THECB committee approves new doctoral programs, rule repeals and UT Tyler PharmD funding-model change

The Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Committee on Academic and Workforce Success met Jan. 20 and approved requests from institutions to change program funding and to establish new doctoral programs, along with several proposed rule repeals and a targeted rule amendment. Committee members recorded no public testimony and no recorded opposition to the motions.

Elizabeth Mayer, THECB assistant commissioner for academic and health affairs, told the committee that the University of Texas at Tylersought a change to the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) degree program funding model after the Texas Legislature approved House Bill 1794, which repealed Texas Education Code section 76.026(c) and removed the restriction that had prevented UT TylerFisch College of Pharmacy from receiving formula funding. "This was actually approved by the legislature during the ... regular session, and passed as House Bill 1794," Mayer said. The institution submitted a required substantial-change request to move the PharmD from a self-supporting model to formula funding; with the change the program will be formula funded only.

The committee also approved multiple new degree requests: - Texas A&M University: a Ph.D. in visual computing and interactive media to be offered in person at College Station, Bryan and Fort Worth. The proposal said the program would be among the few in the U.S. and the first in Texas and emphasized research and teaching across 3-D modeling and animation, visual effects, data visualization, extended reality, serious gaming and related areas. The proposal anticipates hiring two full-time faculty in the early years. - Texas A&M University: an Ed.D. in bilingual English as a second language and dual language education, proposed as a fully online program. THECB staff cited U.S. Census American Community Survey data that the transcript referenced (3,600,000 residents ages 5 or older reported speaking English less than "very well," about 13.7% of Texas's population) and TEA and workforce projections to describe demand for bilingual/ESL educational leadership. - The University of Texas at Austin: a Ph.D. in rhetoric and writing studies that would replace an existing specialty within the English Ph.D. program and transfer instruction into a stand-alone rhetoric and writing department. THECB staff noted a correction to the agenda materials about projected first-year postgraduate earnings. - The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) program to be offered in person in the Rio Grande Valley. THECB staff said UTRGV plans to seek accreditation from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and argued the program would help address a shortage of optometrists in several border counties.

On rules, the committee: - Approved on consent the repeal of multiple advisory-committee rules across Board Rules Chapter 1 (subchapters F, N, Q, R, DD, EE) and repeals in Chapters 6, 9 and 14 listed on the agenda as technical or noncontroversial items. - Adopted the proposed repeal of Board Rules Chapter 4, Subchapter A, section 4.5 (common calendar), after THECB staff said the agency lacks statutory authority to require calendar conformity and that other reporting deadlines and census dates are set by statute. - Adopted proposed amendments to Board Rules Chapter 4, Subchapter A, section 4.9, reorganizing subsections for clarity, clarifying institutional guidelines for allowing students to drop six or more courses under certain circumstances, and adding a provision requiring institutions to maintain an appeals process where required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. THECB staff said the amendments were published in the Texas Register and generated one supportive comment and one request for clarification; staff did not change the rule text based on the comments.

Committee members moved approval of the Oct. 23, 2024 minutes, the non-rule and rule consent calendars, each substantive program request described above, and the proposed repeals and amendments. Motions passed with no recorded opposition. Elizabeth Mayer and institution representatives will be available at the quarterly board meeting to answer additional questions and to present institutional representatives where listed on the agenda.

The committee adjourned after completing the agenda and indicated some items and institution representatives would appear at tomorrow's quarterly board meeting for further presentations.