Continuing Education Information

Continuing Education (CE) Information 

HCC recognizes that we live in dynamic and changing times, which require an institutional response, including changes to learning modalities and curriculum. HCC encourages students and community members seeking up-to-date information about changes related to current events, including the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, to seek information at www.hccs.edu, including www.hccs.edu/resources-for/current-students/communicable-diseases/.

Eligibility for Enrollment

Continuing Education courses are open to individuals 17 years of age or older.

Seniors age 55 and over may enroll in specified courses and receive a tuition discount waiver per continuing education course. Proof of age will be required.

Contact specific programs for specific eligibility requirements.

Some HCC Continuing Education Programs have special conditions for enrollment, including the following possibilities: successful completion of prerequisite courses, acceptable scores on prerequisite exams, submission of any required immunizations, criminal background checks, and/or special licenses or certifications.

Registration

Register online or in person at any campus location during regular business hours. Applications may be completed online by visiting https://www.hccs.edu/continuing-education/. Registrations are accepted on a first-come basis. Register early to secure a place in the class of your choice. Payment must be made online in your HCC student portal, or in person at the time of registration.

Prerequisites

Most Continuing Education courses are open to students who feel they can benefit from the instruction; however, some courses are restricted to those students with specific prerequisites. Please check course descriptions. 

Textbooks, Supplies, and Materials

For most classes, students will be notified of the need for textbooks, supplies, and other materials on or before the first class meeting. 

The appropriate instructional materials can be found by class number. Students are expected to purchase their books and materials prior to the first day of class. 

Guidelines for Learning Options

HCC offers many options for learning modalities and information may be obtained at www.hccs.edu/campaigns/college-your-way/.

All students, regardless of their selected learning options, will still have access to the support available to help with their success, including tutoring, student life, basic needs support, career and employment services, counseling and ability services, and supplemental instruction. HCC also provides financial aid options.

Hybrid Lab Based: courses will be held in person and remotely so HCC students can obtain the critical hands-on, skills-based learning experiences needed for success. However, attendance in labs may be restricted in size so proper social distancing standards can be maintained when necessary. Consequently, students will find more lab sections available at a variety of times. 

In Person: gives students the opportunity to participate in class in person. Because of health and safety concerns, classes may be restricted in size so proper social distancing standards can be maintained in a manner consistent with timely public health guidance and Board policy.

Hybrid: provides students the opportunity to attend a lecture class meeting half time face-to-face and half time remotely.

Online Anytime: gives students the flexibility to complete coursework throughout the semester at times that works best for them. When a student enrolls in Online Anytime at the beginning of a semester, the course instructor will share pre-determined deadlines and requirements, along with the syllabus and full details of all assignments that must be completed to successfully finish the course. This option-most like a traditional online course -gives students the flexibility of completing coursework without visiting the campus. Access to a computer and WIFI is necessary to complete this class successfully.

Online on a Schedule: allows students to take classes online, but at scheduled dates and times. Instead of visiting the campus for class, students log into the class online at the specified time they selected during registration. This gives students a safe and flexible learning option that allows for more interaction with professors and classmates without coming to campus. Access to a computer and WIFI are necessary to complete this class successfully.

Attendance Policy

All Continuing Education courses require a minimum of 80% attendance, and also require the satisfactory completion of the course objectives in order for students to receive a certificate of successful completion as outlined in the syllabi.  

Religious Holy Day Absence

In accordance with Texas law, the College shall allow a student who is absent from class for the observance of a religious holy day to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence. A student who is excused under this section cannot be penalized for the absence, but the instructor may appropriately respond if the student fails to satisfactorily complete the assignment or examination with a reasonable amount of time. Faculty should encourage students to inform them at the beginning of the semester to prepare for absence in case of an assessments, assignments, etc. A student needing more information about this process may contact their instructor and may seek support from the Office of Institutional Equity, if needed.

Grading System

Continuing Education offers a variety of grading options ranging from completion to letter grades. Some programs require different grading systems based on state or federal grants, regulatory agencies or other governing bodies. Students will receive a Certificate of Completion upon successful completion of the course requirements.

HCC uses the following standard grading system:

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Grade points earned for each course are determined by multiplying the number of points for each grade by the number of semester hours the course carries.

To compute a student’s grade point average, divide the total grade points by the total number of semester hours attempted. The grades “IP,” “W,” “AUD,” “COM,” “Pass,” “Fail,” and “I” do not affect the student’s GPA.

Incompletes

The grade of “I” (Incomplete) is conditional. A student receiving an “I” must arrange with the instructor to complete the course work within six months of the end of the incomplete term. After the deadline, the “I” becomes an “F.” Upon completion of the course work, the grade will be entered as an “I” grade on the student transcript. All non-completes must be changed to grades prior to graduation.

Repetition of Courses

After the close of each semester, a student’s enrollment history is reviewed, and courses taken more than once are marked as a repeat. If a student repeats a course in which a grade (A-F) has been received, the highest grade received is the permanent grade for the course and will be used in computing the grade point average. All grades earned in a given course will be entered on the transcript. Other colleges and universities may compute the GPA differently than HCC and students are encouraged to consult their advisor or the institution of their choice with questions.

No Late Registration

It is the official policy of HCC that there is no late registration.

A student may register for a class if it has not met for the first time. A student may not register for a course if it has already met once. If it is believed that an extenuating circumstance exists, the student should refer to the Dean of Student Success or designee.

An example of an extenuating circumstance is a cancelled class. A cancelled class is beyond the control of a student, and is an issue created by the College. In the event of a cancelled class, it may be appropriate to make an exception to the late registration procedure.

Dropping Courses

Students should make sure they are aware of penalties regarding financial aid, additional tuition or material costs, etc., before withdrawing from a course.

It is the responsibility of the student to officially drop or withdraw from a course. Failure to officially withdraw may result in the student receiving a grade of “F” in the course, which will remain on the student’s transcript and may be figured into the student’s GPA. A student may officially withdraw in any of the following ways:

• Drop online from the student’s account. Login to a Student Account by visiting www.myeagle.hccs.edu and selecting “Student Sign-In.” OR
• Send a letter requesting withdrawal to:

Registrar
Houston Community College
P. O. Box 667517
Houston, TX 77266-7517

The withdrawal will be effective the date of postmark. OR

• Fax a letter of withdrawal to 713-718-2111.

A student who officially withdraws from a course before the Official Date of Record will not receive a grade and the course will not appear on the student’s permanent record. A student withdrawing from a course after this period and prior to the deadline designated in the HCC calendar will receive a grade of “W.”  Students with questions about these processes should contact the College Registrar.

Notification of Class Changes

Every effort is made to begin and hold a class at the designated time. Each class is contingent on the required minimum number of students. Occasionally, extenuating circumstances arise requiring cancellation or delay. In such cases, we attempt to notify all students by telephone. 

Houston Community College reserves the right, when necessary to cancel classes, alter schedules, or substitute instructors. 

Students are not notified if a class has made. Students are contacted only in the event of a class cancellation or change. 

Change of Schedule

A Program Adjustment Form must be initiated through the Campus Office of Continuing Education for all class changes. 

Refund Policy

A full refund can only be awarded if a student withdraws before or on the first class meeting date or if the class is cancelled. There are no partial refunds. 

Refunds are processed between one to two weeks after the credits resulting from dropped or cancelled classes. If the payment is made by credit card, it will be refunded via credit card. If the payment is made by cash, checks, or money order, it will be reimbursed by check. Tuition and fees paid directly to the institution by a sponsor or covered by scholarship shall be refunded to the source rather than directly to the students. 

Refunds may only be mailed to the name and address on the student’s record. Any refund mailed to the name and address on record is considered delivered. The Stop Payment Fee to re-issue a refund check mailed to an incorrect address is $25. 

Emergency Closings

In the event of severe weather, such as hurricanes, ice storms or other acts of nature that may create hazardous conditions and/or extended power outages, college administrators may find it necessary to close the college. In this case, students and faculty are advised to listen to local area radio and television stations for announcements and updates or log on to: www.school-closings.net. 

Disclaimer

This schedule has been carefully prepared to assure that all information is accurate and as complete as possible. However, the college reserves the right to make changes, which may result in deviations from the information in the schedule content. 

