There are eight categories of students admitted to the College, and each student category has specific admissions requirements.
1. First-Time College Student
- Submit an official transcript from an accredited high school with the date of graduation or High School Equivalency (GED, HiSET TASC) test scores.
- If you are 21 years of age or younger, submit proof of a bacterial meningitis vaccination.
- If you graduated from a home school program, provide a transcript with parental signature and date of graduation.
- If you graduated from a non-accredited high school or did not complete your High School Equivalency (GED, HiSET TASC), you may be admitted to Del Mar College by individual approval by the Director of Admissions. Test scores must be submitted before applying for individual approval. Note: Individual approval may be subject to conditions established by the U.S. Department of Education for special assessment to be eligible to receive federal financial aid. Please refer to the Financial Aid section of the Catalog or contact the Financial Aid Services Office at (361) 698-1293.
- Students who have attended a foreign high school are required to have their transcript evaluated. See the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website (https://www.naces.org) for an approved agency. For more information on the international student admissions process, please refer to the International Students section of the Catalog.
- If you are a Texas high school student and have not passed the State assessment test, you may be admitted to Del Mar College by individual approval from the Director of Admissions. An official high school transcript and test scores must be submitted before applying for individual approval.
- Submit test scores utilizing the Texas Success Initiative Placement Exam. Completion of a Pre-Assessment Activity will be required prior to registering for the exam. Some students may be exempt from these tests based on their SAT, ACT or STAAR. Check with the Student Enrollment Center on the eligibility of STAAR scores.
2. High School Students: Special Programs
Del Mar College in cooperation with specific area high schools has designed special programs in which high school students can earn college credit while still attending high school.
Requirements to participate in one of these programs can be obtained from your high school counselor, the Del Mar College Student Enrollment Center, or the Office of Early College Programs.
The special high school programs are as follows:
- Dual Enrollment
This program offers you the opportunity to receive credit for a college course while simultaneously earning credit toward high school graduation. To participate in Dual Enrollment classes, your high school district must have a contractual agreement with Del Mar College, and students must meet all Del Mar College admission requirements. For more information contact the Office of Early College Programs at (361) 698-1634 or visit the Dual Enrollment Programs section of the Del Mar College website (https://www.delmar.edu/dualcredit).
- Early Admissions
The program offers you the opportunity to study at the College and receive only college credits while completing requirements for high school graduation. Interested students will need to complete an Early Admissions form at the Del Mar College Student Enrollment Center. For more information contact them at (361) 698-1290.
Both Dual Enrollment and Early Admissions are designed for high school students who have demonstrated the ability to accept an academic challenge and responsibility.
To be eligible for either the Dual Enrollment or Early Admissions Programs, you must meet the following requirements:
- Early Admission students must have completed their freshman year in high school.
- Dual Enrollment students must contact their high school counselor to begin enrollment process.
- Dual Enrollment students may not enroll until the spring semester of their freshman year in high school.
- Must submit proof of Meningitis vaccination.
- Must submit high school and college transcript(s) (if applicable).
- Must have the approval of the high school counselor, principal, and parent or guardian.
- Must meet all Del Mar College admission requirements including assessment.
- Must take only those classes for which assessment levels are met.
- Must adhere to all policies of the College
- Must enroll in courses that align with a student's high school graduation plan and college pathway.
Standardized test norms and appropriate scores are subject to change.
3. Returning Students
If you were previously enrolled at Del Mar College but have been away for one year or longer, you must submit to the Student Enrollment Center a new Application for Admission and official transcripts of study completed at other colleges during the period of absence. Placement tests may be required. Additionally, students will need to submit proof of having received a bacterial meningitis vaccination pursuant to Texas Senate Bill 62.
4. Transfer Students
Transcript Requirement
Official transcripts are critical if you are transferring from other colleges. Be sure to follow these steps:
- Submit current official transcripts of credit earned from each higher education institution previously attended. If you attended another higher education institution but earned no credit, you must submit an official high school transcript or High School Equivalency (GED, HiSET or TASC) test scores. If your previous coursework does not include college credit in English and math, you must provide placement test scores.
- If you are unable to furnish a transcript prior to registration, you may be allowed to register with the understanding that an official transcript(s) must be on file in the Student Enrollment Center within the first semester. If you do not meet this deadline, you may be ineligible to register in any subsequent semesters.
Students Transferring in Credit
Official transcripts are critical if you are transferring from other colleges. Be sure to follow these steps for having prior credit evaluated for potential transfer to Del Mar College:
- Students transferring in credit will be required to complete a Transfer Evaluation Request form (TERF) and submit the form to the Registrar's Office (unless specified otherwise in an MOU between Del Mar College and another institution). The form can be accessed on the Transcripts section of the Del Mar College website (https://www.delmar.edu/transcripts).
- Once all of your official transfer transcripts have been received by the Student Enrollment Center, the evaluation request will be processed. To ensure proper advising and course selection, submit your transcripts as early as possible. You will be notified via your Del Mar College email account once your request has been completed. It is highly encouraged to submit your admission documentation as soon as possible to ensure timely evaluation.
- If you are a student who has earned credits from an institution outside the boundaries and territories of the United States a course-by-course evaluation must be completed and course descriptions must be provided. If you would like your coursework evaluated, see the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) for an approved agency. These agencies are independent and not affiliated with Del Mar College. Course descriptions must come from your previous institution. Be advised that course descriptions must be translated to English if they are in another language. We only accept course descriptions that have been translated by one of the approved agencies. Del Mar College reserves the right to determine acceptability and/or placement of international academic credit. Evaluation by an international agency does not guarantee acceptance or use at Del Mar College.
