Distance Learning

Tarrant County College offers a variety of credit courses through the Center for Distance Learning. Courses are offered via Instructional Television (ITV) and the Internet. These Distance Learning courses combine on-campus sessions (orientations, seminars, and examinations) with related readings and assignments.

Distance Learning courses offer students flexibility and convenience. Students are not required to come to campus as often for a Distance Learning course since much of the course work can be done at the student's home. Students have flexibility in selecting the time they will complete their weekly lessons and required activities.

In exchange for convenience, Distance Learning courses require students to have maturity, self-motivation, and self-discipline. All assignments are carefully explained in the written course materials, but the student must supply the motivation and discipline to complete the course work. It is the student's responsibility to complete assignments and tests during the scheduled time period.

Each course requires a commitment of time equal to that required by an on-campus course. Students who are employed, or who plan to seek employment, should carefully consider the amount of college work they attempt in relation to the number of hours they are employed each week. TCC reserves the right to limit the course load carried by any student.

College Credit
Upon successful completion of a course, a student will receive full college credit. The courses and the credit hours are equivalent to those offered on campus. Most credit courses apply toward associate degree requirements; many fulfill certificate program requirements and/or requirements for bachelor's degrees. Students should consult the TCC catalog, available at www.tccd.edu, for additional information.

Registration
Distance Learning students should follow TCC's regular application and registration procedures. Tuition is the same for Distance Learning courses as for courses offered on campus.

Out-of-Area Testing
Students in remote areas who wish to test at a site other than Tarrant County College must obtain approval from the Director of Distance Learning at Tarrant County College before enrolling in a course. Approval must be obtained and all arrangements for testing completed at least three weeks prior to the beginning of the semester.

Center for Distance Learning

The Center for Distance Learning serves as the district operating center for all courses offered through Instructional Television (ITV) and the Internet. The Center provides support services for faculty and students involved in these modes of instruction. The Center serves as an informational resource for students through the Center office, on the telephone, or online at the Distance Learning Web site. Information may be obtained about such things as testing times, orientation and/or seminar locations, or newsletter announcements. Information on how to contact all faculty and staff may also be obtained.

Students should not expect the Center for Distance Learning staff to answer questions about course content. Students must talk with their instructor about questions of this nature. Due to the Privacy Act, no test, assignment, or extra credit grades can be given over the telephone.

Course Materials
After completing registration, students should purchase any textbooks, study guides, and/or other supplies that are required for their course. Required textbooks and materials for all Distance Learning classes are listed under Search Course Offerings.

Textbooks for most Distance Learning courses can be purchased at any TCC Campus Bookstore or online at http://www.efollett.com. For courses taught on a specific campus, textbooks may only be available at that campus bookstore. Students who are unable to find the textbooks or supplies needed for a Distance Learning course are encouraged to check with all four TCC Campus Bookstores to find out if they have the materials in stock (be prepared to give your course title and number, instructor's name and synonym or section number). In the event that all four TCC Campus Bookstores are sold out of any required textbooks or other materials for a Distance Learning course, contact Kathy Gjedde in the Center for Distance Learning at 817.515.4450. The Center cannot supply the student with textbooks or supplies, but will work to help the student locate the materials in a timely manner.

Orientation Requirements
There is an orientation for each Distance Learning course. Specific orientation requirements vary according to the mode of instruction as described in the Search Course Offerings area of this Web site. Orientations will begin on the Saturday prior to the first day of class.

Course Restrictions
Students should check Search Course Offerings for specific course restrictions. Restrictions include special computer hardware and software requirements, additional on-campus and off-campus course activities, science lab restrictions and campuses, and testing locations.

Weekly Lessons
ITV students will be required to watch approximately two 30-minute programs per week for each course; this viewing schedule may vary depending on the course. Internet students are required to sign on to TCC's Distance Learning Web site frequently to complete lessons and requirements. In addition to completing the weekly lessons, students must allocate sufficient time to complete readings and/or other assignments which may be required for the course.

Examinations
Examinations for all Distance Learning courses are administered by designated Testing Centers on each campus. ITV students may take their tests at any campus anytime during the Testing Center hours of operation as detailed in your course booklet. Testing locations and hours for Internet courses vary depending on the course, and will be included in your course syllabus. Pencils and Scantron sheets are provided by the Testing Centers. Children are not allowed in the Testing Centers.

Inclement Weather
In the event of inclement weather, if TCC on-campus classes are cancelled, distance learning on-campus orientations, seminars, testing, and laboratories will also be cancelled. Stay tuned to your local radio or television station or check the TCCD Web site for information on campus closings. Video lessons may not be broadcast over cable when TCC is closed.

Children on Campus Policy
Children are not permitted at orientation sessions, seminars, in the library viewing areas, in computer or science labs, or in the Testing Centers. Children are not to be left unattended on college property at any time.

State Withdrawal Policy - Important!

Section 51.907 of the Texas Education Code, enacted by the State of Texas, Spring 2007, applies to students who enroll in a public institution of higher education as a first time freshman in Fall 2007 or later.

The College may not permit a student to drop more than six courses, including those taken at another Texas public institution of higher education.  All courses dropped after the Official Day of Record are included in the six-course limit unless (1) the student withdraws from all courses or (2) the drop is authorized by an appropriate College official as an approved Drop Exception. 

Further information on the new withdrawal policy can be found at http://www.tccd.edu/neutral/divisiondepartmentpage.asp?pagekey=531.