Limitation/Costs of Course Withdrawals

Under Texas Education Code Section 51.907, an institution of higher education may not permit a student to drop more than six courses, including any course a transfer student has dropped at another institution of higher education. This statute applies to students who enroll in a public institution of higher education as a first-time freshman in fall 2007 or later. Any course a student drops is counted toward the six-course limit if: 1) the student was able to drop the course without receiving a grade or incurring an academic penalty; 2) the student’s transcript indicates or will indicate that the student was enrolled in the course; and 3) the student is not dropping the course in order to withdraw from the institution. High school students enrolled in HCC Dual Credit and Early College are waived from this requirement until they graduate from high school. All college-level courses dropped after the Official Day of Record are included in the six-course limit, unless the student demonstrates to an appropriate College Official that one of the following events occurred to the student during the semester or summer session:

• A severe illness or other debilitating condition that affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course (see Medical Withdrawal/Compassionate Withdrawal Application Process below).
• The student’s responsibility for the care of a sick, injured, or needy person, if the provision of that care affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course.
• The death of a person who is considered to be a member of the student’s family or who is otherwise considered to have a sufficiently close relationship to the student that the person’s death is considered to be a showing of good cause.
• The active duty service as a member of the Texas National Guard or the armed forces of the United States of either the student or a person who is considered to be a member of the student’s family, and such active duty interferes with the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course.
• The change of the student’s work schedule that is beyond the control of the student and that affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course.
• Other personal or family reason that is considered catastrophic or beyond the control of the student and interferes with the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete the course (as determined by the College official; see also see Medical Withdrawal/Compassionate Withdrawal Application Process below)

• A disaster declared by the governor under Texas Government Code Section 418.014, resulting in a bar or limit on in-person course attendance at the institution of a duration that significantly affects the student’s ability to participate in coursework, as determined in accordance with a rule adopted under this subsection for purposes of this subdivision.

For questions regarding the six-drop course limit, students should contact the Office of Enrollment Services at their college for more information https://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/admissions-and-enrollment-forms/.

HCC students affected by this statute that have attended or plan to attend another institution of higher education should become familiar with that institution’s policies on dropping courses.

Texas law also provides in Section 51.907, Education Code:

• Allows students who have accrued at least fifty semester credit hours and stopped-out for 24 months, a one-time exemption from the six-drop and three-peat rules. For more information regarding these rules, see the “Course Withdrawals (6-drop rule)” and “Repeating Course (Three-Peat rule)” sections of www.hccs.edu/about-hcc/procedures/student-rights-policies–procedures.
• A qualifying student under that section may drop one additional course, for a total of seven drops. If a student once again drops out for a 24-month period, the student is not granted an additional drop.

• Notwithstanding any other provision in Section 51.907, an institution of higher education[k1]  may not count toward the number of courses permitted to be dropped under Section 51.907(c) or a policy adopted under Section 51.907(d) a course dropped by a student during the 2020 spring semester or summer term or the 2020-2021 academic year because of a bar or limit on in-person course attendance at the institution during the applicable semester or term due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Qualifying students should contact the Enrollment Services Office at their college to provide documentation and obtain a waiver form.

Medical Withdrawal/Compassionate Withdrawal Application Process

Medical Compassionate Withdrawal Process  

The College will consider late withdrawal requests based on exceptional adverse life events - for medical or compassionate reasons - described and applying the definitions listed below.  

This applies to all HCC students for the current semester they are enrolled if the withdrawal date has passed. Students are eligible for this process up to one year from the semester they were last enrolled. Students are not eligible to request an MCW if they completed the course and took the Final Exam/Final Assessment.  

 
Medical Withdrawal Request -A request to withdraw from college/courses because of an exceptional adverse life event related to the physical or mental health of the student or someone for whom the student is the primary caretaker. (i.e. power of attorney or medical power of attorney, etc.)  

Compassionate Withdrawal Request - A request to withdraw from college/courses because of an exceptional adverse event not covered under a medical withdrawal (e.g. death of a family member, incarceration, crime victim, act of nature, legal issues). Exceptional adverse life events-An unexpected and extraordinary event/circumstance that substantially impacts one’s life and/or ability to remain enrolled in school. As documented and determined by the Dean of Student Success. Such as the hospitalization, death of a loved one, etc.  

 
Effective Date of Onset -The date when the exceptional adverse life event began to impact academic work as determined by the Dean of Student Success when reviewing the documentation and timeline. The date of event must not exceed prior one year.  

Procedures - Students must complete and submit a Medical or Compassionate Withdrawal Request form provided by the college (online or in-person), with supporting documentation (e.g., medical, or legal documentation, etc.) to an HCC Counselor to request to withdraw from a course(s) due to an exceptional adverse life event. Additionally, the student must discuss the impact of withdrawal with the following offices: VA, Financial Aid, International etc. if applicable. All requests from students on an international F-1 student visa require a statement on immigration compliance from the Director of International Student Services before a Dean of Student Success renders a decision.  

