1. (a) A nursing program wishing to implement curriculum changes or alterations in course offerings shall contact the board's staff and request the guidelines for developing the proposal.

   1. (1) Proposals for major curriculum changes must be submitted to board staff at least six weeks prior to the proposed implementation date using guidelines prepared by the board.
   2. (2) Proposals for minor curriculum changes must be submitted to board staff at least six weeks prior to implementation using guidelines prepared by the board.

2. (b) Major curriculum changes that require board staff approval shall include but are not limited to:

   1. (1) reorganization of the entire curriculum;
   2. (2) increase or decrease in length of program;
   3. (3) major changes in program mission and goals (philosophy and outcomes), which alter the present program;
   4. (4) significant course content changes and/or new required nursing courses added to the curriculum; and
   5. (5) increase or decrease in number of theory and clinical hours of more than 10%.

3. (c) Minor changes that must be submitted to the board for staff approval include but are not limited to:

   1. (1) transition or bridging courses for mobility options;
   2. (2) changes in non-nursing courses which are prerequisite or corequisite to nursing courses; and
   3. (3) increase or decrease in number of theory and clinical hours, not to exceed 10%.
4. (d) Minor changes such as editorial updates of mission and goals or redistribution of course content should be reported to the board annually.
5. (e) Documentation of Coordinating Board approval must be provided prior to implementation of curriculum changes, as appropriate.
6. (f) Following staff review, the director will be notified as to whether or not further clarification and/or revisions of the proposal are necessary.

Source Note:The provisions of this §215.13 adopted to be effective September 1, 1994, 18 TexReg 8905.