Distance Education Modifications & Requests

Coordinating Board rules define distance education as “the formal educational process that occurs when students and instructors are not in the same physical setting for the majority (more than 50%) of instruction.” Distance education can include courses and programs offered online, off-campus face-to-face, and electronic-to-groups. Coordinating Board rules recognize two categories of distance education courses: fully distance education courses and hybrid/blended courses. A fully distance education course is defined as “a course which may have mandatory face-to-face sessions totaling no more than 15% of the instructional time. Examples of face-to-face sessions include orientation, laboratory, exam review, or an in-person test.” A hybrid/blended course is defined as “a course in which a majority (more than 50% but less than 85%), of the planned instruction occurs when the students and instructor(s) are not in the same place.”

Note: Revised definitions will go into effect on December 1, 2023.

Modality Changes or Additions

Institutions should use the degree program and administrative change request form for requests related to modality changes or additions for distance education, off-campus programs, and self-supporting programs. Effective May 18, 2023, all requests for modality changes or additions are notification only, regardless of degree level. 

For new distance education programs, if the institution has an approved Institutional Plan for Distance Education on file, the Certification Form for Electronically Delivered and Off-Campus Education Programs should be submitted for the new program.

Institutional Plan for Distance Education

Before institutions offer any distance education courses or programs for the first time, regardless of modality, an Institutional Plan for Distance Education (IPDE) form must be submitted to the Coordinating Board.

Distance Education rules also state that institutions will assess distance education on an ongoing basis in accordance with the Principles of Good Practice (PGP) by updating their IPDE to Board Staff by the earlier of the following deadlines:

(i) no later than one year after receiving final disposition of the institution’s comprehensive renewal of accreditation report from their institutional accreditor as required by 34 CFR §602.19, or

(ii) no later than ten years after the approval of their last IPDE to the Coordinating Board.

Principles of Good Practice for Distance Education

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board commends and encourages the development of online courses and programs that enhance access to higher education throughout the state of Texas. The Coordinating Board works closely with Texas colleges and universities as well as with Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT) to ensure the high quality of distance education. To that end, an institution’s Institutional Plan for Distance Education (“Plan” or “IPDE”) shall conform to the Principles of Good Practice for Distance Education in effect at the time the institution submits the Plan and all public institutions are required to certify that their distance education programs are in compliance with the Principles of Good Practice for Academic Degree and Certificate Programs and Credit Courses Offered at a Distance (Principles of Good Practice).

Program Approval Process Flowcharts

Process flowcharts are currently being updated. Please check back soon!

Approval Process

You may also wish to refer to the following documents to determine the approval process, notification requirements, and funding for distance education programs and courses:

Study Abroad and Study-in-America Courses

The Coordinating Board defines study abroad courses as “off-campus, academic credit instruction which is delivered outside the United States primarily to regular on-campus students.” Study-in-America courses are defined as “off-campus, academic credit instruction which is delivered outside Texas but in the United States primarily to regular on-campus students.” Institutions are required to certify that all courses meet the Coordinating Board’s Standards for Out-of-State and Out-of-Country Courses. Institutions certify compliance with those standards through an online reporting system. Links to the standards and the reporting system are below.

Off-Campus Educational Units

An Off-Campus Educational Unit is defined in Chapter 5, Subchapter D of Board rules as a subdivision under the management and control of an existing public university, university system, health-related institution or a combination of these units, hereinafter referred to as the parent institution(s), in a geographic setting separate from the parent institution(s). Off-campus education units include teaching sites, higher education centers, university system centers, Multi-Institutional Teaching Centers, regional academic health centers, branch campuses, and all other off-campus educational endeavors.

Institutional Report Information

Contact

Study Abroad / Study-In-America

Inquiries regarding study abroad and study-in-America should be directed to Andrew Lofters.

Email Andrew Lofters