BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1215
79R3944 KSD-F By: Morrison (Armbrister)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The University of Houston-Victoria currently offers junior, senior, and master's level programs. It does not propose to offer programs beyond the master’s level in the near future and has proposed none in the current fourth-year revision of its mission statement and table of programs. However, the university may, in time, wish to consider intermediate degrees such as the Education Specialist or even applied doctorates, should these more advanced programs better serve the needs of the region and the state.
Before committing resources to any new program, the university would first have to gain preliminary approval to bring forward a proposal from the board of regents and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. It would then need to gain approval of the proposed program from both boards, as well as from the regional accrediting body (the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools). This process typically takes several years and requires that the university demonstrate the need, the benefit, and the resources available for offering a new degree program. HB 1215 changes statutory language to enable consideration of more advanced graduate programs at the University of Houston-Victoria.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 111.96(b), Education Code, to require the upper-level educational institution [University of Houston-Victoria] to be organized to offer only junior, senior and graduate level programs, rather than junior, senior, and master's level programs.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.