Appeals Process - A student who is not satisfied with a denial of their request for a medical/compassionate withdrawal may appeal to the MCW Appeal Committee within 7 college business days after the denial of their appeal has been communicated to them (or longer if a good case can be demonstrated for failure to appeal within the designated time). Students can get detailed information on how to file an appeal from their Counselor or the Dean of Student Success at their campus.  

Procedures 

Students must complete and submit a Medical or Compassionate Withdrawal Request form provided by the college (online or in-person), with supporting documentation (e.g., medical or legal documentation, etc.) to an HCC Counselor to request to withdraw from a course(s) due to an exceptional adverse life event. Additionally, the student must discuss the impact of withdrawal with the following offices: VA, Financial Aid, International etc. if applicable. All requests from students on an international F-1 student visa require a statement on immigration compliance from the Director of International Student Services before a Dean of Student Success renders a decision. 

A student who is not satisfied with a denial of their request for a medical/compassionate withdrawal may appeal to the MCW Appeal Committee within 7 college business days after the denial of their appeal has been communicated to them (or longer if a good case can be demonstrated for failure to appeal within the designated time). Students can get detailed information on how to file an appeal from their Counselor or the Dean of Student Success at their campus. 

Progress Records 

A student can check his/her/their final grades at any point by logging into his/her/their Student Account. Login to a Student Account by visiting https://myeagle.hccs.edu and selecting “Student Sign-In.” 

Grade Reports

Grades generally post one week after the last final exam for that particular session or semester.

Certificate of Completion

Certification is awarded upon successful completion of required. Successful certificate completion requires 80% attendance and achievement of learning objectives in all designated courses. 

Participants may also elect to take any individual course separate from the certificate requirements. 

Continuing Education Units (CEU’s)

One CEU is 10 contact hours of successful participation/completion in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction. CEUs are not substituted for college credit hours, but rather are a means of reporting continuing education activities. Transcripts listing CEU credits satisfactorily completed are available on request. CEUs are recognized internationally as a measure of substantial professional education and training. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirement for Veteran and Military Affiliated Students

The Department of Veterans Affairs requires that any student utilizing VA education benefits make satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible for such benefits.

Respective students on academic probation and suspension will be reported to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Please see the Requirements for Academic Progress section of this Handbook for more information.

Time Frame Component

A student receiving the Hazlewood Act exemption will be expected to complete his/her educational attainment objective or course of study within their first ninety semester hours.

Grades of “F,” “FX,” “I,” “NG,” or “W” repeated courses are counted in the aggregate total number of hours attempted. Students will not receive the exemption if the course has previously been passed, unless the program of study requires students to take the course more than twice in order to achieve a required grade.

Please see the Grading System section of this Handbook for grade definitions.

Repeating Courses for Veteran and Military-Affiliated Students

Students using VA educational or Hazlewood Act benefits may not retake a course in which a passing grade or a temporary grade of “I” is awarded.

It is ultimately the responsibility of the student to know which course(s) has/have been completed. Students may check their progress by logging into their student account and viewing their Interactive Academic Advisement Reports (iAARs).

The HCC VMASS District office is required to notify the VA of any course duplications, and appropriate changes will be made when a student has taken a class that has been deemed successfully completed.

Activated Reservists

An HCC student who is attending classes and is called to active duty during a semester may elect to do one of the following:

• Receive a refund for the tuition and fees paid for the semester from which the student withdraws;
• Receive an incomplete grade in all courses by designating “withdrawn” on the transcript; or
• Request the instructor to assign an appropriate final grade or credit if the student has satisfactorily completed a substantial amount of course work and demonstrated sufficient mastery of the course material.

The amount of the refund is contingent upon the course drop date in accordance with the Drop and Withdrawal Refund Schedule found at the Refunds and Credit Balances section of this Handbook. To drop/withdraw from courses for this reason, submit a VMASS Certification Request at www.hccs.edu/support-services/veteran-affairs/vmass-certification-request.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements for Financial Aid Students

Financial aid students must meet the following Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements set by the federal government.  As of this writing, those requirements are:

• Must maintain a term GPA of 2.0 or higher;
• Must complete at least 67 percent of attempted courses for the academic year; and
• Must enroll in courses leading to an HCC degree or certificate.

