DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES: ASSOCIATE DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES

Definitions

Academic Associate Degree

An “academic associate degree” is a type of degree program generally intended to transfer to an upper-level baccalaureate program that will satisfy the lower-division requirements for a baccalaureate degree in a specific discipline. The academic associate degree includes, but is not limited to, the Associate of Arts (AA), Associate

of Science (AS), or Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degrees.

19 TAC 2.3(1)

Applied Associate Degree

An “applied associate degree” is a type of degree program designed to lead directly to employment in a specific career. The Applied Associate Degree Program includes, but is not limited to, the Associate of Applied Arts (AAA) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS). 19 TAC 2.3(5)

Career and Technical

Education Certificate

A “career and technical education certificate” is a postsecondary credential, other than a degree, which a student earns upon successful completion of a workforce or continuing education program offered by an institution of higher education. Courses that comprise career and technical education certificates are listed in the Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM) and the Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM) and are subject to Coordinating Board approval. For purposes of 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, “career and technical education certificate” means a certificate program as defined in Education Code 61.003(12)(C). 19 TAC 2.3(10)

Career and Technical

Education Course

A “career and technical education course” is a college-level workforce or continuing education course offered by an institution of higher education which earns either semester credit hours or continuing education units toward satisfaction of a requirement necessary to obtain an industry-recognized credential, certificate, or applied associate degree. Career and technical education courses are listed in the WECM. 19 TAC 2.3(11)

Certificate Program

“Certificate” means a grouping of subject-matter courses, which, when satisfactorily completed by a student, will entitle the student to a certificate or documentary evidence, other than a degree, of completion of a course of study at the postsecondary level. Certificate includes a post-baccalaureate certificate and excludes an associate degree unless otherwise provided. 19 TAC 2.3(12)

Continuing Education

Unit or CEU

A “continuing education unit or CEU” is 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.

19 TAC 2.3(16)

New Content

“New content,” as determined by the institution, is content that the institution does not currently offer at the same instructional level as the proposed program. A program with sufficient new content to constitute a significant departure' from existing offerings under 34 C.F.R. 602.22(a)(1)(ii)(C) meets the 50 percent new content threshold. 19 TAC 2.3(24)

Texas Classification of

Instructional Programs Coding System

The “Texas Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Coding System” is the Texas adaptation of the federal Classification of Instructional Programs taxonomy developed by the National Center for Education Statistics and used nationally to classify instructional programs and report educational data. The eight-digit CIP codes define the authorized teaching field of the specified program, based upon the occupation(s) for which the program is designed to prepare its graduates. 19 TAC 2.3(35)

Academic Associate

Degree Programs

AA Only

An academic associate degree may be called an AA, an AS, or an AAT degree. 19 TAC 2.53(a)

The AA is the default title for an academic associate degree program if the college offers only one type of academic degree program. 19 TAC 2.53(a)(1)

AA and AS

If a college offers both AA and AS degrees, the degree programs may be differentiated in one of two ways, including:

1. The AA program may have additional requirements in the liberal arts and/or the AS may have additional requirements in disciplines such as science, mathematics, or computer science; or

2. The AA program may serve as a foundation for the bachelor of arts (BA) degree and the AS program for the bachelor of science (BS) degree.

Each academic associate degree must provide a clearly articulated curriculum that can be associated with a discipline or field of study leading to a baccalaureate degree, and must be identified as such in the institution's program inventory.

19 TAC 2.53(a)(2)-(3)

AAT

The AAT is a specialized academic associate degree program designed to transfer in its entirety to a baccalaureate program that leads to initial Texas teacher certification. This title should only be used for an associate degree program that consists of a Coordinating Board-approved AAT curriculum or an education field of study curriculum. 19 TAC 2.53(a)(4)

Semester Credit Hours

An associate degree is limited to 60 semester credit hours (SCH) unless the institution determines that there is a compelling academic reason for requiring completion of additional SCH for the degree under Education Code 61.05151. If the minimum number of SCH required to complete a proposed associate program exceeds 60, the institution must provide detailed documentation describing the compelling academic reason for the number of required hours, such as programmatic accreditation requirements, statutory requirements, or licensure/certification requirements that cannot be met without exceeding the 60-SCH limit. Coordinating Board staff will review the documentation provided and make a determination to approve or deny a request to exceed the 60-SCH limit. 19 TAC 2.70

Curriculum

Except as provided below, academic associate degree programs must incorporate the institution's approved core curriculum as prescribed by 19 Administrative Code 4.28 and 19 Administrative Code 4.29:

1. An institution may offer a specialized academic associate degree that incorporates a Coordinating Board-approved field of

study curriculum as prescribed by 19 Administrative Code 4.32 and a portion of the college’s approved core curriculum if

the coursework for both would total more than 60 SCH.

