Background
Texas Education Code Section 51.96852
Passed by the 86th Texas Legislature, Senate Bill 25 (SB 25, codified as Texas Education Code, Section 51.96852) requires each public institution to provide at least one recommended course sequence for each undergraduate certificate or degree. A recommended course sequence is a list of courses by semester, term, or enrollment period that satisfy the requirement for a student to complete an undergraduate certificate or degree program without exceeding the semester credit hours required for the degree program. Each public institution is required to do the following:
- Include the recommended course sequences in the institution’s course catalog
- Include the recommended course sequences on the institution’s website
- Submit the recommended course sequences to the Coordinating Board
Deadlines
Institutions have completed the initial course sequence data submission (December 1, 2021) and have posted recommended course sequences to their websites (August 1, 2021). The Coordinating Board plans to communicate with institutions about future submission deadlines and requirements, and when available, will post them here.
Negotiated Rulemaking Committee
The Coordinating Board convened a negotiated rulemaking committee comprised of higher education institutional representatives with expertise in curriculum development, course sequencing, and institutional reporting. The committee met on March 9, 2021, and developed proposed rules in alignment with Texas Education Code (TEC), Section 51.96852, which authorizes the Coordinating Board to adopt rules relating to the development, reporting, and publication of recommended course sequences.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) adopted the proposed rules at its July 22, 2021 quarterly board meeting.
Benefits
Recommended course sequence reporting to the Coordinating Board will benefit key stakeholders, specifically students and families, institutions of higher education, policymakers, researchers, and others.
- Students and families
Recommended course sequences will provide clarity and transparency by identifying at least one efficient, timely path for completing a higher education credential. - Institutions
Recommended course sequences will provide actionable data to facilitate student success and target advising efforts. - Statewide
The THECB will be able to provide insightful tools and reporting for students, institutions, policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders on the impact of transfer policies and practices.
For additional background details about SB 25 Recommended Course Sequences, please see our SB 25 Recommended Course Sequence Concept Document (PDF) (includes timeline and dates).
Instructions for Reporting
- SB 25 Recommended Course Sequence Reporting Template (Excel) (Updated parameters 8/3/2021)
Resources
- SB 25 Recommended Course Sequence Reporting Template: Bachelor Example (Excel)
- SB 25 Recommended Course Sequence Reporting Template: Associate Example (Excel)
- SB 25 Recommended Course Sequence Reporting Template: Standalone Upper Division Example (Excel)
- SB 25 Recommended Course Sequence Reporting Template: Optional Transfer Example (Excel)
- Training Webinar Recording – May 3, 2021
- Informational Webinar Recording – July 15, 2021
- Informational Webinar PowerPoint – July 15, 2021
- Informational Webinar Recording and Question and Answer Handout– August 2, 2023
- Walkthrough on RCS Error Reports (Recording) – August 7, 2023
- Walkthrough: Phase 2 Instructions & Reporting Templates (Recording) – September 15, 2023
Recommended Course Sequence Frequently Asked Questions
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has received numerous inquiries from higher education institutions regarding compliance with relevant state rules and reporting requirements for SB 25 recommended course sequences, Texas Education Code, Section 51.96852. The responses below are intended to provide general guidance for institutions from the THECB as it pertains to recommended course sequence policy and reporting.