Students who do not maintain the standards listed above will be ineligible to receive financial aid. Students should note that SAP Requirements to maintain financial aid are not the same as academic progress requirements (see Academic Progress Requirements section of this Handbook). A student may appeal a suspension of financial aid by submitting a written request to the college Financial Aid Office, online or in-person. For more information regarding the financial aid SAP requirement and appeal of suspension options is available in the college Financial Aid Offices and online at www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/financial-aid/satisfactory-academic-progress.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 was established to protect the privacy rights of all students and applies to any educational facility receiving federal funds. FERPA prevents the release of certain information held within student education records. HCC complies with FERPA when collecting, maintaining, and releasing student records.  

Release of Student Records/Information

FERPA affords students in “attendance” at Houston Community College (HCC) certain rights with respect to their education records. “Attendance” is defined by HCC as beginning on the first day of the term in which a student is enrolled. These student rights, which are described on the Board policies site at FJ(Local) and (Legal), include:

• The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the College receives a request for access. A student should submit to the Registrar a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The College Official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the College Official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.  
• The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. A student who wishes to ask the College to amend a record should write the College Official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed and specify why it should be changed. If the College decides not to amend the record as requested, the College will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing. See policy FJ(LOCAL) and (LEGAL) available at www.hccs.edu/about-hcc/policies/hcc-board-policy-manual-section-f.  
   

FERPA also designates certain information related to a student as “Directory Information.” FERPA gives the College the right to disclose such information to anyone inquiring without having to ask a student for permission, unless the student specifically requests in writing that all such information not be made public without written consent (see location of HCC Confidentiality Form below), except by the National Student Clearinghouse, to loan guarantors. 

Houston Community College has designated the following as “Student Directory Information:”  

• Student’s name;  
• Address and telephone number;  
• Date of birth;  
• Major field of study;  
• Enrollment status (full/part-time);  
• Classification;  
• Dates of attendance at HCC;  
• Number of semester hours completed and in progress;  
• Student classification;  
• Degrees earned and dates awarded; and  
• Most recent previous educational institution attended.  

 
If a student does not want directory information released, the student must complete a confidentiality request form and submit to the Enrollment Services Office.  
 

The Confidentiality Form is located at: Admission and Enrollment forms | Houston Community College - (https://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/admissions-and-enrollment-forms/)  
 

Release of any additional information pertaining to student records must be authorized by the student (i.e., grades, transcripts). If a student wishes to authorize HCC to release information to another person, the student should complete an Authorization to Release Information form and submit with proper identification to the Enrollment Services Office at the College. The form will specify duration and information allowed to be released.  
 

The Authorization to Release information form is located at: Admission and Enrollment forms | Houston Community College - (https://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/admissions-and-enrollment-forms/). 
 

If a student is not able to sign the Authorization to Release Information form in person at the Enrollment Services Office, the student must complete the FERPA Notary Form. The FERPA Notary Form must be notarized and is located at  Admission and Enrollment forms | Houston Community College - (https://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/admissions-and-enrollment-forms/). 
 

During the COVID-19 pandemic emergency or other times where in-person access to College personnel is restricted, students may contact the Office of the Registrar for information about how to obtain their own student records.  
 

A student has the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. For more information, visit www.studentprivacy.ed.gov or write to the office that administers FERPA at the following address: 

U.S. Department of Education

Student Privacy Policy Office
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-8520
FERPA.Complaints@ed.gov

Tutoring

One important key to success in college is learning to use available resources. HCC provides several tutoring options for students in most areas of study. Whether a student prefers real-time, face-to-face interactions, or the privacy and convenience of working with an online or virtual tutor from anywhere, HCC provides multiple modalities for tutoring. In addition, HCC provides access to its physical and virtual Academic Success Centers staffed with experts ready to assist students with writing assignments, math problems, and most areas of study.  
 

• For general information and to schedule an in-person or a video conference appointment call 713-718-8184 or visit www.hccs.edu/tutoring  
• For tutoring schedules visit hccs.edu/findatutor or the purple tile labeled “Find a Tutor” on the MyEagle Landing page  
• For online tutoring visit www.hccs.upswing.io  

Certificates

CE Certificate - Continuing Education Certificates

Certificates in a specialized career field will help a student gain skill for job advancement. 

Occupational Skills Award - OSA

An OSA award prepares a student to enter a high-demand career field with minimal training.

Institutional Certificate - IC

The certificate is for continuing education students seeking to gain in-demand technical career skills in a short period of time.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Continuing education units, or CEUs, are awarded by many education and training providers to signify successful completion of non-credit programs and courses intended to improve the knowledge and skills of working adults.