
    • F if the course grade is lower than a numeric average of sixty (60) or its equivalent.
  3. After the fourteenth (14th) week of classes, NO WITHDRAWALS will be permitted.
  4. The above regulations also apply to each of the two Summer School sessions with days and/or weeks pro-rated.
Instructor Initiated Drops for Excessive Absences

Any drop initiated by an instructor for excessive absences will effect a course grade of W if the student's course grade is equivalent to a numeric average of sixty (60) or above at the time of the request; otherwise, the grade will be an F.

FINAL EXAMINATIONS

  1. Semester Final Examinations. Examinations are normally given at the end of each semester term according to a schedule prepared by the Admissions and Records Office. Those classes the scheduling of which deviates from the normal semester schedule should take final examinations when those classes end. Examinations are not given early, and no exemptions are granted.
  2. Online Final Examinations. Examinations may be offered during the week of final exams via online or within the same format as traditional class finals which are not to exceed three hours. Students should not be required to take exams during times that conflict with the final exam schedule prepared by the Admissions and Records Office. Online final examinations, at the discretion of the instructor and with approval from the appropriate Division Chair/Director, may be given after all other course requirements have been completed, but no later than the end of the week of finals.
  3. Postponed Examination. If a student is unable to take an exam as scheduled, the student must petition the instructor in writing prior to scheduled time of final in order to reschedule the exam.
  4. Absence from an examination without valid reason will result in a grade of F for the course.

DEAN’S LIST

Students who earn a 3.50 or higher grade point average by completing at least twelve semester credit hours (excluding developmental courses) are listed on the Dean's List at the end of each semester.

Honors

To graduate with honors, a candidate must have a 3.5 Victoria College cumulative grade point average, excluding developmental course work. Candidates will not be considered for honors unless they have been in attendance at Victoria College for a minimum of two semesters and completed a minimum of twenty-four semester credit hours in residence. Honor designations are as follows: 3.5-3.69 Cum Laude; 3.7-3.89 Magna Cum Laude; 3.9-4.0 Summa Cum Laude.

DEGREE/CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

The Victoria College grants the Associate of Arts Degree, the Associate of Science Degree, the Associate of Applied Science Degree, the Associate of Arts in Teaching and the Certificate for selected Technical Programs.

The student who is a candidate for the Associate of Arts Degree, the Associate of Science Degree, the Associate of Applied Science Degree, the Associate of Arts in Teaching or a technical Certificate must make an application for graduation to the Admissions and Records Office during the semester in which the applicant plans to graduate.

Course substitutions may be considered only for an Associate of Applied Science Degree or for the Certificate for selected Technical Programs. Substitutions must be initiated with the appropriate department coordinator. Technical courses may not be substituted for general education courses. There are no substitutions for Core Curriculum courses for the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science Degree.

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE
  1. Unconditional admission or the removal of all entrance conditions.
  2. Completion of a minimum of 62 semester credit hours with at least a 2.0 grade point average. Only Victoria College courses will be used in grade point average calculation.
  3. Completion of at least 25 percent of semester credit hours earned through instruction at Victoria College.
  4. Satisfy the Texas Success Initiative.
  5. Completion of one course (3 hours) of literature in addition to core requirements. Select one course: ENGL 2322, 2323, 2327, 2328, 2332, 2333.
  6. Completion of Core Curriculum

Completion of a minimum of 45 core curriculum semester hours including:

Core Component Course Selection Minimum Hours Required
COMMUNICATION
English 010 Select 2 courses: ENGL 1301, 1302, 2311 6
Speech 011 Select 1 course: SPCH 1315, 1318, 1321 3
MATHEMATICS
020 Select 1 course: MATH 1314, 1316, 1324, 1325, 1332, 1342, 1350, 1351, 2312, or 2413 3
NATURAL SCIENCES
030 Select 2 courses: (Must include at least one laboratory science) BIOL 1322, 1406, 1407, 1408, 1409, 2306, 2401, 2402, 2404, 2406, 2420; CHEM 1405, 1406, 1411, 1412; ENVR 1301; PHYS 1315, 1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, 2425, 2426; GEOL 1305, 1403, 1404 7
HUMANITIES / VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
Humanities 040 Select 1 course: ENGL 2322, 2323, 2327, 2328 3
Visual/ Performing Arts 050 Select 1 course: ARTS 1303, 1304, 1325; DRAM 1310, 2361, 2362; MUSI 1300, 1306, 1308, 1309, 1311 3
SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
History 060 HIST 1301, 1302, 2301 6
Government 070 GOVT 2301, 2302 6
Social/ Behavioral Science 080 Select 1 course: SOCI 1301; PSYC 2301; ECON 2301, 2302; GEOG 1303; HIST 2311, 2312 3
INSTITUTIONALLY DESIGNATED OPTION
090 COSC 1301 or BCIS 1305 3
090 Physical Education 2
Total Minimum Hours 45
** Associate of Arts degree also requires an additional Humanities course (3 hours).
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE
  1. Unconditional admission or the removal of all entrance conditions.
  2. Completion of a minimum of 62 semester credit hours with at least a 2.0 grade point average. Only Victoria College courses will be used in grade point average calculation.
  3. Completion of at least 25 percent of semester credit hours earned through instruction at Victoria College.
  4. Satisfy the Texas Success Initiative.
  5. Completion of one course (3-4 hours) of mathematics in addition to core requirements. Select one course: MATH 1314, 1316, 1324, 1325, 1332, 1342, 2312, 2413, 2414
  6. Completion of Core Curriculum

Completion of a minimum of 45 core curriculum semester hours including:

Core Component Course Selection Minimum Hours Required
COMMUNICATION
English 010 Select 2 courses: ENGL 1301, 1302, 2311 6
Speech 011 Select 1 course: SPCH 1315, 1318, 1321 3
MATHEMATICS
020 Select 1 course: MATH 1314, 1316, 1324, 1325,1332, 1342, 1350, 1351, 2312, or 2413 3
NATURAL SCIENCES
030 Select 2 courses: (Must include at least one laboratory science) BIOL 1322, 1406, 1407, 1408, 1409, 2306, 2401, 2402, 2404, 2406, 2420; CHEM 1405, 1406, 1411, 1412; ENVR 1301; PHYS 1315, 1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, 2425, 2426; GEOL 1305, 1403, 1404 7
HUMANITIES / VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
Humanities 040 Select 1 course: ENGL 2322, 2323, 2327, 2328 3
Visual/
Performing Arts		 050 Select 1 course: ARTS 1303, 1304, 1325; DRAM 1310, 2361, 2362; MUSI 1300, 1306, 1308, 1309, 1311 3
SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
History 060 HIST 1301, 1302, 2301 6
Government 070 GOVT 2301, 2302 6
Social/
Behavioral Science		 080 Select 1 course: SOCI 1301; PSYC 2301; ECON 2301, 2302; GEOG 1303; HIST 2311, 2312 3
INSTITUTIONALLY DESIGNATED OPTION
090 COSC 1301 or BCIS 1305 3
090 Physical Education 2
Total Minimum Hours 45
**Associate of Science degree also requires an additional Mathematics course (3-4 hours).
(Licensed and certified graduates of the Citizens Medical Center Program of Radiography who are interested in receiving block credit for 16 credit hours of Radiography course work toward an Associate of Science Degree should contact Counseling Services Office for admission and graduation requirements.)
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN TEACHING DEGREE

(EC-4: except Early Childhood Degree Specialization, 4-8, EC-12)

  1. Unconditional admission or the removal of all entrance conditions.
  2. Completion of a minimum of 62 semester credit hours with at least a 2.0 grade point average. Only Victoria College courses will be used in grade point average calculation.
  3. Completion of at least 25 percent of semester credit hours earned through instruction at The Victoria College.
  4. Satisfy the Texas Success Initiative.
  5. Completion of two courses (6 hours) of math in addition to core requirements: MATH1350 and MATH 1351.
  6. Completion of two courses (6 hours) of science in addition to core requirements.
  7. Completion of field-experience courses (6 hours): EDUC 1301 and EDUC 2301.
  8. Completion of Core Curriculum
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN TEACHING DEGREE

(8-12, Other EC-12*)

  1. Unconditional admission or the removal of all entrance conditions.
  2. Completion of a minimum of 62 semester credit hours with at least a 2.0 grade point average. Only Victoria College courses will be used in grade point average calculation.
  3. Completion of at least 25 percent of semester credit hours earned through instruction at The Victoria College.
  4. Satisfy the Texas Success Initiative.
  5. Completion of field-experience courses (6 hours): EDUC 1301 and EDUC 2301.
  6. Content area teaching fields/academic disciplines (12 hours): Contact transfer university to determine EC-Grade 12 certification requirements.
  7. Completion of Core Curriculum
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN TEACHING DEGREE

