1. (a) In addition to any other application requirements under this chapter, an academic alternative applicant shall comply with all provisions of this section.
2. (b) A Texas college or university that is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and which has a criminal justice or law enforcement program approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) may make application to conduct training for licensees under a training provider contract.

3. (c) An academic alternative applicant shall submit:

   1. (1) documentation of approval from THECB for a criminal justice or law enforcement program;
   2. (2) a proposed course schedule to show that training will be conducted;
   3. (3) documentation of any contractual provision the applicant may have with a contract academy to provide the sequence courses; and
   4. (4) provisions for the Registrar to approve all students qualified for the state basic licensing exam in a timely manner.

4. (d) A training needs assessment must be submitted to the commission for approval and must include:

   1. (1) a description of whom the alternative academic provider will serve and the number of students they expect to train annually;
   2. (2) the basis for these expectations; and
   3. (3) proof of notification by e-mail to all academies within the area of the applicant's intent to apply for an academic alternative provider contract.
5. (e) An academic alternative program shall conduct a comprehensive review subject to commission approval prior to licensing exam.
6. (f) The effective date of this section is February 1, 2014.

Source Note:The provisions of this §215.6 adopted to be effective February 1, 2014, 38 TexReg 9609.