1. (a) New programs.

   1. (1) Proposal to develop a professional pre-licensure or post-licensure nursing program.

      1. (A) A governing institution accredited by a Board recognized accrediting body is eligible to submit a proposal to develop a professional nursing program. Notice of intent to establish a nursing program shall be submitted in writing 12 - 18 months prior to the anticipated start of the program.
      2. (B) The proposal shall be completed under the direction/consultation of a registered nurse who holds at least a master's degree in nursing and who has teaching and administrative experience in the type of program being proposed.
      3. (C) The proposal shall include information outlined in Board guidelines.
      4. (D) The proposal will be considered by the Board following a public hearing at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board. The Board may approve the proposal, may defer action on the proposal, or may deny further consideration of the proposal.

   2. (2) Application for initial accreditation.

      1. (A) Following approval to develop a professional nursing program, a director, faculty, and support staff shall be employed to develop the application for initial licensure as outlined in an Order of the Board.
      2. (B) Initial accreditation must be granted prior to admission of students.
      3. (C) The director and faculty shall plan the program of learning.
      4. (D) The application shall include information outlined in Board guidelines.
      5. (E) The Board shall review the application and supporting evidence at a regularly scheduled meeting. If the program is based upon sound educational principles and is in compliance with the Board's requirements as specified in §§215.2 - 215.13 of this chapter (relating to Definitions; Program Development, Expansion, and Closure; Accreditation; Mission and Goals (Philosophy and Outcomes); Administration and Organization; Faculty Qualifications and Faculty Organization; Students; Program of Study; Management of Clinical Learning Experiences and Resources; Facilities, Resources, and Services; Records and Reports; and Total Program Evaluation), then initial accreditation may be granted and an initial accreditation fee assessed per §223.1 of this title (relating to Fees).
   3. (3) Survey visits shall be conducted, as necessary, by staff until full accreditation is granted.

2. (b) Program Expansion

   1. (1) Only nursing programs that have full accreditation are eligible to initiate or modify distance education initiatives.
   2. (2) Instruction provided for the distance education initiative may include a variety of instructional methods and shall be congruent with the program's curriculum plan and shall enable students to meet the goals, objectives, and competencies of the educational program and requirements of the Board as stated in §§215.2 - 215.13 of this chapter.

   3. (3) A program intending to establish a distance education initiative shall:

      1. (A) Notify the board at least four months prior to implementation of distance education initiatives by any accredited program, and
      2. (B) Submit required information according to board approved guidelines.
      3. (C) Provide documentation of notification to the Regional Council of the governing institution about plans for establishment of distance education initiatives to the Board at least four months prior to implementation, as appropriate.
      4. (D) Provide evidence of approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and other regulating/accrediting bodies to the Board prior to implementation, as appropriate.
   4. (4) Distance education initiatives of basic nursing programs which have been closed may be reactivated by submitting notification of reactivation to the Board at least 4 months prior, using the board guidelines for initiating a distance education initiative.

3. (c) Transfer of Administrative Control by Governing Institutions.

   1. (1) A governing institution of a professional nursing education program which has Full Accreditation status may request permission from the Board to transfer administrative control.

      1. (A) A governing institution that proposes to transfer administrative control of a nursing program to another governing institution accredited by a board recognized accrediting body shall submit:

         1. (i) notice of intent to transfer administrative control in writing to the Board 12 months prior to the anticipated date of transfer; and
         2. (ii) a written plan for closure of the nursing program as required by subsection (d) of this section.

      2. (B) The governing institution which will assume responsibility for the program shall submit a Proposal to Assume Administrative Control to the Board six months prior to a regularly scheduled Board meeting.

         1. (i) The proposal shall be completed under the direction/consultation of a registered nurse who holds at least a master's degree in nursing and who has teaching and administrative experience in the type of program being proposed.
         2. (ii) The proposal shall include information outlined in board approved guidelines.
         3. (iii) The proposal shall include documentation of Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approval, as applicable.
         4. (iv) The proposal will be considered by the Board at a regularly scheduled meeting.
         5. (v) The Board may approve, may defer action, or may deny further consideration of the proposal.

   2. (2) Accreditation status of transferred nursing program(s).

      1. (A) If the governing institution that is assuming administrative control previously has been responsible for an accredited professional nursing program and does not intend to change the program of study then the professional nursing education program shall maintain its accreditation status.
      2. (B) If the governing institution that is assuming administrative control previously has been responsible for an accredited professional nursing program and intends to alter the program of study then that governing institution shall submit a proposal to change the program of study in accordance with §215.9(i) of this chapter (relating to Program of Study).
      3. (C) If the governing institution that is assuming administrative control has not previously been responsible for an accredited professional nursing program then that governing institution shall submit an application for initial accreditation in accordance with subsection (a)(2) of this section.

4. (d) Closing a Program or DEI.

   1. (1) When the decision to close a program which provides the entire program of study has been made, the director must notify the Board and submit a written plan for closure which includes the following:

      1. (A) reason for closing the program;
      2. (B) date of intended closure;
      3. (C) academic provisions for students;
      4. (D) provisions made for access to and safe storage of vital school records, including transcripts of all graduates; and
      5. (E) methods to be used to maintain requirements and standards until the program closes.
   2. (2) The program or distance education initiative shall continue within standards until all classes, which are enrolled at the time of the decision to close, have graduated. In the event this is not possible, a plan must be developed whereby students may transfer to other accredited programs.

   3. (3) Programs that close a DEI which provides the full program of study shall notify the board office in writing at least four months prior to the intent to close, providing:

      1. (A) location and name of the program;
      2. (B) reason; and
      3. (C) the date of the intended closure.

Source Note:The provisions of this §215.3 adopted to be effective August 17, 2003, 28 TexReg 6540.