Educational Certifications (DMS & TDM)

Essay Credit Form

Texas Heritage/Cultural Tourism is a required core discipline that must be completed (27 credits) in order to receive the TDM Designation. To assist in earning credits towards the Texas Heritage/Cultural Tourism certificate, participants may elect to write an essay paper and be awarded 20 credits toward the Texas Heritage/Cultural Tourism certificate. The essay topic must be Pre-Approved and the paper should advance the understanding of Texas heritage and/or cultural influences on tourism in Texas.

Form

An essay must adhere to the following requirements:

ESSAY REQUIREMENTS

• The participant must complete the online Essay Approval Form for approval by the TDM committee prior to beginning the essay.
• Candidates will choose from a list of suggested topics, or submit for approval an alternative topic on Texas heritage and/or cultural tourism.
• A candidate’s paper shall be an original essay in thesis form on a Texas heritage/cultural tourism topic and will earn credits toward the Texas Heritage/Cultural Tourism certificate.
• Participants will prepare a minimum 1,000 and maximum 3,000 words, double-spaced research paper.
• The paper’s contents will include: an introduction, analysis with main findings/viewpoint, a conclusion with applications, and an executive summary or abstract.
• The author should follow a structured formatting style such as:
  • American Psychological Association (APA) thesis format
  • Indiana University-Bloomington thesis writing style
• A minimum of ten (10) sources is required.
• Candidates will have a maximum of 180 days to complete this paper from the date of approval by the TDM committee – extensions must be approved by TDM Committee.
• The TDM committee will review the completed essay for compliance to the requirements and will award 20 credits for successful completion.
• Following completion, the essay will be added to the TACVB resource library and may be selected for posting on the TACVB website.
• The essay credit option may be exercised only one (1) time.