2. An institution may offer a specialized academic associate degree that incorporates a voluntary statewide transfer compact

and a portion of the college’s approved core curriculum if the coursework for both would total more than 60 SCH.

3. An institution that has a signed articulation agreement with a public university to transfer a specified curriculum may offer a specialized AA or AS, but not AAT, degree program that incorporates that curriculum.

4. An institution may offer an embedded associate degree as outlined in 19 Administrative Code 2.58 that does not include

the full 42 SCH required core curriculum except for a multidisciplinary studies degree as required by 19 Administrative

Code 2.57(b).

19 TAC 2.53(b)

New Academic Associate Degree Programs

Approval Process

Planning Notification

An institution of higher education seeking approval to offer a degree program under 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter D, must submit a planning notification to Coordinating Board staff in accordance with 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter C, [see EFB] prior to submitting an administratively complete request for a new associate degree proposal. This requirement does not apply to a proposed associate degree submitted pursuant to 19 Administrative Code 2.57 and 2.58.

Except as provided by 19 Administrative Code 2.54(b), a requesting institution must submit a planning notification in accordance with 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter C.

19 TAC 2.52, .55(a)

Approval Levels

This provision outlines how public junior colleges may request approval for a new academic associate degree. Proposed programs are subject to assistant commissioner approval under 19 Administrative Code 2.4(2), and in accordance with the applicable provisions under 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter A, and 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter D, except as specifically provided by this provision.

An institution of higher education may offer an associate degree as an embedded credential to a student enrolled in an approved baccalaureate degree program. Approval of a proposed embedded associate degree program is subject to the assistant commissioner expedited review approval process under 19 Administrative Code 2.4(2)(B)(ii). The institution may request approval for the academic associate degree as part of the application for the baccalaureate program or under the provisions of 19 Administrative Code 2.54 [see EFB].

19 TAC 2.54

Request

A requesting institution must submit an application to offer a new academic associate degree using the forms available on the Coordinating Board's website.

The institution must demonstrate that the proposed program obtained institution and governing board approval prior to submission.

The assistant commissioner, commissioner, or Coordinating Board, as applicable, shall approve or deny the proposed program within the timelines specified in 19 Administrative Code 2.4 after receipt of the complete program proposal. If the assistant commissioner, commissioner, or Coordinating Board does not act to approve or deny the proposal within one year of administrative completeness, the program is considered approved.

Upon approval, Coordinating Board staff will add the new degree program to the institution's official program inventory. The program inventory contains the list of degrees and certificates with official Coordinating Board approval.

19 TAC 2.55(b), (d), (f)-(g)

Revisions

An institution may request a revision or modification to an approved associate degree under 19 Administrative Code 2.7 [see

EFB]. 19 TAC 2.72

Criteria

All proposed associate degree programs must meet the criteria set out in 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter D, in addition to the general criteria in 19 Administrative Code 2.5 [see EFB].

Coordinating Board staff shall ensure that each institution certifies and provides required evidence that a proposed academic associate degree meets the criteria in Section 2.5 and the following criteria in its proposal request.

If the program does not follow a Coordinating Board-approved field of study curriculum or a Coordinating Board-approved statewide articulation transfer curriculum, the institution has or will initiate a process to establish transfer of credit articulation agreements for the program with senior-level institutions.

The institution shall certify that the proposed program complies with all applicable provisions contained in divisions of 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter A and Subchapter D.

19 TAC 2.56

Program Review

Board staff shall conduct post-approval reviews in accordance with 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter I. 19 TAC 2.71

Program Phase- Out

An institution may request to phase out an associate degree program under 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter H [see EFB]. 19 TAC 2.73

Multidisciplinary

Studies Associate

Degree Program

Education Code 130.0104 requires the governing boards of each public junior college district to establish a multidisciplinary studies associate degree. A multidisciplinary studies associate degree program is a Coordinating Board-approved associate of arts or associate of science degree composed of the college’s core curriculum and enough additional courses to equal 60 SCH. The SCH beyond the core curriculum must be selected by the student, in consultation with an academic adviser, and transfer to a specific field of study or major at a university of the student’s choice.

