SECTION 2.9. Revisions and Modifications to an Approved Program

(a) Substantive revisions and modifications that materially alter the nature of the program, physical location, or modality of delivery, as determined by the Assistant Commissioner, include, but are not limited to:

(1) Closing the program in one location and moving it to a second location; and

(2) Changing the funding from self-supported to formula-funded or vice versa.

(b) For a program that initially required Board Approval beginning as of September 1, 2023, and doctoral and professional programs approved by the Board on or before September 1, 2023, any substantive revision or modification to that program will require Board Approval under §2.4 of this subchapter. For all other programs, including programs that initially required Board Approval prior to September 1, 2023, any substantive revision or modification will require Assistant Commissioner Approval under §2.4(a)(2) of this subchapter.

(c) Non-substantive revisions and modifications that do not materially alter the nature of the program, location, or modality of delivery, as determined by the Assistant Commissioner, include, but are not limited to:

(1) Increasing the number of semester credit hours of a program for reasons other than a change in programmatic accreditation requirements;

(2) Consolidating a program with one or more existing programs;

(3) Offering a program in an off-campus face-to-face format;

(4) Altering any condition listed in the program approval notification;

(5) Changing the CIP Code of the program;

(6) Increasing the number of semester credit hours if the increase is due to a change in programmatic accreditation requirements;

(7) Reducing the number of semester credit hours, so long as the reduction does not reduce the number of required hours below the minimum requirements of the institutional accreditor, program accreditors, and licensing bodies, if applicable;

(8) Changing the Degree Title or Designation; and

(9) Other non-substantive revisions that do not materially alter the nature of the program, location, or modality of delivery, as determined by the Assistant Commissioner.

(d) The non-substantive revisions and modifications in subsection (c)(1) - (5) of this section are subject to Assistant Commissioner Approval Regular Review under §2.4 of this subchapter. All other non-substantive revisions and modifications are subject to Assistant Commissioner Approval Expedited Review under §2.4(a)(2)(B) of this subchapter.

(e) The following program revisions or modifications require Notification Only under §2.4(1) of this subchapter:

(1) Public universities and public health-related institutions must notify the Coordinating Board of changes to administrative units, including creation, consolidation, or closure of an administrative unit. Coordinating Board Staff will update the institution's Program Inventory pursuant to this notification.

(2) All institutions must notify the Coordinating Board of the intent to offer an approved program through distance education following the procedures in §2.206 of this chapter (relating to Distant Education Degree or Certificate Program Notification).

Source Note: The provisions of this §2.9 adopted to be effective November 28, 2022, 47 TexReg 7875; amended to be effective May 18, 2023, 48 TexReg 2492