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South Plains College is committed to quality academic standards and to providing each student with an opportunity to master required skills and competencies. The requirements for degrees and certificates granted by South Plains College are based on guidelines established by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Associate degree programs contain a basic core of at least 15 semester hours of general education courses, including at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral science, and natural sciences/mathematics. Graduates also must be competent in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills, and the basic use of computers.
General Education Core Curriculum
The general education core represents areas of knowledge and performance that reflect not only courses taken and the degrees earned but also learning as a lifetime endeavor. The curriculum at South Plains College is designed to help students learn how to discover, appreciate and competently use, with increasing independence, knowledge and skills related to the following areas: human behavior and achievement; the natural world, including logical thought as exemplified by mathematics; written/oral communication and critical reflection; and the application of technology to personal endeavors. General education courses are broad and general, addressing the essence of the disciplines in each area. The South Plains College transfer core curriculum incorporates all the course requirements of the general education core.
The purpose of the general education core curriculum at South Plains College is to outline the skills and competencies expected of students who receive the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degrees from the college or who transfer to complete baccalaureate degrees. These learning outcomes include, but are not necessarily limited to, the ability to:
- Communicate and collaborate effectively;
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to the real world;
- Demonstrate an understanding of visual and performing aeshetics and the creative process;
- Understand civic and personal responsibility in our global society.
The core curriculum program established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board facilitates the transfer of college-level credit among colleges and universities in Texas. Each institution is required to establish a core curriculum of at least 42 semester hours credit that fulfill the general education requirements of degree programs on the associate degree and baccalaureate degree levels. The following courses have been identified as fulfilling the minimum requirements of the general education core curriculum. Specific transfer guides and degree plans detailed in this catalog will recommend course work in addition to the options that follow. Students should consult the recommended transfer guide or degree plans for their particular major.
In addition to the general education courses, South Plains College assures that all graduates are competent in reading, writing, fundamental mathematical skills, oral communication and the basic use of computers. This is accomplished through several methods including participation in the Texas Success Initiative Program (TSI), approved courses within the program or departmental curricula, testing, incorporation of competency-based objectives across departmental or program curricula, and evaluation of high school or college transfer course work.
Reading, Writing and Fundamental Mathematical Skills are addressed through the college’s participation in the Texas Success Initiative which ensures that students possess the necessary academic skills to perform effectively in college. TSI is a program of testing and, if needed, remediation (view here ). Students who need additional work to meet the demands of college-level course work will be required to participate in developmental study. Students should allow more than two years (four semesters) for completing the requirements for an associate degree or certificate if they are required to enroll in developmental studies. In those cases where students are exempt from TSI requirements, student competencies are addressed and documented on approved degree plans.
Oral Communication is addressed through courses approved by the South Plains College Academic Council, satisfactory completion of an oral communications competency test or inclusion of competency-based objectives across departmental or program curricula. Specific courses identified as meeting this competency requirement include: RNSG 1513 , RNSG 2307 , SPCH 1311 , SPCH 1315 , SPCH 1321 .
Basic Use of Computers is defined at South Plains College as the ability to demonstrate proficiency in identifying and using hardware components, performing basic file management, and manipulating data using contemporary application software on a microcomputer. This competency may be met through testing, designated courses on the program and divisional levels, or evaluation of high school course work. Methods other than completion of approved courses are documented on individual degree plans. Courses meeting this requirement include: ABDR 2355, AGRI 1309 , ARTC 1313 , ARTC 1302 , AUMT 1407 , COSC 1309 , BCIS 1305 , DEMR 2348 , DFTG 1309 , ENGR 1304, HART 1407 , ITSC 1301 , MUSC 1330 , MUSC 1427 , RNSG 1513 , RNSG 2307 , WLDG 1457 .
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