A multidisciplinary studies associate degree program established at a public junior college under this section must require a student to successfully complete:

1. The public junior college's core curriculum adopted under Education Code 61.822, as defined by 19 Administrative Code

4.28; and

2. The completion of courses selected by the student in the student's completed degree plan, accounting for all remaining

credit hours required for the completion of the degree program.

The multidisciplinary studies associate degree program must emphasize the student's transition to a particular four-year college or university that the student chooses and prepare the student for the intended field of study or major at the four-year college or university.

A student enrolled in a multidisciplinary studies associate degree program shall file a degree plan. The student must meet with an academic advisor to complete a required degree plan in accordance with Education Code 130.0104(c) and 19 Administrative

Code 2.57(e) [see EFBD].

Education Code 130.0104(a)-(c); 19 TAC 2.57

Applied Associate

Degree

An applied associate degree may be called an associate of applied arts (AAA) or associate of applied science (AAS).

The AAS program may serve as a foundation for the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS), Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences

(BAAS), and Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) degree.

19 TAC 2.233(a)-(b)

Semester Credit Hours

An applied associate degree is limited to 60 SCH unless the institution determines that there is a compelling academic reason for requiring completion of additional semester credit hours for the degree under Education Code 61.05151. If the minimum number of semester credit hours required to complete a proposed applied associate program exceeds 60, the institution shall provide detailed documentation describing the compelling academic reason for the number of required hours, such as programmatic accreditation requirements, statutory requirements, or licensure/certification requirements that cannot be met without exceeding the 60-semester credit hour limit. Coordinating Board staff will review the documentation provided and make a determination to approve or deny a request to exceed the 60-semester credit hour limit. 19 TAC 2.238

Curriculum

Each applied associate degree program shall provide the necessary workforce skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to attain

entry-level employment in an occupation.

The curriculum shall include a minimum of 15 semester credit hours of general education courses. The remaining curriculum may include both WECM and lower-division ACGM courses directly related to the discipline.

The institution shall ensure basic and career technical/workforce skills are integrated into the curriculum. The institution shall review and consider for inclusion in the program skill standards recognized by the Texas Skill Standards Board, if they exist for the discipline. Business and industry experts shall provide substantial input into curriculum design through participation in an advisory committee.

The institution has an enrollment management plan for the program.

19 TAC 2.233(c)

New Applied Associate Degree Programs

Approval Process

Planning

Notification

An institution of higher education seeking approval to offer a new degree program under 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter K, must submit a planning notification to Coordinating Board staff in accordance with 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter C, prior to submitting an administratively complete request for a new applied associate degree proposal.

A requesting institution may only submit a planning notification using the forms available on the Coordinating Board's website.

19 TAC 2.232, .235(a)

Approval Level

A public junior college authorized by statute to offer the program may request approval for a new applied associate degree.

A proposed applied associate degree is subject to assistant commissioner approval under 19 Administrative Code 2.4(2), and in accordance with applicable provisions under 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter A, except as specifically provided by this rule. 19 TAC 2.234

Request

A requesting institution may only submit an application to offer a new applied associate degree using the forms available on the Coordinating Board's website.

The institution shall demonstrate that the proposed program obtained institution and governing board approval prior to submission.

The assistant commissioner, commissioner, or Coordinating Board, as applicable, shall approve or deny the proposed program within the timelines specified in 19 Administrative Code 2.4 after receipt of the complete program proposal. If the assistant commissioner, commissioner, or Coordinating Board does not act to approve or deny the proposal within one year of administrative completeness, the program is considered approved.

Upon approval, Coordinating Board staff will add the new degree program to the institution's official program inventory. The program inventory contains the list of degrees and certificates with Coordinating Board approval.

19 TAC 2.235(b)-(c), (f)-(g)

Revisions

An institution may request a revision or modification to an approved applied associate degree program.

If the proposed applied associate degree program revision is a change to the CIP code that will result in the funding reclassification of the program to a high-demand field, the proposal will be subject to assistant, associate, or deputy commissioner, as applicable for review and approval.

