(a) The board recognizes institutions of higher education that offer a baccalaureate or higher degree, that either:(1) are accredited by one of the following organizations:(A) Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE);(B) Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU);(C) Higher Learning Commission (HLC);(D) New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE);(E) Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACS); and(F) WASC Senior College and University Commission; or(2) provide evidence of meeting equivalent accreditation requirements of SACS.(b) The board is the final authority regarding the evaluation of an applicant's education and has received assistance from the reporting institution in the State of Texas, the University of Texas at Austin, in evaluating:(1) an institution of higher education;(2) organizations that award credits for coursework taken outside of a traditional academic environment and shown on a transcript from an institution of higher education;(3) assessment methods such as credit by examination, challenge exams, and portfolio assessment; and(4) non-college education and training.(c) The following organizations and assessment methods may not be used to meet the requirements of this chapter:(1) American Council on Education (ACE);(2) Prior Learning Assessment (PLA);(3) Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES);(4) Defense Subject Standardized Test (DSST); and(5) StraighterLine.(d) The board may accept courses completed through an extension school, a correspondence school or continuing education program provided that the courses are offered and accepted by the board approved educational institution for a business baccalaureate or higher degree conferred by that educational institution.(e) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, extension and correspondence schools or programs and continuing education courses do not meet the criteria for recognized institutions of higher education.(f) The requirements related to recognized community colleges are provided in §511.54 of this chapter (relating to Recognized Texas Community Colleges).(g) The board may recognize a community college that offers a baccalaureate degree in accounting or business, provided that the applicant is admitted to a graduate program in accounting or business offered at a recognized institution of higher education that offers a graduate or higher degree.