By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1731
(In the Senate - Filed March 11, 2011; March 23, 2011, read
first time and referred to Committee on Higher Education;
April 28, 2011, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 6,
Nays 0; April 28, 2011, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring public junior colleges to offer an academic
associate degree program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 130, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 130.0013 to read as follows:
Sec. 130.0013. ACADEMIC ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM.
(a) Each public junior college shall offer one or more academic
associate degree programs designed to transfer in their entirety
for course credit in a baccalaureate degree program at a general
academic teaching institution.
(b) An academic associate degree program must consist of at
least 60 semester credit hours, but not exceed 66 semester credit
hours.
(c) An academic associate degree program curriculum must
incorporate:
(1) a core curriculum established under Section
61.822;
(2) a statewide articulated transfer curriculum
approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board that
aligns with the lower-division requirements of one or more specific
baccalaureate degree programs; or
(3) a specified curriculum covered by an articulation
agreement between the junior college district and one or more other
institutions of higher education.
(d) An academic associate degree program offered under this
section must meet all applicable accreditation requirements of the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on
Colleges.
(e) The coordinating board shall adopt rules the board
considers appropriate for the administration of this section.
SECTION 2. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
and the governing board of each junior college district shall adopt
rules or policies relating to the academic associate degree program
under Section 130.0013, Education Code, as added by this Act, not
later than February 1, 2012.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies
beginning with the 2012 fall semester.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
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