Senate Bill 2118, passed by the 85th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, authorizes public junior colleges meeting specific requirements to offer applied baccalaureate degree programs. An institution planning to launch its first applied baccalaureate degree must receive approval at a THECB quarterly board meeting.
Applied Baccalaureate Degree Program Requests
by Public Junior Colleges
About Applied Baccalaureate Degrees
Inquiries regarding new applied baccalaureate requests should be directed to Jessica Acton.
Proposal Submission for New Applied Baccalaureate Degree Programs
A new applied baccalaureate degree program cannot be implemented until the public junior college receives approval from the Coordinating Board to offer the program and also receives approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate degrees.
Public junior colleges that propose to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program are required to submit additional information to THECB, per Texas Education Code Sec.130.308. BSN programs require Coordinating Board, SACSCOC, Texas Board of Nursing, and national program accreditation approval.
Colleges proposing a new degree program should submit the appropriate forms available on the New Degree Program & Certificates page.
Upper-Division Course Manual (UDCM)
The Upper-Division Course Manual (UDCM) provides a searchable web-based inventory of upper-division courses approved for colleges that are authorized to offer Baccalaureate Degrees.
NOTE: To search for the upper-division courses offered in baccalaureate level programs at Brazosport College, Midland College, South Texas College, or Tyler Junior College, go to the Academic Unique Need Course Inventory at http://www.txhighereddata.org/interactive/AUN/.