TCCNS Taxonomy

In the Texas Common Course Numbering System each course is identified by a four-character "rubric" (i.e. prefix or department abbreviation) and a four-digit number:

The rubric is always four upper-case alphabetic characters.

The first digit of the course number denotes the academic level of the course; the second digit denotes the credit value of the course in semester hours; and the third and fourth digits establish course sequencing and/or distinguish the course from others of the same level, credit value, and rubric.

All rubric/number combinations correspond to course descriptions listed in the Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM), published by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The ACGM is the official list of courses for which state funding is provided to community colleges; in effect, the ACGM comprises the academic (in contrast to occupational/technical) courses Texas public community colleges may offer without obtaining special permission from the Coordinating Board.

"Uncommon" Courses

Texas community colleges have adopted TCCNS rubrics/numbers as their internal course numbering system. However, many courses at two-year institutions are not actually common in content, nor generally transferable to universities, and assignment of a Common Number to such courses is inappropriate.

For this reason the system provides several means by which to indicate courses are not part of the TCCNS :

• "7" as the third digit of the number excludes a course from TCCNS guidelines, even though the rubric and the course number conform to the TCCNS format. Such courses are not presumed transferable under TCCNS guidelines, though receiving institutions are free to recognize them according to their normal transfer practices.

• "0" (zero) as the first digit of the number identifies a course as subfreshman-level and therefore remedial/developmental in content. Such courses are not presumed transferable under TCCNS guidelines, though receiving institutions are free to recognize them according to their normal transfer practices.

• Any course carrying a nonstandard rubric is not part of the TCCNS and is not presumed transferable under TCCNS guidelines, though receiving institutions are free to recognize such courses according to their normal transfer practices. (See the list of approved TCCNS rubrics, below.)

Special Groups of Courses

Some courses receive special accommodation in the TCCNS , either because of their nature or the circumstances in which they are offered within the State of Texas.

Academic Co-operative Courses

The ACGM lists four academic courses community colleges may offer on a co-operative basis, i.e. combining traditional study with more practical, hands-on work experience in an appropriate setting either on- or off-campus:

THECB Approval Number	Course Title	Appropriate TCCNS Rubric
24.0103.52 12	Academic Cooperative in Humanities & Fine Arts	ARTS, COMM, DANC, DRAM, ENGL, FREN, GERM, MUSI, PHIL, SPCHor SPAN
26.0101.52 03	Academic Cooperative in the Biological & Life Sciences	BIOL
40.0101.53 03	Academic Cooperative in the Physical Sciences	CHEM, GEOL, or PHYS
45.0101.51 25	Academic Cooperative in the Social Sciences	ANTH, ECON, GOVT, HIST, GEOG, PSYC, or SOCI

 

The four THECB approval codes apply to each of four general subject areas. Institutions assign more specific TCCNS rubrics, as appropriate; the courses always carry one of the TCCNS numbers 2189, 2289, or 2389, depending on the semester-hour credit value of the course.

Applied Music (MUAP)

The possible range of numbers for applied music (rubric MUAP) courses is so wide that, in the interest of conserving space, they are not listed in the TCCNS matrix. Nevertheless, Common Numbers exist for these courses under the THECB approval code 50.0903.54 26.

In the course number, the 1st & 2nd digits are determined in the normal manner. A range of possible 3rd & 4th digits identify the subject and course sequence:

I. Instruments
A.Strings
Violin (or generic Strings)	01 through 04
Viola	05 through 08
Cello	09 through 12
Bass	13 through 14
Electric Bass	15 through 16
B.Woodwinds
Flute (or generic Woodwinds)	17 through 20
Oboe	21 through 24
Bassoon	25 through 28
Clarinet	29 through 32
Saxophone	33 through 36
C. Brass
Trumpet (or generic Brass)	37 through 40
Horn	41 through 44
Trombone	45 through 48
Euphonium/Baritone	49 through 52
Tuba	53 through 56
D. Percussion	57 through 60
E. Guitar	61 through 64
II. Keyboard & Harp
A. Organ	65 through 68
B. Piano (or generic Keyboard)	69 through 72
C. Electronic Keyboard	73 through 76
D. Harp	77 through 80
III. Voice	81 through 84
IV. Improvisation	85 through 86
V. Other	87 through 99

 

An institution may elect not to use the course number to distinguish between instruments of the same family, in which case

 

the 2-digit range reserved for Violin is used for generic Strings;

the 2-digit range reserved for Flute is used for generic Woodwinds;

the 2-digit range reserved for Trumpet is used for generic Brass; and

the 2-digit range reserved for Piano is used for generic Keyboard.

 Music Ensemble (MUEN)

The possible range of numbers for music ensemble (rubric MUEN) courses is so wide that, in the interest of conserving space, they are not listed in the TCCNS matrix. Nevertheless, Common Numbers exist for these courses.

 

In the course number, the 1st & 2nd digits are determined in the normal manner. A range of possible 3rd & 4th digits identify the subject and course sequence:

THECB Approval Number		Course Type (title)		3rd & 4th Digits
50.0903.55 26		Major Instrumental Ensemble		21 through 30
50.0903.55 26		Instrumental Chamber Ensemble (small)		31 through 40, 00-02
50.0903.55 26		Major Vocal Ensemble		41 through 50
50.0903.55 26		Chamber Vocal Ensemble (small)		51 through 60

 

This arrangement allows institutions to assign up to 20 major instrumental ensembles, 20 major choral ensembles, 20 chamber vocal ensembles for a total of 92 possible courses; no attempt has been made in the TCCNS to standardize individual numbers within these ranges.

 Physical Education (PHED) or Kinesiology (KINE) activity courses

Any number in the ranges 1100-1150 and 2100-2150 may be used for Physical Education activity (as opposed to theory/classroom) courses. Because such courses are so numerous and their specific course equivalency typically is not a significant transfer credit issue, no attempt has been made in the TCCNS to standardize individual numbers within these ranges.

Approved TCCNS Rubrics