If the proposed applied associate degree program revision contains not greater than 50 percent new content, the proposal will be subject to approval by notification in accordance with 19 Administrative Code 2.4(1).

If the proposed applied associate degree program revision includes any of the following, the proposal is subject to approval by notification in accordance with Section 2.4(1):

1. A change to the name of an applied associate degree.

2. A change to the CIP code of an applied associate degree program that will not result in the funding reclassification of the

degree.

3. The addition of a new Level 1 or Level 2 Certificate to an approved applied associate degree program. If a new Level 1 or

Level 2 Certificate is added to an approved applied associate degree program, the new certificate content shall consist of

courses included in the approved applied associate program.

4. The phase-out and closure of a credential and the suspension of new student enrollment under 19 Administrative Code

2.171.

5. The discontinuation of a credential to close the program and remove it from the institution's program inventory.

6. Particular topics or local need courses are added to or removed from the curriculum.

7. The number of SCH in the credential is changed or, for a CE program, the length is changed by 100 or more contact hours.

8. The length of the credential is changed by one semester or more.

19 TAC 2.236

Criteria

A proposed applied associate degree program shall meet the criteria set out in 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter K, in addition to the general criteria in 19 Administrative Code 2.5.

The institution shall certify that the proposed program complies with all applicable provisions contained in Subchapter K and 19

Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter A.

19 TAC 2.237(a), (c)

Program Review

Coordinating Board staff conduct post-approval reviews in accordance with 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter I. 19 TAC 2.239

Program Phase- Out

An institution may request to phase out an applied associate degree program under 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter H. 19 TAC 2.240

Texas Direct

Associate Degree

A junior college shall award a student a "Texas Direct" associate degree and include a notation on the transcript of a student who completes any Coordinating Board-approved field of study curriculum developed by the Coordinating Board and:

1. The college's core curriculum; or

2. An abbreviated core curriculum related to a specific approved field of study curriculum transferable to one or more general

academic teaching institutions.

Education Code 61.834; 19 TAC 4.39

Academic Certificate

Institutions of higher education, including college districts, are encouraged to develop undergraduate academic certificate programs of less than degree length. Undergraduate academic certificates may be awarded upon the completion of:

1. The Coordinating Board-approved core curriculum of the institution;

2. A Coordinating Board-approved field of study curriculum; or

3. Fifty percent of the courses specified in a voluntary statewide transfer compact.

Undergraduate academic certificates which meet one of the criteria above require Coordinating Board notification and are automatically approved.

19 TAC 4.38

Approval Process

A public institution of higher education must provide notification to the Coordinating Board to offer a new certificate program. “Certificate” is defined in 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter A, except as follows:

1. The term "certificate" does not include a transcriptable minor.

2. Certificate excludes an associate’s degree.

3. Certificate excludes career technical/workforce programs intended to prepare students for immediate employment or a job upgrade in a specific occupation.

4. Certificate excludes non-credit certificates.

A certificate is deemed approved when the institution successfully files the notification containing all information required below, in accordance with the notification only process in 19 Administrative Code 2.4(a)(1) [see EFB]. If Coordinating Board staff determines that an institution fails to provide the information required by this section, Coordinating Board staff may reject the submission and pend approval until the information is complete.

Coordinating Board staff will add the new certificate program to the institution's official program inventory. The program inventory contains the list of degrees and certificates approved by the Coordinating Board.

19 TAC 2.31, .33

Content of Notification

Not later than the 90th day after an institution initially offers a certificate program, each institution shall provide, in a manner prescribed by Coordinating Board staff, the following information:

1. The number of semester credit hours for the certificate;

2. The CIP code for the certificate;

3. The name or designation of the certificate;

4. The type of certificate, if applicable;

5. Whether the certificate when earned in combination with any other certificate, defined set of courses, or other requirements

leads to the award of another credential, including an associate’s degree or bachelor's degree; and

6. Other information required to facilitate inclusion of the certificate program in a state credential repository or student advising resources.

19 TAC 2.32

Career and Technical

Education Certificate

A career and technical education certificate is a postsecondary credential, other than a degree, which a student earns upon successful completion of a career and technical education workforce or continuing education program offered by an institution of higher education. Courses that comprise career and technical education certificates are listed in the Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM) and the Academic Course Guide Manual (ACGM) and are subject to Coordinating Board approval.

