1. (a) The advanced educational program shall operate within or be affiliated with a college or university. New programs shall operate or be affiliated with colleges or universities authorized to award graduate degrees.
2. (b) The governing institution shall be accredited by a Board recognized accrediting/ approval agency.
3. (c) There shall be adequate financial support commensurate with the financial resources of the institution and appropriate to the needs of the program.
4. (d) The structural relationship between the governing institution and advanced educational program specifies lines of responsibility and authority and channels of communication.
5. (e) In colleges and universities, the program shall have comparable status with other academic units and in areas affecting faculty such as salary, rank, promotion, tenure, leave, benefits, academic rights, and professional development.

6. (f) Each advanced educational program shall be administered by a qualified nurse faculty member who is accountable for the planning, implementation and evaluation of the advanced educational program. The director shall:

   1. (1) Hold a current, valid, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Texas or reside in any party state and hold a current, valid, unencumbered registered nurse license in that state;
   2. (2) Hold a minimum of a master's degree in nursing or the equivalent thereof as determined by the Board;
   3. (3) Be authorized to practice as an advanced practice nurse in a role and specialty appropriate to the type of program;
   4. (4) Have a minimum of three years teaching experience in a program appropriately related to the type of program being administered; and
   5. (5) Have demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities in administration within graduate level advanced educational programs.

7. (g) When the director of the program changes, the director shall submit to the Board written notification of the change indicating the final date in the position.

   1. (1) A new director qualification form shall be submitted to the Board office by the governing institution for approval prior to appointing a new director for an existing program or a new advanced educational program.
   2. (2) A vitae and all official transcripts shall be submitted with the new director qualification form.
   3. (3) In a fully accredited program, if the individual to be appointed as director does not meet the requirements for director as specified in subsection (f) of this section, the administration is permitted to petition for a waiver of the Board's requirements prior to the appointment of said individual.
   4. (4) An acting director may be appointed for a period of time not to exceed one year.

Source Note:The provisions of this §219.6 adopted to be effective September 13, 2001, 26 TexReg 6889.