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THE ARTS AND SCIENCES DIVISION INCLUDES THE ACADEMIC TRANSFER, UNIVERSITY PARALLEL PROGRAMS AND COURSES OF INSTRUCT ION THAT ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF STUDY LEADING TO A BACCALAUREATE DEGREE.

The Arts and Sciences Division confers the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. Students who complete the prescribed course of study may transfer to a four-year college or university to complete the junior and senior-level requirements for the baccalaureate degree. These degree programs are designed to be completed in two years of study, however, students have the option of transferring credits at any time they finish their studies at South Plains College. The Arts and Sciences Division is comprised of 10 academic departments and 45 suggested programs of study. The division is under the supervision of the Dean of Arts and Sciences. Programs and courses are offered primarily at the Level land Campus and the SPC Reese Center. Students who meet the general requirements and specific minimum requirements will be awarded an associate degree. These requirements are listed below for each degree.

Associate of Arts Degree

Minimum requirements for the Associate of Arts* degree include the following:

* Art and music majors should follow curriculum outlined under Music or Art in this catalog.

** No more than 3 semester hours of American History and 3 semester hours of American Government may be earned through credit by examination. Students transferring one of the following, GOVT 2305 or GOVT 2306 must take GOVT 2301 to complete this requirement.

*** Physical education activity courses may not be repeated for graduation credit. Please see requirements regarding non-resident completion of this requirement on page 62.

**** See suggested programs of study to determine electives.

NOTE: Although not a requirement for this degree, students are strongly encouraged to take HUDV 1100 during the first semester of enrollment.

Associate of Science Degree

Minimum requirements for the Associate of Science degree include the following:

* No more than 3 semester hours of American History and 3 semester hours of American Government may be earned through credit by examination. Students transferring one of the following, GOVT 2305 or GOVT 2306 must take GOVT 2301 to complete this requirement.

** Must include at least 4 semester hours of a lab science.

*** Physical education activity courses may not be repeated for graduation credit. Please see requirements regarding non-resident completion of this requirement on page 62.

**** See suggested programs of study to determine electives.

NOTE: Although not a requirement for this degree, students are strongly encouraged to take HUDV 1100 during the first semester of enrollment.

Transfer Curricula

The courses offered at South Plains College are intended to provide an academic foundation for a student’s educational development. At the same time, students are given reasonable freedom of course selection in order to satisfy individual needs. If the student intends to enter a university after leaving South Plains College, a faculty advisor should be consulted in selecting courses to assure junior standing at the transfer institution.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has established rules, which state that “all lower division academic courses shall be fully transferable among public institutions and must count toward the same degree at any public college or university in Texas.” Each public university is required to accept in transfer into a baccalaureate degree the number of lower division credit hours in a major which are allowed for non-transfer students in that major with certain limitations. The following may limit transfer of courses: THECB Transfer Curriculum, the receiving institution’s degree plan, and certain “D” grades. Procedures exist for transfer dispute resolution (see About the College ).

A core curriculum program has been established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to facilitate 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 credit hours. However, the purpose of the core curriculum is larger than satisfying the credit-hour requirements.

The purpose of the 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 skills include, but are not necessarily limited to, the ability to:

• Communicate effectively;
• Apply basic mathematical tools to real-world problems;
• Understand and apply relationships and theories of natural sciences;
• Demonstrate knowledge of the human condition and the importance of the arts;
• Demonstrate knowledge of how social and behavioral scientists explain relationships;
• Use computer technology in personal endeavors.

When students know their major and transfer institution and course options are given in the core, students should choose courses that satisfy their specific degree plan.

New Student Orientation

Students who are enrolling in college for the first time are strongly encouraged to attend the New Student Experience held prior to each semester. Programs to assist new students in making the transition into college are available at SPC’s Levelland, Reese and Plainview locations. New students are also encouraged to enroll in HUDV 1100 Introduction to Learning Frameworks during the first semester of enrollment. HUDV 1000 is offered at all SPC locations. This course is not a degree requirement for graduation. However, the grade earned for HUDV 1100 does count toward your cumulative GPA and may count toward the total semester hours required for graduation.

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