Certificates subject to this section are defined below.

19 TAC 2.262

ATC

An Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) has a specific associate or baccalaureate degree or junior level standing in an approved

baccalaureate degree program as a prerequisite for admission. It consists of at least 16 semester credit hours and no more than 45 semester credit hours and must be focused, clearly related to the prerequisite degree, and justifiable to meet industry or external agency requirements. 19 TAC 2.262(b)(1)

Continuing Education Certificate

A Continuing Education Certificate is awarded for completion of a program of instruction that meets or exceeds 360 contact hours and earns CEUs. The certificate program is intended to prepare the student to qualify for employment; to qualify for employment advancement; or to bring the student's knowledge or skills up to date in a particular field or profession. 19 TAC 2.262(b)(2)

ESC

An Enhanced Skills Certificate (ESC) is a certificate associated with an applied associate degree program intended to provide advanced skills identified by business and industry that are not part of the applied associate degree. The certificate must be clearly defined in course content and outcomes. It must consist of at least 6 semester credit hours and no more than 12 semester credit hours. An ESC may extend an applied associate degree to an overall total

that must not exceed 72 semester credit hours. An ESC is

awarded concurrently with a degree but may not be considered to

be an intrinsic part of the degree or be used to circumvent the 60-

semester credit hour associate degree limitation. 19 TAC

2.262(b)(3)

ICLC

An Institutional Credential Leading to Licensure or Certification (ICLC) is awarded by an institution upon a student's completion of a course or series of courses that represent the achievement of identifiable skill proficiency leading to licensure or certification. This definition includes a credential that meets the definition of an Occupational Skills Award in all respects except that the program may provide training for an occupation that is not included in the Local Workforce Development Board's Target Occupations list. 19 TAC 2.262(b)(4)

Level 1 Certificate

A Level 1 Certificate is designed to provide the necessary academic skills and the workforce skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to attain entry-level employment or progression toward a Level 2 Certificate or an applied associate degree, with at least 50 percent of course credits drawn from a single technical specialty. A Level 1 Certificate must be designed for a student to complete in one calendar year or less time and consists of at least 15 semester credit hours and no more than 42 semester credit hours. 19 TAC 2.262(b)(5)

Level 2 Certificate

A Level 2 Certificate consists of at least 30 semester credit hours and no more than 51 semester credit hours. 19 TAC 2.262(b)(6)

OSA

An Occupational Skills Award (OSA) is a sequence of courses that meets the minimum standard for program length specified by the Texas Workforce Commission for the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program, 9-14 semester credit hours for credit courses or 144-359 contact hours for continuing education courses. An OSA must possess the following characteristics:

1. The content of the credential must be recommended by an external workforce advisory committee, or the program must

provide training for an occupation that is included on the Local Workforce Development Board's Target Occupations list;

2. In most cases, the credential should be composed of WECM courses only. However, lower-division courses from the ACGM may be used if recommended by the external committee and if appropriate for the content of the credential;

3. The credential complies with the Single Course Delivery guidelines for WECM courses; and

4. The credential prepares students for employment in accordance with guidelines established for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

19 TAC 2.262(b)(7)

Third-Party

Credential

A Third-Party Credential is a certificate as defined in Texas Education Code 61.003(12)(C). A Third-Party Credential meets the following requirements:

1. The Third-Party Credential is listed in the American Council on Education's ACE National Guide with recommended semester credit hours;

2. The Third-Party Credential program content is either embedded in a course, embedded in a program, or is a stand-alone

program;

3. The Third-Party Credential is conferred for successful completion of the third-party instructional program in which a student is enrolled;

4. The Third-Party Credential is included on the workforce education, continuing education, or academic transcript from the

college;

5. The third-party provider of the certificate develops the instructional program content, develops assessments to evaluate

student mastery of the instructional content, and confers the Third-Party Credential; and

6. The Third-Party Credential meets the requirements in 19 Administrative Code 13.556.

19 TAC 2.262(b)(8)

Curriculum

Each certificate program must provide the necessary technical and workforce skills necessary to attain entry-level or advanced employment in a related occupation and shall meet the following requirements:

1. The certificate program may include both WECM and lower-division ACGM courses that are directly related to the discipline.

