Distance Education Resources

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Overview

The Coordinating Board establishes administrative rules and guidance to public institutions of higher education regarding best practices and procedures for approval of distance education courses and programs.

The formal educational process that occurs when students and instructors are in separate physical locations for the majority (more than 50 percent) of instruction

A course in which a majority (more than 50 percent) of the instruction occurs when the student(s) and instructor(s) are in separate physical locations. The definition of distance education course does not include courses with 50 percent or less instruction when the student(s) and instructor(s) are in separate physical locations. Two categories of distance education courses are defined:

(A) 100-Percent Online Course–A distance education course in which 100 percent of instructional activity takes place when the student(s) and instructor(s) are in separate physical locations. Requirements for on-campus or in-person orientation, testing, academic support services, internships/fieldwork, or other non-instructional activities do not exclude a course from this category.

(B) Hybrid Course–A distance education course in which more than 50 percent but less than 100 percent of instructional activity takes place when the student(s) and instructor(s) are in separate physical locations.

A program in which a student may complete a majority (more than 50 percent) of the credit hours required for the program through distance education courses. The definition of a Distance Education Degree or Certificate Program does not include programs in which 50 percent or less of the required credit hours are offered through distance education. Two categories of distance education programs are defined:

(A) 100-Percent Online Program–A degree program in which students complete 100 percent of the credit hours required for the program through 100-Percent Online Courses. Requirements for on-campus or in-person orientation, testing, academic support services, internships/fieldwork, or other non-instructional activities do not exclude a program from this category.

(B) Hybrid Program–A degree program in which students complete more than 50 percent but less than 100 percent of the credit hours required for the program through Distance Education Courses.

See the following administrative rules related to distance education for reference.

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:

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

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 Modality Requests

    Distance Education Program Searchhyperlink to fast program page

    New Distance Education Degree or Certificate Programs

    Institutions seeking to request a new degree program that is offered through a distance education modality will indicate the modality of the program on the new degree program request. For information about forms and requests, please visit the following webpage: New Degree Program & Certificate Requests.

    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. 

    To submit a request for a modality change to an existing program, please submit through the new Data Submission Portal. You can find more information about this process here: Degree & Administrative Change Requests

    Off-Campus Education

    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:

    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 Educational 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.

    Institutional Report Information

    Contact

    Inquiries regarding study abroad and study-in-America should be directed to Andrew Lofters, Program Director, Academic and Health Affairs.

    Email Andrew Loftershyperlink to fast program page