(EC-4 Early Childhood Degree Specialization)

  1. Unconditional admission or the removal of all entrance conditions.
  2. Completion of a minimum of 62 semester credit hours with at least a 2.0 grade point average. Only Victoria College courses will be used in grade point average calculation.
  3. Completion of at least 25 percent of semester credit hours earned through instruction at The Victoria College.
  4. Satisfy the Texas Success Initiative.
  5. Completion of two courses (6 hours) of math in addition to core requirements: MATH1350 and MATH 1351.
  6. Completion of two courses (6 hours) of science in addition to core requirements (may be taken at receiving university).
  7. Completion of current TECA classes (12 hours) - TECA 1303, TECA 1311, TECA 1318, TECA 1354.
  8. Completion of Core Curriculum

Completion of a minimum of 45 core curriculum semester hours including:

Core Component Course Selection Minimum Hours Required
COMMUNICATION
English 010 Select 2 courses: ENGL 1301, 1302, 2311 6
Speech 011 Select 1 course: SPCH 1315, 1318, 1321 3
MATHEMATICS
020 Select 1 course: MATH 1314, 1316, 1324, 1325, 1332, 1342, 1350, 1351, 2312, or 2413 3
NATURAL SCIENCES
030 Select 2 courses: (Must include at least one laboratory science) BIOL 1322, 1406, 1407, 1408, 1409, 2306, 2401, 2402, 2404, 2406, 2420; CHEM 1405, 1406, 1411, 1412; ENVR 1301; PHYS 1315, 1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, 2425, 2426; GEOL 1305, 1403, 1404 7
HUMANITIES / VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
Humanities 040 Select 1 course: ENGL 2322, 2323, 2327, 2328 3
Visual/
Performing Arts		 050 Select 1 course: ARTS 1303, 1304, 1325; DRAM 1310, 2361, 2362; MUSI 1300, 1306, 1308, 1309, 1311 3
SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
History 060 HIST 1301, 1302, 2301 6
Government 070 GOVT 2301, 2302 6
Social /
Behavioral Science		 080 Select 1 course: SOCI 1301; PSYC 2301; ECON 2301, 2302; GEOG 1303; HIST 2311, 2312 3
INSTITUTIONALLY DESIGNATED OPTION
090 COSC 1301 or BCIS 1305 3
090 Physical Education 2
Total Minimum Hours 45
Associate of Applied Science Degree
  1. Unconditional admission or the removal of all entrance conditions.
  2. Completion of a minimum of 62 semester credit hours with at least a 2.0 grade point average. Only Victoria College courses will be used in grade point average calculation.
  3. Completion of all courses in the program of study as outlined in the catalog.
  4. Completion of two semester hours of physical education.
  5. Completion of at least 25 percent of semester credit hours earned through instruction at Victoria College.
  6. Satisfy the Texas Success Initiative.
Certificate of Completion in a Technical Program

The Victoria College grants a Certificate of Completion in a variety of technical programs. To earn a Certificate of Completion, students must complete the following requirements:

  1. Unconditional admission or the removal of all entrance conditions.
  2. Completion of the minimum semester or contact hours as outlined in the program of study in the catalog with at least a 2.0 grade point average. Only Victoria College courses will be used in the grade point average calculation.
  3. Completion of at least 25 percent of the semester or contact hours earned through instruction at Victoria College.
  4. Successful completion of all required developmental instruction.
Catalog Year Designation for Degree and/or Certificate Requirements

Catalog year designations are made according to the following guidelines:

GRADUATION PARTICIPATION AND HONORS

Participation in graduation ceremonies is optional for those candidates who have met the minimum degree or certificate requirements for the Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, Associate of Applied Science, the Associate of Arts in Teaching, or Certificate. Candidates electing to graduate must complete a Graduation Application in the Admissions and Records Office located in the Administration Building. It is preferred that the Graduation Application be completed within the first two weeks of the semester/term in which the candidate plans to graduate. The highest honor (G.P.A.) graduate(s) for an Associate Degree as well as the highest honor (G.P.A.) graduate(s) for a Certificate will be recognized during the commencement ceremony. Graduation with honors is noted on the official student transcript.

To graduate with honors, a candidate must have a 3.5 Victoria College cumulative grade point average, excluding developmental course work. Candidates will not be considered for honors unless they have been in attendance at Victoria College for a minimum of two semesters and completed a minimum of twenty-four semester credit hours in residence. Honor designations are as follows: 3.5-3.69 Cum Laude; 3.7-3.89 Magna Cum Laude; 3.9-4.0 Summa Cum Laude.

