PROGRAM RECOGNITION APPLICATION PROCESS

Colleges interested in applying for TSSB Program Recognition should follow the steps below. The application process is described in detail in the TSSB document, Application for Program Recognition. The document contains program recognition requirements, application instructions and forms, submission information, and technical assistance contacts. Please read the document before proceeding with the steps below. 

Click here to view and download the Application for Program Recognition(PDF).


Step 1A: Incorporation of Skill Standards Content into Technical Curriculum
Interested community and technical colleges should begin the TSSB Program Recognition process by incorporating the skill standards content into courses for a Level 2 Certificate or AAS Degree program. For guidance in integrating skill standards elements into curriculum, colleges should begin by reading the document, A User's Guide:  Incorporating Skill Standards into Community and Technical College Curriculum.   Alternatively, colleges may schedule a Skill Standards Usage workshop with TSSB staff. The workshop, conducted on site at the college, provides an orientation to the TSSB skill standards elements and format followed by a suggested process for integrating each element into a program's curriculum.

New or Revised Programs
For community and technical colleges developing a new or revising an existing program, Step 1A should be completed before the program is submitted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Coordinating Board) for approval.

Adoption of an Existing TSSB Recognized Program's Curriculum
Colleges may adopt the skill standards-based curriculum of a college program that has already received TSSB Recognition. Under this option, an interested college incorporates and teaches the key activities (or equivalent skill standards element) in the same set of courses as the Recognized Program. To do so, an interested college should review the Recognized Program's application materials (see Recognized Programs link at the end of this section), which include the required course matrix, Application Cover Page, and sample course syllabus.

Step 1B: Notification of Intent to Apply for TSSB Program Recognition
Colleges shall submit a Notification of Intent (NOI) to Apply for TSSB Program Recognition. The NOI must be submitted no later than one month prior to submission of the TSSB Program Recognition application. However, the TSSB recommends that the NOI be submitted as soon as possible. Early submission prior to the deadline enables the TSSB to notify the college of any other colleges' Program Recognition efforts in the same occupational area and to provide technical assistance as needed.

Download Notification of Intent to Apply for TSSB Program Recognition

For Perkins Incentive Award Recipients
Recipients of Perkins Skill Standards/Curriculum Development Incentive Awards should complete a separate NOI.

Download Notification of Intent to Apply for TSSB Program Recognition (Perkins Incentive Award recipients only)

Step 2: Submission of Application
College applicants must submit separate documentation for each Level 2 Certificate or AAS Degree program for which they are seeking TSSB recognition. The program's industry advisory committee chair must sign off on the application, indicating the committee's approval of the skill standards-based curriculum. Forms and detailed instructions on how to complete and submit the application documents, including for adopting an existing Recognized Program's curriculum, can be found in the TSSB's Application for Program Recognition (see link below). To download the application forms in interactive Microsoft (MS) Word format, click on the link below.

Step 3: Notification of Coordinating Board Program Approval for New or Revised Programs
College applicants that are developing a new or revising an existing program shall notify TSSB staff when they receive Coordinating Board approval. Notification procedures are detailed in the Application for Program Recognition.

Step 4: Review and Discussion of TSSB Application
TSSB staff reviews the college's application against the program recognition requirements. (See Application for Program Recognition for requirements.) If TSSB staff has any questions or concerns about whether the application meets the recognition requirements, college applicants will be invited to discuss them and to make adjustments as needed.

Step 5: TSSB Program Recognition
For applications that meet all the requirements, the TSSB notifies the college that Program Recognition has been granted, sends the college recognition and promotional materials, and posts the program on the TSSB web site.

Applications that do not meet the requirements, with or without adjustments, will be notified of the review process outcome.