Off-Campus Education
Overview
The Coordinating Board establishes administrative rules and guidance to public institutions of higher education regarding procedures for approval off-campus education. The following recently adopted rules govern off-campus education for public institutions:
- Chapter 2, Subchapter P (rules governing approval of off-campus education) – Effective September 1, 2026
- Note: Rule amendments regarding approval of off-campus education for community and technical colleges will be adopted at the July quarterly Board meeting.
Off-Campus Programs
Off-campus programs are defined as a degree program in which fifty percent (50%) or more of required instruction or coursework is in-person at an off-campus educational site. These programs require Coordinating Board approval prior to offering the program at the off-campus location.
The agency has recently adopted new rules related to off-campus education that will take effect on September 1, 2026. More information about these changes will be forthcoming in Summer 2026.
Off-Campus Sites
The Coordinating Board no longer requires prior approval of the physical location for off-campus education. Administrative rules in Chapter 5, Subchapter D, regarding these approvals was repealed in April 2026.
Institutions will notify the coordinating Board of any location in which off-campus education will be provided, excluding dual credit, internship or clinical courses.
More information about these changes will be forthcoming in Summer 2026.
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.
Contact
Inquiries regarding study abroad and study-in-America should be directed to Andrew Lofters, Program Director, Academic and Health Affairs.