Areas of Study
ACC offers 10 Areas of Study that unite degree- and certificate-seeking students based on their declared majors and areas of interest. Academic programs within each Area of Study share common transfer paths, career tracks, and ways of looking at the world. Visit www.austincc.edu/academic-and-career-programs for more information.
The Areas of Study are:
- Arts, Digital Media, and Communication (ADMC)
- Business (B)
- Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT)
- Culinary, Hospitality and Tourism (CHT)
- Design, Manufacturing, Construction, and Applied Technologies (DMCAT)
- Education (E)
- Health Sciences (HS)
- Liberal Arts (LA)
- Public and Social Services (PSS)
- Science, Engineering, and Math (SEM)
Each Area of Study has degree and certificate plans, or pathways, designed to help you meet your academic and career goals by offering simplified, streamlined, and targeted course selection. The pathways are intended to help you register for the courses you need to stay on a path to completion and success. These Areas of Study pathways provide assigned advisors, academic support, career-related extracurricular activities, and engaging student life activities.
You must choose an Area of Study when you apply to ACC but you can change to another Area of Study if your interests or goals change. Your advisor can help you select the Area of Study and program that best meets your needs. You should choose an Area of Study and program that fits your transfer and career plans.
You must declare a major, or program of study, before the end of your first semester at ACC. If you are receiving Financial Aid, you must declare a major upon application to the college in order to receive your funds. To declare or change your major, make an appointment to see an Area of Study advisor.
Possible Effect of Criminal Record
When seeking to major in certain programs at ACC, your ability to complete the program, be licensed or certified, or be employed may be affected if you have a prior criminal record. In such cases, the actual violation and the length of time since that violation may be the deciding factor.
Programs that require agency sponsorship and programs that require practicums, internships, or clinical experience rely on community agencies to help students fulfill that requirement. Some of those agencies may require criminal background checks prior to your being allowed into their facilities. If the participating community agency will not accept you because of a criminal record, you may be unable to continue in the program.
Programs where a prior criminal record may come into question include, but are not limited to, Health Sciences, Criminal Justice, Education, and Child Development. You should check with the program to confirm your eligibility. The college conducts pre-employment criminal background checks on all otherwise eligible financial aid applicants for Work Study.
Applicants, such as registered sex offenders, should be aware that ACC is considered a “place where minors gather for regularly scheduled educational programs and/or activities.” In addition, some ACC campuses are in proximity to minors in public schools.