2. Business and industry experts shall provide substantial input into curriculum design through participation in an advisory

committee.

3. The institution shall integrate basic and career technical/workforce skills into the curriculum.

4. The institution has reviewed and considered for inclusion in the curriculum of the program applicable skill standards recognized by the Texas Workforce Investment Council, if they exist for the discipline.

19 TAC 2.263(b)

New Career and

Technical Education

Certificate

Approval Process

Approval Levels

An application for approval of a new certificate program under 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter L, is subject to the following levels of approval:

1. If the proposed certificate program, other than a third-party credential, contains 50 percent or more new content, the proposal will be subject to assistant commissioner expedited review and approval under 19 Administrative Code 2.4(2)(B)(ii).

In Chapter 2, Subchapter L, “assistant commissioner” means the assistant, associate, or deputy commissioner designated by the commissioner.

2. If the proposed certificate program is included in the inventory of certificates that the Coordinating Board previously identified as Credentials of Value, the proposal will be subject to approval by notification under 19 Administrative Code 2.4(1).

3. A Third-Party Credential, Occupational Skills Award, Advanced Technical Certificate, and Enhanced Skills Certificate

will be subject to approval by notification under Section 2.4(1).

19 TAC 2.264

Request

An institution shall submit an application prior to offering a new Continuing Education Certificate, Level 1 Certificate, Level 2 Certificate, Advanced Technical Certificate, Enhanced Skills Certificate, Occupational Skills Award, Institutional Credential for Licensure or Certification, or Third-Party Credential using the forms available on the Coordinating Board's website.

The institution's application shall demonstrate that the governing board approved the proposed certificate program prior to submission.

The assistant commissioner shall approve or deny the proposed certificate program within 60 days, after receipt of the complete

certificate program proposal. If the assistant commissioner does not act to approve or deny the proposal within one year of administrative completeness, the certificate program is considered approved.

Upon approval, Coordinating Board staff will add the new career and technical education certificate program to the institution's Program Inventory. The Program Inventory contains the institution's list of degrees and certificates approved by the Coordinating Board.

If the assistant commissioner denies the proposed certificate program, the institution may appeal the decision to the commissioner.

The commissioner may, within 60 days after appeal, at his or her sole discretion:

1. Deny the proposed certificate program;

2. Approve the proposed certificate program; or

3. Allow the institution the opportunity to cure deficiencies in the proposed program.

A new certificate program must be implemented within 24 months of the approved implementation date stated in the Coordinating Board approval letter. After 24 months, the institution must submit an application for approval of a new certificate program.

19 TAC 2.265

Revisions

An institution may request a revision or modification to an approved certificate program under 19 Administrative Code 2.9(c).

If the proposed certificate program revision is a change to the CIP code that will result in the funding reclassification of the certificate program to a high-demand field, the proposal will be subject to assistant commissioner review and approval.

If the proposed certificate program revision contains not greater than 49 percent new content, the proposal will be subject to approval by notification.

If the proposed certificate program revision includes any of the following, the proposal will be subject to approval by notification:

1. A change to the name of a certificate.

2. A change to the CIP code of the certificate program that will not result in the funding reclassification of the certificate.

3. The revised certificate program is included in the inventory of certificates that the Coordinating Board previously identified

as credentials of value.

4. The addition of a new credential to an approved program, including a Level 1 Certificate or Level 2 Certificate to an Applied Associate Degree or an Occupational Skills Award to a Level 1 Certificate or Level 2 Certificate. If a new credential is added to an approved program, the new credential content shall consist of courses included in the approved program.

5. The phase-out and closure of a credential, including the suspension of new student enrollment, under 19 Administrative Code 2.171.

6. The certificate revision includes any of the following:

a. Special topics or local need courses are added to or removed from the curriculum;

b. The number of semester credit hours in the credential is changed or, for a Continuing Education Certificate, the length is changed by 100 or more contact hours;

c. The length of the credential is changed by one semester or more;

d. The certificate level is changed from Level 1 to Level 2; or

e. The certificate is changed from a Level 2 to a Level 1.

19 TAC 2.266

Criteria

Each certificate program shall meet the requirements of 19 Administrative Code 2.5, except Section 2.5(a)(3).

A Level 1 Certificate, composed of either workforce or continuing education courses, may only be approved if the program meets or exceeds 360 contact hours.

