General Admissions Criteria
A comprehensive community college system, HCC offers many programs designed to meet the needs of students according to their interests. As an open-admission undergraduate institution, HCC has an “open door” admissions policy; individuals who have at least one of the following qualifications are welcome to enroll:
- Accredited High School diploma; or
- High School Equivalency certificate; or
- College-level hours earned at other accredited colleges or universities; or
- International students who meet college and state requirements; or
- An eligible high school student.
Admission to HCC does not guarantee admission to a particular course or program.
For further information regarding admissions to certain programs or special admissions, see below.
The applicable Board policies FB(LOCAL) and FB(LEGAL) can be found at HCC Policy Manual.
Continuing Education Programs Admissions
All Continuing Education students must apply online using the HCC website at Continuing Education Admissions. There is no charge to apply using the HCC website.
Some HCC Continuing Education Programs have special conditions for admissions, 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.
To review the list of programs and their associated prerequisites, please visit Continuing Education.
Online College Admissions
HCC does not have a separate admission policy for the Online College. All admission policies described above apply to all students regardless of course delivery modality.
Health Science Program Admissions
Admission to Houston City College (HCC) does not guarantee admission into a specific Health Science program. Each program has its own selective admission requirements, which may include:
Many Health Science programs include clinical rotations at local healthcare facilities. Students must meet all requirements set by each clinical affiliate in order to participate at that site.
To ensure student readiness for professional practice, Health Science programs maintain rigorous academic standards. Most programs require a minimum grade of C (75%) or higher to advance. Some programs also enforce no rounding of grades.
For questions regarding grades, progression, or program expectations, please contact Coleman College at healthscience.info@hccs.edu or coleman.nursing@hccs.edu
In accordance with state law, HCC does not require students to receive or provide proof of the COVID19 vaccination. However, many clinical partners do require students and staff to be vaccinated to enter their facilities.
For complete Health Science admission and program requirements, visit Health Sciences Programs. For program specific admission questions, please email
co.admisisonadvising@hccs.edu
Veteran and Military-Affiliated Students Admissions
Veteran and/or Military-Affiliated Students who plan to use VA/GI Bill® and/or State of Texas “Hazlewood Act” educational benefits must follow the steps outlined in the applicable HCC enrollment checklist. Further information is available at Veteran & Military-Affiliated Student Success (VMASS) Resource Centers on campus, on the website at Veterans Affairs, or by phone at 713-718-8522.
Upon completion of the Admissions Application, Military, Veteran and/or Military-Affiliated students should contact an HCC Student Advisor to address questions regarding enrollment and/or gaining access to additional resources or information. Students may go to any advisor at any campus location. For information on how to contact a campus advisor, please visit Academic Advising.
“GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official
U.S. Government website.“
Registration of Sex Offenders
The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Section 62.153 requires each person who has been convicted of specific sexual offenses and who intends to attend classes at an institution of higher education to register with the HCC Police Department. Registered Sex Offenders seeking to attend HCC are required to register with the HCC Police Department within ten days of enrolling in class, but not later than the seventh day after the date the person begins to attend school. FL(REGULATION), referenced below, explains in detail the process Registered Sex Offenders should follow, including the process for enrollment in their academic program.
Registered Sex Offenders must register with the HCCPD at the following location only:
Criminal Investigation Division of the HCC Police Department
3200-D Main St., Houston, TX 77001
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (except during HCC closures or holidays)
More information can be found at Sex Offender Information, in the Student Code of Conduct, and applicable Board policies FL(LOCAL); FL(LEGAL); FL(REGULATION) available at HCC Board Policy Manual in Section F.
Admission for High School or Non-Credit Students
Certain HCC programs require additional or special admissions information. Those programs are described briefly below.
Special Program Admissions
As described below, certain HCC programs are available to students meeting special criteria. Students seeking admission to special programs should identify the programs to which they want to apply and follow the directions on the corresponding website.
VAST Academy (Vocational Advancement and Skills Training)
The VAST Academy provides post-secondary transition programs and comprehensive support services which lead to meaningful credentials, employment and independence for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at five college campus locations: Central, Northwest/Spring Branch, Southwest/Stafford, Northeast/Acres Home, North Forest, Southeast/Felix Fraga and an Online Cohort option. Opportunities include workforce certificates, precollege and freshman success bridge courses, career readiness credentials and employment assistance offered through an inclusive, relevant, affordable, and supportive environment. The VAST Academy under the College Readiness Division, offers two tracks: a Career Readiness/Occupational Skills Continuing Education Certificate and “Pathways Bridge to Careers” support program for students enrolled in industry-specific workplace certificates. The program’s successful supportive strategies include person-centered planning, advising, counseling, registration assistance, career, and employment services.
