Current through Reg. 50, No. 13; March 28, 2025
All non-exempt postsecondary educational institutions that
operate within the state of Texas are required to meet the following standards.
These standards will be enforced through the Certificate of Authority process
for institutions without Board-recognized accreditation. Standards addressing
the same principles will be enforced by Board-recognized accrediting agencies
under the Certificate of Authorization process. Particular attention will be
paid to the institution's commitment to education, responsiveness to
recommendations and suggestions for improvement, and, in the case of a renewal
of a Certificate of Authority, record of improvement and progress. These
standards represent generally accepted administrative and academic practices
and principles of accredited postsecondary institutions in Texas. Such
practices and principles are generally set forth by institutional and
specialized accrediting bodies and the academic and professional
organizations.
(1) Legal Compliance.
The institution shall be maintained and operated in compliance with all
applicable ordinances and laws, including the rules and regulations adopted to
administer those ordinances and laws. Postsecondary educational institutions
shall demonstrate compliance with Texas Education Code, Chapter 132 by
supplying either a copy of a Certificate of Approval to operate a career school
or college or a Letter of Exemption from the Texas Workforce
Commission.
(2) Qualifications of
Institutional Officers.
(A) The character,
education, and experience in higher education of governing board
administrators, supervisors, counselors, agents, representatives, and other
institutional officers shall reasonably ensure that the institution can
maintain the standards of the Board and progress to accreditation within the
time limits set by the Board.
(B)
The chief academic officer shall hold an earned advanced degree appropriate for
the mission of the institution, preferably, an earned doctorate awarded by an
institution accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, and shall
demonstrate sound aptitude for and experience with curriculum development and
assessment; accreditation standards and processes as well as all relevant state
regulations; leadership and development of faculty, including the promotion of
scholarship, research, service, academic freedom and responsibility, and tenure
(where applicable); and the promotion of student success.
(C) In the case of a renewal of a Certificate
of Authority, the institutional officers also shall demonstrate a record of
effective leadership in administering the institution.
(3) Governance. The institution shall have a
system of governance that facilitates the accomplishment of the institution's
mission and purposes, supports institutional effectiveness and integrity, and
protects the interests of its constituents, including students, faculty and
staff. If the institution has a governing board consisting of at least three
(3) members, and that board focuses on the accomplishment of the institution's
mission and purposes, supports institutional effectiveness and integrity, and
protects the interests of its constituents, this standard will be considered as
met. In the absence of such a governing board, the burden to establish
appropriate safeguards within its system of governance and to demonstrate their
effectiveness falls upon the institution.
(4) Distinction of Roles. The institution
shall define the powers, duties and responsibilities of the governing body and
the executive officers. There shall be a clear distinction in the roles and
personnel of the chief business officer and the chief academic
officer.
(5) Financial Resources
and Stability. The institution shall have adequate financial resources and
financial stability to provide education of good quality and to be able to
fulfill its commitments to students. The institution shall have sufficient
reserves, line of credit, or surety instrument so that, together with tuition
and fees, it would be able to complete its educational obligations for the
current term to currently enrolled students if it were unable to admit any new
students.
(6) Financial Records.
Financial records and reports of the institution shall be kept and made
separate and distinct from those of any affiliated or sponsoring person or
entity. Financial records and reports at a not-for-profit institution shall be
kept in accordance with the guidelines of the National Association of College
and University Business Officers as set forth in College and University
Business Administration (Sixth Edition), or such later editions as may be
published. An annual independent audit of all fiscal accounts of the
educational institution shall be authorized by the governing board and shall be
performed by a properly authorized certified public accountant.
(7) Institutional Assessment. Continual and
effective assessment, planning, and evaluation of all aspects of the
institution shall be conducted to advance and improve the institution. These
aspects include, but are not limited to, the academic program of teaching,
research, and public service; administration; financial planning and control;
student services; facilities and equipment, and auxiliary
enterprises.
