The authority for this subchapter is Texas Education Code §§61.051 and 61.0512, which provide that no new degree or certificate program may be added at any public institution of higher education except with specific prior approval of the Board. Tex. Educ. Code §130.001 grants the Board the responsibility to adopt policies and establish general rules necessary to carry out statutory duties with respect to public junior colleges. Tex. Educ. Code §130.0104 requires each public junior college district to establish a multidisciplinary studies associate degree, and authorizes the Board to adopt rules as necessary. Tex. Educ. Code §61.05151 requires that the number of semester credit hours required for the associate degree not exceed the minimum number required by the institution's accreditor, in the absence of a compelling academic reason provided by the institution.