(a)The Commissioner may approve proposals from the public universities and health-related institutions for new baccalaureate or master's degree programs [and academic administrative change requests,] and, in very limited circumstances, new doctoral programs, on behalf of the Board in accordance with the procedures and criteria specified in this section. (b)To be approved by the Commissioner, a proposal for a new degree program must include certification in writing from the Board of Regents of a proposing institution, in a form prescribed by the Commissioner, that the following criteria have been met: [(1)The proposed degree program is within the Table of Programs previously approved by the Board for the requesting institution.] (1)[(2)] The curriculum, faculty, resources, support services, and other components of a proposed degree program are comparable to those of high quality programs in the same or similar disciplines offered by other institutions. (2)[(3)] Clinical or in-service placements, if applicable, have been identified in sufficient number and breadth to support the proposed program. (3)[(4)] The program is designed to be consistent with the standards of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and with the standards of other applicable accrediting agencies; and is in compliance with appropriate licensing authority requirements. (4)[(5)] The institution has provided credible evidence of long-term student interest and job-market needs for graduates; or, if proposed by a university, the program is appropriate for the development of a well-rounded array of basic baccalaureate degree programs at the institution where the principal faculty and other resources are already in place to support other approved programs and/or the general core curriculum requirements for all undergraduate students. (5) [(6)] The program would not be unnecessarily duplicative of existing programs at other institutions. (6)[(7)] Implementation and operation of the program would not be dependent on future Special Item funding. (7)[(8)] New costs to the institution over the first five years after implementation of the program would not exceed $2,000,000. (c)In addition to the requirements listed in subsection (a) and (b) of this section, a new doctoral program may only be approved by the Commissioner if: (1) - (3)(No change.) (4)the institution has notified Texas public institutions that offer the proposed program or a related program and resolved any objections, and [no other university or health-related institution objects to the program during the 30-day comment period during which the request is posted on the web, and] (5)there is a very strong link between the program and workforce needs or the economic development of the state. (d)A proposal for a new degree program [or administrative change] must include a statement from the institution's chief executive officer certifying adequate financing and explaining the sources of funding to support the first five years of operation of the program [or administrative change]. (e) - (g)(No change.) (h)The [At the beginning of each month, the] Commissioner shall make available to the public universities, health-related institutions, community/technical colleges, and Independent Colleges of Texas, Inc. a list of all pending proposals for new degree programs [and administrative changes]. If an institution wishes to provide the Commissioner information supporting a concern it has about the approval of a pending proposal for a new degree program at another institution, it must do so within 14 days [one month] of the initial listing of the proposal, and it must also forward the information to the proposing institution. (i)The authority given to the Commissioner to approve proposals from public universities and health-related institutions for new degree programs (and other related duties given under this section) may be delegated by the Commissioner to the Assistant Commissioner for Workforce, Academic Affairs and Research. (j)(No change.)
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 March 25, 2013
TRD-201301246 Bill Franz
General Counsel
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Proposed date of adoption: July 25, 2013
For further information, please call: (512) 427-6114
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