(8) Program
Evaluation.
(A) The institution shall
establish adequate procedures for planning and evaluation, define in measurable
terms its expected educational results, and describe how those results will be
achieved.
(B) For all associate
degree programs, the evaluation criteria shall include the following: mission,
labor market need, curriculum, enrollment, graduates, student placement,
follow-up results, ability to finance each program of study, facilities and
equipment, instructional practices, student services, public and private
linkages, qualifications of faculty and administrative personnel, and success
of its students.
(C) For applied
associate degree programs relating to occupations where state or national
licensure is required, graduates must pass the licensing examination at a rate
acceptable to the related licensing agency.
(D) Prior to establishing a new degree
program, the institution shall evaluate the need for the proposed program of
study through survey, research, or other means of measure. The capacity and
ability of similar programs at public, private or independent institutions of
higher education and private postsecondary educational institutions within
Texas to meet market needs shall be considered.
(9) Administrative Resources. The institution
has the administrative capacity to meet the daily needs of the administration,
faculty and students, including facilities, laboratories, equipment, technology
and learning resources that support the institution's mission and
programs.
(10) Student Admission
and Remediation.
(A) Upon the admission of a
student to any undergraduate program, the institution shall document the
student's level of preparation to undertake college level work by obtaining
proof of the student's high school graduation or General Educational
Development (GED) certification. If a GED is presented, to be valid, the score
must be at or above the passing level set by the Texas Education Agency. The
academic skills of each entering student may be assessed with an instrument of
the institution's choice. The institution may provide an effective program of
remediation for students diagnosed with deficiencies in their preparation for
collegiate study.
(B) Upon the
admission of a student to any graduate program, the institution shall document
that the student is prepared to undertake graduate-level work by obtaining
proof that the student holds a baccalaureate degree from an institution
accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, or an institution holding a
Certificate of Authority to offer baccalaureate degrees under the provisions of
this chapter, or a degree from a foreign institution equivalent to a
baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. The procedures used by the
institution for establishing the equivalency of a foreign degree shall be
consistent with the guidelines of the National Council on the Evaluation of
Foreign Educational Credentials or its successor.
(11) Faculty Qualifications. The character,
education, and experience in higher education of the faculty shall be such as
may reasonably ensure that the students will receive an education consistent
with the objectives of the course or program of study.
(A) Each faculty member, except as provided
by subparagraph (E) of this paragraph, teaching in an academic associate,
applied associate leading to required state or national licensure, or
baccalaureate level degree program shall have at least a master's degree from
an institution accredited by a recognized agency with at least eighteen (18)
graduate semester credit hours in the discipline, or closely related
discipline, being taught.
(B) Each
faculty member except, as provided by subparagraph (E) of this paragraph,
teaching career and technical courses in an applied associate degree program,
or career and technical courses that academic associate or baccalaureate
students may choose to take, shall have at least an associate degree in the
discipline being taught from an institution accredited by a recognized agency
and or at least three (3) years of full-time direct or closely related
experience in the discipline being taught.
(C) Each faculty member, except as provided
by subparagraph (E) of this paragraph, teaching general education courses in an
applied associate degree program shall have at least a master's degree from an
institution accredited by a recognized accrediting agency with at least
eighteen (18) graduate semester credit hours in the discipline, or closely
related discipline, being taught.
(D) Except as provided by subparagraph (E) of
this paragraph, graduate-level degree programs shall be taught by faculty
holding doctorates, or other degrees generally recognized as the highest
attainable in the discipline, or closely related discipline, awarded by
institutions accredited by an agency recognized by the Board.
(E) With the approval of a majority of the
institution's governing board, an individual with exceptional experience in the
field of appointment, which may include direct and relevant work experience,
professional licensure and certification, honors and awards, continuous
documented excellence in teaching, or other demonstrated competencies and
achievements, may serve as a faculty member without the degree credentials
specified in subparagraphs (A) - (D) of this paragraph. Such appointments shall
be limited and the justification for each such appointment shall be fully
documented. The Board may review the qualifications of the full complement of
faculty providing instruction at the institution to verify that such
appointments are justified.
