Field of Study Curriculum
Field of study curriculum, mandated in Senate Bill 148 of the 75th Texas Legislature (1997), facilitates free transferability of lower-division academic courses among Texas public colleges and universities. Field of study curricula are defined by SB 148 as "a set of courses that will satisfy the lower-division requirements for a bachelor's degree in a specific academic area at a general academic teaching institution." The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is responsible for developing and approving academic courses that fulfill the lower-division requirements for majors that correspond to the field of study.
Students who successfully complete LC's field of study curriculum can transfer that block of courses to any Texas public college or university. The field of study curriculum is substituted for that institution's lower-division requirements of the degree program for the field of study into which the students transfer. The students receive full academic credit toward the degree program of the block of courses transferred. Students who transfer without completing the LC's field of study curriculum receive academic credit for their courses but must complete the transfer institution's field of study requirements.
The Coordinating Board has approved fields of study for the following disciplines: business, communication, computer science, criminal justice, engineering, engineering technology, health & wellness, Mexican-American studies, music, and nursing. LC does not necessarily offer all the courses in each of the fields of study listed by Coordinating Board.
Biology - Field of Study
Field of Study Emphasis Associate of Science - Biology
The following set of courses have been adopted as a field of study for students seeking a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Biology. Below is the suggested course order, students may decide to take certain courses based upon their semester of availability. All courses must be completed before receiving degree.
For additional information concerning the Biology field of study or transferability, please consult with advisors for the Natural Sciences Department at (956)721-5195.
Three hours of Creative Arts are required and can be satisfied by selecting any one course of the following: ARTS 1301, ARTS 1303, ARTS 1304, DANC 2303, DRAM 1310, MUSI 1306, OR MUSI 1310.
Six hours of a Component Area Option are required and can be satisfied by any two courses from the following: COSC 1301 and SPCH 1311 are recommended.
BCIS 1305, COSC 1301, COSC 1436, KINE 1304, SPCH 1311, and/or SPCH 1315.
Three hours of Language, Philosophy or Culture are required and can be satisfied by any one course of the followiing: ENGL 2322, ENGL 2323, ENGL 2326, ENGL 2327, ENGL 2328, ENGL 2332, ENGL 2333, or ENGL 2351.
Three hours of Social and Behavioral Science are required and can be satisfied by any one course of the following: ECON 2301, ECON 2302, PSYC 2301, PSYC 2306, PSYC 2308, PSYC 2314, PSYC 2317, SOCI 1301, SOCI 1306, SOCW 2361, or SOCW 2362.
Freshman Year
First Semester
Second Semester
Sophomore Year
First Semester
Second Semester
Total Credit Hours: 60
Business - Field of Study
The following set of courses has been adopted as a field of study for students seeking the Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts, or Bachelor of Science in Business:
| ECON 2301 | Principles of Macroeconomics CORE | 3 |
| ECON 2302 | Principles of Microeconomics CORE | 3 |
| MATH 1325 | Calculus for Business and Social Sciences | 3 |
| BCIS 1305 | Business Computer Applications CORE | 3 |
| SPCH 1321 | Business and Professional Communication | 3 |
| | | |
| | OR | |
| ACCT 2401 | Principles of Accounting I | 4 |
| | | |
| | OR | |
| ACCT 2402 | Principles of Accounting II | 4 |
For additional information concerning field of study or transferability, please consult with personnel from the Business Communication Department at (956) 721-5355.
Civil Engineering - Field of Study
Civil Engineering Field of Study
The Civil Engineering FOS applies to all baccalaureate programs in the following CIP codes: 14.0801 Civil Engineering, General
Communications Field of Study
Approved by the Board in April 2019
Next Schedule Revision: Spring 2024
The Communications FOS applies to all baccalaureate programs in General Communications (CIP code 09.0100), Speech Communication (CIP code 09.0101), Organizational Communication (CIP code 09.0901), Health Communication (CIP code 09.0905), Sports Communication (CIP code 09.0906), International Communication (CIP code 09.0907), and Technical and Scientific Communication (CIP code 09.0908). It does not apply to programs in Journalism, Mass Communication, Radio & Television, or Advertising/Public Relations.
| SPCH 1311 | Introduction to Speech Communication CORE | 3 |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking CORE | 3 |
| SPCH 1318 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| SPCH 1321 | Business and Professional Communication | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Courses in the Field of Study must transfer at all Texas public institutions of higher education and must be applied to the student's degree program in Communications.
Computer Science - Field of Study
The following courses have been adopted as a field of study for students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Note: It is recommended that students complete the math sequence, physics sequence, and computer science sequence at the same institution to reduce the likelihood of potential gaps in the curriculum.