HCC’s VAST Academy has a formal admissions process. For information on admissions criteria, requirements and steps to apply please, visit the VAST Academy website.
Adult Education Program
Additionally, HCC offers Adult Education programs described below and at Adult Education.
Adult Education & Literacy Programs
Adult Education courses are grant-supported through the support of the Texas Workforce Commission and Houston Galveston Area Council (HGAC). Adult Education students can choose from the following six programs below:
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HSE (High School Equivalency Student): Students seeking a certificate of High School Equivalency (GED, Hi-SET, TASC). A student who wants to prepare to take one of the three Texas-approved high school equivalency exams. These exams include the GED (General Educational Development), the TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion), or the Hi-SET (High School Equivalency Test). Upon successful completion of all parts of one of these three accepted exams, the student will receive the certificate of high school equivalency issued by the Texas Education Agency.
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ESL (English for Speakers of Other Languages): This is for learners who want to achieve competency in comprehending, speaking, reading, and writing English, and whose first language is not English. A learner who wants to achieve competence in comprehending, speaking, reading, and writing English. ESL students can continue to study for their High School Equivalency and/or transition to postsecondary education and training or employment.
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ESLP (English for Professionals): This program is for Students wanting to speak, read, and write English, and whose first language is not English and has a degree from a country outside the United States.
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ELCivics (English Literacy and Civics): This program is for students who are interested in obtaining their citizenship and wanting to speak, read, and write English, whose first language is not English. Additionally, this connects literacy to the lives of learners and reflects their experiences as community members, parents, and participants in the workforce.
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TSI Prep Boot Camp: ATSI1000 is an intensive Four-Week non-credit Reading, Writing, and Mathematics program that will help you understand the various objectives that will be tested on the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment and how to successfully answer the questions.
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Career4U Academy: Career4U Academy is a collaborative effort by HCC and a number of high-profile nonprofit organizations to assist underemployed or unemployed individuals. All Career4U Academy training integrates career training with Adult Education classes. Financial aid is regularly available. All Career4U Academy programs also can be configured to accommodate students whose second language is English. To find out more, visit Career4U Academy or call 713-718-5381.
IET/EL Civics offerings provide advanced English Language Learners with tuition assistance for concurrently enrolling in ESOL courses that are integrated with Level One Certificate career programs.
Ability to Benefit Programs
The Adult Education & Literacy office has arrangements that will allow students who do not have a high school diploma or Certificate of High School Equivalency (TxCHSE) certificate to enroll at HCC and receive federal student aid including Pell Grants. Students need to demonstrate that they have the “ability to benefit” from postsecondary education and training and can meet certain additional requirements. More information is available at Pell Grant Option.
Adult High School
Adult High School (AHS) and High School Credit Recovery (HSCR) are credit recovery and /or credit programs for students seeking credit recovery and/or original credit toward their high school graduation requirements (students recovering/completing credit receive a high school diploma). Current high school students will need a referral from their high school counselor before registering for any AHS class. For more information, call 713-718-7611 or visit Adult High School.
Establishing Residency
HCC is required by Texas law to determine the residency status of all students for tuition purposes. Students who have not enrolled for two or more consecutive regular semesters (fall and spring) must complete the residency core questions and satisfy all applicable requirements to establish residency. Additional documentation may be requested at any time following registration. Residency is determined at the time of registration, either by a student’s current address or by the address of a parent or legal guardian if the student is being claimed by his/her/their parents or is eligible to be claimed by his/her/their parents as a dependent for federal income tax purposes. A post office box can be used for a mailing address but cannot be used to establish residency. It is the responsibility of the student to register under the correct residency classification. A complete set of rules and regulations for determining residency is available at each campus’s Enrollment Services Office.
For tuition purposes, a student will be classified according to the following guidelines. The Registrar is the final authority on all questions of residency. For more information on residency or to see the list of approved documentation, visit Residency Information.
Basic Residency Requirements
For tuition purposes, according to Texas law, all students must answer a complete set of core residency questions within the admissions application. These questions will be used by the institution to determine if the person is a resident. A student must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that they are a U.S. citizen or lawfully present alien to be classified as a resident of Texas. The following persons shall be classified as Texas Residents and entitled to pay resident tuition at all institutions of higher education:
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A person who graduated from a public or accredited private high school in this state or as an alternative to high school graduation, received the equivalent of a high school diploma in this state AND maintained a residence continuously in this state for the 36 months immediately preceding the date of graduation, or received the diploma equivalent as applicable and the twelve months preceding the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolled.
