AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Generally, this bill requires all public junior colleges to offer one or more academic associate degree programs.
As proposed, S.B. 1731 amends current law relating to requiring public junior colleges to offer an academic associate degree program.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 (Section 130.0013, Education Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 130, Education Code, by adding Section 130.0013, as follows:
Sec. 130.0013. ACADEMIC ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM. (a) Requires each public junior college to offer one or more academic associate degree programs designed to transfer in their entirety for course credit in a baccalaureate degree program at a general academic teaching institution.
(b) Requires that an academic associate degree program consist of at least 60 semester credit hours, but not exceed 66 semester credit hours.
(c) Requires that an academic associate degree program curriculum incorporate:
(1) a core curriculum established under Section 61.821 (Definitions);
(2) a statewide articulated transfer curriculum approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) that aligns with the lower-division requirements of one or more specific baccalaureate degree programs; or
(3) a specified curriculum covered by an articulation agreement between the junior college district and one or more other institutions of higher education.
(d) Requires that an academic associate degree program offered under this section meet all applicable accreditation requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
(e) Requires THECB to adopt rules the board considers appropriate for the administration of this section.
SECTION 2. Requires THECB and the governing board of each junior college district to adopt rules or policies relating to the academic associate degree program under Section 130.0013, Education Code, as added by this Act, not later than February 1, 2012.
SECTION 3. Provides that the change in law made by this Act applies beginning with the 2012 fall semester.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2011.