Grading and Credit
C.1.01 Published Transfer Policy:
The System shall adopt a policy to enhance the transfer of students based on the recommendations of the permanent advisory committee established by Section 51.3521 of the Education Code.
In its course catalogs, and on its website, the System shall publish guidelines addressing the practices of the System regarding the transfer of course credit. In the guidelines, the System must identify a course by using any common course numbering system adopted by the Coordinating Board.
C.1.02 Transfer of Core Curriculum Credits:
If a student successfully completes the 42-hour core curriculum at an institution of higher education, that block of courses may be transferred to any other institution of higher education, and must be substituted for the receiving institution's core curriculum. A student shall receive academic credit for each of the courses transferred, and may not be required to take additional core curriculum courses at the receiving institution unless the Coordinating Board has approved a larger core curriculum at the institution.
A student, who transfers from one institution of higher education to another without completing the field of study curriculum of the sending institution, shall receive academic credit from the receiving institution for each of the courses that the student has successfully completed in the core curriculum of the sending institution. Following receipt of credit for these courses, the student may be required to satisfy further course requirements in the field of study curriculum of the receiving institution.
Each student must meet the minimum number of semester credit hours in each component area. However, an institution receiving a student in transfer is not required to accept component core course semester credit hours beyond the maximum specified in a core component area.
C.1.03 Core Courses Noted on Transcript:
Each institution shall note core courses on the transcript of students as recommended by the Texas Association of Registrars and Admissions Officers.
C.1.04 Transfer of Field of Study Curriculum Credits:
If a student successfully completes a field of study curriculum developed by the Coordinating Board, that block of courses may be transferred to a general academic teaching institution, and shall be substituted for that institution's lower division requirements for the degree program for the field of study into which the student transfers. The student shall receive full academic credit toward the degree program for the block of courses transferred.
C.1.05 Lower Division Courses Transferable:
All lower division academic courses shall be fully transferable among public institutions, and must be substituted for the equivalent course at any public college or university in Texas. Except in the cases of courses belonging to a Coordinating Board approved Field of Study Curriculum, the applicability of transferred courses to requirements for specific degree programs is determined by the receiving institution. Each institution of higher education shall identify in its undergraduate catalog each lower division course that is substantially equivalent to an academic course listed in the current edition of the "Lower Division Academic Course Guide Manual".
C.1.06 Transfer Rules Codified:
Responsibilities for universities regarding requirements and limitations on transfer of lower division courses, penalties for non-compliance with transfer rules, and resolution of transfer disputes are found in 19 Tex. Administrative Code Sec. 4.25, 4.26, and 4.27.
C.1.07 Transfer Dispute Resolution:
The Coordinating Board, by rule, shall adopt procedures to be followed by:
a. Institutions of Higher Education in resolving disputes concerning the transfer of lower division course credit; and
b. The Commissioner of Higher Education or the Commissioner's designee, in making a final determination concerning transfer of the course credit, if the transfer is in dispute.
Each institution of higher education shall publish in its course catalog the procedures adopted by the Coordinating Board.
C.1.08 Institutions to Attempt Resolution with Student:
If an institution of higher education does not accept course credit by a student at another institution of higher education, that institution shall give written notice to the student and the other institution that the transfer credit is denied. The two institutions and the student shall attempt to resolve the transfer of the course credit in accordance with the Coordinating Board rules.
If the transfer dispute is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student or the institution at which the credit was earned within 45 days after the date the student received the written notice of the denial, the institution that denies the transfer of the course credit shall notify the Commissioner of Higher Education of its denial and the reasons for the denial.
C.1.09 Commissioner Makes Final Determination:
The Commissioner of Higher Education, or the Commissioner's designee, shall make the final determination about the dispute concerning the transfer of course credit, and give written notice of the determination to the involved student and institutions.
C.1.10 Withdrawal for Military Service:
If a student withdraws because the student is called into active military service, the institution, at the student's option, shall:
a. refund the tuition and fees paid by the student for the semester in which the student withdraws;
b. grant a student, who is eligible under the institution's guidelines, an incomplete grade in all courses by designating "withdrawn-military" on the student's transcript; or
c. as determined by the instructor, assign an appropriate final grade or credit to a student who has satisfactorily completed a substantial amount of course work and who has demonstrated sufficient mastery of the course material.
C.1.11 Excused Absence for a Person Called to Military Service:
a. Upon notice from a student required to participate in active military service, an institution shall excuse a student from attending classes or engaging in other required activities, including examinations.
b. A student shall not be penalized for an absence which is excused under this subsection and shall be allowed to complete an assignment or take an examination from which the student is excused within a reasonable time after the absence.
c. Each institution shall adopt a policy under this subsection which includes:
d. the retention of a student's course work completed during the portion of the course prior to the student being called to active military service;
e. the course syllabus or other instructional plan, so that the student will be able to complete the course without prejudice and under the same course requirements that were in effect when the student enrolled in the course;
f. a definition of a reasonable time after the absence for the completion of assignments and examinations;
g. procedures for failure of a student to satisfactorily complete the assignment or examination within a reasonable time after the absence; and
h. an institutional dispute resolution process regarding the policy.
i. The maximum period for which a student may be excused under this section shall be no more than 25% (twenty-five percent) of the total number of class meetings or the contact hour equivalent (not including the final examination period) for the specific course or courses in which the student is currently enrolled at the beginning of the period of active military service.
j. Institutions are directed to develop and publish policies and procedures to ensure that students enrolled in LSC-Online, self-paced, correspondence, and other asynchronous courses receive equivalent consideration for the purposes of determining acceptable duration of excused absences and time limits for the completion of course work following an excused absence under this section.
C.1.12 Grading:
The Chancellor shall implement procedures to ensure that the assignment of grades is fair, timely and reflective of student mastery. This shall include the provision of appropriate procedures for student appeal of assigned grades, and student rights to privacy with regard to grades and other academic records.
C.1.13 Credit by Prior Learning Assessment (PLA):
In addition to credit awarded for courses completed, credit may also be obtained by alternate means as approved by the Council for Education and Student Development (CESD). This may include such methods as: the Achievement Test (ACT); College Level Examination Program (CLEP); International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, American Council on Education equivalency guides including military, Advanced Placement Program by the College Board, high school articulation agreements; System challenge examinations, portfolio reviews, skill performance examinations, and industry certification and licensure. See the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) website for a complete listing of alternate methods for obtaining course credit.2. Academic Integrity and Academic Dishonesty.