In-District Residency
Students who have met the basic Texas residency requirements and live in HCC’s taxing district (Alief ISD, Houston ISD, Stafford MSD, and part of Missouri City) are considered in-district residents.
Students must reside at a street address in HCC’s taxing district to be considered in-district. Post office boxes and dormitory addresses cannot be used.
Out-of-District Residency
Students who have met the basic Texas residency requirements and live outside HCC’s taxing district are considered out-of-district residents.
Out-of-State Residency
A student who has not resided in Texas for twelve months immediately preceding registration is considered out-of-state, except for certain exceptions described below. A non-resident student classification is presumed to be correct as long as the residence in the state is primarily used for the purpose of attending school. To be reclassified as a resident (after one or more years of residency), the student must show proof of intent to establish Texas as his/her/their permanent legal residence.
See Veterans Services for information regarding residency determinations of Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students.
International Student Residency for Tuition Purposes
An international student is a non-U.S. citizen who is not classified a resident alien by the U.S. Government.
International students living in the United States under an eligible visa permitting residence must provide documentation and meet the same requirements as a U.S. citizen to qualify for Texas resident status for tuition purposes.
Undocumented Students
Texas Law states that undocumented students can be admitted to the College and be considered a resident of Texas for tuition purposes if the undocumented student is a lawfully present alien and meets the conditions listed below:
If the student does not meet these criteria, the student may still enroll but will be classified as out-of-state for tuition purposes.
Change of Residency
The change from out-of-district residency to in-district residency must be made at the time of registration. Any address change which results in a change to in-district status must be accompanied by adequate documentation. Changes to in-district status made after registration will be effective the following semester. A student who qualifies for a change from out-of-state to in-state residency status for tuition purposes may file a petition for change of residency. The form can be found and submitted online at Admissions and Enrollment Forms. The form may be submitted to the Enrollment Services Office at any college. The petition must be filed with the Office of the Registrar or Enrollment Services Office at any of the Colleges before the 12th day of class for the regular (16-week) term in order to receive any refund of excess tuition paid for that term.
Penalties
Any student who provides false information or withholds information for proper determination of residency, admission, or enrollment is subject to any or all of the following penalties:
These determinations will be made by the processes described in the Student Code of Conduct. See Student Code of Conduct or Board Policy FLB(LOCAL) at HCC Board Policy Manual in Section F for more information. In the case of certain types of fraud, students may be subject to additional state, federal, or criminal penalties.
Additional Information for Non-U.S. Citizen Students
A non-U.S. citizen who is living in the United States under permanent resident status, has an appropriate visa, or who has filed an I-485 application for permanent residency and has been issued a notice of action from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) showing that the I-485 has been approved, has the same privilege of qualifying for resident status, for tuition purposes, as a U.S. citizen. Anyone permitted by Congress to adopt the United States as their domicile while living in this country is afforded the same privilege as citizens and permanent residents to establish Texas residency for tuition purposes. For a full list of eligible non-U.S. citizen statuses, see 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 21.24.
Prior Learning Assessment Credit
Houston City College (HCC) offers Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) as a pathway for students to earn college credit for knowledge and skills gained outside of a traditional classroom setting. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is the process used to evaluate that learning. PLA recognizes knowledge gained through the following six pathways:
PLA evaluates whether prior learning meets college-level standards, including Student Learning Outcomes and course competencies. When these standards are met, CPL may be awarded and applied toward HCC degrees or certificates.
CPL can help students accelerate degree completion by recognizing previously acquired knowledge and experience.
Eligibility for PLA Credit
To be eligible for CPL, a student must:
Restrictions:
PLA Process
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Consult Your Academic Advisor - Speak with your Pathway and Case Management Advisor to discuss your interest in PLA.
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Contact the Academic Department - Reach out to the department that offers the course for which you seek PLA credit. The department determines eligibility and provides guidance on beginning the PLA process.
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Assessment and Award - The academic department evaluates your prior learning to ensure it aligns with HCC Student Learning Outcomes and course competencies. CPL is awarded only when these standards are met.
For more detailed information about CPL, visit the HCC Prior Learning Assessment website.
Credit by Examination
Houston City College (HCC) awards college credit for qualifying scores on select nationally recognized examinations. Eligible exams include:
In addition to earning credit through national exams, students may also earn credit in select programs by completing departmental or program final exams. More information is available at Transferring Credits.
