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(1) - (14)(No change.) (15)Essential Criterion for New Doctoral Degree Programs. (A)An essential criterion for the approval of a new doctoral degree program shall be that the institution's most recent six-year baccalaureate graduation rate should equal or exceed the most recent annual statewide average six-year baccalaureate graduation rate. For the purposes of this rule, the six-year baccalaureate graduation rates at Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin shall not be included in the calculation of the state average. The statewide average six-year baccalaureate graduation rate shall be calculated using the six-year baccalaureate graduation rates of general academic teaching institutions only. An institution may submit documentation in support of an exception to this criterion based upon special circumstances, including but not limited to significant external funding, compelling regional need, and institutional mission. (B)If an institution's six-year baccalaureate graduation rate is below the state average as described, new doctoral programs may still be considered if the institution meets at least two of the following three alternative criteria: (i)The percent of change in the ratio of baccalaureate degrees awarded to the total undergraduate enrollment is at or above the statewide percent of change over the most recent three years, and the institution has had an increase in productivity over the most recent three years. (ii)The percent of change in the total number of baccalaureate degrees awarded is at or above the statewide percent of change for the most recent three years, and the institution has had an increase in productivity over the most recent three years. (iii)The percent of change in the number of baccalaureate degrees awarded to "at risk" students as defined in Chapter 13, Subchapter I, §13.150 of this title (relating to Performance Incentive Funding) is at or above the state percent of change for the most recent three years, and the institution has had an increase in productivity over the most recent three years. (C)If the institution meets at least two of the three alternative criteria, all applications for new doctoral programs must include an action plan to improve the six-year graduation rate and the unmet alternative criterion. If additional new doctoral programs are proposed within the same period during which the graduation rate data are effective, applications must include an update on the effectiveness of the initial action plan. A revised action plan is required for new doctoral program applications in every year for which there is new graduation rate data published by the Coordinating Board.
This agency hereby certifies that the
proposal
has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's
legal authority to adopt.
Filed with the Office
of the Secretary of State on April 27, 2012
TRD-201202199 Bill Franz
General Counsel
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Proposed date of adoption: July 26, 2012
For further information, please call: (512) 427-6114
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