Program Advising

TSTC believes advising is essential to student success, and, therefore, the College supports student progress with designated advisors. All new students are to contact an Admissions Advisor to begin the advising process, either prior to or upon completing the admissions requirements. Students are encouraged to call for appointments; however, admissions advisors are available for walk–ins on a first–come first–served basis.

TSTC provides advising assistance for the following:

• enrollment and financial aid processes;
• career counseling, assessment, and goal-setting;
• course selection and scheduling;
• degree planning;
• referrals to counselors, faculty advisors, and other student and instructional services; and
• job search and placement assistance.

TSTC also offers a variety of courses and programs that provide new students with a comprehensive introduction to TSTC, college life, and available advising opportunities. Admission Advisors can provide information relating to these courses and programs.

Degree and Program Planning

Credentials

TSTC offers programs of study leading to the Associate of Applied Science degree and the Certificate of Completion. All programs are approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

• Associate degree programs are designed to train technicians who work with professionals. Because technicians must be able to understand the profession and translate ideas into actual processes, the technical programs combine theory and laboratory classes with laboratory and shop experience. The curricula are usually based on mathematics and sciences. All graduates of associate degree programs show they are competent in oral communications and the use of computers by satisfactorily completing at least one course in which oral communication and basic computer skills are covered. Graduates of these programs receive Associate of Applied Science degrees.
• Certificate programs are designed to produce the skilled workers needed by modern industry. Skill programs emphasize laboratory and shop experience, rather than theory. All graduates of certificate programs show they are competent in oral communication and the use of computers by satisfactorily completing at least one course in which oral communications and basic computer skills are covered. Graduates of these programs receive Certificates of Completion.

Degree and Certificate Plans

A degree or certificate plan includes a set of courses that are required to earn a specific degree or certificate. Electives are approved by the student's faculty advisor and indicated in the plan. Course credit may be earned at TSTC, transferred from another college or university, or awarded through examination.

Courses may be substituted if they are approved by the chairperson of the student's major field of study and the Registrar's Office. No condition guarantees that a course substitution will be approved. Each request is decided on its own merit.

Credits earned at other colleges and universities must be approved for transfer credit by the chairperson in the student's major field of study. Credit for courses in related areas may also require approval from the chairperson of that program area. Before consideration of transfer credit can begin, the student must be eligible to return to the last institution in which he or she was enrolled, official transcripts from all the institutions the student attended must be in the Registrar's Office, and a grade of C or better must have been earned in the course(s).

A student is certified for graduation only when credit has been earned for all courses in the degree or certificate plan and any appropriate course substitution and/or transfer credit authorizations are on file.

Although advisors are available to assist them, students are responsible for keeping track of their progress toward meeting program requirements. Contact the faculty advisor for assistance.

Change of Major

Students who wish to change programs should meet with an advisor. Students must meet the entry requirements if specified. Students receiving financial aid should check with the Financial Aid Office before changing their major.

To change majors, students must follow these procedures.

1. Complete the change of major form, including obtaining all required signatures. Students may be required to meet additional admission criteria for the new major.
2. Return the completed form and all supporting documentation to the Registrar's Office for processing.

Additional Degrees and Certificates

Credit hours may be applied toward more than one degree and/or certificate, as long as those hours meet requirements of those credentials.