Degrees and Certificates

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Associate of Arts Degree (AA)

The Associate of Arts (AA) program is an academic transfer degree designed for students who will ultimately be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at a four-year college/university that is not math or science oriented. Examples of this type of four-year degree are: Business, Liberal Arts, History, Speech, Music, Education, Criminal Justice, etc.

Panola College AA is a generalized degree that will not list a specific major. While certain courses are recommended, the requirements are essentially the basic first and second year equivalent of many bachelor’s degrees.

Associate of Science Degree (AS)

The Associate of Science (AS) program is an academic transfer degree designed for students who will ultimately be pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at a four-year college/university. At Panola College, the AS degree is a generalized degree that will not list a specific major but will be called Associate of Science. Some examples are, but not limited to: Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, etc. While certain courses are recommended, the requirements are essentially the basic first and second year equivalent of many bachelor’s degrees.

Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT)

Leading to Initial Texas Teacher Certification

• EC-6 Generalist
  An academic transfer degree leading to a bachelor’s degree for individuals seeking Texas teacher certification.
• Grades 4-8 Generalist
  An academic transfer degree leading to a bachelor’s degree for individuals seeking Texas teacher certification.
• Grades 6-12, 7-12, 8-12, EC-12 Other Than Special Education
  An academic transfer degree leading to a bachelor’s degree for individuals seeking Texas teacher certification.

Academic Fields of Study

In accordance with Texas Education Code, §61.823, the Board approves field of study curricula for certain fields of study/academic disciplines. Field of study curricula shall be developed with the assistance of advisory committees whose membership includes at least a majority of members who are teaching faculty (as defined by §4.23(8) of this title, relating to Definitions for Core Curriculum and Field of Study Curricula) within the field of study under consideration.

1. If a student successfully completes a field of study curriculum developed by the Board, that block of courses may be transferred to a general academic teaching institution and must be substituted for that institution’s lower-division requirements for the degree program for the field of study into which the student transfers, and the student shall receive full academic credit toward the degree program for the block of courses transferred.
2. A student who transfers from one institution of higher education to another without completing the field of study curriculum of the sending institution shall receive academic credit in the field of study curriculum of the receiving institution for each of the courses that the student has successfully completed in the field of study curriculum of the sending institution. Following receipt of credit for these courses, the student may be required to satisfy the remaining course requirements in the field of study curriculum of the receiving institution, or to complete additional requirements in the receiving institution’s program, as long as those requirements do not duplicate course content already completed through the field of study curriculum.
3. A student concurrently enrolled at more than one institution of higher education shall follow the field of study curriculum requirements of the institution at which the student is classified as a degree-seeking student.

The Field of Study curriculum is designed to satisfy the lower division requirements for a bachelor’s degree in a specific area at four-year colleges in the state of Texas.* Fields of Study offered by Panola College include

• Business Administration & Management (FOS adds 3 hours to degree completion)
• Criminal Justice
• Drama
• English Language & Literature
• Health Science - Nursing
• Music (modified for degree completion)
• Political Science & Government

*Field of Study completion does not guarantee admission to a four-year institution in the state of Texas.

Texas Core Curriculum Law

The Core Curriculum is the curriculum in liberal arts, humanities, sciences, political, social and cultural history that all undergraduate students of an institution of higher education are required to complete before receiving an academic undergraduate degree. Each institution of higher education shall adopt a core curriculum of no fewer than 42 semester hours, including specific courses comprising the curriculum.

If a student completes the core curriculum at a Texas public institution of higher education, that block of courses may be transferred to any other Texas public institution of higher education and must be substituted for the receiving institution’s core curriculum. A student shall receive academic credit for each of the courses transferred and may not be required to take additional core curriculum courses at the receiving institution unless the Coordinating Board has approved a larger core curriculum at that institution.

A student who transfers from one institution of higher education to another without completing the core curriculum of the sending institution shall receive academic credit from the receiving institution for each of the courses that the student has successfully completed in the core curriculum of the sending institution. Following receipt of credit for these courses, the student may be required to satisfy further course requirements in the core curriculum of the receiving institution.

Panola College Academic Core Curriculum

The Panola College Core Curriculum was approved in 2014 and follows the matrix developed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. It was developed by the Panola College Core Curriculum Committee, approved by the College’s Curriculum Committee and then by the Board of Trustees of the College. Changes may be submitted periodically to and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Students planning to transfer to public institutions of higher education in Texas should follow the Core carefully. For those students planning to attend private or out-of-state institutions, the Core provides an excellent model.

Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)

The AAS program is a two-year degree plan designed for students who want to pursue training so they can quickly enter the workforce.

Career and Technology Certificates

Certificates (CERT) are programs of study that vary in length and are designed to prepare the student for occupational employment. The certificate is awarded upon completion of specific courses that have been industry validated and sequenced for the purpose of developing and upgrading skills in an occupation. Some examples are: Cosmetology, General Business, Medical Assisting, Petroleum Technology, Vocational Nursing, and Welding. The career and technology program of study has a competency-based curriculum organized to teach industry-driven educational outcomes in terms of appropriate skills, knowledge and perspectives needed by students to enter and succeed within a designated occupational field or fields.

The Associate of Applied Science degree and the Certificate of Completion meet the Guarantee of Job Competency. Transfer options may exist at many colleges/universities through the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree (BAAS).

For proper course selection, students should contact the person designated as program advisor or a Panola College advisor. Special services may be available for students enrolled in career/technical education programs. Contact the career/technical advisor in the Student Success Center for information.

It is the responsibility of each student to keep apprised of current graduation requirements for a certificate or degree program in which he or she is enrolled.

Guarantee of Job Competency

If a recipient of an Associate of Applied Science Degree or Certificate of Completion is judged by his/her employer to be lacking in technical job skills identified as exit competencies for his/her specific degree program, the graduate will be provided with up to twelve (12) tuition-free credit hours of additional skill training by Panola College under the conditions of the guarantee policy. Special conditions which apply to the guarantee include the following:

The graduate must have earned the Associate of Applied Science degree or Certificate beginning May 1993 or thereafter in a technical or occupational program identified in the College’s general catalog.

The graduate must have completed requirements for the Associate of Applied Science degree or Certificate of Completion with Panola College, with a minimum of 75 percent of credits earned at Panola College and must have completed the degree or certificate within a five-year span.

Graduates must be employed full-time in an area directly related to the area of program concentration as certified by the Vice President of Instruction.

1. Employment must have commenced within 12 months of graduation.
2. The employer must verify in writing that the employee is lacking entry-level skills identified by Panola College as program exit competencies and must specify the areas of deficiency within 90 days of the graduate’s initial employment.
3. The employer, Vice President of Instruction, career/technical counselor and an appropriate faculty member will develop a written educational plan for retraining.
4. Retraining will be limited to 12 credit hours related to the identified skill deficiency and those classes regularly scheduled during the period covered by the retraining period.
5. All retraining must be completed within a calendar year from the time the educational plan is agreed upon.
6. The graduate and/or employer will be responsible for the cost of books, insurance, uniforms, fees and other course-related expenses.
7. The guarantee does not imply that the graduate will pass any licensing or qualifying examination for a particular career. A student’s sole remedy against Panola College and its employees for skill deficiencies shall be limited to 12 credit hours of tuition-free education under the conditions described above. Activation of the “Graduate Guarantee Program” may be initiated by the graduate by contacting the Vice President of Instruction within 90 days of the graduate’s initial employment.

TSI Waived Programs

The following students shall be exempt from the requirements of this title, whereby exempt students shall not be required to provide any additional demonstration of college readiness and shall be allowed to enroll in any entry-level freshman course as defined in §4.53(12) of the Texas Administrative Code:

• A student who is enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less (Level-One certificates, 42 or fewer semester credit hours or the equivalent) at a public junior college, a public technical institute, or a public state college.
• A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment.
• A student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States.

Vice President of Instruction

It is my sincere pleasure to welcome you to Panola College. The College faculty and staff are committed to creating an academically challenging, dynamic, and hospitable environment for all students.

Panola College is dedicated to cultivating responsible citizen scholars who will flourish during their careers and beyond. The College strives to inspire in each student an understanding of the important contributions an individual can make in society. Since 1947, Panola College has been providing academic and career focused education to a diverse student population. At Panola we are committed to help you achieve your personal, professional and academic goals by providing you with an unparalleled level of student support.

From the time you apply through the time you graduate, and beyond, you’ll belong to a community of dedicated faculty, staff, administrators, advisors, mentors, classmates and alumni. Our co-curricular activities promote the development of the “whole student.” Panola offers both resident and commuter students from all academic disciplines a wide array of engaging social, athletic, and cultural events and programs that will aid them in achieving that all-important balance.

Vice President of Instruction

Dr. Billy Adams
Miller Administration Building
Carthage, Texas 75633
(903) 693-2028

About the Vice President of Instruction

The chief instructional officer is responsible for the administrative leadership and management of the academic programs; updating of the academic plan and strategies, allocating of instructional resources in support of the strategic goals, and developing/sustaining articulation agreements and community-based partnerships that enhance the institutional mission and the students’ success. The Vice President of Instruction coordinates responsibilities to work with the faculty, staff, and other College administrators including the financial and student services leadership to advance the institutional mission and to enhance shared governance.

The Vice President of Instruction supervises the Academic Schools, Accreditation and Compliance Services, Information Technology, Learning Resources, Grants and Sponsored Research, Teaching and Learning Center, E-Learning Services, and Early College Programs as well as Assessment of Student Learning, Institutional Effectiveness, Preparatory Studies, and Supplemental Instruction. Other responsibilities include hiring of credentialed faculty and the evaluation of faculty. The Vice President of Instruction is the regional accreditation liaison.

Mission Statement

The Mission of Instruction is to ensure high quality courses and outstanding programs in various delivery modes to all individuals who desire to pursue higher education. The Vice President of Instruction is authorized and directed to further the interests of the College;

• provide primary leadership for the instructional programs of the College;
• convene and chair the Dean’s Council;
• consult with and advise Academic Deans in the employment, retention, and termination of faculty members and prepare and submit to the President appropriate recommendations;
• work with other appropriate personnel in, and be responsible for, the preparation and coordination of such publications as the College catalog, class schedules, final examination schedules, and book lists;
• develop and maintain familiarity with the policies and programs of state, regional and federal agencies and accrediting bodies related to the educational work of the College and utilize this knowledge in carrying out the duties of the office;
• work to resolve the any problems arising among members of the faculty, between students and faculty, and with both students and faculty in their relationships with various segments of the College;
• serve on the Executive Council;
• implement and monitor the Instructional Program Review Policy;
• coordinate and oversee the instructional elements of the budget;
• and supervise faculty and staff involved in teaching and provide learning resources, and conduct recruitment and employment of personnel for such positions with final approval of the President.

Academic Schools

The School of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Natalie Oswalt, noswalt@panola.edu
Dean, Arts, Science & Technology
Merle Glass Building, (903) 693-2095

• Department of Education
• Department of Humanities and Fine Arts
• Department of Kinesiology
• Department of Preparatory Studies
• Department of Science and Mathematics
• Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences

The School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Kelly Reed-Hirsch, kreed-hirsch@panola.edu
Dean of Health Sciences
Health and Natural Sciences Building, (903) 694-4022

• Department of Associate Degree Nursing/Registered Nurse
• Department of Emergency Medical Technology
• Department of Health Information Technology
• Department of Licensed Vocational Nursing
• Department of Medical Assistant
• Department of Medical Laboratory Technology
• Department of Occupational Therapy Assistant

The School of Professional and Technical Programs

Natalie Oswalt, noswalt@panola.edu
Dean, Arts, Science & Technology
Merle Glass Building, (903) 693-2095

• Department of Business
• Department of Computer Information Technology
• Department of Cosmetology
• The School of Energy
  • Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
  • Department of Energy
• Department of Welding

College Divisions

Division of Library Services

Cristie Ferguson
Director, M. P. Baker Library
(903) 693-2091
cferguson@panola.edu

Division of Workforce and Continuing Education

Whitney McBee
Director, Workforce and Continuing Education
W. C. Smith Building
(903) 693-2067
wmcbee@panola.edu

Division of Distance Learning

Texas Reardon
Director, Distance and Digital Learning
Gullette Technology Building
(903) 693-2060
treardon@panola.edu

Marshall College Center

Laura Wood
Director, Harrison & Marion County Operations
Marshall Mall, Marshall, Texas
(903) 935-5039
lwood@panola.edu

Shelby College and Shelby Regional Training Center

Cancee Lester
Director, Shelby County Operations
Shelby Regional Training Center, Center, Texas
(936) 591-9075
clester@panola.edu

Department Heads