TITLE 19. EDUCATION
PART 1. TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD
CHAPTER 4. RULES APPLYING TO ALL PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN TEXAS
SUBCHAPTER
B.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Coordinating Board) proposes amendments to Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter B, §4.32, concerning Field of Study Curricula. Specifically, this amendment will extend the opportunity for students completing certain Field of Study Curricula to complete their degree program and will allow time for an updated Field of Study Curricula to be developed that are more in line with changes in each discipline. During its April 8, 2025, meeting, the Texas Transfer Advisory Committee voted to extend the expiration date for legacy Field of Study Curricula and recommended that the Coordinating Board establish faculty subcommittees for the Architecture, Engineering, and Music Field of Study Curricula.
The Texas Education Code, §61.821, authorizes the Coordinating Board to develop field of study curricula with the assistance of advisory committees composed of representatives of institutions of higher education. Texas Administrative Code, §4.33, authorizes the Texas Transfer Advisory Committee to review relevant data and courses, and recommend a schedule for development of the Field of Study Curricula.
Elizabeth Mayer, Assistant Commissioner for Academic and Health Affairs has determined that for each of the first five years the sections are in effect there would be no fiscal implications for state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the rule. There are no estimated reductions in costs to the state and to local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the rule. There are no estimated losses or increases in revenue to the state or to local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.
There is no impact on small businesses, micro businesses, and rural communities. There is no anticipated impact on local employment.
Elizabeth Mayer, Assistant Commissioner for Academic and Health Affairs has also determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of administering the section will be extending the opportunity for students in certain Field of Study Curricula to complete their degree program and will allow time for updated Field of Study Curricula to be developed that are more in line with changes in each discipline. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the sections as proposed.
Government Growth Impact Statement
(1) the rule will not create or eliminate a government program;
(2) implementation of the will not require the creation or elimination of employee positions;
(3) implementation of the rule will not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency;
(4) the rule will not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency;
(5) the rule will not create a new rule;
(6) the rule will not limit an existing rule;
(7) the rule will not change the number of individuals subject to the rule; and
(8) the rule will not affect this state's economy.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Elizabeth Mayer, Assistant Commissioner for Academic and Health Affairs, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas 78711-2788, or via email at AHAComments@highered.texas.gov. Comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication of the proposal in the Texas Register .
The amendment is proposed under Texas Education Code, Section 61.823, which provides the Coordinating Board with the authority to establish Field of Study Curricula.
The proposed amendment affects Texas Education Code, Section 61.823.
§
4.32.
(a) - (h) (No change.)
(i) Effective Dates.
(1) Unless repealed or replaced, Field of Study Curricula in effect as of March 1, 2021, will remain in effect until August 31, 2025, upon which date those Field of Study Curricula expire by operation of law. For Field of Study Curricula that are repealed, replaced, or expire by operation of law, the following transition or "teach out" provisions apply:
(A) A student who has earned credit on or before August 31, 2022, in one or more courses included in a Field of Study Curriculum that exists on March 1, 2021, is entitled to complete that Field of Study Curriculum on or before August 31, 2025.
(B) A student who has not, on or before August 31, 2022, earned any course credit toward a Field of Study Curriculum in effect on March 1, 2021, is not entitled to transfer credit for that Field of Study Curriculum.
(C) After an institution's Spring 2026 enrollment deadline, a receiving institution is not required to transfer a complete Field of Study Curricula that expired prior to that date. A receiving institution may, at its discretion, choose to accept a complete or partial Field of Study Curricula that has expired.
(2) Field of Study Curricula for Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Music in effect as of March 1, 2021, shall remain in effect until August 31, 2027.
(A) A student who has earned credit on or before August 31, 2024, in one or more courses included in a Field of Study Curriculum that exists on March 1, 2021, is entitled to complete that Field of Study Curriculum on or before August 31, 2027.
(B) After an institution's Spring 2028 enrollment deadline, a receiving institution is not required to transfer a complete Field of Study Curricula under subsection (i)(2) of this section that expired prior to that date. A receiving institution may, at its discretion, choose to accept a complete or partial Field of Study Curricula that has expired.
[(2) After an institution's Spring 2026 enrollment deadline, a receiving institution is not required to transfer a complete Field of Study Curricula that expired prior to that date. A receiving institution may, at its discretion, choose to accept a complete or partial Field of Study Curricula that has expired.]
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority to adopt.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 21, 2025.
TRD-202501292
Nichole Bunker-Henderson
General Counsel
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Earliest possible date of adoption: June 1, 2025
For further information, please call: (512) 427-6182