Admissions Requirements
A comprehensive community college system, HCC offers many programs designed to meet the needs of students according to their backgrounds and interests. As an open admissions two-year lower-division undergraduate institution, HCC has an open door admissions policy; all individuals who have at least one of the following qualifications are welcome to enroll:
- Diploma from accredited high school
- General Education Development (GED) certificate
- College-level hours earned at other accredited colleges/universities
- International students who meet college and state requirements
Admission to HCC does not guarantee admission to all programs. Based upon their assessment results and program objectives, students may be admitted conditionally and required to take developmental and/or prerequisite courses. In addition, special admissions requirements have been established for programs which require that students possess previously learned skills and knowledge. Applicants may obtain additional admission information from the Office of Student Records, counselors, and campus offices.
INDIVIDUAL APROVAL
Students who have not graduated, but are at least 18 years old, may be admitted to HCC with appropriate assessment scores. Students who do not score satisfactorily may be admitted conditionally.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT/DUAL CREDIT ADMISSIONS
Currently enrolled high school or home-schooled students who have completed their sophomore year may enroll for a maximum of two HCC courses each semester. In general, students must have a ‘B’ average satisfy the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements, and not require remediation in the subject area in which they are enrolling. Students must furnish a high school transcript, TSI scores (or documentation for exemption from TSI requirements), and approval from their high school.
Students must maintain a C average to continue taking courses at HCC while still attending high school. HCC credits earned prior to high school graduation may not transfer to some senior colleges. High school students may take HCC courses for college credit only or for dual (high school and college) credit. Special admissions Students who have not completed their sophomore year in high school may petition for admission.
Students must present evidence of their ability to benefit from college classes. Requirements include an application a letter of interest from the student, a letter of approval from the high school principal, high school transcripts, three letters of recommendation, test scores from an approved assessment, and an interview. Interested students should contact the appropriate Instructional dean at the college for dual (high school and college) credit.
SPECIAL ADMISSIONS
Students who have not completed their sophomore year in high school may petition for admission. Students must present evidence of their ability to benefit from college classes. Requirements include an application, a letter of interest from the student, a letter of approval from the high school principal, high school transcripts, three letters of recommendation, test scores from an approved assessment, and an interview. Interested students should contact the appropriate Instructional dean at the college one month prior to start of classes.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
A transfer student is any student who has previous college work and plans to pursue a certificate or degree at HCC. Transfer students are required to send official transcripts from each previously attended college or university. Counselors evaluate transfer work at the time the degree plan is filed. Students are encouraged to meet with a an HCC counselor prior to registration but no later than their first semester of enrollment to complete their degree plan. Transfer students should follow the basic procedures for admission
TRANSFER LIMITATION
Students who intend to transfer to baccalaureate degree programs should be aware of possible limitations on lower-division course work. Universities will generally not accept in transfer or toward a degree program, more than 66 semester credit hours of lower division academic credit.
NON -DEGREE SEEKING STUDENTS
A non-degree-seeking student is one who is taking course work for personal enrichment and is not seeking a degree or certificate. In many cases, these students might be referred to continuing education. These students are limited to an accumulation of 15 semester credit hour before they must visit with a counselor or advisor to confirm their status as non-degree seeking. These students are not eligible for state or federal financial aid. Non-degree-seeking students may still need assessment testing in order to meet institutional course prerequisites.
Another example of a non-degree-seeking student is the student who is regularly enrolled in another college or university but wishes to attend HCC summer or mini-terms and then return to his/her home school. The students must provide documentation (unofficial transcripts are acceptable in this instance) verifying enrollment during the preceding semester. If an unofficial transcript is accepted for advising and enrollment, the student should be informed that a hold will be put on his/her record until an official transcript is sent or presented. However, non-degree-seeking students may still need assessment testing in order to meet institutional course prerequisites.
ACADEMIC FRESH START
State law (Educ.Code, Sec, 51.931) allows students with academic credits earned 10 or more years prior to the starting date of the semester in which they seek admission to any public institution of higher education to have those credits or grades not considered in the admission decision. If admitted under this Academic Fresh Start provision, the students may not receive any course credit for courses undertaken 10 or more years prior to enrollment. Students must complete a Fresh Start petition prior to admission to HCC.
