Part 1.
TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD
Chapter 9.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT IN PUBLIC COMMUNITY/JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICTS AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES
Subchapter J. ACADEMIC ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
19 TAC §§9.181 - 9.186
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board proposes new §§9.181
- 9.186, concerning academic associate degrees. Specifically, these new sections
will establish guidelines for Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degree
programs offered by public community/junior colleges and state colleges authorized
to offer transfer programs.
Dr. Glenda O. Barron, Assistant Commissioner for Community and Technical
Colleges, has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections
are in effect, there will not be any fiscal implications to state or local
government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules.
Dr. Barron has also determined that for each year of the first five years
the sections are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of
administering the sections provide clear instructions to institutions about
requirements for academic associate degree programs to harmonize with law
and rules on the core curriculum, field of study curricula, and transfer of
credit. There is no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic
cost to persons who are required to comply with the sections as proposed.
There is no impact on local employment.
Comments on the proposed new rules may be submitted to Dr. Glenda Barron,
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas
78711, or by e-mail to Glenda.Barron@thecb.state.tx.us.
The new sections are proposed under the Texas Education Code, §§61.003,
61.051(e) - (f), 61.0513, 61.053, 61.054, 61.055, 61.061, 61.062(c) - (d),
61.075, 130.001(b)(3) - (4), 130.003(e)(1)(2)(3) and (7) and 135.04, which
authorize the Coordinating Board to adopt policies, enact regulations, and
establish rules for the coordination of postsecondary certificate and associate
degree programs eligible for state appropriations.
The new sections do not affect Texas Education Code §§130.001(b)(3)
- (4), 130.003(e)(1)(2)(3) and (7) and 135.04.
§9.181.Purpose.
This subchapter provides rules for the structure of academic associate
degree programs in public community/junior colleges eligible for state appropriations.
§9.182.Authority.
The Texas Education Code, §§61.003, 61.051(e) - (f), 61.0513,
61.053, 61.054, 61.055, 61.061, 61.062(c) - (d), 61.075, 130.001(b)(3) - (4),
130.003(e)(1)(2)(3) and (7) and 135.04, authorize the Coordinating Board to
adopt policies, enact regulations, and establish rules for the coordination
of postsecondary certificate and associate degree programs eligible for state
appropriations.
§9.183.Degree Titles, Program Length, and Program Content.
(a)
An academic associate degree may be called either an associate
of arts (AA) or an associate of science (AS) degree.
(1)
The associate of arts (AA) is the default title for an
academic associate degree program if the college offers only one type of academic
degree program.
(2)
If a college offers both associate of arts (AA) and associate
of science (AS) degrees, the degree programs may be differentiated in one
of two ways, including:
(A)
The AA program may have additional requirements in the
liberal arts and/or the AS program may have additional requirements in disciplines
such as science, mathematics, or computer science; or
(B)
The AA program may serve as a foundation for the BA degree
and the AS program for the BS degree.
(b)
Academic associate degree programs must consist of a minimum
of 60 SCH and a maximum of 66 SCH.
(c)
Except as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection,
academic associate degree programs must incorporate the institution's approved
core curriculum as prescribed by §4.28 of this title (relating to Core
Curriculum) and §4.29 of this title (relating to Core Curricula Larger
than 42 Semester Credit Hours).
(1)
A college may offer a specialized academic associate degree
that incorporates a Board-approved field of study curriculum as prescribed
by §4.32 of this title (relating to Field of Study Curricula) and a portion
of the college's approved core curriculum if the coursework for both would
total more than 66 SCH.
(2)
A college that has a signed articulation agreement with
a General Academic Teaching Institution to transfer a specified curriculum
may offer a specialized associate degree program that incorporates that curriculum.
§9.184.Approval.
Community colleges and state colleges authorized to offer transfer
programs may offer academic associate degree programs that conform to these
guidelines without requesting approval from the Board.
§9.185.Reporting to the Board.
Contact hours for courses in approved academic certificate and associate
degree programs at public postsecondary institutions must be determined and
reported in compliance with Board policy as outlined in the Lower-Division
Academic Course Guide Manual and state law.
§9.186.Disapproval of Programs; Noncompliance.
No funds appropriated to any public postsecondary institution shall
be expended for any academic associate degree program that is not in compliance
with these rules. Existing academic degree programs must be brought into compliance
by August 1, 2004.
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 May 1, 2003.
TRD-200302715
Jan Greenberg
General Counsel
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Proposed date of adoption: July 18, 2003
For further information, please call: (512) 427-6162
Subchapter K. TECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM
Chapter 13.
FINANCIAL PLANNING