TSC Core Curriculum
Along with other state-mandated institutions of higher education in Texas, TSC has adopted a General Education core curriculum of 42 semester credit hours for Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts in Teaching, and Bachelor of Applied Technology degrees. TSC requires the completion of a minimum of 15 semester credit hours of general education courses for all of its associate degree programs. These credit hours are drawn from and include at least one course from each of the following areas: Humanities/Fine Arts; Social/Behavioral Sciences; and Natural Science/Mathematics. Representing between 25% and 70% of the total semester credit hours required for a given associate degree program, these general education courses generally constitute a substantial component of each degree program.
Through the Texas General Education Core Curriculum, students will gain a foundation of knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world, develop principles of personal and social responsibility for living in a diverse world, and advance intellectual and practical skills that are essential for all learning. The Texas General Core Curriculum not only provides a solid foundation for students’ education, but it also makes the transfer between colleges and universities as smooth and seamless as possible. Additionally, while completing these core curriculum courses, students will achieve college-level competence in the skills that are fundamental to all disciplines of learning:
- Critical Thinking Skills - to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information
- Communication Skills - to include effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication
- Empirical and Quantitative Skills - to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
- Teamwork - to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal
- Personal Responsibility - to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision making
- Social Responsibility - to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
Components of the General Education core curriculum can be transferred in a block from TSC to any Texas public college or university to be substituted for the corresponding core curriculum of the receiving institution.
TSC designates General Education core curricular courses completed by a student on the official transcript. If a student satisfies all component areas, the statement “Texas Core Curriculum Completed (Month/Year)” will appear on the transcript.
The General Education Core Curriculum consists of courses offered in nine Foundational Component Areas. Courses chosen must satisfy at least the minimum required credit hours for each component. Students should consult the specific degree requirements for their major before selecting the courses to be used to meet the General Education Core Curriculum requirements. For more information on assessing core objectives, please see the TSC Core Curriculum.