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Completing a new Program Summary for Workforce Education

To complete the required Workforce New Program Summary, please refer to Chapter 5 of the Guidelines for Instructional Programs in Workforce Education (GIPWE) at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).

Before any New Workforce Education Program is considered at ACC, the new program information including new costs, required resources and community need, must be given tentative approval by the Instructional Dean and the appropriate Associate Vice- President.

  • A Letter of Intent must be sent to THECB at least 30, but not more than 180 days prior to submitting a formal application for program approval. The letter must indicate the name of the program under development and the expected date of submission. The purpose of the intent letter is to notify THECB staff and other colleges of ACC's plans to introduce a new program.
  • All new program applications must include a Statement of Assurances approved by ACC's governing board and signed and dated by ACC President. No new program will be recommended for approval by THECB without a complete and properly signed statement of assurances. An Application for Approval of New Workforce Education Programs must also be completed and properly signed.
  • Each program should include a brief, (one and one-half pages) program description summary. The Program Summary should include Program Objectives, Proposed Curriculum, Occupational Need, Expected Enrollment, Program Support, Budget and Institutional Effectiveness. Examples of Program Summaries have been provided at the end of Chapter 5 of the GIPWE at the THECB WEB page listed above.
  • Each program should include in the summary documented linkages with public secondary schools and/or other institutions of higher education. For establishing Linkages with public secondary schools, contact ACC's Capital Area Tech Prep Office at 223-7720. For establishing linkages with other institutions of higher education contact ACC's Articulation Officer at 223-7677.
  • The program should also demonstrate non-duplication with similar programs within the higher education region and/or service area in the summary. To find out which public and technical colleges offer this or any other programs log on the THECB WEB page, click on "Data Statistics", then under "Interactive Tools" click "Program Inventory" and follow the instructions.
  • The summary must also have an enrollment management plan to ensure sufficient students to support the program. Some suggestions for possible enrollment opportunities include:
    1. Work with the industry advisory boards or chambers of commerce
    2. Have the program WIA certified
    3. Send brochures and information to area high school counselors
    4. Inform Capital Idea about the new program
    5. Work with ACC student advisors at the campuses
    6. Develop a WEB page
  • The Program Summary must detail the resources needed for the program including existing and additional faculty, facilities, equipment, and an estimate of annual operating costs. The summary must include detailed information on how ACC will meet projected new program costs for the first five years, including personnel, operating expenses and capital outlay. The form for the five-year budget is located at the THECB WEB page. For assistance in completing this budget form, contact the Instructional Design Manager at 223-5230.
  • Supporting information such as survey instruments, certifications, etc. are to be located in the appendix of the summary.
  • In order to implement a new workforce education program, ACC must maintain certain documentation on file. This documentation will be examined during institutional effectiveness site visits.
  • The following documentation must be kept on file at ACC:
    1. Labor market information to include pertinent local, regional, and/or statewide workforce demand for the program.
    2. The appropriate level of academic and workplace skills will be achieved upon student completion.
    3. All advisory committee-meeting minutes related to the planning of the program must be kept on file.

For additional information, start here by initiating a project or contact the Instructional Design Manager at Instructional Development Services.