A course or program that meets or exceeds 780 contact hours in length shall result in the award of appropriate semester credit

hours and be applicable to a career and technical education certificate or an applied associate degree program. An exception shall be made for emergency medical/paramedic continuing education programs, which may reach 800 contact hours.

The institution shall certify that the proposed certificate program complies with all applicable provisions contained in divisions of 19 Administrative Code Chapter 2, Subchapter L, and Subchapter A.

A proposed new certificate for which there is no graduate and wage data shall be determined to be a Credential of Value, as defined in 19 Administrative Code 13.556(b), based on one or more of the following documentation criteria:

1. An attestation from one or more regional employers that the employer will hire graduates of the program and the starting

wage at which the employer would pay the graduate;

2. Graduate employment and wage data for an essentially similar program from a different institution of higher education in

Texas; or

3. Graduate employment and wage data for an essentially similar program from an institution of higher education in a state

other than Texas.

A proposed certificate may not include the following:

1. An avocational course that is usually engaged in by a person in addition to the person's regular work or profession for recreation or in relation to a hobby. The term includes a community interest course;

2. A basic employability course that covers topics such as conducting a job search, developing a resume, completing an application for employment, and interviewing skills;

3. A non-college-level basic learning skills course that covers learning strategies such as note-taking and test preparation; or

4. A college-level learning framework course that is solely or primarily focused on skill acquisition related to the learning process

and is not a career and technical education course.

19 TAC 2.263(a), (c-e), (g-h)

Program Phase- Out

An institution may request to phase-out and close a certificate program under 19 Administrative Code 2.171. 19 TAC 2.267

State Information

Technology

Credential

The Department of Information Resources (DIR) may enter into an agreement with a public junior college district under Education Code 130.0081 or other applicable law to offer a program leading to a state information technology credential to address shortages in the state information resources workforce. A program offered under this section must:

1. Be approved by the Coordinating Board in accordance with Education Code 61.0512;

2. Develop the knowledge and skills necessary for an entry-level information technology position in a state agency; and

3. Include a one-year apprenticeship with DIR, another relevant state agency, an organization working on a major information

resources project, or a regional network security center established under Government Code 2059.202.

If a program offered under this section is not fully funded through tuition and other money of the public junior college district available for the purpose, DIR may use any money available to DIR for the purpose to offer a program under this section and solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for purposes of offering a program under this section.

Gov’t Code 2054.0701(b)-(f)

State Information

Technology

Apprenticeship

Credential

A state agency may enter into an agreement with a public junior college district under Education Code 130.0081 or other applicable law to offer a program leading to a state information technology apprenticeship credential to address shortages in the state information resources workforce. A program offered under this section must:

1. Be approved by the Coordinating Board in accordance with Education Code 61.0512;

2. Develop the knowledge and skills necessary for a journey- or senior-level information technology position in a state agency;

and

3. Include a one-year apprenticeship with a relevant state agency, an organization working on a major information resources

project, or a regional network security center established under Government Code 2059.202.

An apprenticeship described by this section may be an apprenticeship program registered with the U.S. Department of Labor or an industry-recognized apprenticeship program offered by a public junior college or public technical institute that adheres to academic and workforce standards required by industry and provides for flexibility in course design and implementation, including flexibility regarding the:

1. Number of hours of classroom instruction and on-the-job training required;

2. Competencies required for credentialing; and

3. Goals for the program, as determined by the employer partner and faculty of the institution.

If a program offered under this section is not fully funded through tuition and other money available to the public junior college district or public technical institute for that purpose, a state agency may use any money available to the agency for the purpose of offering the program and solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for the purpose of offering the program.

Gov’t Code 2054.0702(a)-(g)

Limitation on SCH

Requirements

To earn an associate degree, a student may not be required by an institution of higher education, including a college district, to complete more than the minimum number of SCH required for the degree by the institution’s recognized accrediting

agency unless the institution determines that there is a compelling academic reason for requiring completion of additional SCH for the degree. The Coordinating Board may review one or more of an institution's associate degree programs to ensure compliance with this section.

This section does not apply to an associate degree awarded by an institution to a student enrolled in the institution before the 2015 fall semester. This provision does not prohibit the institution from reducing the number of SCH the student must complete to receive the degree.

Education Code 61.05151