The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Coordinating Board) proposes amendments to §§5.43, 5.44, and 5.52 concerning Approval of New Academic Programs and Administrative Changes at Public Universities, Health-Related Institutions, and Assessment of Existing Degree Programs. Specifically, these amendments add a definition of new doctoral degree programs, will revise the requirements for submitting administrative change requests, add doctoral degree program audits for public institutions of higher education and health-related institutions, and reorganize information for clarity.

Dr. MacGregor Stephenson, Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Research, has determined that for each year of the first five years the amendments are in effect, there will not be any fiscal implications to state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the sections.

Dr. Stephenson has also determined that for each year of the first five years the amendments are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of administering the sections will be the clarification of the way administrative change requests are handled. There will be no effect on small businesses. There will be no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the sections as proposed. There will be no impact on local employment.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted by mail to Dr. MacGregor Stephenson, Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Research, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 1200 E. Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78752 or by email to macgregor.stephenson@thecb.state.tx.us. Comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication of the proposal in the Texas Register.

The amendments are proposed under the Texas Education Code, §61.051, which provides the Coordinating Board with the authority to coordinate institutions of higher education.

The amendments affect Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 5, Subchapter C.