VICTORIA COLLEGE TRANSFER CREDIT GUARANTEE

Victoria College guarantees the transferability of course credits to any state supported Texas college or university. If such courses are rejected by the receiving institution, the student may take courses tuition-free at Victoria College which are acceptable to the receiving institution, under the following conditions:

  1. Transferability means the acceptance of credits toward a specific major and degree. Courses must be identified by the receiving institution as transferable;
  2. Limitations of total number of credits accepted in transfer, grades required, relevant grade point average, and duration of transferability apply as stated in the catalog of the receiving institution; and
  3. The guarantee applies exclusively to courses included in a written advising plan, which includes the institution to which the student will transfer, the major and degree sought, and the date that the educational goal was made. This information must be filed with Victoria College.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board distinguishes between transfer problems and transfer disputes.

Transfer problems may include, but are not limited to the following:

TRANSFER DISPUTES

Transfer disputes may arise when a lower-division course is not accepted for credit by a Texas institution of higher education. To qualify as a dispute the course(s) in question must be offered by the institution denying the credit (receiving institution), or in the case of upper-level institutions, must be published as a lower-division course accepted for fulfilling lower-level requirements. For community colleges, the course(s) must be listed in the Community College General Academic Course Guide Manual, and be offered at the receiving institution. Additionally, the sending institution must challenge the receiving institution's denial of credit.

Instructions for Completing the "Transfer Dispute Resolution" Form, Rules and Regulations of The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Chapter 5, Subchapter S 5.393:

  1. The following procedures shall be followed by public institutions of higher education in the resolution of credit transfer disputes involving lower-division courses:
    1. 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 credit is denied.
    2. The two institutions and the student shall attempt to resolve the transfer of the course credit in accordance with Board rules and/or guidelines.
    3. 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 receives written notice of denial, the institution whose credit is denied for transfer shall notify the Commissioner of the denial.
  2. 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.
  3. All public institutions of higher education shall publish the procedures described in subsections (a) and (b) of this section in their undergraduate course catalogs.
  4. All public institutions of higher education shall furnish data to the Board on transfer disputes as the Board may require in accord with its statutory responsibilities under Section 61.078(e) of the Education Code.
  5. If a receiving institution has cause to believe that a course being presented by a student for transfer from another school is not of an acceptable level of quality, it should notify the Commissioner of Higher Education. The Commissioner may investigate the course. If its quality is found to be unacceptable, the Board may discontinue funding for the course.

JOB COMPETENCY GUARANTEE

If an Associate of Applied Science graduate is judged by his/her employer to be lacking in technical job skills identified as exit competencies for his/her specific degree program, the graduate will be provided up to nine tuition-free credit hours of additional skill training by Victoria College under the conditions of the policy. Conditions which apply to the guarantee are as follows:

  1. The graduate must have earned the A.A.S. degree beginning May 1993 or thereafter in a technical/vocational program identified in the college catalog.
  2. The graduate must have completed the A.A.S. degree at Victoria College (with a majority of the credits being earned at Victoria College) and must have completed the degree within a four-year time span.
  3. Graduates must be employed full-time in an area directly related to the area of program concentration as certified by the Dean of Instructional Services.
  4. Employment must commence within 3 months of graduation.
  5. The employer must certify in writing that the employee is lacking entry-level skills identified by Victoria College as the employee's program competencies and must specify the areas of deficiency within 90 days of the graduate's initial employment.
  6. The employer, graduate, and assigned representative(s) of the college will develop a written educational plan for retraining.
  7. Retraining will be limited to 9 credit hours related to the identified skill deficiency and to those classes regularly scheduled during the period covered by the retraining plan.
  8. All retraining must be completed within a calendar year from the time that the retraining plan is signed.
  9. The student's sole remedy against Victoria College and its employees for skill deficiencies shall be limited to 9 credit hours of tuition and selected expense-free education under the conditions described above. Selected expenses are limited to in-county or out-of-county, registration, building use, student service and laboratory fees. The graduate and/or employer is responsible for the cost of books, insurance, uniforms, and other course-related expenses.

The guarantee does not imply that the graduate will pass any licensing or qualifying examination for a particular career.

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2200 East Red River
Victoria, Texas 77901
361.572.6456
FAX 361.572.6419

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The Victoria College
2200 East Red River Victoria, TX 77901 · 361.573.3291 · FAX 361.572.3850
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