(12) Faculty Size. There shall be a
sufficient number of faculty holding full-time teaching appointments that are
accessible to the students to ensure continuity and stability of the education
program, adequate educational association between students and faculty and
among the faculty members, and adequate opportunity for proper preparation for
instruction and professional growth by faculty members. At the associate and
baccalaureate levels, there shall be at least one (1) full-time faculty member
in each program. At the graduate level, there shall be at least two (2)
full-time faculty members in each program.
(13) Academic Freedom and Faculty Security.
The institution shall adopt, adhere to, and distribute to all members of the
faculty a statement of academic freedom assuring freedom in teaching, research,
and publication. All policies and procedures concerning promotion, tenure, and
non-renewal or termination of appointments, including for cause, shall be
clearly stated and published in a faculty handbook, adhered to by the
institution, and supplied to all faculty. The specific terms and conditions of
employment of each faculty member shall be clearly described in a written
document to be given to that faculty member, with a copy to be retained by the
institution.
(14) Curriculum.
(A) The quality, content, and sequence of
each course, curriculum, or program of instruction, training, or study shall be
appropriate to the purpose of the institution and shall be such that the
institution may reasonably and adequately achieve the stated objectives of the
course or program. Each program shall adequately cover the breadth of knowledge
of the discipline taught and coursework must build on the knowledge of previous
courses to increase the rigor of instruction and the learning of students in
the discipline. A majority of the courses in the areas of specialization
required for each degree program shall be offered in organized classes by the
institution. An institution may offer for-credit coursework that does not
directly relate to approved programs, provided that it does not exceed
twenty-five (25) percent of all courses.
(B) Academic associate degrees must consist
of at least sixty (60) semester credit hours and not more than sixty-six (66)
semester credit hours or ninety (90) quarter credit hours and not more than
ninety-nine (99) quarter credit hours. Applied associate degrees must consist
of at least sixty (60) semester credit hours and not more than seventy-two (72)
semester credit hours or ninety (90) quarter credit hours and not more than one
hundred eight (108) quarter hours. A baccalaureate degree must consist of at
least one hundred twenty (120) semester credit hours or one hundred eighty
(180) quarter credit hours. A master's degree must consist of at least thirty
(30) semester credit hours and not more than thirty-six (36) semester credit
hours or forty-five (45) quarter credit hours and not more than fifty-four (54)
quarter credit hours of graduate level work past the baccalaureate
degree.
(C) Courses designed to
correct deficiencies, remedial courses for associate and baccalaureate
programs, and leveling courses for graduate programs, shall not count toward
requirements for completion of the degree.
(D) The degree level, degree designation, and
the designation of the major course of study shall be appropriate to the
curriculum offered and shall be accurately listed on the student's diploma and
transcript.
(15) General
Education.
(A) Each academic associate degree
program shall contain a general education component consisting of at least
twenty (20) semester credit hours or thirty (30) quarter credit hours. Each
applied associate degree program shall contain a general education component of
at least fifteen (15) semester credit hours or twenty-three (23) quarter credit
hours. Each baccalaureate degree program shall contain a general education
component consisting of at least twenty-five (25) percent of the total hours
required for graduation from the program.
(B) This component shall be drawn from each
of the following areas: Humanities and Fine Arts, Social and Behavioral
Sciences, and Natural Sciences and Mathematics. It shall include courses to
develop skills in written and oral communication and basic computer
instruction.
(C) The applicant
institution may arrange to have all or part of the general education component
taught by another institution, provided that:
(i) the applicant institution's faculty shall
design the general education requirement;
(ii) there shall be a written agreement
between the institutions specifying the applicant institution's general
education requirements and the manner in which they will be met by the
providing institution; and
(iii)
the providing institution shall be accredited by a Board-recognized accrediting
agency or hold a Certificate of Authority.
