The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:(1) Board--The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.(2) Degree or certificate program--Any grouping of subject matter courses which, when satisfactorily completed by a student, will entitle the student to receive a degree or certificate from an institution of higher education.(3) Institution of higher education or institution--Any public technical institute, public junior college, public senior college or university, medical or dental unit, or other agency of higher education as defined in Texas Education Code, §61.003.(4) Low-Producing Degree Programs--Degree programs that do not meet the following minimum standards for degrees awarded in the program:(A) For career technical certificates, associate and bachelor's programs, an average of five degrees awarded per academic year, to total not fewer than twenty-five degrees awarded for any five-year period;(B) For master's programs, an average of three degrees awarded per academic year, to total not fewer than fifteen degrees awarded for any five-year period; and(C) For doctoral and special professional degrees, an average of two degrees awarded per academic year, to total not fewer than ten degrees awarded for any five-year period.(5) Permanent Exemption--Exemption for degree programs which removes them from the list of low-producing degree programs indefinitely.(6) Related Degree Program--A degree program for which an institution may use common faculty and other resources.