Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Agency Contact
Additional Contact
Secretary of State Contact
1: Important Agency Information to Note
- Home Page web link https://www.highered.texas.gov/
- Statutes and Regulations Page web link https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.61.htm and Home - Rules & Meetings
- Authorization Information Page web link Home - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board – click on Academic Affairs for drop down menu
- Application Information Page web link
- For public institutions: Program Modification - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
- For private postsecondary institutions: Institution and Program Development - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
- Renewal Information Page web link
- For private postsecondary institutions: Institutional Annual Reporting & Compliance - 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: Recognition of Accrediting Agencies - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
* Out-of-state institutions need authorization if they trigger physical presence outside of SARA or exceeding SARA parameters.
2: Authorization of Distance Education
- 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
3: Accreditation by an Accrediting Agency Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
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.
4: Physical Presence Policy
Physical presence is based on activities and location within the state.
Yes, if the clinical/internship is completed as part of a degree program from a non-SARA participating institution or if it exceeds SARA parameters (i.e., more than ten students simultaneously at a site).
See THECB Rule 7.7(2)(E).
Does a virtual clinical / internship trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?
No, as this would not trigger physical presence. See THECB Rule 7.3(27).
No. See THECB Rule 7.3(27).
No. See THECB Rule 7.3(27).
Yes. See THECB Rule 7.3(27).
Yes. See THECB Rule 7.3(27).
5: Application Process
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.
THECB-recognized accredited institutions apply for a Certificate of Authorization; non-accredited institutions apply for a Certificate of Authority.
6: Fees Associated with Authorization
No fee for Certificate of Authorization (accredited institutions); application fee for a Certificate of Authority (institutions working toward accreditation).
No response provided
7: Surety Bonds
Yes
Private Postsecondary Institution Resources - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board – see Surety Instrument Requirement.
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.
8: Student Tuition Recovery Fund
No, only a process to make claims on surety instruments for private postsecondary institutions.
No response provided
No response provided
No response provided
9: Tuition Refund Policy
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
10: Reporting
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.
No response provided
11: Enforcement
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: Home - Rules & Meetings
No response provided
12: Student Complaints - Non-SARA Participating Institutions
All student complaints are routed to staff to handle 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: studentcomplaints@highered.texas.gov
- 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
13: Records Retention
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. THECB is in the process of outsourcing the transcript repository to a third party which can focus on timely transcript request responses.
- 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: School Closures and Records - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
This information will change during 2025 to provide contact information for the third party servicing transcript requests.
14: Additional Information
No.
Email.
Please note: There could be additional state agencies with oversight of activities of your institution.
In Texas, the Texas Workforce Commission has oversight of non-degree private schools unless a specific licensing agency has statutory authority over the school.