(16) Credit for Work Completed Outside a
Collegiate Setting.
(A) An institution
awarding collegiate credit for work completed outside a collegiate setting
(outside a degree-granting institution accredited by a recognized agency) shall
establish and adhere to a systematic method for evaluating that work, shall
award credit only in course content which falls within the authorized degree
programs of the institution or, if by evaluative examination, falls within the
standards for awarding credit by exam used by public universities in Texas, in
an appropriate manner shall relate the credit to the student's current
educational goals, and shall subject the institution's process and procedures
for evaluating work completed outside a collegiate setting to ongoing review
and evaluation by the institution's teaching faculty. To these ends, recognized
evaluative examinations such as the Advanced Placement program (AP) or the
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) may be used.
(B) No more than one half of the credit
applied toward a student's associate or baccalaureate degree program may be
based on work completed outside a collegiate setting. Those credits must be
validated in the manner set forth in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph. No
more than fifteen (15) semester credit hours or twenty-three (23) quarter
credit hours of that credit may be awarded by means other than recognized
evaluative examinations. No graduate credit for work completed outside a
collegiate setting may be awarded. In no instance may credit be awarded for
life experience per se or merely for years of service in a position or
job.
(17) Learning
Resources. The institution shall maintain and ensure that students have access
to learning resources with a collection of books, educational material and
publications, on-line materials and other resources and with staff, services,
equipment, and facilities that are adequate and appropriate for the purposes
and enrollment of the institution. Learning resources shall be current, well
distributed among fields in which the institution offers instructions,
cataloged, logically organized, and readily located. The institution shall
maintain a continuous plan for learning resources development and support,
including objectives and selections of materials. Current and formal written
agreements with other institutions or with other entities may be used.
Institutions offering graduate work shall provide access to learning resources
that include basic reference and bibliographic works and major journals in each
discipline in which the graduate program is offered. Applied associate degree
programs shall provide adequate and appropriate resources for completion of
course work.
(18) Facilities. The
institution shall have adequate space, equipment, and instructional materials
to provide education of good quality. Student housing owned, maintained, or
approved by the institution, if any, shall be appropriate, safe, adequate, and
in compliance with applicable state and local requirements.
(19) Academic Records. Adequate records of
each student's academic performance shall be securely and permanently
maintained by the institution.
(A) The
records for each student shall contain:
(i)
student contact and identification information, including address and telephone
number;
(ii) records of admission
documents, such as high school diploma or GED (if undergraduate) or
undergraduate degree (if graduate);
(iii) records of all courses attempted,
including grade; completion status of the student, including the diploma,
degree or award conferred to the student, designation of the major course of
study; and
(iv) any other
information typically contained in academic records.
(B) Two copies of said records shall be
maintained in separate secure places. Records of students who are no longer
enrolled at the institution for any reason, including graduation, must be
maintained in accordance with §
7.15 of this chapter (relating to
Academic Records Maintenance, Protection, and Repository of Last
Resort).
(C) Students in good
standing will be provided transcripts upon request, subject to the
institution's obligation, if any, to cooperate with the rules and regulations
governing state and federally guaranteed student loans.
(20) Accurate and Fair Representation in
Publications, Advertising, and Promotion.
(A)
Neither the institution nor its agents or other representatives shall engage in
advertising, recruiting, sales, collection, financial credit, or other
practices of any type which are false, deceptive, misleading, or unfair.
Likewise, all publications, by any medium, shall accurately and fairly
represent the institution, its programs, available resources, tuition and fees,
and requirements.
