General Degree and Certificate Requirements

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 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

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 (see page 62) incorporates all the course requirements of the general education core.

General Education Core Course Options

The following courses have been identified as fulfilling the minimum requirements of the general education core. Specific degree plans detailed in this catalog will recommend course work in addition to the options that follow. Students should consult the recommended degree plans for their particular major.

Humanities and Fine Arts: Understanding of the heritage and destiny of humanity as revealed through history, ideas, literature, language and visual and performing aesthetics. The options include:

  • ARTS 1301, 1303, 1304, 1311, 1316, 2356
  • BIB 131, 132
  • COMM 1316, 1317
  • DRAM 1310, 1351, 2331, 2351
  • ENGL 2322, 2326, 2332, 2333
  • FREN 1411, 1412, 2311, 2312
  • HUMA 1301
  • LATI 1411, 1412, 2411, 2412
  • MUSI 1301, 1306, 1308, 1309
  • PHIL 1301
  • SPAN 1300, 1301, 1501, 1502, 2311, 2312

Social and Behavioral Sciences: Understanding of human behavior, culture and social institutions, and institutional change. The options include:

  • ANTH 2351
  • COMM 1307
  • ECON 1303, 2301, 2302
  • GEOG 1303
  • GOVT 2301, 2302
  • HIST 1301, 1302, 2301
  • HRPO 1311
  • PSYC 2301, 2306, 2314, 2340
  • SOCI 1301, 1306, 2301, 2306, 2320

Mathematics and Natural Sciences: Understanding of the structure and functioning of the natural world and its mathematical expression. The options include:

  • AGRI 1307, 1415, 1419, 2321, 2322
  • BIOL 1308, 1324, 1406, 1407, 1411, 1413, 2306, 2401, 2402, 2420, 2428
  • CHEM 1406, 1408, 1411, 1412, 2523, 2525
  • GEOL 1403, 1404 HECO 1410
  • MATH 1314, 1316, 1324, 1326, 1332, 1342, 1348, 1442, 2315, 2318, 2320, 2412, 2413, 2414
  • PHYS 1315, 1401, 1402, 1405, 1411, 1412, 2425, 2426

General Education Competencies

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 Academic Skills Program (TASP), 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 Academic Skills Program which ensures that students possess the necessary academic skills to perform effectively in college. TASP is a program of testing and, if needed, remediation (see page 19). 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 TASP requirements, student competencies are addressed and documented on approved degree plans.

Oral Communication is addressed through courses approved by the South Plains College Curriculum Committee, 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: SPCH 1311, SPCH 1315, SPCH 1321, RNSG 1513, RNSG 2307.

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: COSC 1309, COSC 1401, ITSC 1401, AGRI 1309, CETT 1333, CETT 1431, AUMT 1407, DEMR 2348, HART 1407, WLDG 2443, MUSC 1329, ARTC 1302, ARTC 1313, RNSG 1513, RNSG 2307, DFTG 1309, MUSC 2386.

TASP Requirements

As required by the State of Texas, students who elect to complete the requirements for the Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees must take the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) Test and master all three sections of the test covering reading, writing and mathematics. This standard also applies to students who elect to complete the requirements for the Certificate of Proficiency in programs which comprise more than 42 semester credit hours or more of study. Students who score below minimum passing standards on any of the three portions of the TASP Test will be required to continuously enroll in developmental study until the appropriate portion of the assessment has been mastered. Completion of developmental study courses do not apply toward graduation.

General Graduation Requirements

Students entering South Plains College are encouraged to file a degree plan with a program advisor and complete the specified requirements for an associate degree or certificate. Students intending to transfer should consult the catalog of the transfer college or university and plan their prescribed elective courses to meet the special requirements in the curricula of these schools. Advisors and counselors are available to help the student plan a college course of study to meet specific degree requirements at the transfer university.

To be eligible for graduation, students must meet the following general requirements in addition to specific associate degree and certificate requirements listed in this section:

1. Candidates for the associate degree must complete at least 15 semester hours of general education courses and meet competency levels in written communication, mathematics, oral communication, and computer skills.

2. Candidates for graduation must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 ("C") in course work completed at South Plains College. In order to be awarded a certificate you must complete all program course requirements and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 ("C") or better. Grades in courses not applying to the certificate may be waived by petition if approved by the Program Advisor, Divisional Dean, and Vice President for Academic Affairs and submitted to the Dean of Admissions and Records. The waiver of grades as indicated above will not entitle a student to graduate with honors based on the certificate G.P.A.

3. Candidates for graduation must pass all portions of the TASP Test, if required to master the test.

4. Candidates for graduation must be in good financial standing with the college.