(a) Tex. Educ. Code §130.0104 requires the governing boards of each public junior college district to establish a multidisciplinary studies associate degree. This statute allows the Coordinating Board to adopt rules putting this provision into effect.
(b) A multidisciplinary studies associate degree program is a Coordinating Board-approved associate of arts or associate of science degree composed of the college's core curriculum and enough additional courses to equal 60 semester credit hours (SCH). The SCH beyond the core curriculum must be selected by the student, in consultation with an academic advisor, and transfer to a specific field of study or major at a university of the student's choice.
(c) A multidisciplinary studies associate degree program established at a public junior college under this section must require a student to successfully complete:
  (1) The public junior college's core curriculum adopted under Tex. Educ. Code §61.822, as defined by 19 TAC §4.28, relating to Transfer of Credit, Core Curriculum, and Field of Study Curricula; and
  (2) The completion of courses selected by the student in the student's completed degree plan, accounting for all remaining credit hours required for the completion of the degree program.
(d) The multidisciplinary studies associate degree program must emphasize the student's transition to a particular four-year college or university that the student chooses and prepare the student for the intended field of study or major at the four-year college or university.
(e) A student enrolled in a multidisciplinary studies associate degree program shall file a degree plan as prescribed by 19 TAC Chapter 4, Subchapter T. The student must meet with an academic advisor to complete a degree plan as required by Tex. Educ. Code §51.9685(a)(1) that:
  (1) Accounts for all remaining credit hours required for the completion of the degree program;
  (2) Emphasizes the student's transition to a particular four-year college or university that the student chooses; and
  (3) Prepares for the student's intended field of study or major at the four-year college or university.

Source Note: The provisions of this §2.57 adopted to be effective February 17, 2023, 48 TexReg 664