Texas Register

TITLE 19 EDUCATION
PART 1TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD
CHAPTER 5RULES APPLYING TO PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES, HEALTH-RELATED INSTITUTIONS, AND/OR SELECTED PUBLIC COLLEGES OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN TEXAS
SUBCHAPTER CAPPROVAL OF NEW ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AT PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES, HEALTH-RELATED INSTITUTIONS, AND REVIEW OF EXISTING DEGREE PROGRAMS
RULE §5.46Criteria for New Doctoral Programs
ISSUE 08/30/2013
ACTION Proposed
Preamble No Rule Available

Requests for new [New] doctoral programs must provide information and documentation demonstrating that the proposed programs meet all of the following criteria:

  (1) - (2)(No change.)

  (3)[Strong] Programs at the Undergraduate and Master's Levels. Doctoral programs, in most instances, should be undergirded by [strong] programs in a wide number of disciplines at the undergraduate and master's levels. Quality programs in other related and supporting doctoral areas must also be available.

  (4)Need for the Program. There should be a demonstrated and well-documented need for doctorally prepared professionals in the discipline of the proposed program both in Texas and in the nation. It is the responsibility of the institution requesting a doctoral program to demonstrate that such a need exists, preferably through an analysis of national data showing the number of PhDs [ PhD's] being produced annually in the area and comparing that to the numbers of professional job openings for PhDs [PhD's ] in the discipline in question as indicated by sources such as the main professional journal(s) of the discipline. The institution must also provide data regarding the enrollments, number of graduates, and capacity to accept additional students of other similar doctoral programs in Texas, demonstrating that current production levels of graduates are insufficient to meet projected workforce needs.

  (5) - (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 August 19, 2013

TRD-201303484

Bill Franz

General Counsel

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Proposed date of adoption: October 24, 2013

For further information, please call: (512) 427-6114



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