Applied Sciences Pathway Program
House Bill 20, passed by the 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, establishes the Applied Sciences Pathway Program in Texas Education Code, §29.914. This program is designed to provide students in grades 11 and 12 with enhanced opportunities to concurrently earn a high school diploma and a Level I or II certificate or credential of value from an institution of higher education (IHE) in high-wage, high-growth industries. School systems may begin implementing the program in the 2026-2027 school year.
A program must be related to one of the following industries:
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Decisions about student scheduling will be made at the local level.
The following illustrative example identifies the coursework a student would complete by year at the high school and at the partner IHE to earn a foundation high school diploma (no endorsement) and a Level I Certificate in Electrical Construction.
The following illustrative example identifies the coursework a student would complete by year at the high school and at the partner IHE to earn a foundation high school diploma (no endorsement) and an AAS in Welding Technology.
Program Participation and Average Daily Attendance
For student scheduling and planning purposes, participation in this program does not restrict students from enrolling in other CTE or dual credit courses prior to joining the program. The time that a student spends participating in the program is counted as part of the minimum number of instructional hours required for a student to be considered a full-time student in average daily attendance.
Application Procedures
The for the 2026-2027 school year opens January 15, 2026 and closes May 15, 2026.
School systems within Texas, with approval from 7mÊÓƵ, may substitute college-level CTE program courses for courses that satisfy high school graduation requirements, provided they substantially cover the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
As part of the application process, college course substitutions must be submitted to 7mÊÓƵ for approval using the Applied Sciences Pathway Program Course Substitution Form.
Five to seven business days after receiving an application, 7mÊÓƵ will provide a course-specific substitution form to applicants who indicated the intent to submit course substitutions. The form will be pre-populated with student expectations from the TEKS-based high school course identified in the application. To complete the form, applicants must document coverage of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for the high school course. Additional instructions are provided in the sample Applied Sciences Pathway Program Course Substitution Form linked below.
Sample Applied Sciences Pathway Program Course Substitution Form
School systems must also submit a copy of the memorandums of understanding (MOU) with their partner IHE and the targeted certificate program or programs.
To ensure high-quality dual credit partnerships, Texas law requires school districts and institutions of higher education to establish a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) before offering dual credit courses. These agreements must be approved by designated authorities, such as governing boards, superintendents, or chief academic officers, from both educational entities.
Each MOU must include essential elements such as eligible courses, student eligibility criteria, faculty qualifications, curriculum standards, grading policies, academic support services, and procedures for credit transcription. Funding details, including tuition, fees, instructional materials, and transportation, must be clearly outlined, along with provisions for programs like FAST that support equitable access for students.
For transparency and accountability, all MOUs must be posted annually on both the institution’s and the school system’s websites. These requirements, governed by the Texas Administrative Code, help ensure that dual credit programs are consistent, accessible, and aligned with statewide educational goals.
Statutorily required components of every MOU:
- Eligible courses (§4.84(b)(1))
- Student eligibility criteria (§4.84(b)(2))
- Location and composition of classes (§4.84(b)(3)-(4))
- Faculty selection, supervision, and evaluation (§4.84(b)(5))
- Course curriculum, instruction, and grading (§4.84(b)(6))
- Academic policies and student support services (§4.84(b)(7))
- Transcripting of credit (§4.84(b)(8))
- Funding details, including tuition, transportation, fees, instructional materials, and textbooks (§4.84(b)(9))
- FAST program provisions and joint implementation requirements (§4.84(b)(10)-(11))
- Procedures for establishing course credits, such as a course equivalency crosswalk (§4.84(b)(12))
- Include a course equivalency crosswalk or another method for equating high school courses with college courses (§4.84(b)(12))
- Clearly identify the number of credits that may be earned for each course completed through the program (§4.84(b)(12))
- Description of academic and other supports (§4.84(b)(13))
- Roles and responsibilities of both institutions (§4.84(b)(14))
- Consideration of free or low-cost open educational resources (§4.84(b)(15))
- Designation of at least one employee responsible for academic advising before course start (§4.84(b)(16))
- Annual posting of each agreement on both the institution’s and the school district’s websites (§4.84(c))
For more information, please refer to the Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter D, Rule §4.84.
Funding for transportation of students from a high school location to an IHE to complete coursework in an Applied Sciences Pathway Program is provided at the effective cost per mile for regular route services for the preceding school year, with no maximum rate or amount set by legislative appropriation. The average cost per mile rate is approximately $5.00.
Additional resources for the Transportation Allotment can be found here:
For additional questions on the CTE Allotment, please contact the Division of State Funding at schtrans@tea.texas.gov
Applied Sciences Pathway Program Expiration
The Applied Sciences Pathway Program is scheduled to expire on September 1, 2031.