Even though a course transfers to a specific institution from Del Mar College, be aware that the course that was taken at a different institution may not transfer and would not count as a Del Mar College credit. This is especially true for courses taken at private institutions and when semester credit hours differ. Students may be required to resubmit transcripts if their records have exceeded retention guidelines.
Credit Earned
You will be credited with all courses that you are entitled to according to the transcript of record if the former institution is recognized by one of the following associations:
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Higher Learning Commission
Transfer Disputes
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has established the following procedures for Del Mar College to resolve transfer disputes involving lower division courses:
- If Del Mar College does not accept course credit earned by you at another institution of higher education, Del Mar College will give written notice to you and the other institution that the transfer of the course credit is denied.
- The two institutions and you shall attempt to resolve the transfer of the course credit in accordance with Coordinating Board rules and/or guidelines.
- If the transfer dispute is not resolved to your satisfaction or to the satisfaction of the institution at which the credit was earned within 45 days after the date you received written notice of the denial, Del Mar College will notify the commissioner of the THECB of its denial and the reason for the denial.
The commissioner of higher education or the commissioner's designee will make the final determination about a dispute concerning the transfer of course credit and give written notice to you and the institutions.
You may consult with the College's Vice President and Chief Academic Officer throughout this process.
Admissions Conditions
When transferring, there are four conditions of admission:
- If you are eligible for readmission to your former college, you are eligible for admission to Del Mar College.
- If you are on scholastic probation, you will be admitted under the same status at Del Mar College.
- If you are on scholastic suspension, you must appeal for admissions through the Registrar's Office.
- If you are on disciplinary probation at your former college, you must appear before the Dean of Student Engagement and Retention before registering. If approved for admission, you may be placed on disciplinary probation at Del Mar College.
5. Transient (Summer Only) Students
If you are transferring from another institution of higher education for the summer terms only, you must provide an official transcript from your most recent institution attended and must meet the eligibility requirements for the courses that you will register for at Del Mar College (DMC). Assessment scores may be required. Year-round Federal Pell Grant is available to all eligible students even if they received a full Federal Pell Grant during the fall and spring semesters. Students who receive the maximum student loan for the fall and spring semester may not be eligible for loans during the summer sessions (see the Financial Aid section of the Catalog).
Note: Summer transient students (university students who are attending DMC for the summer term only) are not eligible for aid at DMC because they are not pursuing a degree or certificate from DMC.
6. Undocumented Students
Undocumented students are eligible for enrollment on the same basis as documented students. Students will need to follow one of the other student types. Contact the Student Enrollment Center at (361) 698-1290 for additional information.
7. International Students
International Application Priority Deadlines
| Visa Type |
Fall Deadline |
Spring Deadline |
Summer Deadline |
| F-1 New Students |
June 1 |
October 1 |
N/A |
| F-1 Transfer from Another U.S. College or University |
July 1 |
November 1 |
April 1 |
Requirements for International Student Enrollment
If you are an international student wishing to study at Del Mar College, you must complete the following procedures to be considered for admission. Once you obtain your F-1 or M-1 visa and begin studies, you must comply with all international student regulations in order to maintain the status of your visa and remain enrolled.
Submit all of the following documents:
You must show proficiency in English according to the following information:
- TOEFL paper 550; TOEFL IBT 79; TOEIC 780; or Academic IELTS overall band score 6.5 allows students to take the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) test for admission into college-transfer courses. Scores are valid for two years.
- Students who have recently taken approved college assessment tests (ACT, SAT, STAAR) may be exempt from all, or part of, the TSI Assessment. See the Assessment Requirements section of the Del Mar College website (https://www.delmar.edu/offices/testing/assessment-requirements.html) for more information.
- Students who do not meet one of the above requirements for English proficiency must take the ESOL Program's placement test for admission into the ESOL Program. Minimum scores on approved ESOL tests for admission into the Del Mar College ESOL Program are: TOEFL 347, TOEFL IBT 19, IELTS 2, TOEIC 255, COMPASS/ESL 42. Scores are valid for two years. You will be referred to the ESOL Program for testing and evaluation. Before beginning your academic program, you must take the Texas Success Initiative placement test.
Upon admission, you will be issued the I-20 form. Present this form and the receipt for the I-901 fee when you apply for your student visa.
If you are an international student transferring from a U.S. college or university, you must provide a current I-20 and visa in addition to the documents listed above. You will also need to submit the Transfer Clearance Form (obtained from the Registrar’s Office).
International students transferring from a U.S. college or university must provide a transfer/transient clearance form, a current I-94 form, I-20 form, and a passport in addition to the documents listed below. DMC will not accept an international student with a "terminated" status in SEVIS or who is not in good academic standing at their current institution. Students who have completed an Associate degree (or higher) at a U.S. or foreign institution will not be accepted for admissions. Students accepted for admissions may only pursue one major, thus, may only complete one Associate degree.
Del Mar College does not provide housing though there are several real estate agents and housing locator services in Corpus Christi that may assist you in securing accommodations.
As an F-1 or M-1 student, you are not eligible for financial aid. However, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships. Also, you may not work without permission. If you are in an academic program, you may be eligible to work part-time employment on campus. After one academic year, you may be eligible to work off campus; however, specific criteria must be met, and authorization is required by the U.S. government.
For more information email enroll@delmar.edu.
8. Military Personnel and Military Dependents
If you are an active-duty military personnel or a dependent, you must complete the regular College admissions requirements and must complete 15 semester credit hours in residence to be eligible for an associate degree.
For more information refer to the Veterans and Military Service Members Information section of the Catalog.