Core Curriculum
Core Curriculum
Texas law mandates that all state-supported colleges and universities offer a Core Curriculum of at least 42-credit hours that will automatically transfer to all Texas public colleges and universities. Choose the right classes!
To complete the Core Curriculum you must earn a certain amount of credits per subject area (see below). Check your program to ensure the classes you pick match your major’s requirements. If you plan to transfer, contact your future institution to ask if your core curriculum classes fulfill your transfer plan.
For Traditional Transfer Degrees
The Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), and Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) — ACC fulfills this requirement through the 42-semester credit hour core curriculum.
| Core Curriculum Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Subject Area | Required Credits |
| Communication (010) | 6 |
| Mathematics (020) | 3 |
| Life and Physical Sciences (030) | 6 |
| Language, Philosophy, and Culture (040) | 3 |
| Creative Arts (050) | 3 |
| American History (060) | 6 |
| Government/Political Science (070) | 6 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (080) | 3 |
| Component Area Option (090) | 6 |
| Total | 42 |
Note: Completing all subject areas of the core curriculum allows you to substitute the ACC core curriculum for the core curriculum at Texas public institutions when you transfer. You will not be required to take additional core curriculum courses at your public transfer institution unless the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has authorized an expanded core curriculum at that institution. If you satisfy all components of the core curriculum, the statement “core complete” is noted on your transcript. Be sure to refer to your degree plan and consult with your program/faculty advisor so that you make the right choices for core curriculum courses that will transfer smoothly to your chosen four-year institution.
For Career & Technical Programs
These programs offer the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, ACC includes 15 general education credits in each AAS degree plan. Associate of Applied Science degrees are primarily intended for workforce entry, not university transfer.
| Component Area | Required Minimum Credits | Selection Choices |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 3 | ENGL 1301 ENGL 1302* ENGL 2311 SPCH 1315 *Students planning to transfer should take ENGL 1302 instead of ENGL 2311. |
| Language, Philosophy, and Culture/Creative Arts | 3 | Select from the Language, Philosophy, and Culture OR Creative Arts areas of the Core Curriculum Course List.
Note: Literature II courses may be taken without having taken Literature I. Literature courses have a prerequisite of ENGL 1302 with a grade of C or higher. |
| Life and Physical Sciences/ Mathematics | 3 | Select from the Life and Physical Sciences OR Mathematics areas of the Core Curriculum Course List. |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | Select from the American History, Government/Political Science OR Social and Behavioral Sciences areas of the Core Curriculum Course List. |
| Additional General Education | 3 | Select course specified in your award plan, typically an EDUC or SPCH course. |
Important: To make sure you are taking the appropriate general education or core curriculum courses, meet with your Area of Study advisor or instructional department’s program advisor.