Field of Study
Field of study curricula were mandated in Senate Bill 148 of the 75th Texas Legislature (1997). Core curricula and field of study curricula are intended, to facilitate the free transferability of lower-division academic courses among Texas public colleges and universities, if a student successfully completes a field of study curriculum. Fields of study are developed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, but have not yet been approved for all majors. The block of courses in the field of study may be transferred to a general academic teaching institution in Texas and must be substituted for that institution's lower division (freshman and sophomore level) requirements for the degree program in that field of study. The student shall receive full academic credit toward the degree program for the block of courses transferred.
A student who transfers from one institution of higher education to another, without completing all courses in the field of study curriculum at the sending institution, shall receive academic credit in the field of study curriculum of the receiving institution for each of the courses that the student has successfully completed. Following receipt of credit for these courses, the student may be required to satisfy the remaining course requirements in the field of study curriculum at the receiving institution. A student concurrently enrolled at more than one institution of higher education shall follow the field of study curriculum requirements of the institution at which the student is classified as a degree-seeking student.
The general AA degree plan is designed to allow smooth transfer into a baccalaureate degree program at a senior institution. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board developed selected Field of Studies for specific academic majors. In general, a student planning to complete a baccalaureate degree in one of these areas is best served by pursuing a Field of Study AA degree plan. Separate degree plans has been provided for the general AA and each of the currently approved field of study options under the Associate of Arts degree, including: