Career Center – Tuition Chart for Academic and Workforce Courses

IMPORTANT: Tuition, fees, and the refund policy listed in this Catalog were accurate at the time of printing. HCCS reserves the right to change its tuition and fee and refund policy structure wholly or in part during the year covered by this Catalog. Students should refer to the Class Schedule to determine tuition and fees and refund policy for the current semester.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Are their additional fees for Distance Education courses?
2. How do I know if I am in-district or out-of-district student?
3. How many courses per semester should I take?
4. How much will each course cost?
5. How much will the Real Estate and/or Accounting courses cost?

1. Are their additional fees for Distance Education courses?
   There is an additional $24.00 technology fee for each Distance Education course.
    
2. How do I know if I am in-district or out-of-district student?
   Residents of the Houston Community College System (Houston ISD, Stafford MSD and part of Missouri City) service area are considered in-district for fee purposes if they meet the basic residency requirements. To be a resident of the district, the student must be a resident of the State of Texas for 12 months and must live in the district. Questions concerning residency requirements should be referred to the Campus Admissions Office or the registrar/director.
    
3. How many courses per semester should I take?
   
   “Golden Rule” for College Success

   The majority of your college courses will be three credits or three hours, the terms are interchangeable. For example: College Algebra MATH 1314 – the second digit number is a three (3) therefore the course is assigned three credits. For each hour of instruction, you should spend 1 to 2 more hours outside of the classroom to complete assignments, reading, tests, quizzes, special projects, etc. Below is a chart that will help you understand the average time you need to spend for each 3-credit course.

   Class length during semester	Hours/Week in class; including hybrid or distance education	Total hours per week of average commitment per class
   16 weeks	3 hours	6—9 hours
   12 weeks	4 hours	8—12 hours
   11 weeks	4.5 hours	9—13.5 hours
   10 weeks	5 hours	10—15 hours
   8 weeks	6 hours	12—18 hours
   5 weeks	10 hours	20—30 hours

   Questions to ask yourself before you enroll in courses:

   • How much time am I willing to invest in coursework per week?
   • What does a typical day, or week look like for me? Are their activities that I can exclude from my schedule to allow for more study time?
   • Am I willing to make school a priority?

   Professors are required by state law to provide 48 hours of instruction for each 3 credit course, regardless of the length of term (16 weeks, 12 weeks, etc.) or platform (classroom, hybrid, or distance education).

   For distance education courses, the 48 hours of instruction may involve more of a collaborative learning environment in WebCT between the students and professors. For example, professors may include online discussions about a topic, case studies, projects, small group work and other methods of learning.

   In addition to the instructional component, you will have outside work to complete; for example quizzes, tests, readings, essays, and other methods of learning.

   References:

   • http://www.ion.illinois.edu/resources/tutorials/pedagogy/instructionalstrategies.asp
   • HCC Professor Cammy Artiz
   
   
4. How much will each course cost?
   The cost will depend on the number of credit hours assigned to each course. The majority of college courses are three credits or three hours, the terms are interchangeable. Click here to view the current Tuition Costs chart.
    

5. How much will the Real Estate and/or Accounting courses cost?
   Please review the Tuition Chart for Academic and Workforce Courses. Scroll down to the section labeled "Workforce" to review the cost for Real Estate and Accounting courses. Remember, there is an additional $24.00 technology fee for each Distance Education course.