Instructional Support

1. Student Success (STSC 0101) Course

The Student Success Course (STSC 0101) helps you make a successful transition to college. The course covers topics vital to college success: getting organized, time management, goal setting, test taking, note taking and personal communication. In addition, you are introduced to the wide variety of resources on campus.

2. Developmental Courses

You might need to enroll in developmental courses to build a strong academic foundation prior to enrolling in college-level courses.

It takes determination on your part to postpone career plans while doing developmental work in English, Mathematics, or Reading. However, these academic enrichment courses will establish the needed preparations prior to enrolling in college-level work.

You should know that you pay tuition for these courses, the grades earned are reflected on your permanent transcript, and, in most instances, these courses do not count toward a degree. However, through these classes, you develop good study habits, improve reading comprehension, increase ability to analyze, and develop reasoning skills. This is what building an academic foundation is really all about.

Your developmental course needs might be met by non-semester length developmental education interventions, Non-Course Based Option (NCBO), rather than semester length developmental education coursework. Check with the Chairperson of the appropriate department to see if you are qualified to take an NCBO.

Students who enroll in developmental coursework may be required to co-enroll in the entry-level freshman course of the same subject matter in the same semester, as required by Texas state law.

For the 2024–2025 academic year, co-requisite enrollment is as follows:

• If a student scored on the TSIA2 test (a) 936–944 or EFL 5 or 6 in Reading and scored an Essay 3–4 and 936–944, or EFL 5 or 6 for English, or on the TSI scored (b) 354+ and an essay of 0–3 and Reading score of 342–350, they must enroll in ENGL 1301 and INRW 0408 (Integrated Reading and Writing).
• If a student’s math score on the TSIA2 is in the range of 946–949 of EFL 5* or on the TSI the range of 346–349 and the degree or certificate plan requires a college-level math course, then they must enroll in a corequisite set of math courses that includes both a Foundations Mathematics course (MATH 0314, MATH 0324, MATH 0332, MATH 0342) and the required college-level Mathematics course (MATH 1314, MATH 1324, MATH 1332, MATH 1342). The math corequisite course set will depend on their degree requirements. The current corequisite math course options are MATH 0314/MATH 1314 (College Algebra), MATH 0324/MATH 1324 (Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences I), MATH 0332/MATH 1332 (Contemporary Mathematics I), or MATH 0342/MATH 1342 (Elementary Statistical Methods).

Note (*): For TSIA2 score using EFL 23, EFL 5, or <950 and EFL 6, placement is with Mathematics Department Chair Approval.

3. Supplemental Instruction

If you are enrolled in a historically difficult academic course, Supplemental Instruction (SI) provides regularly scheduled, out-of-class, peer-facilitated study sessions led by trained SI Leaders. If you regularly attend SI sessions, you will learn study strategies and refine learning skills which can help you earn higher course grades, stay enrolled and graduate. Call (361) 698-2138 or visit the Supplemental Instruction section of the Del Mar College website (https://www.delmar.edu/offices/si/index.html).

4. Peer Tutoring

The Peer Tutoring Program is designed to provide one-on-one assistance and small group support to students. Tutoring is conducted in a constructive atmosphere of learning using a variety of tutoring techniques tailored to your individual learning style.

Online tutoring is a real-time interaction between the tutor and the student, so the responses are immediate, and the tutor and student view content at the same time. This allows the student one-on-one time with a tutor via the Internet.

The goals of tutoring are to inspire you to become a confident, independent learner prepared to meet academic and personal challenges. Tutoring is free and is provided in a number of academic areas such as:

• Math
• English
• Biology
• Business
• Chemistry
• Geology
• Government
• Reading
• Physics
• Psychology
• History
• Nursing
• Sciences
• High School Equivalency Program (GED, HiSET, and TASC)
• Preparation -- HESI Exam
• Placement Testing

The Peer Tutoring Program strives to create a win-win environment for Del Mar College students. The benefits of being a Tutor often go beyond those of a typical part-time job and include strengthening communication and problem-solving skills, enhanced learning skills, and creating a sense of accomplishment that comes from helping others. To become a Peer Tutor, a student must have an overall GPA of 3.0 to 4.0, must be currently enrolled, and have earned a grade of an "A" or a "B" in the subject area. Peer Tutors are certified through the College Reading and Learning Association Certification Program. For more information about tutoring or becoming a Peer Tutor, call (361) 698-2267.

Student Success Center (Heritage Campus)
Venters Business Building
Room 310
(361) 698-2259