84R29390 JSL-D
By: Seliger S.B. No. 1189
(Zerwas)
Substitute the following for S.B. No. 1189: No.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a multidisciplinary studies
associate degree program at each public junior college.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 130, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 130.0104 to read as follows:
Sec. 130.0104. MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIES ASSOCIATE DEGREE
PROGRAM. (a) The governing board of each public junior college
district shall establish a multidisciplinary studies associate
degree program at each junior college in the district.
(b) A multidisciplinary studies associate degree program
established at a junior college under this section must require a
student to successfully complete:
(1) the junior college's core curriculum adopted under
Section 61.822(b); and
(2) after completion of the core curriculum under
Subdivision (1), the courses selected by the student in the
student's degree plan completed under Subsection (c).
(c) Notwithstanding Section 51.9685, before the beginning
of the regular semester or term immediately following the semester
or term in which a student successfully completes a cumulative
total of 30 or more semester credit hours for coursework in a
multidisciplinary studies associate degree program established
under this section, the student must meet with an academic advisor
to complete a degree plan, as defined by Section 51.9685(a)(1),
that:
(1) accounts for all remaining credit hours required
for the completion of the degree program; and
(2) emphasizes:
(A) the student's transition to a particular
four-year college or university that the student chooses; and
(B) preparations for the student's intended
field of study or major at the four-year college or university.
(d) The coordinating board shall adopt rules as necessary
for the administration of this section, including rules ensuring
that:
(1) a multidisciplinary studies associate degree
program is established at each public junior college; and
(2) the common application form adopted under Section
51.762 contains a description of multidisciplinary studies
associate degree programs established under this section.
SECTION 2. (a) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board shall adopt the rules required by Section 130.0104, Education
Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable after the
effective date of this Act. For that purpose, the coordinating
board may adopt the initial rules in the manner provided by law for
emergency rules.
(b) The governing board of each public junior college
district shall offer a multidisciplinary studies associate degree
program at each junior college in the district as required by
Section 130.0104, Education Code, as added by this Act, beginning
with the 2016 fall semester.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2015.