All students not eligible for an exemption or waiver must take an approved assessment test in reading, writing, and mathematics prior to enrolling in an Texas public college or university. Developmental education courses are provided in reading, writing, mathematics, speaking/listening and human development for students who do not demonstrate college readiness on the assessment tests.

Many levels of developmental reading, writing and math classes and English for speakers of other languages are offered to enable students to complete the prerequisites for college-level courses and to satisfy Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and requirements.

Developmental courses are listed in the catalog as DREA for developmental reading, DWRI for developmental writing, DMAT for developmental math, ESOL for English for speakers of other languages, and HDEV 0092 for student success. Developmental courses are numbered 0100 and below. These courses carry institutional credit but do not count toward a degree or certificate.

Students should work closely with an academic advisor to develop a plan to complete required developmental education courses as soon as possible. Instructional formats vary and may include computer-based, self-paced, lecture, learning communities, and on-line offerings. Many services such as tutoring, mentoring, Math Lab, Writing Center, counseling, and study skills seminars are provided to enable students enrolled in developmental education courses to meet the college readiness standards. Students who wish to improve skills in reading, writing, and math may also enroll in developmental courses even if not required to do so because of low test scores.

The State of Texas financially subsidizes the education of college students. In other words, the tuition paid by any student represents only a portion of the real costs of any developmental education courses. As the State of Texas will pay for only 27 hours of attempted developmental studies courses, students could be required to pay a higher rate of tuition for any developmental hours beyond the 27 hour limit.