THECB Major Policy Discussion On Graduate Education Set

Given that master’s and doctoral/professional degrees are counted toward the educated population goal, and master’s degrees are counted toward the completion goal, graduate education is an integral part of the success of 60x30TX.

Austin, Texas— Graduate education, and a recent RAND report on the subject, will be the major policy discussion topic at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board meeting on July 27.

The meeting will be held in the board room at 1200 E. Anderson Lane in Austin and will be webcast at http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/. The major policy discussion is slated to begin at 9 a.m.

Graduate education serves two primary purposes: (1) to prepare future instructors of undergraduate and graduate programs; and (2) to meet the demands of the marketplace. Effectively meeting the demands on graduate education will require thoughtful and deliberate action.

To that end, the RAND Corporation was engaged to conduct a study of graduate education in Texas. The final report, Managing the Expansion of Graduate Education in Texas, is the seventh RAND/Coordinating Board collaboration and the third project supported by Houston Endowment through the College for All Texans Foundation.

The Graduate Education Advisory Committee (GEAC) will use the report and other resources to offer its recommendations to the board regarding a strategic plan for graduate education in Texas. The major policy discussion also will be used to inform both board staff and the GEAC on the future of graduate education in Texas.

Panelists include:
– Dr. Charles Goldman, senior economist, RAND Corporation;
– Dr. Karen Butler-Purry, associate provost for graduate studies, Texas A&M University, and vice-chair of GEAC;
– Dr. Denise Trauth, president, Texas State University; and
– Dr. David Daniel, deputy chancellor, The University of Texas System.

The state’s strategic plan for higher education, 60x30TX, calls for at least 60 percent of Texans ages 25-34 to hold a postsecondary credential by 2030 (educated population goal). The plan also calls for Texas institutions of higher education to award at least 550,000 postsecondary credentials in the year 2030 (completion goal).

Reaching these goals will require the state to expand higher education opportunities. Given that master’s and doctoral/professional degrees are counted toward the educated population goal, and master’s degrees are counted toward the completion goal, graduate education is an integral part of the success of 60x30TX.

To schedule a media interview, please contact Kelly Carper Polden at 512-427-6119 or kelly.polden@thecb.state.tx.us.

THECB Mission Statement
The mission of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is to provide leadership and coordination for the Texas higher education system and to promote access, affordability, quality, success, and cost efficiency through 60x30TX, resulting in a globally competitive workforce that positions Texas as an international leader.