1. (a) Only nursing programs that have full accreditation are eligible to initiate or modify distance education initiatives.

2. (b) The board's approval is necessary prior to:

   1. (1) implementation of an initial distance education initiative by any accredited nursing program;
   2. (2) implementation of additional distance education initiatives by a basic nursing program;
   3. (3) addition or deletion of courses to an existing approved distance education initiative by a basic nursing program; or
   4. (4) reactivation of a dormant or closed distance education initiative by a basic nursing program.
3. (c) A basic nursing program intending to establish or modify a distance education initiative or a post-licensure nursing program intending to establish an initial distance education initiative shall submit a proposal using board approved guidelines.
4. (d) A post-licensure nursing program with prior approval for a distance education initiative must notify the board prior to implementation when the program plans additional distance education initiatives or makes changes to the course offerings at existing distance education initiatives.
5. (e) An expedited proposal approval process may be used for a basic nursing program's request to modify existing distance education initiatives.
6. (f) Educational resources and services of the distance education initiative shall meet the same standards as those of the governing institution and shall meet the board's requirements as stated in §§215.2-215.19 of this title (relating to Definitions; New Programs; Accreditation; Pass Rate of Graduates on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses; Administration and Organization; Faculty Qualifications; Faculty Policies; Faculty Organization; Faculty Development and Evaluation; Mission and Goals (Philosophy and Outcomes); Curriculum; Curriculum Changes; Distance Education Initiative; Students; Educational Resources and Facilities; Affiliate Agencies; Records and Reports; and Total Program Evaluation).
7. (g) The dean/director shall appoint a coordinator who meets the qualifications of nurse faculty as stated in §215.7 of this title (relating to Faculty Qualifications) to supervise the implementation of distance education initiative(s) which provide the entire program of study.
8. (h) Documentation of notification to the Regional Council of the governing institution about plans for establishment or modification of distance education initiatives shall be provided to the board prior to implementation, as appropriate.
9. (i) Evidence of approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and other regulating/accrediting bodies shall be provided to the board prior to implementation, as appropriate.

10. (j) When a distance education initiative of a basic nursing program which provides the entire program of study has been dormant for more than two academic years, the director shall:

    1. (1) reactivate the distance education initiative by submitting a proposal for reactivation using the guidelines for proposals for distance education initiatives; or
    2. (2) submit a plan to close the dormant distance education initiative as outlined in §215.20(a) of this title (relating to Closing of a Nursing Program or Distance Education Initiative).
11. (k) Distance education initiatives of basic nursing programs which have been closed may be reactivated by submitting a proposal for reactivation using the guidelines for proposals for distance education initiatives.

12. (l) When a distance education initiative of a post-licensure nursing program which provides the entire program of study has been dormant for more than two academic years, the director shall:

    1. (1) notify board staff of plans to reactivate the distance education initiative; or
    2. (2) submit a plan to close the dormant distance education initiative as outlined in §215.20(a) of this title (relating to Closing of a Nursing Program or Distance Education Initiative).
13. (m) Distance education initiatives of post-licensure nursing programs which have been closed may be reactivated by submitting notification to board staff prior to reactivation.

Source Note:The provisions of this §215.14 adopted to be effective February 3, 1998, 23 TexReg 752.