For additional information concerning the Computer Science field of study or transferability, please consult with advisors from the Computer Technology Department at (956) 721-5317.
NOTE: An Associate of Science degree can be awarded when completing the field of study along with the LC core. Please consult with the Computer Technology Department for more details.
Criminal Justice Field of Study
The following set of courses has been adopted as a field of study for students seeking a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice:
For additional information concerning field of study or transferability, please consult with personnel from the Protective Service Department at (956)794-4710.
Fine Arts Field of Study
Fine Arts General Studies Track
Board Approval Date: July 2019
Effective Date: September 2020
Next Scheduled Revision: Summer 2024
The Fine Arts FOS applies to all Bachelor of Arts programs in the following CIP codes:
50.0701 Art/Art Studies, General
50.0702 Fine/Studio Arts, General
50.0708 Painting
50.0709 Sculpture
Choose two of the courses below
Total Credit Hours: 27
Fine Arts Studio Track
Fine Arts Studio Track
Choose two of the courses below
Advanced Studio Course
No more than one of the following:
Total Credit Hours: 27
Courses in the Field of Study must transfer at all Texas public institutions of higher education and must be applied to the student's degree program in Fine Arts and related degree programs.
Health & Wellness Field of Study
Board Approval Date: July 2019
Effective Date: September 2020
The Health & Wellness Field of Study applies to all baccalaureate programs in the following CIP codes: 51.0001 Health & Wellness; 51.2207 Public Health Education and Promotion.
Courses in the Field of Study must transfer at all Texas public institutions of higher education and must be applied to the student's degree program in Health & wellness and related degree programs.
Music Field of Study - Instrumental Track
Associate of Arts Degree with a Specialization in Instrumental Music
Freshman Year
First Semester
Second Semester
Sophomore Year
First Semester
Second Semester
Total Credit Hours: 60
Applied Music requirements may be taken from any Music MUAP course (see catalog for selections).
Ensemble Music requirements may be taken from any Music MUEN course (see catalog for selections).
Life and Physical Science requirements can be taken from any CORE course from the following disciplines (BIOL, CHEM, ENGR, GEOL, and PHYS).
Music Field of Study - Vocal Track
Associate of Arts Degree with a Specialization in Vocal Music
Freshman Year
First Semester
Second Semester
Sophomore Year
First Semester
Second Semester
Total Credit Hours: 60
Applied Vocal requirements may be taken from any Vocal MUAP course (see catalog for selections).
Ensemble Vocal requirements may be taken from any Vocal MUEN course (see catalog for selections).
Life and Physical Science requirements can be taken from any CORE course from the following disciplines (BIOL, CHEM, ENGR, GEOL, and PHYS).
Nursing - Field of Study
The following courses, totaling 28 credit hours of fully transferable and applicable lower-division academic courses, and an additional set of Workforce Education (WECM) nursing courses, make up the field of study curriculum for Nursing.
Academic Courses
| | Chemistry with lab (4 SCH, any ACGM course including lab) | |
| BIOL 2301 | Anatomy and Physiology I CORE | 3 |
| BIOL 2101 | Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 2302 | Anatomy and Physiology II CORE | 3 |
| BIOL 2102 | Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | 1 |
| | | |
| BIOL 2320 | Microbiology for Non-Science Majors | 3 |
| | AND | |
| BIOL 2120 | Microbiology for Non-Science Majors Laboratory | 1 |
| | OR | |
| BIOL 2321 | Microbiology for Science Majors | 3 |
| | AND | |
| BIOL 2121 | Microbiology for Science Majors Laboratory | 1 |
| | | |
| HECO 1322 | | |
| | OR | |
| BIOL 1322 | Nutrition and Diet Therapy | 3 |
| | | |
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology CORE | 3 |
| PSYC 2314 | Lifespan Growth & Development CORE | 3 |
| MATH 1342 | Elementary Statistical Methods - CORE | 3 |
Workforce Education Courses
Lower-division nursing content is offered through one of two general types of programs: Blocked or Integrated. Because of the distribution of content, it is extremely difficult to align curricula from one type of program to another. Students who desire to transfer from a program utilizing one type of program into the other type of program should be prepared to make up some content through a "bridge" course or through the repetition of some content within courses. It is recommended that a student make every effort to avoid transferring from one type of program to the other before completing the associate degree in nursing in order not to lose credit.For additional information concerning field of study or transferability, please consult with personnel from the Nursing Department at (956) 721-5252.
Psychology Field of Study
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Total Credit Hours: 60