Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Indicate the types of institutions that your agency authorizes. 

• Note: Some agencies may refer to out-of-state public institutions as “private colleges” in their law.  If this is the case for your agency, please select “public, out-of-state degree granting institutions” for purposes of this Guide so that the out-of-state public institution will find appropriate information.
• Note: If your agency is a coordinating board, your agency may have one division with some authority such as program approval over in-state public institutions that are established per statute, which is structured differently than another division of your agency with state authorization authority over non-public institutions that they “license” pursuant to different statute(s).

_X___ Public, in-state degree granting institutions
_X*__ Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions
_X___ Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
_X*__ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
_X___ Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
_X*__ Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
_X___ Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions
_____ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
_____ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
_____ Non-degree, for-profit institutions
_____ Religious institutions
_____ Tribally-controlled institutions
_____ Federal Institutions
_____ Municipal institutions

• For example, an agency may require an institution apply for licensure for institutional approval and also require the institution to apply for specific program(s) approval.

_____ Institution 

_____ Program 

_X___ Both

For the above indicated institutions (#2a), THECB-recognized accreditation is required. Recognized accreditors are found here: https://www.highered.texas.gov/institutional-resources-programs/private-postsecondary-institutions/recognition-of-accrediting-agencies/

* Out-of-state institutions need authorization if they trigger physical presence outside of SARA or exceeding SARA parameters.

• Meaning as example, the state regulates an out-of-state institution for merely enrolling a student into a distance education program
• Meaning as example, a solely online program that does not have any internships and practicums

No. See THECB Rule 7.14

No response provided

Yes

Accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education required for:
_X___ Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions
_X___ Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
_X___ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
_X___ Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
_X___ Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
_X___ Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions
_____ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
_____ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions<
_____ Non-degree, for-profit institutions
_____ Religious institutions
_____ Tribally-controlled institutions
_____ Federal Institutions
_____ Municipal institutions

An institution can apply for a Certificate of Authority if working toward recognized accreditation. The institution must have recognized accreditation within eight years. THECB does not recognize all accrediting agencies recognized by the US Department of Education.

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) licenses non-degree private institutions. Please see TWC responses for private non-degree institutions.

Physical presence is based on activities and location within the state.

THECB Rule 7.3(27)(A-B)

Does a virtual clinical / internship trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency? 

No response provided

No response provided

No response provided

No response provided

No response provided

Private postsecondary institutions must apply for and obtain state authorization prior to any educational activities, advertising, or enrolling of students. The authorization requirement also applies to out-of-state institutions if they trigger physical presence outside of SARA or exceed SARA parameters.

https://www.highered.texas.gov/institutional-resources-programs/private-postsecondary-institutions/institutional-authorization-to-operate-in-texas/

THECB-recognized accredited institutions apply for a Certificate of Authorization; non-accredited institutions apply for a Certificate of Authority.

No fee for Certificate of Authorization (accredited institutions); application fee for a Certificate of Authority (institutions working toward accreditation).

Certificate of Authority and Related Activities Fees (texas.gov)

https://reportcenter.highered.texas.gov/reports/data/certificate-of-authority-and-related-activities-fees/

Fees are currently under review and may change after April 2024.

Yes

Institution and Program Development - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board – see Surety Instrument Requirement for All Institutions.

Questions regarding surety instruments should be directed to Paul Shuler (paul.shuler@highered.texas.gov). Surety instruments are required for all private postsecondary institutions authorized to offer degrees in the state.

No, only a process to make claims on surety instruments for private postsecondary institutions.

No response provided

No response provided

No response provided

Students can make a claim to THECB for tuition and fees from the private postsecondary institution’s surety instrument.

For public institutions, see Student Refund Policy Information Page: for Universities and Health-Related Ins…

See above.

See above.

No response provided

All private and out-of-state degree-granting institutions must complete annual compliance reporting and student data reporting.

Annually

Student data reporting information is publicly available.

http://www.txhighereddata.org/index.cfm?objectId=96F8EE70-D880-11E8-BB650050560100A9

No response provided

Several THECB administrative rules address non-compliance for institutions under Certificates of Authorizations or Certificates of Authority, specifically, Rules 7.5, 7.7, and 7.8.

See rules regarding degree granting colleges and universities other than Texas public institutions at: https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=19&pt=1&ch=7&sch=A&rl=Y

No response provided

All student complaints are routed to staff to handle complaints.

https://www.highered.texas.gov/links/student-complaints/

Staff would refer to appropriate agency with oversight.

The above webpage provides information on the scope of complaints handled or not handled by THECB staff. Staff may also refer complaints to appropriate state agencies, federal agencies, or accreditors.

• Contact Name: Benita Reyes
• Title: Student Complaints Staff
• Agency: THECB – Office of General Counsel
• Address: PO Box 12788, Austin, TX 78711
• Email: studentcomplaints@highered.texas.gov
• Phone: 512.427.6119
• URL: https://www.highered.texas.gov/links/student-complaints/

No response provided

A closed school transcript repository is maintained. At the time of closure, THECB staff attempt to secure transcripts. Additional transcripts will be added over time.

• Agency Name: THECB
• Contact Person: Kathy Ivey, Program Specialist II
• Contact Phone: 512-427-6417
• Contact Address: PO Box 12788, Austin, TX 78711
• Contact Email: studentrecords@highered.texas.gov
• Contact web site: https://www.highered.texas.gov/our-work/supporting-our-institutions/academic-program-resources/private-postsecondary-institution-resources/school-closures-and-records/student-academic-record-or-transcript-request/

No response provided

No response provided

No response provided

Please note: There could be additional state agencies with oversight of activities of your institution.