The Core Curriculum is a set of courses that provides the knowledge, skills and experiences you need to succeed in college and in life. Whatever your academic or career goals, the Core Curriculum can help you to launch a successful future. Here’s why:
- It builds a solid academic foundation with personal flexibility. Completing the Core ensures you build fundamental skills on a solid educational base. But it’s also flexible enough that you can choose the courses that will apply to your chosen field of study while completing your Core requirements.
- You can earn an associate degree with just a few more courses. Take your block of Core courses (42 credit hours), and with just 18 additional hours, you can earn an associate degree. Go right to work with your new skills, or transfer your Core Curriculum to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree.
- Transfer is guaranteed. It’s a state law that students who complete the Core Curriculum with at least a 2.0 GPA are guaranteed that their courses will transfer as a block of credit to any Texas public college or university. Individual Core courses must be accepted as well by the transfer institution.
Get specific information on the Core Curriculum, read answers to frequently asked questions about the Core or learn about the history of the Core selected by Dallas College.
“Along the way, we all get discouraged and might say, ‘Maybe I’m not worthy enough to go to law school.’ Well, I would want people to read my story and see, you know what, I can do this. I can get it done.” Read Vonda Bailey's story.
Core Curriculum Areas of Study
Anthropology
Discover what makes us human with Dallas College anthropology courses. Explore past cultures through archaeology, understand human societies, and learn how people lived throughout history and today.
Architecture
Build your architecture foundation at Dallas College with transferable courses in design, sketching, computer graphics, and structural concepts. Explore architectural history and master essential skills.
Art
Explore your creativity with Dallas College art courses. Learn drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, digital art, and more. Build critical thinking skills while discovering art history and design.
Biology/Ecology
Explore life sciences at Dallas College with biology courses in anatomy, physiology, genetics, microbiology, and environmental biology. Programs for both science majors and non-science students.
Chemistry
Dallas College chemistry courses provide essential knowledge for medical fields, science careers, and industry work. Learn fundamental principles that apply to everything from food to technology.
Communications
Study communications at Dallas College with hands-on training in video production, journalism, radio, TV, and digital media. Work with student newspaper, radio station, and television to build real experience.
Dance
Explore dance at Dallas College with classes in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, ballroom, modern dance, and world dance. Learn performance, composition, and anatomy for dancers in this expressive art form.
Economics
Learn economics at Dallas College and understand how money, business, and government decisions affect your daily life. Build skills for smarter career choices, personal finance, and real-world problem-solving.
Engineering
Build versatile engineering skills at Dallas College for high-demand careers in manufacturing, electronics, and semiconductors. Learn engineering graphics, mechanics, programming, and design fundamentals.
English
Start your journey at Dallas College! English courses in writing, literature & communication. Affordable, supportive, designed for your success.
Environmental Science
Study environmental science at Dallas College and explore climate change, conservation, energy issues, and biodiversity. Interdisciplinary approach with hands-on labs for university transfer or personal growth.
Foreign Language Courses
Expand your horizons with foreign language courses at Dallas College. Learn ASL, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish—and boost your global skills, career potential, and cultural awareness.
Geography
Study geography at Dallas College and explore the connection between natural and social sciences. Learn physical, human, and world regional geography to address environmental and sustainability challenges.
Geology
Study geology at Dallas College and tackle critical challenges like climate change, natural disasters, and resource management. Learn earth sciences, environmental science, oceanography, and meteorology.
Government
Study government at Dallas College with courses in federal and Texas government, constitutions, and political systems. Essential liberal arts foundation for university transfer or personal enrichment.
History
Explore history at Dallas College with courses in Texas, U.S., world civilizations, and Mexican-American history. Analyze past events to understand the present for university transfer or personal growth.
Human Development
Dallas College Human Development courses build skills for college, career, and life. Learn study strategies, decision-making, communication, and personal growth to succeed academically and professionally.
Humanities
Dallas College Humanities courses inspire deeper understanding of self, culture, and creativity. Explore how and why humans create through an interdisciplinary approach that builds critical thinking and cultural awareness.
Mathematics (Math)
Mathematics (Math) Being able to do basic math is a cornerstone of successful life and career skills, while advanced math is critical to entering and advancing in careers in business, finance, engineering, medicine and other sciences. Dallas College offer
Music
Dallas College offers a wide variety of instrumental and vocal instruction in performance and theory through its Music courses. Ensembles may include jazz, band, brass, woodwinds, strings, percussion, vocal ensemble, madrigal singers and chorus.
Peace and Human Rights Studies
Dallas College offers a transferable Associate of Arts emphasis degrees in peace and human rights studies. These awards are designed to meet the needs of students who plan to pursue a major/minor in Human Rights at Southern Methodist University (SMU).
Philosophy and Religion
Dallas College's Philosophy and Religion courses build critical thinking, writing, and global awareness. Explore human experience, beliefs, and traditions to better understand the world and your place in it.
Photography
Dallas College Photography courses teach essential skills for careers in media, marketing, and the arts. Explore studio, fashion, news, and digital photography while gaining hands-on experience in visual storytelling and production.
Physical Education and Kinesiology
Physical Education (P.E.) courses at Dallas College offers a wide range of activities and sports that may include lifetime sports activities, conditioning exercise, basketball, volleyball, weight training, soccer, golf, weight training, self defense, aero
Physics
Dallas College’s Physics and Astronomy courses explore matter, energy, motion, and the universe from atoms to galaxies. Build a strong science foundation and gain insights into how the world and cosmos work.
Psychology
Dallas College offers courses in general psychology and lifespan growth and development, while specified colleges offer courses in the psychology of personality, social psychology, personal adjustment, human sexuality and more.
Speech Communication
Build strong communication skills with courses in public speaking, interpersonal, intercultural, and business communication. Gain practical experience and explore how communication impacts individuals, organizations, and society.
Find Out More About Core Curriculum
Sign up to receive additional information about Core Curriculum or call 972-669-6400.
Pathway Specialist
- 972-669-6400
- PathwaySpecialist@DallasCollege.edu
Dallas College
- 972-669-6400
- Text College to 214-978-6457
- StudentHelp@DallasCollege.edu
1Length of time is based on catalog degree plans. Prerequisites may be required, which are not included in this estimate. For most programs, full-time student status is assumed, a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
2Cost is based on tuition rates for program hours for Dallas County residents. The price of most required learning materials (books, software, supplies, etc.) is included with the price of tuition. Visit our Paying for College site to learn more about cost, financial aid, scholarships and more.
3Each location offers a unique combination of certificate and degree options. Not all degree and certificate offerings are available for admission/start at all campuses every semester.
4A portion of Lightcast’s data comes from O*NET Online by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Lightcast has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.