(B) The
institution shall provide students, prospective students prior to enrollment,
and other interested persons with a printed or electronically published
catalog. Institutions relying on electronic catalogs must ensure the
availability of archived editions in order to serve the needs of alumni and
returning students. The catalog must contain, at minimum, the following
information:
(i) the institution's
mission;
(ii) a statement of
admissions policies;
(iii)
information describing the purpose, length, and objectives of the program or
programs offered by the institution;
(iv) the schedule of tuition, fees, and all
other charges and expenses necessary for completion of the course of
study;
(v) cancellation and refund
policies;
(vi) a definition of the
unit of credit as it applies at the institution;
(vii) an explanation of satisfactory progress
as it applies at the institution, including an explanation of the grading or
marking system;
(viii) the
institution's calendar, including the beginning and ending dates for each
instructional term, holidays, and registration dates;
(ix) a complete listing of each regularly
employed faculty member showing name, area of assignment, rank, and each earned
degree held, including degree level, degree designation, and institution that
awarded the degree;
(x) a complete
listing of each administrator showing name, title, area of assignment, and each
earned degree held, including degree level, degree designation, and institution
that awarded the degree;
(xi) a
statement of legal control with the names of the trustees, directors, and
officers of the corporation;
(xii)
a complete listing of all scholarships offered, if any;
(xiii) a statement describing the nature and
extent of available student services;
(xiv) complete and clearly stated information
about the transferability of credit to other postsecondary institutions
including two-year and four-year colleges and universities;
(xv) any such other material facts concerning
the institution and the program or course of instruction as are reasonably
likely to affect the decision of the student to enroll therein; and
(xvi) any disclosures specified by the Board
or defined in Board rules.
(C) The institution shall adopt, publish, and
adhere to a fair and equitable cancellation and refund policy.
(D) The institution shall provide to each
prospective student, newly-enrolled student, and returning student, complete
and clearly presented information indicating the institution's current
graduation rate by program and, if required by the Board, job placement rate by
program for applied associate degree programs.
(E) Any special requirements or limitations
of program offerings for the students at the Texas location must be made
explicit in writing. This may be accomplished by either a separate section in
the catalog or a brochure separate from the catalog. However, if a brochure is
produced, the student must also be given the regular catalog.
(F) Upon satisfactory completion of the
program of study, the student in good standing shall be given appropriate
educational credentials indicating the degree level, degree designation, and
the designation of the major course of study, and a transcript accurately
listing the information typically found on such a document, subject to the
institution's obligation, if any, to enforce with the rules and regulations
governing state, and federally guaranteed student loans by temporarily
withholding such credentials.
(21) Academic Advising and Counseling. The
institution shall provide an effective program of academic advising for all
students enrolled. The program shall include orientation to the academic
program, academic counseling, career information and planning, placement
assistance, and testing services.
(22) Student Rights and Responsibilities. The
institution shall establish and adhere to a clear and fair policy regarding due
process in disciplinary matters; outline the established grievance process of
the institution, which shall indicate that students should follow this process
and may contact the Board using the student complaint procedures established by
Board rules Chapter 1, Subchapter H, §§
1.110-
1.120 of this title (relating to
Student Complaint Procedure) and/or the Texas Attorney General to file a
complaint about the institution if all other avenues have been exhausted, and
publish these policies in a handbook, which shall include other rights and
responsibilities of the students. This handbook shall be supplied in print or
electronically to each student upon enrollment in the institution.
(23) Health and Safety. The institution shall
provide an effective program of health and safety education reflecting the
needs of the students. The program shall include information on emergency and
safety procedures at the institution, including appropriate responses to
illness, accident, fire, and crime.
(24) Learning Outcomes.
(A) An institution must have an objective
system of assessing learning outcomes in place for each part of the curriculum
and the institution can demonstrate that appropriate learning outcomes are
being achieved.
(B) An institution
may deviate, for a compelling academic reason, from Standard (12) relating to
Faculty Size and Standard (16) relating to Credit for Work Completed Outside a
Collegiate Setting, as long as academic objectives are fully met.
